A catalog website in WordPress is the right choice when you want to show products online but sell them through a conversation: a showroom visit, a quote, or a WhatsApp chat. Furniture importers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and B2B suppliers often sell this way, because prices depend on quantity, customization, or delivery location.
I have built product catalog and ecommerce websites for luxury furniture companies and B2B suppliers. Here is how I set them up.
Catalog Website vs Online Store
A catalog website shows products with details and photos, and replaces “Add to cart” with “Request a quote”, “Contact us”, or “Order on WhatsApp”.
An online store takes orders and payments directly.
Choose a catalog when:
- Prices vary by customer, quantity, or project.
- Products are made to order or need consultation.
- You sell mainly to businesses.
- Delivery and installation must be arranged individually.
Building the Catalog With WooCommerce
Even without checkout, WooCommerce is a great catalog engine. You get products, categories, attributes, variations, galleries, and filtering. Then the purchase functions are switched off, often called catalog mode:
- Remove the cart and checkout.
- Hide prices, show them only to logged-in trade customers, or display “Price on request”.
- Replace buy buttons with an enquiry button.
The advantage: if you want to sell online later, the store is already there. You only switch checkout back on.
Enquiry Forms That Include the Product
A good enquiry button opens a form that already knows which product the visitor was viewing, including the selected color or size. The sales team gets a complete request instead of “I want the chair from your website”.
For Middle Eastern markets, a WhatsApp button with a pre-filled message that includes the product name and link is often the most effective option.
Filters and Search
Large catalogs need strong filtering: category, collection, material, color, size, price range. Filters should be fast and work well on mobile.
Collections and Storytelling
Luxury and design brands sell through collections. Dedicated collection pages with lifestyle photos, materials, and the story behind the design make the catalog feel like a brand experience instead of a spreadsheet.
B2B Features
- Trade accounts with special pricing visible after login.
- Downloadable spec sheets and price lists.
- Request-a-quote carts that collect several products into one enquiry.
- Bilingual content, such as Arabic and English, for regional buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide prices on WooCommerce?
Yes. Prices can be hidden for everyone, shown only to logged-in customers, or replaced with custom text.
Can a catalog website become an online store later?
Yes. If it is built on WooCommerce, you enable the cart, checkout, and a payment gateway when you are ready.
Is a catalog website good for SEO?
Yes. Each product and category page can rank for product searches, just like an online store.
Build Your Catalog Website
I build product catalog and B2B websites in WordPress and WooCommerce. Tell me about your products. Ready to sell online? Compare WooCommerce vs Shopify first.
