PrestaShop is a powerful platform for creating online stores, offering many tools for efficient product and sales management. One of these tools is Catalog Mode. This handy feature allows you to display products and prices without enabling the purchase option on your site. In this article, we’ll explain what catalog mode is, why it’s useful, and how to set it up.
What is Catalog Mode in PrestaShop?
Catalog mode is a feature that disables the shopping cart in your online store. When this mode is enabled, visitors can view products, examine their details, and see prices, but they cannot add products to the cart or place orders. Essentially, your store becomes an online catalog rather than a full-fledged e-commerce platform.
Why Use Catalog Mode?
Catalog mode can be useful in several scenarios. Below are the main use cases for this feature:
-
Showcasing Products to Wholesale Clients
If your store targets wholesale buyers rather than retail customers, catalog mode allows you to display products and prices without enabling online ordering. Wholesale buyers often prefer to negotiate purchase terms directly through other channels like email or phone.
-
Presenting Products Before Sales Launch
When your store is preparing to launch a new collection or set of products, catalog mode allows you to preview the items for potential customers before they are available for purchase. This is a great way to build anticipation and attract attention to your upcoming inventory.
-
Pausing Orders Temporarily
You may need to temporarily stop accepting orders due to technical issues, inventory shortages, or during stocktaking. In such cases, catalog mode allows you to continue showcasing your products while disabling the ability to place orders.
-
Marketing Purposes
Sometimes, a store is designed purely for informational purposes without intending to sell products online. For example, manufacturers or suppliers may use PrestaShop as a showcase without providing a direct purchasing option on the site.
-
Regional Restrictions
If your store operates in several countries, and online sales are restricted in some regions due to legal or technical reasons, catalog mode allows you to display your product range without enabling purchases in those areas.
How to Enable Catalog Mode in PrestaShop?
Enabling catalog mode in PrestaShop is simple and can be done in just a few steps:
- Log into your PrestaShop admin panel.
- Go to the Shop Parameters section.
- Select Product Settings.
- Find the option Catalog Mode and activate it.
After activation, the shopping cart will be disabled, and users will be able to view products without the ability to add them to the cart or place orders.
Important Considerations When Using Catalog Mode
Before enabling catalog mode, there are a few points to consider:
-
SEO and Traffic
Using catalog mode may affect user interaction with your site. If your store is used only as a showcase, ensure that you offer other ways to place orders or contact you for more information. This is crucial for retaining potential customers.
-
Customer Communication
When you disable the cart, customers may be confused about why they cannot make a purchase. Make sure to have clear notifications or explanations on the site, informing them that purchases are currently unavailable and offering alternative ways to place orders (such as a contact form or phone number).
-
Dynamic Switching
Catalog mode in PrestaShop can be turned on and off as needed, making it a flexible tool for sales management. For example, you can enable it during maintenance or use it to create a temporary product display before launching a new collection.
Catalog mode in PrestaShop is a valuable tool for those who want to showcase their product range but temporarily (or permanently) disable the ability to purchase items. It’s ideal for wholesale stores, product previews, marketing purposes, or when taking a temporary break from accepting orders. It’s easy to enable and helps you manage your store’s functionality while still providing essential product information without allowing purchases.
Use catalog mode whenever necessary to keep your site active, even when orders can’t be processed.
