Everything you need to know about how to make a catalog online

Last updated: February 5th, 2025

Have you ever flipped through printed catalogs and wanted to see more details about a specific product – maybe some images from different angles or further details about a product’s materials? I know I did, and I was kind of disappointed that I couldn’t be easily redirected to a website and buy the product in just a few seconds.

Don’t get me wrong. Printed product catalogs are great. However, as e-commerce platforms continuously rise and buying behaviors evolve, digital product catalogs have become valuable marketing assets to most retail and wholesale industry giants.

So, in this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to make a catalog online that will help you reach a wider audience, give customers a better shopping experience, and, ultimately, increase your sales. 

All this sounds exciting, right? Let’s go through every detail of product catalogs.

But first, a quick recap, in case you need it –

What is a digital product catalog?

A digital product catalog is an online version of a product catalog that showcases a company’s products. It can be in different shapes and sizes and is typically accessible through websites, PDFs, or specialized platforms. However, its main goal is to help users interact with product information, such as pricing or material.

Usually, the companies that create digital product catalogs activate mostly online; that’s why it can also be called an e-commerce product catalog.

In the past, product catalogues were only considered to be delivered as printed PDFs. But today, with the help of online catalog makers, B2B and B2C sellers can reach their customers more quickly and cost-effectively.

The entire shopping experience has been dramatically improved since the appearance of digital product catalogues, also known as flipbooks, because of their page-flipping effect. 

Customers can grab their laptops, tablets, or smartphones, check their inboxes, and get easy access to the digital catalog in just a few seconds. Moreover, they can immediately purchase products as online product catalogs create shoppable experiences as they have links, buy buttons, price tags, and so much more. We’ll get into that a bit later.

Through an e-catalog, your clients are always just a few clicks away from browsing through its pages and purchasing your products. 

You can realize what this means for your business, right? More sales possibilities! But let me give you more proof of the great benefits digital catalogs can offer your business.

Advantages of an online product catalogue 

Truth be told, there are many advantages to having an online product catalog. Probably the most important one is that creating a product catalog online is cost-effective. This is extremely helpful for small businesses that otherwise would create product catalogs in programs like Adobe InDesign and pay for hundreds of printed catalog copies.

Let’s see some other benefits of making a catalog for your online products:

1. Clicks are cheaper than paper, so making an online product catalog is cost-effective.
2. You get the same price no matter the catalog’s size.
3. You have no space or page limits.
4. The distribution process is much easier; with a few clicks, you can reach a wider audience through various sharing options across multiple media.
5. With the right catalog maker, you can access advanced catalog statistics to analyze your customers’ behavior.
6. You get to add interactivity to your product catalogue and help customers get better shopping experiences.
7. Instant updates and faster launch times; typos and errors can be fixed without compromising an entire batch of catalogs and without reprinting everything, which would be costly.
8. You can add a digital shopping cart, which shortens the buying process.
9. It’s much more informative, which helps buyers with decision-making.
10. Helps sales reps access product details quickly for better conversations and higher conversions.
11. It’s also printable, so if you want to have a physical version of your digital catalog, that’s doable. 
12. It’s mobile-friendly, which means anyone can access it on the go.
13. You can make it SEO-friendly, which helps your marketing and sales.
14. They’re easy to navigate; it’s faster to click CTRL + F when you know what you’re looking for.
15. With online product catalogs, companies can easily stay brand-consistent.

And these are only a few benefits of digital catalogs. 

Let’s not forget how substantially environmentally friendly digital materials are. More and more brands consider this factor when preparing their materials before planning a marketing campaign. Being environmentally conscious is the new must for brands wanting to win their customers’ trust.

When creating a product catalog online, you can showcase the entire product library and make it easily accessible to your customers by adding shopping features that also boost your sales. 

If you wonder what those interactive elements are, below is a product catalog example you can flip through and see what a digital catalog looks like:

Notice the product videos, buy buttons, price tags, and social media buttons? We wanted to show you this product catalog example to understand how it can bring you closer to your audience (we’ll see more examples in a minute).

