PurrPlay E-commerce Catalog: Feline-Focused Product Discovery

Project Overview

PurrPlay is a specialized e-commerce platform designed exclusively for cat toys, addressing the unique challenge of selecting engaging products for feline companions. This catalog page leverages behavioral insights from both cats and professional specialists to create a data-driven shopping experience.

Key Design Decisions & Justifications

Expert-Validated Rating System

The platform features a dual-rating approach combining direct feline testing with professional behaviorist recommendations. This addresses the common friction point where pet owners struggle to predict which toys will actually engage their cats, moving beyond generic customer reviews to evidence-based assessments.

Strategic Filtering Architecture

The filtering system encompasses four critical parameters:

• Toy type - Addresses cats' varied play preferences (hunting, stalking, pouncing);
• Difficulty level - Matches cognitive stimulation to individual cat capabilities;
• Price range - Enables budget-conscious decision making;
• Sorting options - Allows prioritization by relevance, rating, or price.

This comprehensive filtering reduces decision fatigue while enabling precise product matching.

Minimalist Interface Design

Button count was deliberately reduced to maximize product visibility per page, allowing users to scan a broader range of options without excessive scrolling. This design choice recognizes that cat toy selection often involves comparing multiple similar products.

Personalized Recommendation Integration

The embedded survey link provides tailored product suggestions based on individual cat characteristics and behaviors. This feature transforms generic browsing into targeted product discovery, addressing the challenge that not all cats respond to the same stimuli.

Accessibility & Performance Optimization

• WCAG compliance ensures universal usability
• Pagination implementation prevents network overload and maintains fast loading times
• Responsive design with expandable mobile menus accommodates different browsing contexts

Mobile-Specific Adaptations

The mobile version features:

• Collapsible "Sort By" menu preventing screen clutter
• Expandable filter panel providing full functionality without sacrificing screen real estate
• Optimized touch targets for easy navigation

User Experience Impact

This design specifically addresses common e-commerce friction points in pet product selection:

• Uncertainty about product effectiveness (solved through expert validation)
• Information overload (managed through strategic content hierarchy)
• Generic recommendations (addressed via personalized assessment tool)
• Poor mobile experience (resolved through thoughtful responsive design)

The catalog creates a specialized shopping environment that acknowledges the unique nature of feline owner's preferences while maintaining efficient e-commerce functionality.