What is an interactive catalog / flipbook? Definition, advantages, and disadvantages

What is an interactive catalog?

An interactive catalog is a PDF document made interactive, flippable, and enriched with numerous features. It can be visually customized and will provide users a better navigation within the document.

How does it work ?

To set it up, you simply need to provide a PDF document, which will then be converted into an online interactive catalog thanks to a flipbook conversion software.

It can be a catalog, but also a brochure, product sheets, an annual report, etc.

Accessible via a simple web link, the interactive catalog can then be easily integrated into your website, or shared by email or via social media.

Being responsive, it is therefore readable on any device (computer, laptop, tablet).

What are the main features?

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the main features of these interactive catalogs:

• Thanks to the search engine and the interactive table of contents, internet users can easily find what they are looking for.
• Clickable areas such as videos, images, and external links can be added.
• A form can be set up to collect your prospects’ contact information.
• Moreover, your users will be able to request quotes and orders directly from your document.
• The content of each page can also be indexed on Google and other search engines.
• Many other features are available to enrich your interactive catalog.

What are the advantages of an interactive catalog?

 An interactive catalog offers numerous advantages. Here are a few of them:

• Thanks to visual customization, the result is aesthetic and allows users to be immersed in your company’s theme.
• Accessible to everyone via a link, navigation is made easier, notably through page-flipping, the search engine, and the table of contents.
• Its innovative and interactive format helps improve your brand image.
• What’s more, by printing less, you adopt an eco-friendly approach, which is beneficial and reduces your catalog printing and mailing costs by up to 30%.
• The features allow you to increase your revenue, thanks to the “add to cart” feature, the form that collects your prospects’ contact information, and organic SEO, which makes it possible to reach a wider target audience.
• Thanks to statistics, you will better understand your prospects’ needs, allowing you to optimize your communication.
• …

If you would like to learn more about the advantages of this solution, request a demonstration by clicking on the button below.

What are the disadvantages of an interactive catalog?

Setting up an advanced interactive catalog often comes with a fee. However, the cost is quickly offset by the increase in generated revenue, and by the reduction in printing and diffusion costs.

Furthermore, in some cases, the setup is handled entirely by the interactive catalog provider, which makes you dependent on their service. Nevertheless, some software solutions like Interactiv’ Doc offer you complete autonomy for the creation your interactive documents.

Conclusion

Offering many advantages, interactive catalogs represent a real communication and sales channel. Innovative, they improve your communication, and help generate additional revenue.

Now that you know what an interactive catalog is, feel free to test it for free with your PDF document or request a demonstration of the Interactiv’ Doc tool.