Interactive PDFs: Elevate Your Catalogs from Static to Dynamic
If you want to enhance how your business approaches static catalogs, look no further than interactive online catalogs. Instead of being limited to simple text and basic formatting (as is often the case with “regular” PDFs), interactive PDF catalogs allow you to elevate your catalogs with elements like hyperlinks, videos, and animations. This, in turn, allows you to appeal to your audience and boost conversions.
What’s more, interactive online catalogs can be used by businesses in various industries, including travel, food and beverage, and real estate.
Convinced and ready to learn more?
Here’s everything you need to know about creating an interactive online catalog, including how to integrate it into your marketing strategy.
Why choose interactive online catalogs?
Interactive online catalogs are designed for the modern business and digital-first customer. But what exactly makes them so great?
As mentioned above, interactive online catalogs are engaging PDFs, which means they can help boost user engagement with interactive elements. Instead of glazing over blocks of text, potential customers can enjoy rich multimedia, consistent themes, and mobile-responsive layouts.
Speaking of mobile layouts, keep in mind that more than 60% of customers today use their phone to search on Google. This means that your interactive online catalog needs to be mobile-responsive and readable (even on a smartphone screen).
Interactive online catalogs also allow you to improve navigation and the user experience. Case in point: it can be challenging for the average user to effectively search and navigate standard PDFs. It’s easy for information to be “lost” or inaccessible. Interactive documents, on the other hand, allow you to organize and format information in a way that makes sense to your audience.
Finally, interactive online catalogs result in a more immersive and informative catalog experience. You can seamlessly link to relevant websites, incorporate videos and images that showcase your products/services in action, and use eye-catching elements, layouts, and animation.
Remember, users often spend more time on pages with interactive elements. In fact, research shows us that people spend 1.4x more time on pages that have video. So, PDF interactivity can translate into increased customer engagement for your business.
Creating your first interactive online catalog
If you’ve never created an interactive PDF before, don’t worry—the process is simple and user-friendly, especially if you choose the right platform.
Here are five steps you can follow to create your first interactive online catalog.
1. Plan and outline
Start by defining your goals and the target audience of your interactive online catalog. Ask yourself:
- What does my audience already know about my business?
- What information do I want to convey?
- What is the ultimate conversion goal of my brochure?
With this information, you can more effectively outline your brochure’s content, including sections of text and interactive elements (like videos and links), layout, and organization.
2. Choose your software
While there are several different ways of creating interactive PDFs, one of the most user-friendly and seamless methods is with digital publishing software. These PDF tools allow you to turn your standard, static PDFs into interactive online catalogs.
However, remember that each publishing platform has different features, so it’s important to choose the one that best meets your needs. For example, FLIPpages offers a variety of template themes, the ability for readers to search within your PDF, custom logo options, analytics, and the option to enable PDF download.
3. Create your standard PDF
Now, it’s time to first create your standard PDF. You can do this through whatever method you usually use to create brochures and static catalogs for your business.
During this stage, be sure to follow certain best practices. For example, focus on readability and clarity and avoid overwhelming text blocks.
Additionally, use high-quality pictures and videos to make your dynamic PDFs visually engaging. Finally, don’t forget to use clear CTAs (calls to action) such as “Learn More” or “Buy Now” to direct readers toward their next steps.
These simple PDF enhancements can go a long way.
4. Upload and customize
After selecting your software, upload your standard PDF. Your specific customization options will depend on which platform you choose.
For example, FLIPPages allows you to pick a theme to match your publication and audience before completing the uploading and publishing process.
5. Publish and host
In order for your audience to access your interactive online catalog, it needs to be hosted on a website. Fortunately, many of the top digital publishing tools include hosting and provide you with a unique hosted URL that you can embed on your website.
Case studies of successful interactive online catalogs
There are many examples of successful interactive online catalogs. For example, the Gorsuch has a series of online catalogs that showcase different items for sale, as does retailer Crate & Barrel, which shares their latest interior design options in monthly interactive catalogs.
Other examples of interactive online catalogs include Bella + Canvas’ digital catalogs and IKEA’s catalog of “exciting home design ideas.”
These examples show that all types of businesses can benefit from the reach, customization, and accessibility of interactive online catalogs.
Implementing interactive online catalogs in your marketing strategy
Creating and publishing your interactive online catalogs is just the start. You must also integrate these publications into your digital marketing strategy to enhance their effectiveness.
Here’s how to seamlessly integrate interactive online catalogs and measure their impact:
- Distribute thoughtfully: Decide where and how you’ll share your interactive online catalog. For example, you might host it on your website, mail it to your email list, and post it on your social media platforms.
- Target content: Consider creating interactive online catalogs for specific audience segments. Choose which information to share and present it in a way that will resonate most with the person reading it.
- Know your metrics: Decide which metrics will determine the success of your brochure. You might have access to analytics features if you use a digital publishing tool. Metrics to watch can include download/open rates, time spent on specific sections, and social media shares.
- Keep an eye on future technology: The landscape of interactive online catalogs is rapidly changing, and we’ve already come a long way from standard, static PDFs. To that end, keep an eye on future trends and technologies in the interactive online catalog space, especially when it comes to interactive PDF tools available within digital publishing platforms.
Easily publish your interactive online catalogs with FLIPpages
When you’re ready to transform your static catalogs into interactive online catalogs, partner with FLIPpages. Our digital publishing platform lets you leverage PDF interactivity to attract and engage customers and increase conversions. Simply upload your PDF, pick a theme, and launch your publication.
Start your free trial today.
