Why commission an index?

A professional index will allow your readers access to the information held within your text in a structured manner. Unlike an index generated by computer, a professionally compiled index will pull together information using headings expected by your readers, whilst also leading your readers to related subjects thus allowing full use of the publication.
 

Will it be expensive?

Prices vary according to the number of pages, amount of tables and illustrations, timescale involved and level of complexity needed for each book; a simple document will be less expensive than a scholarly text. The Society of Indexers set out recommended rates which can be found on their website. An index to a straightforward text will usually start around £2 per page.
 

I’ve written the publication, why shouldn’t I index it myself?

Often an author is too close to the text to be able to look at it objectively. A professional indexer can dissect the text and produce an index which will group together subjects in an unbiased and sympathetic manner.
 

I’m a small / self publisher my book doesn’t need an index

All non-fiction publications benefit from an index. Books produced by small publishers will look more professional and will be of more use to your readers with the inclusion of an index.
 

Can you index business reports and dissertations?

Any publication can be indexed, as an index is a framework for information retrieval. I can produce indexes for business documents and dissertations as completely as I can index books.