In our previous guide we listed the essential tips that you need to follow to present your product catalogue well. In this new article we go beyond the basics and explore more advanced techniques for presenting your catalogue.
Businesses often find themselves at a point where they must decide how they will present their products or services. Whether making use of a digital catalogue such as those within a mobile sales app, opting for the ease of distribution offered by a PDF format, or adhering to traditional print, the main objective remains the same: ensuring your catalogue not only shows your products but does so in the most captivating and effective manner possible.
Presenting our products to potential customers is incredibly important. The way we choose to do it shapes our brand’s story and influences how people perceive what we offer. For businesses aiming not just to showcase products but also to actively engage and drive sales, understanding the details of each platform is key. This guide explores the dos and don’ts of crafting product catalogues in interactive, PDF, and print formats, aiming to help businesses create powerful tools that effectively connect with customers and generate sales.
Interactive catalogues
Find the right Interactivity balance
Even though interactivity is good, it’s important to find the right balance. Don’t make things too complicated for users. The interactive elements should make the user experience better, not more confusing. Use analytics tools to see how users behave in the interactive catalogue; learn from what users do to make the catalogue better over time.
Consider your strategic presentation
How you show things in interactive catalogues really matters. Put your most popular products in smart places to leave a strong impression. This careful arrangement helps guide the viewer’s attention, making a visual journey that boosts the catalogue’s overall effectiveness. If you don’t pay attention to this layout, your catalogue might look messy and not have as much impact.
PDF catalogues
As for PDF catalogues, it is about making it easy to share and navigate. Keep it small so you can share it easily without losing quality. Put in a clickable table of contents to make it simple for users to move around and explore your catalogue without any trouble.
Use dual-format design
Even in the digital age, it’s important to design PDFs with potential printing needs in mind. Your goal is to ensure visual appeal that caters to both digital and print formats, while meeting the diverse preferences of your audience. Additionally, pay careful attention to how you use hyperlinks—make sure all links within the PDF catalogue are functional and lead to the intended destination. Broken links can detract from the professionalism of your catalogue, so it’s crucial to maintain a seamless and reliable experience for your readers.
Avoid Text density
To maintain reader interest, steer clear of excessive text density. Strike a balance between information and readability by using concise language and engaging visuals in your PDFs. Additionally, enhance accessibility by considering factors such as text readability and providing alternative text for images. This way, your content becomes more inclusive, reaching a broader audience effectively.
Print catalogues
Ensure high-quality printing
Choose high-quality printing for sharp images and vibrant colours, creating a tactile and visually appealing experience for the reader. When planning your print catalogue, carefully arrange related products, use whitespace effectively, and ensure a smooth visual flow for a polished presentation.
Invest in your design elements
Boost the overall look and value of your products by getting professional photos for the print catalogue. Avoid messy designs that might be too much for readers. Each page should have a clear main point, along with short and relevant info.
General tips
Keep it up-to-date
Customer loyalty depends on various factors, and trust is crucial among them. To build trust, it’s essential to avoid showcasing old or unavailable products in your sales catalogue. This can significantly erode trust and create a disconnect in business relationships. To ensure ongoing relevance, many sales-based organisations are opting for digital catalogues that instantly sync changes, offering a dynamic and up-to-date representation of their offerings.
Prioritise user-friendly designs
In any catalogue format, make sure the design is user-friendly for a positive customer experience. Keep the user interface simple and easy to navigate. If you overlook the user-friendliness of the design, it could lead to frustration and people losing interest, defeating the purpose of your catalogue.
Maintain consistency in design
Maintain a consistent look in your print catalogue by using the same branding, font styles, and colour schemes. This creates a polished and professional appearance, reinforcing your brand identity. Also, make sure to include clear contact information to make it easy for potential customers to get in touch, ensuring smooth interaction for those looking to make a purchase or gather more information.
Use customer feedback
Collecting and using customer feedback is a helpful way to keep getting better. Actively ask customers for their opinions and use them to make your catalogue better. If you ignore customer feedback, you might miss out on valuable insights that could make your catalogue even more effective.
In interactive, PDF, and print catalogues, each medium has its own chance to shine. Making a great catalogue is about offering a straightforward experience, whether it’s a digital journey, a handy document, or a touchable keepsake. Following practical guidelines for each format lets businesses make the most of their catalogues. Whether using digital catalogues on sales apps, sharing a PDF for everyone to see, or printing a catalogue for a tangible experience, the aim is the same – to connect, captivate, and leave a lasting impression on the customer’s mind.
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