What Is a Product Catalog? 5 Easy Steps to Create One

​Some days, I spend way too much time browsing online stores—just for fun.

And almost every time, I find myself shaking my head at one thing: the product pages. Half the time, pictures are tiny, descriptions are confusing, and prices… well, sometimes they disappear entirely.

That little chaos got me thinking: a product catalog isn’t just a list of products. It’s the backbone of how people experience your store.

And if you do it right, it helps them find what they want without guessing and makes your store feel professional, and even keeps your stock organized behind the scenes.

I’ll explain what exactly a product catalog is and why it matters. Also, I’ll walk you through 5 easy steps to actually create one, with real examples for WooCommerce users.

Let’s start!

What Is a Product Catalog?

​A product catalog is basically a structured list of all the products a business offers. It’s the place where you show customers what’s available, with details like descriptions, prices, images, and any other important information they need to make a decision.

Catalogs aren’t just for online stores; they’re used offline too, like printed brochures you might pick up in a store or mail to potential clients.

​Product catalogs can take different forms depending on how they’re shared and used:

• Printed Catalogs: Traditional paper brochures or booklets that customers can hold, flip through, and reference.
• Digital Catalogs: PDFs or online pages that can be viewed on a computer or mobile device.
• Virtual or Interactive Catalogs: Online catalogs that let customers click, filter, or explore products interactively, often with extra features like videos or 360° product views.

For example, imagine you run an online store selling home office supplies. You could create a digital catalog that lists all your products with images, descriptions, and availability. Customers can browse categories, compare products, and even submit inquiries if they’re interested in something, all without leaving your website.

All of these formats share the same goal: making it easy for customers to find and understand your products.

Why a Product Catalogue Matters for Your Business

Once you understand what a product catalog is, the next step is realizing why it actually matters.

Let’s break it down.

​i. Marketing and Promotion

A catalog makes it easier to show off your products during promotions. It keeps things focused so your audience sees exactly what matters.

For example, imagine you’re running a sale on office chairs. Instead of sending people to your full store, you show them a catalog page with just the discounted chairs. No clutter, no distractions. They can browse, check details, and submit inquiries if they want.

This way, you capture leads from people who are genuinely interested, without pushing them to buy instantly.

ii. Inventory Tracking

Keeping track of stock gets a lot simpler with a clear catalog. Digital catalogs update automatically, so you don’t have to worry about outdated listings or overselling.

Say you sell custom laptop desks online. One desk sells out quickly. Your catalog updates in real time, so visitors never see unavailable products. That keeps your customers informed and your team confident that the product info is accurate.

iii. Enhanced Customer Experience

A good catalog makes shopping easy. Clear categories, filters, and product details help visitors find what they want quickly.

Picture a visitor landing on your catalog. They go straight to “Ergonomic Chairs,” compare features, and see availability without scrolling endlessly. Everything feels simple and organized, which makes them trust your store and stick around longer.

iv. Personalization

Not all buyers are the same. Your catalog can adjust what they see based on who’s browsing.

For instance, retail customers might see prices and “Add to Cart” buttons, while wholesale buyers see product details and an inquiry form instead.

This ensures every visitor gets a view that fits how they buy, making it easier to turn casual browsers into leads.

5 Easy Steps to Create a Product Catalog

​Turning your WooCommerce store into a product catalog can feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach, you can organize your products, control what buyers see, and start capturing leads without forcing them to buy instantly.

Let’s look at a real scenario. Imagine you run a small handmade furniture store. Some products, like stocked chairs and lamps, are ready to sell immediately. Others, like custom-made tables or large office sets, need more discussion before a purchase.

In that case, you need your new visitors to browse freely, ask questions about custom pieces, and make wholesale buyers feel like the store is tailored for them.

And then comes Catalog Mode for WooCommerce that lets you do all of this without touching code.

Here’s how you can set it up in five easy steps:

Step 1 — Enable Catalog Mode and Decide Who Sees It

Start by setting up Catalog Mode in WooCommerce. This instantly removes “Add to Cart” buttons and, if needed, hides prices so visitors focus on browsing.

Apply Catalog Mode for guest users so new visitors see a clean catalog view. Keep the admin view normal while you test your settings. Optionally hide the review tab for guests to reduce distractions.

Step 2 — Choose Which Products Follow Catalog Rules

Use the Exclusion List to control which products still behave like a regular store.

For the scenario, add stocked chairs and lamps to the Exclusion List so those buyers can purchase immediately. Leave custom tables off the list so they stay catalog-only.

Step 3 — Hide or Replace Add-to-Cart Buttons

Decide whether “Add to Cart” should appear and what should replace it for catalog items.

Here for the scenario: Hide “Add to Cart” for custom tables. Replace it with a “Request a Quote” button that links to an inquiry form.

In that case, you need to create a new button or label beforehand.

Stock items keep the standard Add to Cart button.

Step 4 — Control Price Visibility

Decide who sees prices and where. You can hide prices for catalog items, guests, or everyone. Replace hidden prices with a label like “Contact for Pricing”.

In this instance, hide prices for custom furniture and display them for stocked chairs. Wholesale buyers logged in can see prices, while retail guests only see the “Contact for Pricing” label.

Step 5 — Add and Customize Inquiry Forms

Set up inquiry forms for catalog products so buyers can contact you directly.

​You can choose placement (WooCommerce tab or short description area) and customize fields and text.

For this example, show the form only for custom tables. Include fields like name, email, message, and company size. Include the product Permalink automatically so you know which item the inquiry is about.

These five steps turn your WooCommerce store into a smart, flexible catalog that guides buyers, captures leads, and keeps wholesale and retail paths separate — all without making your site confusing or cluttered.

Next Steps

​Creating a product catalog isn’t just about showing products; it’s about helping buyers browse comfortably and reach out when they’re ready. A clean, structured catalog builds trust, keeps your store organized, and turns browsing into qualified leads.

You’ve already seen how easy it is to do this in five steps. Now it’s time to apply them and turn your WooCommerce store into a focused, inquiry-driven catalog that fits your buyers’ journey.