Adding Products

Getting Started with Products

Products are the heart of your online shop. A well-crafted product listing with clear descriptions and quality images will help you make more sales. This guide will walk you through creating your first product listing.

✅ Before You Add Products

Have clear, high-quality product photos ready (800x800px minimum)
Know your pricing and any variants (sizes, colors, etc.)
Write product descriptions that highlight benefits
Set accurate stock quantities if tracking inventory

How to Add a Product

Step 1: Navigate to Add Product

Log into your ShopKatalog account
Go to your shop dashboard
Click "Products" in the navigation menu
Click the "Add Product" button

Step 2: Enter Basic Information

Product Name

Choose a clear, descriptive name that tells customers exactly what the product is.

Good Examples:

"Men's Classic White Cotton T-Shirt"
"Wireless Bluetooth Headphones - Black"
"Handmade Leather Wallet with RFID Protection"

Avoid:

"T-shirt" (too vague)
"BEST DEAL EVER!!!" (unprofessional)
"Product 123" (not descriptive)

Product Description

Write a detailed description that helps customers make an informed decision. Include:

What it is: Brief overview of the product
Key features: Main selling points
Benefits: How it solves customer problems
Specifications: Size, material, dimensions, weight
Use cases: When and how to use it
What's included: Everything in the package

Step 3: Set Your Price

Enter your product price in your local currency (NGN, USD, etc.):

Enter the amount customers will pay
Consider competitor pricing
Factor in your costs and desired profit margin
Round to clean numbers when possible (₦5,000 vs ₦4,999)

💡 Pricing Tip: Research similar products to find the right price point. Don't underprice - customers often associate higher prices with better quality.

Step 4: Upload Product Images

High-quality images are crucial for online sales. Follow these guidelines:

📸 Image Requirements

Minimum size: 800x800 pixels
Recommended: 1200x1200 pixels or higher
Format: JPG or PNG
Max file size: 5MB per image
Number of images: 1-10 per product

✨ Best Practices

Use natural lighting or professional lighting setup
Clean, simple background (white or neutral colors work best)
Show product from multiple angles
Include close-ups of important details
Show the product in use when possible
Maintain consistent style across all product images

Step 5: Set Category (Optional)

Categories help customers find products easier:

Choose from existing categories or create new ones
Use clear, logical category names (e.g., "Electronics", "Clothing", "Home & Kitchen")
Keep categories consistent across similar products
Don't over-categorize - 5-10 categories is usually enough

Step 6: Manage Inventory (Optional)

If you want to track stock levels:

Enable inventory tracking for the product
Enter your current stock quantity
Set a low stock alert threshold (optional)
Update stock quantities manually when you sell products or restock

⚠️ Important: Manual Inventory Management

Currently, stock quantities are NOT automatically decremented when orders are placed. You need to manually update your inventory levels after fulfilling orders.

Tip: If you don't track inventory, the product will always show as available. This works well for made-to-order products, digital goods, or services.

Step 7: Preview and Publish

Review all product information for accuracy
Check that images are clear and properly uploaded
Verify pricing is correct
Click "Preview" to see how it looks to customers
Click "Publish" or "Save Product" when ready

Product Status Options

Published

Product is live and visible to all customers on your shop

Draft

Product is saved but not visible to customers - perfect for products you're still working on

Hidden

Product exists but temporarily hidden from shop - useful for out-of-stock items you plan to restock

Out of Stock

Product is visible but customers cannot order it until you restock

Writing Great Product Descriptions

Your product description can make or break a sale. Here's a proven template:

Description Template

Opening (What it is):

"Introducing our premium wireless headphones designed for music lovers who demand exceptional sound quality."

Key Features:

"✓ 40-hour battery life
✓ Active noise cancellation
✓ Premium leather ear cushions
✓ Foldable design for easy travel"

Benefits:

"Experience your music the way it was meant to be heard. Block out distractions and immerse yourself in crystal-clear audio all day long."

Specifications:

"• Weight: 250g
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Driver size: 40mm
• Frequency range: 20Hz - 20kHz"

What's Included:

"1x Wireless Headphones
1x USB-C Charging Cable
1x Carrying Case
1x User Manual"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Poor Quality Images

Blurry, dark, or low-resolution images will hurt your sales. Invest time in good product photography.

🚫 Vague Descriptions

"Nice product" tells customers nothing. Be specific about features, benefits, and specifications.

🚫 Incorrect Pricing

Double-check your prices. A misplaced decimal point can cost you money or customers.

🚫 Missing Information

Always include size, dimensions, materials, and other relevant specs. Answer questions before they're asked.

After Adding Your Product

Once your product is published:

Visit your shop to see how it looks to customers
Test the checkout process with a friend
Share product links on social media
Monitor which products get the most views
Update descriptions based on customer questions
Add more images if needed

Tips for Success

🎯 Know Your Audience

Write descriptions that speak directly to your target customers' needs and pain points

📊 Test Pricing

Don't be afraid to adjust prices based on customer response and competitor analysis

✨ Highlight Benefits

Focus on what the product does for the customer, not just what it is

🔄 Keep Updating

Regularly update product information, add seasonal promotions, and refresh images