GonnaOrder Help Center

Change the Catalog Settings

GonnaOrder enables you to change some configuration settings for your catalog setup and display. You will find this under Settings> Catalog in your store.


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Set up Default Store VAT

GonnaOrder allows you to set up the default VAT rates used in the jurisdiction within which your business operates. The default VAT is usually a numeric value representing the percentage of the product value that goes into taxes. You don’t need to set the VAT value, but in some cases, it is a legal requirement that you show tax information to your customers.
Further, GonnaOrder internally uses the VAT information to improve the store statistics. When set, the default store VAT rates and amounts will be included in the order pdf sent to your customers via email and which you can also download from your administration dashboard.

The details about how to set up VAT for your store and products are expounded on this help page.

Setting the Default Store VAT
Setting the default store VAT

Change the Default Catalog View

As a store manager, you can choose how customers see your catalog. GonnaOrder has two types of catalog views; Expanded and Collapsed views. An expanded catalog view is an excellent option for stores with few categories and items. On the other hand, you may want to switch to the collapsed catalog view if you have many categories.
To switch between these settings, navigate to Settings section and then to the Catalog tab. You will find the setting to change the default catalog view to either expanded or collapsed.

Change Default Catalog View
Catalog View Settings

The catalog is displayed in the expanded view by default. This means that when the customers view your store menu, they will see all the menu items listed one after the other and scroll on their devices to browse to the following category. This setting is best, especially for smaller catalogs, because it is easy for the user to scroll among the categories and browse what is available.

Catalog View: Expanded
Catalog Expanded View

The alternative option is for the catalog default view setting to be in a collapsed view. This means that the customers view a list of all their categories available. To view what items are available under each category, users need to click on the (+) sign or category name to expand. This setting fits well for stores that have long catalogs. The advantage is that the user would first choose more quickly a category that is towards the end of the catalog without the need to browse through all items of the previous categories

Catalog View: Collapsed
Catalog Collapsed View

Store managers and owners can choose which view mode to use. The general recommendation is to switch to the Collapsed mode for longer catalogs.

Set Your Catalog View as List or Tiles

In addition to setting your catalog as expanded or collapsed, you can also choose how it appears on the customers’ menu, either as list or tiles.

For new stores, the default catalog view is set as list. This option is ideal if most of your customers use mobile and desktop devices to place orders. To select this view, choose the list option on default catalog view section.

Setting the Default Catalog View as List.
Setting the Default Catalog View as List

When you choose the list option, customers view the menu as a list.

Default Catalog View: Expanded & List.
Default Catalog View: Expanded & List
Default Catalog View: Collapsed & List
Default Catalog View: Collapsed & List.

On the other hand, you can set tiles as the default catalog view. This changes the catalog view to kiosk mode.

Setting the Default Catalog View as Tiles.
Setting the Default Catalog View as Tiles

By setting this view, desktop users will view your catalog with categories and their respective images (if uploaded) on the left while the items are displayed on the right.

Tiles Catalog View on Desktop.
Default Catalog View: Tiles

In the mobile view, the categories and their respective images appear on top (just below the search bar) while the items appear below the category. Customers can click a specific category to quickly view the items in that category or simply scroll down to find items in different categories.

Tiles Catalog View on Mobile Phone.
Tiles Catalog View on Mobile Phone

Stock Management

As a store owner, you may want to control the stock of a particular item in the store and only accept new orders when such an item is in stock. The stock management feature allows you to record and track available products. Once stock management is enabled, GonnaOrder will ensure you do not receive more orders than the items you have in stock. Stock management is an item level of management that is applied through editing an item already present in the store. It is also applicable to options in an option group and is activated in the same way.

To activate stock management, navigate to the Settings > Catalog. While on this page, you can activate or deactivate stock management by toggling the Manage Stock button to Active or Inactive as needed.

