Online catalogs are a must for any online retail business.
Most of the first Internet websites were basically magazine catalogs on a computer screen. Web pages have evolved tremendously into interactive and useful communication portals for users and retailers alike. However, online catalogs still play an important role in informing and persuading customers to purchase a product. Clear, vivid images are very important as well as legible and understandable descriptions of the products. Additional features such as product reviews, ratings and price promotions are also very common.
Instructions
1. Create relevant information for the product cards. According to Hoover Web Designs, product cards are simply descriptions and images of a specific product with relevant product information. If your online catalog includes clothing, then the relevant information will be available sizes, colors and type of fabric. If the products are music downloads, then it may be appropriate to have a play button giving users a 30-second sample of the song. List the relevant information for your products in addition to general information such as product name and price. Other relevant information for the product card is shipping location and shipping options.
2. Create a product description. The product description is the text accompanying the product image, and it is an essential part of the product card. A good product description can persuade customers to purchase the product or develop trust in your brand and online store. The product description should be short and concise. Try to keep it to one or two short sentences. It should describe what the product is and what it does.
3. Create product sections. For example, clothing should be divided by men, women and children. Music can be divided by genres such as classic rock or rap. List all your categories and place every product into the corresponding segment.
4. High quality images translate into higher sales and adds a proffesional look to your catalog.
Get high-quality images of the products. This is one of the most important parts of creating an online catalog. A professional image speaks volumes about the quality and credibility of the company. Hire a freelance photographer in your town to take pictures of all your products. They should be knowledgeable about lighting, image effects, and image manipulation software such as Photoshop. Consider hiring talented photography students from a nearby university if you want to save money.
5. Research online platforms to host the catalog. If you already have an existing website, you will need on incorporate the catalog using the platform you used to build the site. Many free platforms such as weebly.com and shopify.com allow you to easily make an online catalog of products by filling in the product description and uploading the product images. Weebly.com lets you customize the position and size of the product card on the pages you want. Shopify.com builds on this capability by letting you manage and keep track of inventory you sell through your website. Both platforms integrate with credit card processing systems so users can purchase the products straight from your site.
