A web page catalog is a must for any web-based business. A web page catalog will enable your website to take orders for you automatically, without the necessity of a phone conversation or emailed information between you and your customers.
Instructions
1. Sign up for a PayPal merchant account. Choose the business version of "Website Payments Standard." There is no monthly fee, but PayPal will take fees from your transactions ranging from 1.9 percent to 2.9 percent plus a standard 30 cent fee. Complete the setup process by entering your business and account information, and then verify your email address and your bank account. It will take three to five days to verify your bank account.
2. Create a new page on your website, using the same branding you use on other pages, such as your logo and business name. Name this page "Catalog" or another recognizable term.
3. Choose how you will organize your catalog. Tables, "Div" HTML elements and simple separation using paragraphs and horizontal rules are common ways to organize a catalog. Place each product, title and description in its own cell of a table, its own "Div" element or its own paragraph.
If you use tables, you may choose to organize the table so that the title for each product spans three columns and in the next row the image, description and "Add to Cart" button are in different cells. If you use a paragraph separated by a horizontal rule, you will still want to have the title of each product in a heading tag, followed by the description in paragraph tags.
4. Add pictures and descriptions of your products or services. Each product should have a clearly visible title and a description ranging from one sentence to a paragraph. Pictures are not necessary but provide a visual representation that encourages visitors to buy.
5. Create your "Add to Cart" or "Buy Now" buttons in your PayPal account. Log in to your account and click on "Merchant Services." Choose either "Add to Cart" or "Buy It Now." Fill in the form, adding the specifications for your product or service. Click "Create Button." Copy the HTML code from the following screen and paste it into your catalog page in the location where you want your button to appear.
6. Publish your catalog page to your website and create a link to your catalog from your home page. Test your published pages to be sure your links are functioning properly.
