10 Tips for Successful Print Catalog Automation

There are big advantages to catalog automation as compared to the traditional method of printing catalog. One can easily create tailor-made catalogs. Representatives and dealers can make their own catalogs in no time without any special skills. Changes in data and location can be easily and automatically updated in the catalog. This helps achieve accuracy. However, the process of catalog automation can be made efficient if the following points are borne in mind. Here is the list of 10 tips for successful print catalog automation

Use images as attributes at product level

A picture is worth a thousand words. A complex idea or in this case the product details with all features can be easily conveyed with use of just a single image. It makes it possible for the customer to absorb large amounts of data quickly. It is useful for displaying certifications, source indications.

Use different product views into the same image

It becomes easy for the customer to gauge the actual product if all views of the product are assimilated into one. A single composite image reduces the confusion and time taken for customers to make a decision. Moreover, the catalog automation takes care of the placement of the picture according to the length and type of description.

Show more differences between product variants

The tabular format of differences between product variants lets the customer make quick purchase decisions. He is more often than often not curious to know the features that he would receive or miss out on. A glance at the stacked rows of product features helps in analyzing the product range available in the market in no time. Automation also ensures that the error in representing such complex data is considerably reduced.

Show descriptions as bullet points which make it more readable

A customer tends to gets lost in the mire of long product descriptions. Busy customers prefer getting the essence of the matter in the shortest possible way. Bullet points of the long descriptions make them more readable. If length of the bullets is specified, automation takes care of the space management accordingly.

Use the auto layout feature for best positioning of the product

Overall look of the catalog makes or break the customer interest. It is thus best to let the software figure out on how to best position the products with images and descriptions. Force fitting the products manually is not only time consuming but also might not lead to the best fit.

Design simple headers and footers to make catalogs more professional.

Deluge of data makes the customer wary of the product catalog. It is thus advisable to stick to minimalistic headers and footers. It must be able to capture the core idea of the catalog.

Use simple grid layouts to fit maximum data

Bulky catalogs can discourage a customer from picking them. It is always better to use a simple grid layout so that maximum number of product images and descriptions can fit in a page. This will make the catalogs easier to handle and read. Automation helps in easily permuting with the number of rows, columns, margins, spacing between the cells etc.

Address Customer Needs

A customer wants to know if his purchase decision is the best in the market. Print catalogs give customers all-out clarity on pricing, descriptions, features, comparisons, reviews etc. Catalog automation lets you address many such customer needs all at once.

Personalization Options

A customer is most delighted when he gets individual attention from the seller. It lets him know that he can hope for long term relation. To impress the customer, one can provide them a catalog with their own part number. Automation makes such personalization and customization easy to cater to different customers.

10. Multiple Publications

Customer requirements vary in terms of the type of catalogs, be it pamphlets, brochures or booklets. Automation makes it possible to make different types of publications for different purposes.