What is a Product Guide?

What is a product guide? This may seem like a simple question, but it actually has a complex answer. A product guide can be many different things, depending on your business and the products you are selling. In this article, we will discuss what a product guide is, when it is used, and what elements are typically included in them. We will also explore how Lumavate's DXP can help you create product guides, microsites, or other digital experiences to help sell your products.

What is a product reference guide?

A product reference guide is a document that provides detailed information about a product or products. It is typically used by salespeople, customer service representatives, and other employees who interact with customers on a daily basis. The goal of a product reference guide is to provide employees with the knowledge they need to sell your products effectively.

Is a product guide the same thing as a buyer's guide?

A buyer's guide is a document that helps potential customers understand the features of a product and how it can meet their needs. A buyer's guide typically includes information about the different types of products available, as well as their prices. It may also include customer reviews and ratings.

What are the different types of product guides?

There are many different types of product guides, and the type you need will depend on your business and the products you sell. Some common types of product guides include:

• User manuals: These provide detailed instructions on how to use a product. They are typically used by customers who have purchased a new product and need help getting started.
• Installation guides: These provide detailed instructions on how to install a product. They are typically used by customers who have purchased a new product and need help getting it up and running.
• Product catalogs: These provide an overview of the products you offer, including photos, descriptions, and pricing information. They are typically used by customers who are considering purchasing a product, or by salespeople who are giving presentations to potential customers.
• Technical manuals: These provide detailed information about a product's features and specifications. They are typically used by engineers or other technical employees who need to troubleshoot problems or develop new products.

Are product guides the same thing as catalogs?

While a catalog might be a type of product guide, the two terms are not synonymous. Catalogs typically contain a lot more information about products, including specifications, dimensions, pricing, and availability. Product guides are generally shorter and focus on delivering key information to the reader in an easily digestible format. They may also include call-to-actions (CTAs) that encourage the reader to take further action, such as visiting a product page or contacting a sales representative.

What does a product guide do?

A product guide can do many things, depending on its purpose. In general, a product guide is used to provide employees with the information they need to sell your products effectively. It can also be used to educate customers about the features and benefits of a product, or to help them troubleshoot problems they are having.

When are product guides used?

Product guides can be used in a variety of situations. They may be distributed at trade shows or events, sent to prospective customers, or made available on your website or social media channels. Product guides can be used to promote new products, drive sales of existing products, or simply provide general information about your product line.

What elements are typically included in a product guide?

The contents of a product guide will vary depending on your business and the products you are selling. However, there are some common elements that are often included in product guides. These elements may include:

• An introduction to your company and products
• A list of features and benefits
• High-quality product images
• Detailed product descriptions
• Pricing information
• Call-to-actions (CTAs)

How do I write an introduction to my company and products for my product guide?

Your introduction should be brief and to the point. It should give the reader an overview of who you are and what you do. For example, you might say something like, "XYZ Company is a leading provider of XYZ products. We have been in business for over 20 years and have a reputation for quality and customer service."

You should also include a brief overview of the products you will be featuring in your product guide. For example, you might say, "This product guide features our top XYZ products for XYZ applications. These products are perfect for anyone who needs XYZ."

If you have any special offers or discounts that are relevant to the products in your guide, be sure to mention them here as well. For example, you might say, "For a limited time, we are offering a 20% discount on all of the products featured in this guide."

What information should I include in the list of features and benefits?

Your list of features and benefits should give the reader a clear idea of what each product does and how it can benefit them. For each product, you should include a brief description of the features as well as the benefits that the customer will experience.

It is also important to make sure that your list of features and benefits is easy to read and understand. Use bullet points or short sentences to make it easy for the reader to scan through the information.

For example, if Company XYZ is selling a new winter coat, the list of features and benefits might include:

• Waterproof and windproof shell
• Insulated for warmth
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Available in multiple sizes and colors

As you can see, each feature is followed by a benefit that the customer will experience. This makes it easy for the reader to understand how the product can help them.

What images should I include in my product guide?

Your product guide should include high-quality images of your products. These images should be clear and easy to see. If you have different color options or sizes available, be sure to include images of those as well.

