Catalogue website or online store: which to choose

Both kinds of site show products, but they work differently. On a catalogue website, the customer browses the range and sends an enquiry.

In an online store, they place an order and pay without talking to you. The choice affects the cost, the timeline and the way you work with customers.

The difference in short

When a catalogue is enough

• the price depends on volume, deadline or individual terms;
• you sell wholesale or to companies, and agree on every deal;
• you offer a complex service that nobody buys in one click;
• the range is large, but you don't expect orders on the site;
• you want to launch faster and cheaper.

In that case a catalogue website gives you structure, search, filters and an enquiry form, without the complexity of online payment.

When you need a store

• prices are fixed and the products are standard;
• customers are used to buying online and expect a cart;
• you need payment on the site and automatic order processing;
• you want to sell at night and at weekends without a manager.

Then an online store is the right fit. For a breakdown of prices, see how much an online store costs.

You can start with a catalogue

It is often sensible to launch with a catalogue, see what people look at and ask about, and then add a cart and payment.

To avoid rebuilding from scratch later, plan for it at the start: build the product structure, cards and URLs so that the store can be built on top.

What else to consider

• The workload of handling enquiries: a catalogue means you process every enquiry by hand. If there will be many, a store saves time.
• Advertising: product ads on Google usually require a store with prices and stock.
• Trust: for B2B, a catalogue with documents and certificates is often more convincing than a cart.

How to decide

Answer three questions:

1. Is the product price fixed?
2. Does the customer want to buy without talking to you?
3. Are you ready to handle orders and online payments?

If all three are yes, you need a store. If even one is no, start with a catalogue.

Not sure? Tell me what you sell and to whom, and I'll suggest what fits.