Now, before moving on to the part where we show you how to make a catalogue, let’s see what elements you need to include in it:

What goes into a digital product catalog?

1. Front cover
2. Table of contents
3. Introduction
4. Content pages
5. Back cover

Now, let’s take them individually and see what details you should keep in mind when learning how to make a product catalog.

1. Front cover

The front cover of any digital product catalog should have an eye-catching design. It’s the first thing your customers see when they receive your email with the digital catalog. And if the front cover doesn’t entice them from the beginning, your audience might lose interest. Cover design mistakes can be costly.

Pick the right products for your front cover and pair them with eye-catching headlines and fun, engaging copy to spark curiosity. 

Running a promotion? Highlight it right on the cover and guide readers to the details inside to help drive sales. And don’t forget: professional, high-quality images make a huge difference. If hiring a photographer isn’t an option, try taking photos in natural daylight for bright, stunning results.

Get your audience excited to see what your brand has to offer.

2. Table of contents

Including a table of contents isn’t a must, but it’s a smart move that even big brands still follow, so why shouldn’t you? 

The table of contents informs the clients what the product catalog contains, allows them to find the products they’re interested in, and makes browsing easier. For digital catalogs, you can even add clickable buttons to take readers straight to the right page, like in the example below.

Creating a professional product catalog online involves a few key elements, but don’t worry, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make one that grabs people’s attention and keeps your audience hooked.

3. Introduction

Just like the previous element, this one is not a must-have, but if you like to give customers a little information about your business, products, or services, here’s your chance. The introduction is usually just a page where the brand can briefly describe the overall product catalog purpose.

For instance, if it’s a promotional edition for the upcoming holidays, then you can mention that in the intro. Stores like cvaley, a fashion and cosmetics brand, use seasonal catalogs to engage their customers with the latest trends and products. If you have items on sale for a limited time, let your customers know that.

Remember that you can also add calls to action and redirect links to the promotion on your website. Doing this provides an easy and accessible shopping experience for your customers.

4. Content pages

The content pages are where your products come to life. Include details like descriptions, images, videos, prices, and shopping buttons. This is your chance to get creative with colors, fonts, and layouts, but always stay true to your branding.

Your branding kit (logo, colors, typography, etc.) isn’t just for your website or social media. It should shine through in your product catalog, too. A consistent look builds trust and makes your catalog feel professional.

Don’t forget to sprinkle call-to-action buttons throughout the catalog. These guide your customers, encourage purchases, and ultimately boost your sales. And if you’re including videos, try embedding short product demos or testimonials. These are an excellent way to engage and convert your audience.

5. Back cover

The back cover usually has the website link and the brand’s social media platforms. It can also have contact details like email, address, phone number, state, and so on. 

Most brands keep this page simple and let the contact details stand out more so that people know how to reach the brand if they need more information.

So there you have it. You only need a few ingredients to make online product catalogues awesome.

And now, let’s see how to make a catalog online using Flipsnack.

How to create an online catalog with Flipsnack

Catalogs have a long history, and while they’ve evolved, they still play a powerful role in shaping the online shopping experience. A well-designed catalog complete with stunning images, engaging product descriptions, and even a touch of humor when appropriate can captivate customers and leave a lasting impression.

Ready to create your own? Let’s dive into the steps for creating an online product catalog that stands out.

1. Define the purpose and target audience

Before creating a product catalog, be clear about its purpose and who it’s for. Is it to attract new customers, assist your sales team, or support retail partners? Understanding your audience helps you tailor the catalog’s tone, style, and features to meet their needs.

2. Start the design process from scratch or with a template

Most product catalogs are between 8.5″ x 11″ and 9″ x 12″, or 816 x 1056 to 864 x 1152 pixels. While these are standard sizes, you can adjust them based on your design goals. Catalogs typically range from 4 to 64 pages, depending on the scope of your offerings.

If these technical details feel overwhelming, don’t stress. Flipsnack makes it easy to get started. 

