It is possible to create, and to price, the photo gallery, or catalog as an add-on to a web site. We offer a number of graphic options to present your catalog on-line. In all probability the catalog would link from your Home Page. Give us a call to discuss these options.

[View Flowchart]

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	Developing A Layout for an On-line Catalog
There are three basic steps to develop the layout for your catalog: 1. Determine the number of category levels you need to organize the photos in your catalog. 2. Select the layout style used to display the thumbnail-size photos of your catalog. 3. Choose the method used to present an enlarged view of each photo.

	Category Levels and Thumbnail Size Photos
	Figure "1a." illustrates a typical cover-page which also serves as the category page for a fine gift retailer. The page features four product categories.
	Figure "1b." shows a layout option for the next level of the catalog with the contents of the "Gifts" category photos arranged in a "montage" arrangement. This method highlights the photos and does NOT show any copy adjacent to the photos. Copy could be positioned beneath the photos.
	Figure "1c." shows the same thumbnails "stacked" in a vertical layout and includes plenty of space for merchandise description and copy immediately beside each photo. Click on Images Below for a Larger View

While figures "1b." and "1c." illustrate two layout choices, in fact, there are countless ways to layout the thumbnails in your catalog. Click here to view an illustration of five distinct layouts of catalog pages. These are intended to assist you in communicating your preferences, however we welcome you to offer examples from other web sites.

[View Layout Possibilities]

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Enlarged Views of the Photos
We offer two methods for presenting enlargements of your photos, as insets and as separate pages.

Figures "2a." and "2c." illustrate distinct ways to layout the thumbnail-size photos, however, both methods can accommodate either of two ways to present an enlarged view:
	1. As an inset on top of the thumbnail page (Figure "2a."). There is not any copy area inside of the inset enlargement.
	2. As a completely separate page which allows for the maximum copy area for product descriptions ( Figure "2b.").

We consider a combination of a Category Page similar to Figure 1a., with a Thumbnail Page similar to Figure 1c. and an inset-style Enlargement Page like Figure 2c. to be the most effective and efficient combination.

Click on Images Below for a Larger View

Developing A Design or "Look" for an On-line Catalog

Determining the look of the first page of the catalog area is similar to designing the front cover of your printed catalog. It should make a statement about your style and substance. If diversity is the key then we should showcase diversity. If a specialty is the most important marketing point then the first impression should highlight that specialty.   When designing your on-line catalog we will be utilizing the same color palette and design elements from your main web site, unless instructed otherwise.   The "On-line Catalog" can be linked from multiple places from within your web site. It can also essentially be linked from ANY point on the World Wide Web. If you are participating in any affiliation or trade association linking programs, you might consider requesting a link directly to your catalog page, versus to your home page.

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  The Internet has been glorified as the "Information Highway" and fortunately it has exceeded all expectations for delivering information. Unfortunately for retailers, it has not been as successful at delivering (closing) sales. On-line retailing has been a testy experience for many. At Webkosmos, we have assisted clients with e-commerce, or shopping carts, with mixed results. We have heard many variations on methods and remain persuaded that on-line retailing is not for everyone. To create and manage an on-line shopping cart demands considerable time and money and is challenging to say the least.
  The creation of a basic information-based web site remains the foundation of even the most successful e-commerce enabled web sites. Once your web site is functioning satisfactorily and garnering solid client response, adding a retail-shopping cart would be plausible. This could be done by any of several methods. Webkosmos could construct a shopping cart for you, from the ground up. Adding a link to a proprietary shopping cart module, many of which are available within industries, is another option. Alternatively, you could link your information site to a shopping-enabled site, available through Internet companies like Yahoo. They have already solved many of e-commerce's challenges but they can end up costing several hundred dollars per month.
  In fact, these options are changing as we write this column. Secure your information-based web site first! Make it adequately interactive so that your customers are responding to your site. Then build e-commerce on top of that foundation, if appropriate.

We can help. Give us a call.

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