In addition to product images, you may also want to include images of your products in use. For example, if you are selling a new type of widget, you might include an image of the widget being used in a real-world application. This can help the reader visualize how your product would be used and may help them make a decision about whether or not it is right for them.

Finally, you may also want to include an image of your company logo. This can help create a sense of brand recognition and may make the reader more likely to remember your products when they are ready to purchase.

What should I include in the detailed product descriptions?

Your product descriptions should be clear and concise. They should give the reader all of the information they need to know about your products. For example, if you are selling a new type of widget, you might say something like, "This widget is made from XYZ material and is perfect for anyone who needs XYZ. It comes in three different sizes and has a 20-year warranty."

Include as much detail as possible in your product descriptions. The more information you can provide, the better equipped the reader will be to make a decision about whether or not your product is right for them.

If you have any data or studies that support the claims you are making about your product, be sure to include them here as well. For example, you might say, "According to a recent study, our widgets are 20% more durable than the competition's."

If you are looking for more help with writing product descriptions, check out our free resource: Writing Product Descriptions 101.

In what format should I deliver my product guide?

Your product guide can be delivered in any format you like. However, it is important to make sure that it is easy for the reader to access and view. For example, you might choose to deliver it as a PDF document that can be downloaded from your website. Or, you might choose to create an online microsite where users can view your product guide in an interactive format.

If you are delivering your product guide as a PDF, be sure to include a link to it on your website and in any marketing materials you create. This will make it easy for potential customers to find and view your product guide.

Likewise, if you are creating an online microsite, be sure to promote the URL in your marketing materials so that potential customers can easily find it. You will also want to include a link to the microsite on your website.

No matter what format you choose, be sure to make it easy for potential customers to find and view your product guide.

What do I include in my call-to-actions (CTAs) for my product guide?

Your call-to-actions (CTAs) should be clear and concise. They should tell the reader what you want them to do next. For example, if you want them to purchase your product, you might say, "Buy Now!" or "Add to Cart. "If you want them to sign up for a free trial, you might say, "Sign Up Now!" Your CTAs should be visible and easy to find. They should be included in the body of your product guide as well as in any marketing materials you create. For example, if you are delivering your product guide as a PDF, be sure to include CTAs at the beginning and end of the document.

In addition, your CTAs should be specific to the products you are promoting. For example, if you are selling a new type of widget, you might say, "Buy the XYZ Widget Now!" or "Sign Up for a Free Trial of the XYZ Widget." By being specific, you will help the reader understand what they are being asked to do and why it is important.

Finally, make sure your CTAs are trackable. This way, you can measure the success of your product guide and determine whether or not it is effective in driving sales. Lumavate's DXP allows tracking so that you can see how many people are clicking on your CTAs and taking the desired action.

Who typically creates a product guide?

The marketing team is typically responsible for creating product guides. However, depending on the size of your company and the products you sell, other teams may be involved in the creation process. For example, if you sell technical products, your engineering team may need to provide input on the product descriptions and specifications.

Because creating a product guide is usually a collaborative task, it is important to have a clear process in place for creating and approving the final product. Lumavate's DXP can help you manage this process by providing a central location for storing all of your product information. In addition, the platform includes tools for collaboration so that multiple team members can work on the same project.

What are the benefits of creating a product guide?

There are many benefits of creating a product guide, including:

• Increased brand awareness: A product guide can help you promote your brand and products to a wider audience.
• Improved customer satisfaction: A product guide can help customers use your products more effectively, which can lead to increased satisfaction and loyalty.
• Increased sales: A product guide can help you sell more products by providing potential customers with detailed information about your product line.
• Reduced support costs: A product guide can help reduce the number of customer support inquiries by providing answers to common questions.

How do I create a product guide?

If you're interested in creating a product guide, there are a few things you'll need to do:

• Define your audience: Who will be reading your product guide?
• Identify the purpose of your product guide: What do you want to achieve with it?
• Outline the contents of your product guide: What topics will you cover?
• Create your product guide: Write the content and design the layout.
• Promote your product guide: Get the word out about your new product guide.

A product guide can be a valuable marketing tool for any business. By taking the time to create a well-designed and informative product guide, you can increase brand awareness, improve customer satisfaction, and boost sales.

