Knowledge Base | Catalogs | The Rise of Virtual Catalogs: How Digital Catalogs are Changing the Shopping Landscape

The Rise of Virtual Catalogs: How Digital Catalogs are Changing the Shopping Landscape

In the age of Internet marketing, more and more attention should be paid not only to SEO optimization or advertising of your websites but also to all aspects of a company’s presence in cyberspace. One of the most significant changes in recent years has been the rise in popularity of the online catalog . Your product catalog can easily transform your marketing strategy.

Whether as websites, PDF files, or interactive online catalogs in the form of flipbooks, an online catalog is a dynamic way for companies to showcase their products, connect with customers, and increase sales.

Publuu’s online catalog example



View more online catalog examples

MAKE YOUR OWN

In this guide, we’ll explain the benefits of digital catalogs and discover how they are changing how companies promote and sell their products in today’s digital landscape. You’ll learn how to use a free online catalog maker to promote your catalog and distribute it online.

Benefits of creating online catalogs

A digital catalog is indispensable these days. Whether you create it yourself, using a free catalog template from one of the digital catalog software online, or hiring a professional designer, an interactive digital catalog has many advantages over a traditional paper publication. Here are some benefits of creating an online catalog:

  • Global reach: With online catalogs, your products are available to a worldwide audience, especially if you use English, Spanish, or Chinese. This allows your market to transcend geographic limitations, potentially attracting customers from different regions and countries. A digital product catalog can be sent across the Earth with a single click!

  • Environmental friendliness: By creating an interactive catalog online, you significantly reduce paper consumption, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to business operations. The fewer trees that are cut down, the better!

  • Savings: You’re saving not only the environment and reducing your carbon footprint. You’re avoiding paper, printing, and postage expenses, as well as storage, which is always a major drain! Publuu catalog maker allows you to save your entire back archive in the safe cloud!

    Online plant shop application on digital device screens

  • Interactivity : Thanks to the unique technological ideas provided by Publuu, online catalogs gain features that paper publications do not. You can include links to products, integrate your online store with PDF, and add videos showing products, galleries, and animated gifs to your product catalog. What’s more, with Publuu, you can make customers add products to their shopping carts with a single click – without sacrificing the sleek look of a flipbook.

  • Ease of access: Digital catalogs can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection, making your products available to a worldwide audience 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether customers are using Apple, Android, Windows, or other devices, you can browse the digital catalog from Publuu on any platform!

  • Ease of updating: In a dynamic business environment where prices and product lines can change frequently, digital catalogs offer the advantage of quick and easy updates. Simply upload the new version of the file to the Publuu cloud – the link leading to the product catalog will not change!

Easy virtual catalog updates

  • Analytics and insights: A digital catalog can provide valuable data and insight into customer behavior. You can track which products are the most popular, how much time customers spend browsing your catalog, and which pages they visit most often. Publuu allows you to view analytics data and narrow down your target audience.

  • Easy sharing : Customers can easily share digital catalogs with friends and family, increasing reach by sharing through personal contact and communities – especially if you design a beautiful free catalog that others will enjoy.

  • Improved SEO: Well-organized online directories can improve your site’s search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines often favor websites with structured content, such as directories, potentially leading to higher visibility and more organic traffic. Directories from the Publuu index are treated differently by search engines than PDF files.

Woman browsking catalog in Google search engine


Essential features for your product catalogs

Here are the key elements and features that a well-designed online product catalog should have to showcase products and attract customers:

Ease of share and publication

To create an online catalog, you need to be able to easily upload it and share it with the world. Publuu catalog maker lets you upload the digital catalog with a drag-and-drop interface and your readers can download it on their devices.

User-friendly interface

The catalog should have an intuitive and easy-to-use design. Customers should be able to quickly search for products they need. With Publuu’s innovative hotspots feature, you can quickly create links in a document, combining the best features of a PDF catalog and a website.

