How to add a catalog using the regular catalog
Overview
The regular catalog lets you create and manage service catalogs in three formats: PDF catalog, linked catalog, and manual catalog. This flexibility helps ensure that guests can easily access offerings, whether through a static document, an external webpage, or an interactive experience within the app.
Depending on the feature being configured, a regular catalog can represent different types of offerings:
- Restaurants and Room service: Menus displaying food dishes, beverages, breakfast options, or wine lists.
- Spa and wellness: Treatments, massages, beauty packages, or wellness sessions.
- Sports: Sports equipment rentals (e.g., tennis rackets, balls), court availability, or bed packages.
- Amenities: Extra pillow options, toiletries, iron sets, or extra towels.
- Issues: Predefined lists of common room issues or maintenance requests.
- Tours and Attractions: Excursions, guided tours, local activity packages, or ticket options.
- Shops: Boutique items, souvenirs, or hotel merchandise.
Important: STAY offers two types of catalogs:
- Advanced catalog (Advanced catalog tab): This is the newest catalog version and the one always recommended for use. Advanced catalogs offer far more customization options (catalog structure, colors, fonts, design, etc.), perform better when displaying a large number of products, and work with all features. Check this article on How to add a catalog using the advanced catalog (link).
- Regular catalog (Catalog tab): This is the legacy catalog version. It lacks design customization and is more limited. Regular catalogs should only be used if the on-demand booking system has been selected for a feature. The on-demand booking system only works with the regular catalog.
Before getting started
Before adding a catalog, make sure to:
- Have access to Content and the corresponding feature section in the CMS
- Decide whether to use a PDF catalog, a linked catalog, or a manual catalog (interactive format).
- Prepare all necessary details in advance: catalog names, product descriptions, images, prices, and any variations (e.g., portion sizes or durations).
- Have the PDF file or link ready if using an external catalog.
Step-by-step guide
Option 1: Uploading a PDF catalog
- Navigate to Content and select the corresponding feature section.
- Select the service and click Edit.
- Go to the Catalog tab.
- Click Add catalog.
- Choose an icon and enter the catalog name. Click the flag icon to add translations for different languages.
- Select PDF catalog.
- Type a name for the file and upload it by clicking Browse. Add one file per language, if needed, by clicking the flag icon. The file should not exceed 5 MB.
- If the PDF should open in a browser instead of the app, check Open catalog in browser.
- Click Save changes.
Previewing a PDF catalog
- Click the flag icon next to the catalog name.
- Click the Preview button next to each language catalog.
- A new window will open displaying the catalog.
Replacing a PDF catalog
- Click the flag icon next to the catalog name.
- Click the red X icon to delete the old PDF, and click Confirm.
- Upload the new PDF file following the same steps as above.
- Click Save changes.
Deleting a PDF catalog
- Click the flag icon next to the catalog name.
- Click the red X icon to remove the PDF for each language, and click Confirm.
- Click Save changes.
Option 2: Adding a linked catalog
- Navigate to Content and select the corresponding feature section.
- Select the service and click Edit.
- Go to the Catalog tab.
- Click Add catalog.
- Choose an icon and enter the catalog name. Click the flag icon to add translations for different languages.
- Select Linked catalog.
- Type a name for the link and then paste the URL. Add one link per language, if needed, by clicking the flag icon.
- If the link should open in a browser instead of the app, check Open URL in browser.
- Click Save changes.
Replacing a linked catalog
- Click the flag icon next to the URL link.
- Select the text and remove it.
- Paste the new link. Then, click Confirm.
- Click Save changes.
Deleting a linked catalog
- Click the flag icon next to the URL link.
- Select the text and remove it. Then, click Confirm.
- Click Save changes.
Option 3: Creating a manual catalog
Step 1: Choose the manual catalog type
- Navigate to Content and select the corresponding feature section.
- Select the service and click Edit.
- Go to the Catalog tab.
- Click Add catalog.
- Choose an icon and enter the catalog name. Click the flag icon to add translations for different languages.
- Select Manual catalog.
Step 2: Creating categories
Before adding products, categories need to be created (e.g., Starters, Main courses, Equipment, Spa treatments).
- Under the Add products to the catalog section, click the Add category field.
- Enter the category name.
- Click the flag icon to add translations.
- Click the arrow icon to save changes.
- Use the buttons on the right side to change order (arrow up or down) or delete (trash icon) categories.
Step 3: Adding products
After creating categories, add individual products:
- Under the desired category, click Add product.
- Click Add product from template if selecting a predefined item is preferred.
- Enter the product name.
- Optional: If a predefined template exists for that product, select it.
- Click Add product to save changes.
Step 4: Editing a product
To edit a product, locate it under its category and use the action icons:
- Arrow icon: Move the product to another category.
- Pencil icon: Edit the product details.
- Trash icon: Delete the product.
Step 5: Editing product details
To add details to a product:
- Click the Edit icon (pencil) next to the product.
- Enter or update the following details:
- Name: Write the name of the item.
- Description: Write a short text about the item or service (e.g., ingredients, preparation, specifications).
- Image: Upload a high-quality image (max. 1 MB, recommended size: 400x400 px).
- Price: Set the price. If applicable, add different pricing based on portion size, duration, or presentation.
- Offers: Enable and configure a promotional price.
- Tags to improve searchability.
- Allergens & Ingredients / Dietary options (if applicable).
- Click Save and close the window.
- Switch the toggle button to Enabled to make the product visible in the catalog.
- Click Save changes.
Important: If each product in the catalog should be accompanied by its image on the side, turn on the Include image next to each product button.
Step 6: Activating the catalog
To make the catalog visible:
- In the Catalog tab, toggle the activation switch to Enabled (green).
- Click Save changes.
Next steps
- If multiple catalogs are needed (e.g., food, drinks, equipment rental), repeat these steps for each one.
- Use QR codes to allow guests to access the catalog easily via mobile devices.
- Test the catalog using the Preview button in the CMS to ensure correct formatting.
Need further assistance?
If additional questions arise or further assistance is required:
- Contact support via live chat.
- Send a ticket to the Support team.
- Visit STAY Academy, the training platform.