Catalogues
Imagine your storefront being held in the hands of your clients, that is a catalogue. They are excellent for both prospective and recurring buyers: prospective buyers will be delighted to see your products or services in detail, while recurring clients will use your catalogue to check all that you offer.
Catalogues come in various sizes and formats, but they usually have a minimum of 8 pages. The maximum depends on the way you want your catalogue to be. They are generally expensive to print because of the amount of pages they have. However, they are such a good sale-oriented tool that the use of these catalogues ends up being a worthy investment.
Many companies made it possible to base their sales only on catalogues: they are efficient marketing elements.
Types of catalogues
PRODUCT CATALOGUES
Product photographs
Most part of the catalogue make-up is made up by photographs. The catalogue is mainly visual and it is highly important to include photos on it.
Technical specifications
Under each product photograph you may include brief technical specifications. These specifications will describe physical and technical properties and a basic description of the product for sale. General information that is not an essential or distinctive characteristic of the product must be avoided: as previously mentioned, it's very important not to distract readers' attention from products observation.
Sketches or plans
Complex products may be accompanied by explanatory sketches or plans, so that readers can learn more about the product itself, its qualities and functions. Sketches and plans are used when photographs are not enough to convey the product features.
Accessories photographs
Products and their accessories can be photographed jointly or separately. In case accessories are complex or important to the product working, it is convenient to photograph them separately for clarity of vision.
Prices
Most catalogues include products prices. Yet, it is also true that in some cases, due to a marketing strategy, price is omitted so that all potential clients are forced to put in contact with the company to inquire about the cost. A separate sheet where the price list is printed can also be included, which can be placed inside the catalogue.
Product identification number
In case the company offers telesales service, catalogues may add an identification number code to each product to prevent from misunderstandings when ordering goods. In the event of industrial catalogues, they should include information referring to procedures for installation, products components, after-sales service and technical support and warranty.
SERVICE CATALOGUE
Representative image
As it is not possible to take a photograph of a service, you may include a symbolic representative image referring to the product: for example, a logo service, any symbol or a photo of a beneficiary of the service you provide.
Technical description
It will be included a description of the service uses and technical benefits, as well as technical requirements for installation, service charges (extra expenses such as energy consumption) and technical restrictions the service may present in each case.
Additional benefits
It is very convenient to specify the service additional benefits supplied by your company and included in the rate. For example, whether you provide technical support or after-sales service and, in case you do, if it is free of charge or not.
Period
On your catalogue you should specify whether clients need to sign a contract for the supply of the service or not. You should also let them know which the minimum period to hire the service is and if it can be cancelled in case of disconformities.
Rate
The catalogue must clearly present a rate detail. In other words, it must specify the monthly, half-yearly, yearly - or however it is charged- cost. Methods of payment must be detailed as well: if it is monthly, yearly, all in advance, etc.
Service identification number
The same as products catalogues; service catalogues can include a number code together with the service presentation for easy identification, in case of telemarketing.
