If you are in the business of selling products, you are aware of how crucial it is to showcase the products most effectively. A product catalog is one of the most effective methods for accomplishing this.
In this blog, I’ll be highlighting the steps involved in how to make catalogs. Also, strategies that you can follow to manage product catalogs. And how they can help businesses improve their sales strategy.
To have a better and more in-depth understanding of catalogs, you can head over to our blog on Prdouct Catalogs, in which we have covered every aspect of product catalogs.
What is a product catalog?
A product catalog is a detailed document that displays all the company’s products and services. While primarily designed for marketing purposes, it can also be a valuable tool for sales persons.
A product catalog can help sales representatives present a company’s offerings in a structured and organized manner, making it easier for potential customers to understand and consider the products.
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How to make catalogs?
Designing a visually attractive and well-structured product catalog is a simple process that can be done with prior planning and using an online document creator.
You can quickly create a polished catalog in under an hour with the help of customizable product catalog templates that align with your brand guidelines.
Steps for creating a catalog
Let me take you through the steps involved in creating a catalog.
- Gather the product data
- Plan layout and structure
- Design your catalog
- Download or publish the catalog
Step # 01: Gather the product data
The first step in creating your product catalog is gathering all the necessary product information. It includes the product’s composition, dimensions, pricing, customer testimonials, and high-quality images.
It’s additionally important to have guidelines on your visual brand identity, including brand tones, text styles, and character, to guarantee consistency and an on-brand plan through the inventory.
As you design the catalog, it will be simple to access this information if it is organized in a spreadsheet.
Step # 02: Plan layout and structure
To create a product catalog, it’s important to plan its layout and structure prior. One way to do this is by creating a mockup, which can be a simple pencil sketch or a more detailed digital mockup using digital tools.
By having a clear visual representation of the catalog’s design, you can avoid wasting time and effort on constant redesigns and edits.
When creating the layout, it’s recommended to focus on a visual-first layout with minimal text, as this makes the catalog more engaging and easier to understand for potential customers.
It’s important to ensure that the catalog’s text is easy to read and comprehend. Use subheadings to break up large blocks of text, keep sentences short, and incorporate bullet points.
Step # 03: Design your catalog
You can start from scratch or use a template to design your product catalog. Begin with a front page that reflects your brand personality, and add a table of contents page to help users navigate the document.
Choose a plain-colored background or a patterned one, a picture, or an animated front. Add your cover page text. Use the design tools to add lines, icons, product pictures, 3D graphics, and whatever else you want in the catalog.
Once you’ve designed the cover, add another page, select a template, or start with a blank page. Keep adding pages and customizing them until your product catalog is ready.
Personalize icons, text, and design elements and change the font, design, color, etc. You can add or remove pages from the template too.
Step # 04: Download or Publish the catalog
After creating a product catalog, you can either download it as a PDF or publish it online for easy sharing.
To download it as a PDF, you can select the download option and choose the PDF format. If you want to share it online, you can use a sharing link or embed it on your website.
How to manage product catalogs
As there is a saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” A product catalog, when made in the right way, can do much more than provide a list of products.
It can convey the essence of a brand and help customers envision how a product can fit into their lives. However, managing a product catalog can be challenging, especially if you have a diverse range of products.
Here I’m listing all the possible ways in which you can manage your product catalogs effectively;
- Quality product information and trust-building
- Mapping of the catalog management process
- Upselling and cross-selling of products
- Integrate a catalog management tool
1. Quality Product information and trust-building
To establish trust with potential customers, it is important to provide accurate and detailed information in your product catalog. This includes technical specifications, images, videos, inventory information, units of measurement, and usage combinations.
The information should be clear and easy to navigate. Using high-quality visuals is also important to grab the attention of your potential customers and keep them engaged.
Consider incorporating multiple media formats to showcase your products effectively. By prioritizing quality product information, you can build trust with customers and increase your sales.
2. Mapping of the catalog management process
Mapping your e-commerce catalog management process can provide a clear understanding of the various stakeholders involved in the process and their respective roles.
This helps you identify which parts of the process are impacted by each stakeholder, when they are impacted, and how to approach them for necessary updates.
For instance, as a wholesaler, mapping out the process would help you identify the necessary steps if you want to add new products to your catalog.
This might include gathering product information from suppliers, checking if your courier can accommodate the new products, arranging for product photography, creating product descriptions, and updating inventory records with new SKUs.
3. Upselling and cross-selling of products
One effective way to boost your e-commerce catalog is to incorporate related or alternative products in your product suggestions. It’s a common tactic most online stores use, as it can significantly increase the average order value.
For example, when shopping for a camera, online stores often suggest additional items like batteries, memory cards, or cases that would complement your purchase. You might find these suggestions helpful and add these items to your cart.
Moreover, suggesting alternative products can encourage buyers to consider a higher-end camera or explore other options in case they haven’t found what they’re looking for yet. Implementing these tactics can enhance the customer experience and increase your sales chances.
4. Integrate a Catalog management tool
When selecting a catalog management tool for your e-commerce business, it is important to consider factors such as the size and complexity of your product catalog, available resources, and plans for future expansion.
Maintaining a single source of truth is also important to prevent errors and duplication of product data. Suppose you already use an ERP or PIM system for catalog management.
In that case, it is recommended to avoid duplicating the data in a separate e-commerce platform and instead opt for an ERP-integrated e-commerce solution.
Product Catalog Examples
Here are a few examples of product catalogs, that you can use to incorporate into your business catalog.
1. The Nuttery
The Nuttery is a company that sells bird feeders, offering an extensive range of products for birds. Their product catalog highlights the distinct features and advantages of their various offerings.
The overall design of the catalog is well-balanced, serving as a great source of inspiration for other businesses seeking to incorporate diverse design elements onto a single page.
Moreover, the inclusion of bar codes with the products simplifies the online search process for customers looking for the same item.
2. Tork USA
Tork is a globally renowned brand in the field of workplace hygiene, holding a leading position in the industry.
Their catalog is affiliated with a specific design pattern, incorporating elements such as a consistent color scheme, product images, varied fonts, and symbols.
Despite the page containing numerous images and colors, the color scheme remains consistent throughout, without any changes.
3. Fressnapf
Fressnapf offers an extensive selection of products for pet lovers that may not be easily accessible elsewhere. To help customers navigate the vast array of products, the brand provides detailed descriptions in its catalogs.
This image serves as an excellent source for businesses with an extensive product range. By adopting a similar approach, they can create catalogs that effectively showcase their products and help customers make informed purchasing decisions.
Conclusion
When designing product catalogs, it’s important to prioritize creating a user-friendly layout that is easy to navigate and understand.
Also, high-quality product images should be a top priority. Avoid wordy descriptions and focus on presenting only the essential details.
In addition to the strategies mentioned above, utilizing Product Information Management (PIM) software like Apimio can greatly streamline the process of managing your product catalog.
Incorporating Apimio PIM into your workflow saves time and resources while improving your product information’s accuracy and consistency.
What to do next?
- If you want to explore more about product catalogs. Head on to our blog on Product Catalogs to have a better understanding.
- Manage your product catalog information with Apimio PIM and save time. Sign Up here.
- Read more about our Product Information-related Guides here.
- Contact our support or Comment your thoughts under the blog section if you have any questions or issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
A well-organized product catalog can help businesses increase sales, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction by making it easier for customers to find what they need.
Some best practices for managing a product catalog include keeping it organized, consistent, and up-to-date, using clear and concise language, and regularly analyzing and updating product information.
Consider using high-quality images and descriptions to make your product catalog stand out, highlighting unique features or benefits and eye-catching design and layout.