You can upload a PDF or use a professional product catalog template. These product catalog templates save time and deliver polished designs, even if you’re not a pro. They ensure elements like balance, colors, and margins, creating a visually appealing and functional catalog.

Templates are the preferred choice nowadays, and it makes sense. Just think about all the WordPress or Wix pages out there. People with no coding experience got the chance to create their websites without turning to a web developer. 

Now, you can notice how much thought is put into creating a template, so when you want to create a product catalog online, you should definitely consider starting with a template. Also, using Flipsnack as a content creation tool means you don’t have to hire a designer to create a product catalog for you.

3. Add professional photos to showcase your products

High-quality photos are non-negotiable. They show your products at their best, set you apart from competitors, and appeal to your audience’s visual instincts. Hire a professional photographer if possible because they’ll know the right lighting, angles, and details to highlight.

💡Tip: Use lifestyle images to show your products in action or in real-world settings. They make a stronger emotional connection than standalone product shots. Just like in the image below.

Unsurprisingly, brands invest millions of dollars in commercials because they understand this principle: profits require investing. One of the best investments for your product catalog is to equip it with otherworldly product photography.

4. Write short and concise product descriptions 

Pair your stunning photos with compelling, concise product catalog copy. Focus on key details like features, benefits, and unique selling points. Don’t overdo it, as your text should complement the images, not compete with them.

You can get inspired by others who wrote descriptions or use a product descriptions generator, but make sure to edit it and make it your own. For digital catalogs, use product tags to include extra details like prices, discounts, or links to purchase without crowding the page.

5. Stay true to your branding style

Your catalog is an extension of your brand. So when people flip through your product catalog, they must recognize it’s yours.

This means you need to add your brand identity to product catalogs. Logo, custom fonts, colors, and fullscreen URLs must be considered personal characteristics intended to set you apart. 

Recognize that IKEA catalogs from a million? Then you know what I mean. 

Respect the brand book guidelines you already have established for your business and let your audience easily recognize your style among your competition. Also, make sure you have brand consistency throughout the entire product catalog design.

💡Tip: Stick to your brand’s color palette and adjust hues or saturation as needed. Avoid cluttering your design with too many colors.

6. Add a shopping list to reduce friction between buyer and seller

One of the biggest benefits of having an online product catalog is being able to incorporate a shopping list. 

This feature makes everything easier for both the buyer and seller.

With Flipsnack, you can let customers add items to a digital list, download it as a PDF, or share it with the seller. Include overlays with product details like price, description, and ID for a seamless experience.

Additionally, using the shopping list feature gives you the opportunity to add extra details to your product in an overlay. This is completely optional, but when the customers click on the item they want more details on, the overlay will pop up. Here, you can add a product description, the price, the currency, and more.

You can add all of this information without having to clog up your product catalog. This is an easy way to keep the design aesthetically pleasing while giving the customer everything they need to make a purchase decision.

💡Tip: Be as descriptive as possible when using the product overlay. Add a clear title and product ID to the item to keep things nice and organized. This will maximize the catalog’s selling power by arming your customers with all the necessary details.

7. Share your digital product catalog

So far, you’ve found out the basics of creating a product catalog; the final step is to make sure as many people as possible get the chance to see it. 

You can distribute your catalog in many ways, via direct email, social media, or even embed it on your website. The thing with catalogs is that you want a wide reach. So, take advantage of all the different methods available and reveal your product catalog to everyone. 

There are much easier ways to share a PDF document online that are much more engaging and inspirational than downloading every scrollable catalog.

💡Tip: Generate a QR code for your catalog and display it in stores for quick, easy access. You can also create a GIF version to share on social media for added engagement.

Conclusion

Well, it’s been a wonderful ride! You’ve learned how to create a catalogue, and as you can see, it’s not rocket science. The benefits, though? They’re game-changing. A well-designed product catalog can elevate your sales and leave a lasting impression on your customers. 

So, what’s stopping you? Start designing your product catalog today and give your audience an unforgettable shopping experience.

FAQs on how to make a product catalog