Find out how to make a digital catalog in hours, not days. Quick and easy guide with platform recommendations and design tips!
Ephemera and catalogs are making way to physical catalogs. The customer wants to access information about the products immediately and companies must have low cost methods of advertising their products. Digital catalogs address the two issues and also have capabilities that could not be provided in paper versions. You may think that ‘how to make a digital catalog’ is not that simple; however with a proper approach it is easy. In a few hours, you can create a catalog that looks professional, and it does not matter whether you are a self-employed person or a member of a bigger marketing department.
What is a Digital Catalog?
A digital catalog is an online version of a print catalog that shows off goods and services on digital platforms. Modern digital catalogs are interactive and interesting, unlike static PDF files. Customers can flip through pages, click on products for more information, watch videos that are already there, and even buy things right from the catalog.
This format has a lot of benefits for businesses. Digital catalogs are easy to make and send out, which cuts down on the costs of printing and mailing. They also give companies useful analytics that let them see how engaged customers are, which products are the most popular, and how to improve their marketing plans.
Customers have a better, easier time shopping. They can look at the catalog on any device, at any time, and from anywhere. The interactive features make browsing more fun and give you quick access to detailed product information, which helps you make smart buying decisions quickly and easily.
What is the Reason to Go Digital?
There are a number of benefits of digital catalogs over printed catalogs. They can be updated at the same time, and thus, you can modify prices, new products or correct mistakes without having to reprint thousands of copies. They can also be searched, and the customers can find certain products fast instead of turning pages.
Savings on cost are also high. Printing, shipping and storage will be free. Besides, you can follow the exact interactions of customers with your catalog, which pages are most visited, and where customers spend their time and what products attract their interest the most.
Instructional Guide on How to make a Digital Catalog
Choose Your Platform
The choice of the appropriate tool is the first step you make. The digital catalog is an easy task in several platforms:
Canva has easy to use templates that are ideal to beginners. It lacks a design background and uses a drag-and-drop interface through which you can build professional-appearing catalogs within a few minutes.
Adobe InDesign offers a higher quality of features to individuals familiar with software in design. It has a learning curve, but provides full control of the creativity.
Enhanc digital catalog software focuses on online publications and incorporates such features as page-flipping effects that resemble the real physical catalogs.
Gather Your Content
Get all the materials needed before designing:
- Good images of the product (Minimum 300 DPI to display clearly)
- Product specifications and descriptions.
- Pricing information
- Company branding: (logos, color scheme, fonts).
- Contact information and purchasing information.
- Group this material in folders to simplify the design process.
Design Your Layout
Begin with your cover page- this is the first page the customers will see. Insert your business name, a catchy title and your most successful product photo. Make the design simple and business like.
When using interior pages, be consistent in fonts, colors and structure of the layout. Combine related products in a group, and use white space to prevent fatigue pages. In most platforms, they provide templates that deal with the basics of layout.
Add Interactive Elements
Digital catalogs are magnified when they are charged with interactive touches. Consider adding:
- Links to product pages or buying features that are clickable.
- Zoom to see products in detail.
- In-page video demonstrations.
- Contact form or ask buttons.
- Social media links
These are the components that can make your catalog more than a lifeless brochure, it will be an interactive shopping experience.
Optimize for Mobile
Over 60 percent of web flow is used through mobiles, therefore, make sure your catalog is flawless on iPhones and iPads. The majority of modern catalog sites generates mobile responsive templates, but never launch without first trying on other screens.
Test and Publish
Make sure that you review your catalog. Check links, verify accuracy of product information and be sure of fast loading of images. Get other workers or customers who can be trusted to read and give their feedback.
When you are happy publish your catalog. Between 50 and 70 platforms have a shareable link which you can send out by email or social media or to your website.
Quick Tips for Success
Make file sizes manageable i.e. large catalogs load slowly and are frustrating to users. Shrink images without loss of quality, and think about dividing long product lines into several themed catalogs.
Review on a regular basis to make content current and correct. Remember that you should check your catalog at the end of every quarter or more often with seasonal goods.
Add in-text calls-to-action. Whatever it is: Shop Now, Request Quote or Contact Us, it needs to be clear how a customer should proceed.
Conclusion
Assuming you have not yet settled on how to create a digital catalog, by now you ought to have realized that developing a digital catalog does not involve any vast technical capabilities, nor does it involve a huge budget. You can get a professional catalog finished in an afternoon with the correct platform and structured content. The time spent is compensated by the higher levels of customer engagement, lower costs of printing, and the ability to make changes in what you offer in real-time.
You can begin to collect your product photos and descriptions. Your customers are eager to navigate your online catalog and your bottom line will appreciate your decision to switch.