Marketers are now actively pursuing an entirely different format for a new internet-savvy demographic. They are turning traditional paper catalogs into online catalogs. Online catalogs certainly have limits, but they also have unparalleled usability that can multiply the sales of businesses who are willing to give them a try.

So successful have online catalogs been in the past decade that companies who operate them make hundreds of millions in yearly sales. More and more people are depending on the Internet for shopping, and online catalogs cut the sales process by bringing products directly to the buyer's desktop. A buyer can simply search for an, narrow down specifications and price range, place an online order, and the sale is made.

Online catalogs are generally less expensive to produce than traditional paper catalogs. They are also much easier to update and alter, so that buyers will know immediately when something is out of stock without having to pick up the phone to talk to a customer representative. Sellers can instantly update their prices, add new displays and send promotional emails to a buyer's email address - so customers get faster response rates while sellers keep costs at a minimum.

If you don't have time to shop but would like to browse through products and order in the comforts of your own home or office, then you should order free catalogs. You can receive free online catalogs from hundreds of websites, but be careful - some merchants will flood your inbox with catalogs you did not request for. Visit a reliable catalog website that allows you to become a member and limit the free catalogs you receive. The site should allow you to check off what categories interest you and indicate how many times you would like to receive them (daily, weekly, or monthly). If you don't want the catalogs going straight to your inbox, the site should give you the option to receive reminders when a new catalog on a product category you chose is available. You will receive a link to the new catalog and decide if you want to download it or not.