Building your Allmoxy Catalog

Introduction

This guide outlines key practices to help you build catalogs that launch efficiently and meet your business needs!

Product Complexity Management

Focus on bestsellers first:

Implement your top 20 bestselling configurations/colors/finishes/styles, etc. before adding niche options
Use actual order history to prioritize what to include
Create standard configurations with a separate "custom" option or product for special orders

Most customers only regularly order a small subset of what you offer. Excessive options create complexity without adding value.

Scope Definition

Define clear outcomes for your catalog implementation:

Document specific business goals for your catalog
Share complete pricing models and formulas upfront
Identify the minimum viable catalog needed to start processing orders

Undefined or changing requirements are the leading cause of implementation delays and budget overruns.

Feature Prioritization

Focus on essentials:

Separate must-have features from nice-to-have options
Implement in phases—core functionality first, then enhancements
Identify integration requirements early

A simpler catalog that launches sooner provides more value than a complex one that's perpetually "almost ready."

Inventory & Resource Allocation

Take a measured approach:

Document existing inventory systems before attempting integration
Implement resource allocation after launch when you're familiar with order processing
Include only essential tracking information initially

Inventory tracking requires consistent maintenance. Without proper systems and processes, this feature creates more problems than it solves.

Project Management

Establish clear ownership:

Designate a single point of contact throughout the entire build
Dedicate appropriate internal resources to the project
Set realistic timelines with phased deliverables

Changes in project contacts often require significant rework and re-education, extending timelines dramatically.

User Experience

Consider your end users:

Match interface complexity to user technical proficiency
Limit options to prevent overwhelming customers
Use current ordering feedback to improve the new system

Too many choices paralyze decision-making. Streamlined options typically increase conversion rates.

Validation & Testing

Verify before launching:

Assign specific team members to testing responsibilities
Establish clear success metrics
Test with a limited product set before full implementation

Thorough testing with realistic data prevents costly corrections after launch.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch For 🚩

🚩 Excessive options: Hundreds of finishes/colors usually indicate unnecessary complexity

🚩 Inconsistent pricing: Multiple structures across product lines increase implementation time

🚩 Inadequate inventory systems: Complex tracking without supporting processes leads to inaccuracies

🚩 Contact changes: New stakeholders mid-project often reset progress

🚩 Scope expansion: Adding features after initial planning derails timelines

🚩 Unclear pricing: Missing formulas inevitably cause delays and errors

Successful catalogs balance complexity with usability, focusing on a clearly defined and easily managed product offering. By addressing these considerations early, you can create a realistic implementation plan and prevent feature creep that often delays launches.