How do I define my audience?

When you are creating a product guide, it is important to think about who will be reading it. Will it be customers? Potential customers? Other businesses? Employees? The key to discovering your actual audience is conducting research. Try to find out as much as you can about the people who will be reading your product guide. This information will help you determine what to include in your product guide and how to present the information.

Conducting customer surveys or interviews is a great way to collect information about your target audience. You can also use social media, Google Analytics, and other data sources to learn more about your potential readers.

Once you have a good understanding of who your audience is, you can start thinking about what to include in your product guide.

How do I identify the purpose of my product guide?

After you have defined your audience, you can tailor the content of your product guide to meet their needs. For example, if you are writing a product guide for potential customers, you will want to include information that will help them understand your products and make a purchasing decision. If you are writing a product guide for employees, on the other hand, you will want to focus on providing them with the information they need to use your products effectively.

How do I outline the contents of my product guide?

Now that you know who your audience is and what you want to achieve with your product guide, you can start planning the contents of your guide. Begin by making a list of all the topics you want to cover. Once you have a comprehensive list, you can start organizing the information into sections. For example, if you are writing a product guide for customers, you might want to include sections on product features, pricing, and customer support.

How do I design the layout of my product guide?

The layout of your product guide is just as important as the content. After all, if your product guide is difficult to navigate or understand, your readers are likely to give up and look elsewhere for information. When designing the layout of your product guide, keep in mind the following:

• Simplicity: Keep the design of your product guide simple and uncluttered.
• Layout: Use a clear and easy-to-follow layout.
• Design: Use colors, fonts, and other design elements to make your product guide more visually appealing.
• Navigation: Make sure your product guide is easy to navigate. Include a table of contents and plenty of internal links.
• Formatting: Use headings, lists, and other formatting elements to break up the text and make your product guide easier to read.

How do I promote my product guide?

Once you have created your product guide, it is time to start promoting it. There are a number of ways you can get the word out about your new product guide:

• Share it on social media: Use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms to share your product guide with your followers.
• Include a link in your email signature: Add a link to your product guide in your email signature so that everyone who receives an email from you will see it.
• Write a blog post about it: Write a blog post introducing your product guide and explaining what readers can expect to find inside.

How much does it cost to make a product guide?

The cost of creating a product guide will vary depending on the scope of the project and the amount of content that needs to be created. Generally, you can expect to spend several thousand dollars on a high-quality product guide. However, if you have an in-house marketing team, you may be able to create a product guide for less.

Here is a rough breakdown of the costs associated with creating a product guide, in the form of a microsite, from scratch:

• Copywriting: $500-$2000
• Graphic design: $500-$5000
• Web development: $1000-$5000
• Project management: $500-$2000
• Total cost: $2500-$15,000+

As you can see, the cost of creating a product guide can vary widely. The best way to get an accurate estimate for your project is to get in touch with a marketing agency or freelancer who specializes in creating product guides.

How much time does it take to make a product guide?

It typically takes several weeks or even months to create a high-quality product guide when starting from scratch. The length of time will depend on the scope of the project and the amount of content that needs to be created.

Here is a rough breakdown of the timeline associated with creating a product guide, in the form of a microsite, from scratch:

• Copywriting: Several days to weeks
• Graphic design: Several days to weeks
• Web development: Several days to weeks
• Project management: Several days to weeks
• Total time: Several weeks to months+

As you can see, the timeline for creating a product guide can vary depending on the scope of the project. If you're working with a team of professionals, you can expect the process to take several weeks or even months. However, if you have an in-house marketing team, you may be able to create a product guide in a shorter amount of time.

How can Lumavate's DXP help you create product guides faster and easier?

Lumavate's DXP is a powerful tool that can help you create product guides, microsites, or other digital experiences to help sell your products. With our technology, you can easily pull product descriptions from your current tech stack and quickly create beautiful product guides that are tailored to your audience. You can also use Lumavate's DXP to track engagement and conversions, so you can see how your product guides are performing and make necessary changes to improve results. Contact us today to learn more about how Lumavate's DXP can help you create product guides that drive sales and grow your business.