Online store or catalog site - what is the difference

Website development is where the development of any modern business begins, especially if your activity is related to the provision of services or sales.

A high-quality resource should meet the client's goals as accurately as possible. Today, there are a large number of sites that are created with a specific purpose, but not all clients specialize in this area. The developer's job is to point the client in the right direction.

If we are talking about the development of a site to increase sales, then in this case you can offer two options - a catalog or a store. Each of these types has certain features that will help make the final decision. Let's take a closer look at these features.

How to create an online store ?

An online store is a complex project that can contain hundreds of thousands of items, and each product must have a separate page with technical characteristics. In addition, such a platform allows you to make purchases online. The "buy" or "order" buttons lead to the cart, where the number of items and the total cost of the order are indicated. The main features of the site include the following:

• having a personal account for tracking the status of orders, purchase history, as well as the ability to connect payment systems for quick payment of goods;
• convenient search by specific parameters, comparison of selected items and the possibility of forming an order directly on the site;
• automated document flow processes, formation of discounts, promotions and other offers for certain product groups, interaction with delivery services;
• the opportunity to leave a comment, feedback, rate the site.

How much does an online store cost ? As already mentioned above, developing a web tool of this type is a complex job, so the price for its development is appropriate. It is not enough to contact a developer who will help you create a convenient website once. In order for it to continue to work effectively and bring profit, it must be constantly improved and refined - this is the main feature of such a resource. In addition, a company that has ventured into such a large-scale project will have to significantly work on the organization of business processes, as well as plan the budget in advance, because it will have to make a significant financial investment.

How to create a directory site ?

The catalog site is an extended version of the business card site. It is characterized by a well-thought-out structure and contains comprehensive information about products (goods or services): detailed descriptions, technical specifications, photos, video reviews, reviews and product prices. The features of the resource include the following points:

• clear cataloging of items with designation of categories and subcategories. The catalog can be both simple and complex - depending on the field of activity or the wishes of the client;
• mandatory availability of advanced functionality on the site, in particular, the function of searching for goods according to specific parameters;
• it is possible to have separate product cards with a short description, photos and prices, but this is an optional parameter. If separate pages are not provided, then a general list of goods is created, which contains a minimum list of technical characteristics;
• no possibility to order online. Purchases are made only through the feedback form, and individual details are discussed through the manager.

How much does a site-catalog cost ? Creating a catalog costs much less than a store. This is due to the fact that a simplified interface and functionality is used here. But the final cost depends on many factors, which are discussed individually.

A catalog site or an online store - what's the difference?

To summarize, the main difference between these two types is the presence of a shopping cart and the ability to place an order directly on the website. But this does not mean that the store has more advantages. These sites are equivalent, so the choice of one or another variety depends on the specifics of the company's activity, as well as the result it seeks to achieve.

A catalog site is an ideal demonstration of expensive goods, when you need to familiarize yourself with all the characteristics in detail, and then get advice from a specialist. A good example is selling cars. It is possible to make an online purchase of such a product, but it is desirable to see it first with your own eyes, and even better - to test it.

The main goal of the trading platform is to create the most comfortable conditions for shopping anywhere. Buyers do not have extra time for consultations or queues - it is important to place an order right here and now with fast home delivery.

We hope that this article helped you answer the question: catalog site and online store - what to choose ? If you have additional questions, please contact BB Studio . We specialize in the development of various types of turnkey sites: from a landing page to a marketplace. Our experts will create an effective strategy, calculate how much the project will cost, fill the resource with high-quality content and help promote it online.