Mobile responsiveness

Make sure your digital catalog is optimized for mobile devices. Many users browse and shop on smartphones and tablets, so a responsive design is crucial for accessibility. Optimize the online catalog for search engines with relevant keywords, metatags, and structured data. This improves the catalog visibility in search results.

Mobile resposive catalog design

High-quality product photos

Include clear, high-resolution photos of each product from a variety of angles – use catalog templates that provide you with enough space for pictures. High-quality visual elements are crucial to showcase product details and attract customers. Publuu allows you to add animations and product galleries.

Interactive features

A product catalog needs to engage the customer who won’t just leaf through your offer. An online catalog from Publuu can use links, videos, or product galleries to keep the reader engaged!

Analytics and reporting

Implement analytics tools to track user behavior, conversions, and catalog performance. Use these insights to improve your catalog and marketing strategies.


How to create a catalog online?

Creating an online product catalog takes some planning and effort, but it’s a great way to showcase your products and services to potential customers. Your virtual catalog can be easily customized and you don’t have to be an expert to create one!

1. Catalog maker software . There are many different software tools you can use to create an online catalog – your best bet would be to choose a program like Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, or Canva and convert the whole thing to Publuu. Canva offers many free catalog templates that can help a beginning designer create their stunning online catalog.

2. Use the software and catalog templates to make your design. Create a cover page with an eye-catching design and branding of your company, with your logo and color. Organize your catalog into sections or categories and arrange photos with product descriptions in an attractive and consistent layout. Use fonts, colors, and graphics that match your brand’s visual identity – your brand image depends on consistency. Also make sure your catalog is visually appealing, easy to read, and user-friendly.

Online catalog design template

3. Include high-resolution product photos and clear, professional descriptions in your PDF catalog. Include product names, prices, and other relevant details. Make sure product information is accurate and consistent throughout the entire online catalog. With Publuu online catalog maker, you can add hyperlinks to products so that customers can click on the product and be redirected to your site for more information or to purchase.

4. Once your catalog is ready, save it as a PDF file. Most design software allows you to export or save the document as a PDF.

5. You can then upload it to the Publuu cloud – just drag it to our site. Once the file uploads, you can start editing the flipbook – add hotspots or interactive elements to create a professional-looking catalog online. Then you can embed it on your website so customers can download it, email it to customers or subscribers, or share it on social media.

Puluu lets you organize an online catalog stand, which can gather all your back issues – which is especially relevant if you include interesting content like the presentation of your company or an explanation of how your products can be used. Digital catalog publishing has never been easier!


Increase your online sales

If you want to increase your online sales, Publuu online catalog maker allows you to enhance your online catalog by including animated hotspots for product tagging.

Publuu product tag and wishlist

Simply click on a designated spot to access additional product information, such as expanded descriptions, additional images, or informational videos with a single click. This way you can highlight special discount offers and seamlessly link them to product pages.

Publuu also allows you to create a “wish list,” allowing users to easily add their preferred products from the catalog to a list that can be conveniently shared via email.


Digital catalog examples

This digital catalog shows the products using Publuu flipbook features and displays them on large splash pages.

Publuu virtual catalog example

This online catalog showcases technological elements using high-quality images.

Publuu online catalog example

You can enrich your custom catalogs by adding your background. This online catalog also uses links to products in the online store to great effect.

Publuu virtual catalog sample


Conclusion

As you can see, an online product catalog can be a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes to reach a wider audience, increase sales, and improve the customer experience. By creating a well-designed and user-friendly online catalog, businesses can showcase their products in the best possible light!

If you’re looking for a way to take your business to the next level, consider creating an online catalog today. With the help of easy-to-use software, catalog template galleries, and online catalog makers like Publuu, it’s easier than ever to create a stunning and effective online catalog that will help you achieve your business goals.


You may be also interested in:
Stunning Product Catalog Template That Stands Out
The Best Custom Company Catalogue Designs and Templates


Convert your PDF to flipbook today!

Go beyond boring PDF and create digital flipbook for free.
Register with Publuu for free today and check out all the smart options we prepared for you!

Create a catalog now