Propelling your startup to scalable heights requires you to wear various hats in this ever-dynamic realm of eCommerce. One sure way of ensuring your startup has a competitive edge against its competitors, and in general, enhancing its operations in all sectors is having a solid online experience. That is, being conversant and able to ride along with the prevailing digital tools. 

Yes, integrating Professional Services Automation (PSA), keeping your client management process in check, and many more will set your growing venture on the right path. Still, it shouldn’t rest at that. Again, to ensure you enhance your customer experience, gain traction and attain the optimal level of success, you have to adapt to all technological perks. Digital catalogs are essential all businesses have to invest in. 

Catalog marketing is an effective way to connect with prospective customers, motivate buyers and showcase all you have to offer. The more traditional print catalogs have had immense benefits of providing brand exposure, and we can’t elude how an incredible tool they have been for businesses. Nevertheless, that usefulness is dwindling by the day. 

From the limited spacing, inability to feature comprehensive product inventory of print catalogs, and generally, eCommerce, it’s not complex to gather why digital catalogs have a distinct advantage. And it goes beyond that. But, unfortunately, not many startups and SMEs have transitioned to digital catalogs. 

Here are more insights into why all businesses are opting for digital catalogs regardless of the size.

Why Your Startup Needs a Digital Catalog

A digital catalog or animated flipbook is a vast online tool, particularly on a website that advertises your products and allows buyers to shop and purchase. 

Essentially, digital catalogs offer businesses the power to provide instantaneous information, automate the purchasing experience, consequently turning their complete selection of products into an effective sales and marketing tool. Also, they enhance your customer experience since they are accessible, convenient, and engaging, subsequently optimizing your resources. And there is more: 

1. A Digital Catalog Boosts Your Sales

As outlined, the core objective of online catalogs is to get your startup more orders, driving sales. In addition, product catalogs entice customers to purchase more than they had intended.

How? By showcasing a variety of products, your customers probably weren’t aware you offer. 

A comprehensive digital catalog, accompanied by stunning graphics, will most likely keep prospective buyers glued on their phones, browsing through the pages searching for things they like. 

2. Highly Accessible

In contrast to paper catalogs, which are weighty, one has to lug around with it, and they are not centrally located and are accessible in person, digital catalogs are weightless and accessible from any corner of the globe, especially for mobile-optimized digital catalogs. On top of it, it’s easy to share. This makes it streamlining for your customers and prospective buyers to revise your products whenever and wherever they please.

3. Cost-effective

Digital catalogs are the perfect course of action for firms that are yet to establish themselves and want to test the market. Startups should capitalize on this goodwill instead of printing and distributing paper catalogs. Not to mention the extra costs incurred when your products offer changes. You have to update, reprint, and redistribute the paper catalog. 

As you can imagine, creating a digital catalog can save a lump sum of cash and time. 

4. Cuts Redundant Business Cycles

As a startup owner, it can be pretty exhausting going back and forth with your clients. That is, they keep on inquiring about the same things repeatedly, and you have to share the information multiple times. 

However, information will be readily available with a digital catalog and cut mistakes you would have made when informing customers about critical information. 

5. Streamlined Shopping Experience

First and foremost, only limited individuals can access print catalogs, considering the cost incurred in printing large batches. On the other hand, digital catalogs can reach a broad audience. You can share your catalog through email newsletters and links via social media platforms. That is, you can use them as a targeted marketing tool. 

It doesn’t stop there. One of the most intriguing features of online catalogs is that prospective buyers can search, filter products according to different categories, and swiftly find what they intend to acquire. Even better, they can add items into their shopping carts without waiting for assistance. As such, digital catalogs are convenient, fast, and effortless, offering customers an exceptional shopping experience. 

6. Solidifies Your Online Presence

In this modern era, a solid online experience gives your startup a competitive edge against its competitors, matches customer expectations, and highlights you on a global scale. When individuals share your digital catalogs via their social media platforms, they promote your content on the web. As a result, more people become aware of your brand. People can learn more, browse through your products and transact with you effortlessly. 

It’s almost impractical to elude all the reasons why your startup needs a digital catalog. Nevertheless, it can be overwhelming to be strategic about creating and effectively utilizing an online catalog to maximize ROI. The following are some practical and efficient tips:

• Your catalog should serve as a memorable first impression to your target audience. As a result, include high-quality graphics of all your products. On top of it, all your products must be described in detail. Even better, use mockups to showcase new designs and products. 
• Ensure it’s mobile-friendly. 
• Your digital catalog has to be elaborate and seamless to navigate. It should be easy to search through. In this case, it should be effortless to search for commodities using product names, SKU numbers, product type, and the model number.
• Ensure there is a quick order option. 
• Keep your catalog up-to-date. Ensure you can easily update and upload new or additional data about products on the digital catalog. 

Final Thought

Catalogs remain to be a potent and effective marketing tool with a measurable ROI. With digitization, it’s reasonable for your startup to capitalize on a digital catalog to keep its sales up a notch and enhance your customers’ experience. Most importantly, ensure you stand out from the crowd with an understandable, detailed, easy-to-use, and alluring online catalog.