Activate Stock Management Features
manage stock Settings

By default, the stock management feature is inactive. When the manage stock setting is activated for a store, an extra section labeled Stock Check appears in the product edit section. This is illustrated in the Update an item section.

When stock management is enabled, your customers will see an error if they include more items in an order than your store can fulfill at the current time. For this setting to work efficiently, stock check must be enabled for that particular item. Stock features are explained comprehensively under Setup stock features section, and you may want to get a better understanding from there.

Below is the customer interface showing a scenario where a user added two items of the same item to the cart when only one was remaining in the store. It is worth noting that products that are out of stock will not be displayed to customers when a stock check is enabled.

An Error Arising Due to Stock Management Features
User interface indicating an error in the order

Display Out of Stock Items

GonnaOrder allows store managers to choose how they want to display out-of-stock items. This catalog setting is triggered when the item’s stock level reaches zero.
There are two ways in which you can display the out-of-stock items on the customers’ end:

  • Greyed Out Items: Item is visible on the menu but makes the item unclickable, hence customer’s can no longer order items.
  • Hidden Items: Item is hidden from the menu.

Store owners can update the stock level as and when required. For more information on how to update the stock, refer to the See more about Set up Stock Features article.

To grey out out-of-stock items go to Settings > Catalog and toggle the display out of stock items option to Greyed Out.

Setting Grey Out Option
Setting Grey Out Option

When you activate the grey out option, customers will be able to see the out-of-stock items but cannot order them.

Greyed Out-of-Stock Items
Greying Out Out-of-Stock Items

To hide out-of-stock items from customers’ view, go to Settings > Catalog and toggle the display out of stock items setting to hidden.

Hiding Out-of-Stock Items
Hiding Out-of-Stock Items

As displayed on the customers’ end, the initially greyed out item (Gnocchi 4 Cheeses) is no longer listed on the customer menu when you opt to hide the out-of-stock items.

Hidden Out-of-Stock Items
Hidden Out-of-Stock Items

However, as a store manager, you will be able to view the out-of-stock items regardless of the option you choose. Simply go to Catalog and choose the item category to view the items that are no longer in stock.

How Store Managers View Out-of-Stock Items
How Store Managers View Out-of-Stock Items

Set or Update Catalog Background Image

Store managers can set or update the catalog background image through Settings > Catalog. The background image feature should be used to reduce the glaring white space in the catalog. It is especially useful for stores that do not have item images. However, all stores are encouraged to add a background image to their catalogs if necessary.

Set or Update the Catalog Background Image From Catalog Settings
Adding a background image under catalog settings

Managers must ensure their preferred background images do not block the catalog content, e.g., item names, descriptions, and prices. You can experiment with multiple images to ensure your customers get the best experience.

A Sample Catalog Shown After Applying a Background Image
Catalog with a background image

Examples of Images You Can Use for Your Catalog Background

All the text in your catalog has a black color. A dark background would make it difficult for customers to read item names, prices, and descriptions. Therefore, GonnaOrder recommends using a light background image to ensure your menu is readable.

The images below are tested on demo restaurant menus. They offer a clear view of the details without any significant obstruction. You may use any of them in your catalog, or you can experiment with your custom images.

Notice that the size of the image does not matter. GonnaOrder will crop or stretch your image to cover the catalog. Therefore, you can use an image of any size or aspect ratio.

blurred grey backgroud
Abstract light blue texture backgroud
Abstract blue texture backgroud
Abstract gradient backgroud
Abstract gradient background
Abstract grey texture backgroud

Prefered Language for the Catalog

Admins can configure how the catalog is viewed by customers based on the prefered language settings. Select either of the below options based on the preferences:

  • Browser Preferred Language: Use this option if you want the customer to view the catalog in their preferred browser language.
  • Catalog Preferred Language: Use this option if you want the customer to view the catalog based on the customer selected language in the order page.

    For more information on catalog preferred language, refer to the Manage Translations help page.

    Selecting Catalog Language
    Selecting Catalog Language