Rewind a few years when catalogs were the primary form of advertising for brands. However, with growing digitalization, online trends started overtaking as the major form of marketing. In spite of these online trends and digitalization, catalogs are still as significant as ever. Every business whether big or small has one main motive – to increase sales. Catalogs play a vitally important role to help drive sales for business as well as to reach out to new and potential customers. Even in this digital era, where people make use of emails and newsletters, catalogs have proven to influence buying decisions among consumers. They play an important role when it comes to giving detailed and specific information about the products and services that your business offers. If you are stilling wondering about the importance of a catalog, here are some well-rounded reasons why catalogs perfectly complement content marketing strategy.
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Tangible Way to Connect
One of the major advantages of print catalogs is that they are tangible. This means that they are harder to dismiss compared to online ads and e-mails. We come across numerous products while spending hours online every day. Most of the times we bookmark something that grabs our eye. However, how many us ever go back to check our bookmarked pages?
On the other hand, print catalogs easily connect and engage with customers through stories and images. People easily connect with tangible things and catalogs are used for that very purpose. Customers find it convenient to skim through the pages of a catalog at their leisure. Additionally, it is much easier to browse through a catalog when compared to searching for something online – where you have to filter through various categories first. Catalogs allow customers to understand the various products that your business has to offer and it helps in influencing buying decisions.
Multi-Channel Shopping
Not just your offline store, but print catalogs can drive customers to all other online and offline channels as well. Professional catalog printing ensures that all your contact information is provided to the customer so that they can easily connect with you through their preferred channel. A catalog usually consists of information such as:
- Store location address
- Contact numbers
- Mailing address
- Website address
- And, the Social media platform links that you can be reached on
Influences Online Sales
Print catalogs make it easier to lead customers towards your website, where they can make the final purchase. While online shopping does have its perks, with so many products available in one place, it often gets too confusing to make a proper choice. Usually, shopping online ends up becoming a stressful task as you keep coming across more and more products. You end up making transactions without giving it proper thought.
On the other hand, catalogs allow consumers to understand your brand and everything that you offer. Customers can pick out the products that they are interested in and then make a purchase through your online website. Product catalogs are especially aimed to educate and guide buyers. This completely redefines the shopping experience and gives your brand added credibility.
Longer Shelf Life
Catalogs are easily found in offices, homes, common areas, reading lounges, libraries and on coffee tables. This increases the likelihood of attracting more customers to your business. While email marketing is an effective part of every marketing strategy, most emails end up in the spam folder – never to be opened. On the other hand, a single catalog issue can last for months without getting old; this enhances the chances of people coming across your catalog. Even months down the line, a catalog is as good as new; this automatically gives printed catalogs a longer shelf life. They constantly remind buyers about your brand and your services.
Increases Brand Awareness
Customers form connections with a brand and catalogs act as powerful branding tools, which is a win-win to increase brand awareness. They offer the best and effective solutions to showcase your brand. Catalogs have the ability to reach potential customers who may be looking for the exact same products and services that you offer. Catalogs offer an improved shopping experience which increases customer loyalty.
Do they make people buy more?
Since they provide a tangible and visually appealing way for companies to showcase their products and services, they can have a significant impact on a consumer’s buying decision. Studies have shown that catalogs have proven to influence buying decisions.
One reason for this is that catalogs allow consumers to see the full range of products that a company has to offer. Rather than having to navigate through a website or visit a physical store, catalogs provide a comprehensive overview of a company’s offerings in one convenient location. This makes it easier for consumers to compare products, explore options, and make informed buying decisions.
They also allow companies to create a visually appealing presentation of their products, which can be highly persuasive for consumers. By showcasing products in an aesthetically pleasing way, companies can make their products more attractive to potential buyers. This is particularly true for high-end or luxury products, where visual presentation can be a key factor in a consumer’s decision-making process.
Another benefit of catalogs is that they can be highly targeted to specific audiences. By tailoring the content and design of a catalog to the interests and preferences of a particular demographic, companies can increase the likelihood that their products will resonate with potential buyers. This is particularly important for businesses that sell niche or specialized products, as catalogs can help them reach a highly specific audience.
Additionally, Catalog printing is all about adding fonts, graphics, elements, logos, color palettes, typography that will look visually appealing. All these elements give your catalog a unique identity and allow a buyer to understand what the brand has to offer. If you manage to create an impactful catalog, it increases your chances of communicating and reaching out to a wider range of consumers. Additionally, if your catalog manages to highlight your features and USP’s it automatically becomes a successful marketing tool.