Differentiating your brand from the competition is a major challenge in today’s crowded digital market. No matter the industry, customers today have more ways to research their options than ever before. 

Finding products and services online has become the norm, which means you’re competing with the best.

Customer experiences are the ultimate deciding factor that separates successful companies from the rest. And in many cases, that experience is more important than price or quality. That’s why so many organizations now use artificial intelligence (AI) to create an exceptional retail experience.

New trends in online shopping have drastically changed the way consumers approach the buying process. A simple ecommerce store isn’t enough today, you must consider how buyers progress through the buyer’s journey, how they engage with your products and services, and create optimized catalogs that cater to their exact needs.

One way many ecommerce brands are accomplishing this is through the use of product catalog optimization. But what does this transformative technology actually look like in practice? And how are companies using AI classification to revolutionize the customer experience?

The Goal: Unifying In-Store and Online Browsing

Despite popular claims, brick-and-mortar stores are still relevant. Even online shopping giants like Amazon are opening up Amazon Go, a series of physical stores. Artificial intelligence thankfully goes beyond eCommerce catalog management and helps businesses provide a seamless experience across the board, whether it’s online or in-store.

Buyers today do product research online, browse in-store, and make purchases wherever it’s convenient for them. Retailers must aim to make switching among these sales channels easy. That’s why many businesses are incorporating both online and in-store activities as part of their customer profiles.

Catalog Price Optimization

So, how can you decide on the perfect price for that new product? There are many factors to consider, including:

• Supply and demand
• National and state taxes
• Local preferences and buying habits
• Omni-channel delivery (both online and in-store)

These complexities make for a difficult workflow for marketing teams. AI advancements in retail catalog optimization are here to help by eliminating human error and improving the usability of customer data.

But what does this look like in practice?

One way AI improves the customer experience is by optimizing price based on a variety of complex factors, such as the product’s initial, best, discount, and promotional prices, how a product’s pricing influences other products, competitor prices, and more. 

Human-led pricing optimization could never assess all of these factors across thousands of products. That’s where AI comes into the picture.

The End Goals of AI-Based Product Catalog Management

The objective of integrating artificial intelligence with retail management is to:

• Optimize product catalogs using demand analysis per item listed, on an ongoing basis
• Automate more workflows like product listing, attribute enhancement, product identifications, etc.
• Speed up time-to-market
• Achieve seamless multi-channel distribution using GTINmatching, ongoing price competitivity checks, etc.

These goals ultimately allow your company to provide better customer experiences, generate more sales with improved margins, and raise customer loyalty.

Predictive Inventory Management

Nothing is more frustrating than attempting to buy something, only to realize that it’s out of stock. Carrying too much stock, at the same time, results in lower profit margins.

How can companies strike a balance between the two? The answer is AI.

AI can help businesses create an optimized product catalog that ensures new products are ordered and available at the right time. AI automatically predicts future demand using data like historical sales, holidays, weather patterns, promotions, and others.

Let’s say you see two products in a specific category trending upwards—similar to the COVID-19 consumables boom at the start of the pandemic. Predictive inventory management uses AI to analyze product trends in specific categories to forecast inventory levels and ensure a store will have enough inventory to keep up with demand.

Targeted Advertisements

One of the most well-known ways AI helps marketing teams is through targeted promotions and recommendations. Customers like it when businesses can provide relevant offers.

AI algorithms now exist to collect and parse customer data, matching individuals with preferences and price points. The result is a more personalized shopping experience that’s proven to generate more conversions.

Personalization is something that’s taken over all aspects of digital marketing. The largest ecommerce marketplaces use behavioral analytics to serve personalized content. The majority of paid ads on large platforms like Google and Facebook are served to users based on their past search history, cookies, and other tracking data.

Personalization can make all the difference in ecommerce by making relevant suggestions that increase the visibility of specific products. The end result: more conversions. After all, making it easy for customers to find the products they want is the definition of a great customer experience.

Natural Language Automation

Retailers are always trying to make searching their product catalogs easier, especially when it comes to new releases. Natural language processing is becoming more advanced to the point where it can generate product descriptions automatically while still sounding genuine.

Another application of natural language processing is integration with voice assistants like Apple’s Siri and Google’s Assistant, where more and more buyers are doing their research. AI categorizes products using both keywords and natural voice commands.

AI-Driven Shopping Assistants

AI-driven chatbots and shopping assistants are another example of a low-barrier solutions that is redefining the ecommerce industry.

These AI-powered assistants work in-store too. Macy’s and Lowe’s have “On Call” and “LoweBot” respectively. These programs mimic human interaction, allowing customers to ask questions and receive personalized responses.

Other companies use these chatbots to reach their customers on third-party social media platforms like Facebook’s Messenger. These AI-driven systems ensure that companies can reach their customers on any channel, increasing product visibility and brand awareness.

Cluster: All the Data Needed for Better AI Catalog Management

It’s no secret that every company wants access to the latest insights and data. AI has the power to transform these insights into actionable recommendations.

But what good is AI without the right data in place? Cluster is the ultimate market intelligence engine that marketplaces, retailers and brands can use to better understand their market, how market share is divided among product categories, and more.

Are you looking for a better way to access key market metrics for the largest ecommerce platforms in the world? Book a demo with our eCommerce specialists today to see what Cluster can do for you.

In today’s digital age, customer experience plays a pivotal role in the success of any e-commerce business. Chat GPT, powered by advanced natural language processing, offers a transformative solution to engage customers and create meaningful interactions. By leveraging the capabilities of Chat GPT, businesses can unlock a myriad of benefits, including improved customer satisfaction, increased conversion rates, and enhanced brand loyalty.

Understanding Chat GPT

Chat GPT is an artificial intelligence-powered conversational agent that utilizes machine learning algorithms to generate human-like responses in real-time. It analyzes customer queries, understands their intent, and provides relevant and accurate information, effectively simulating a natural conversation. The underlying language model of Chat GPT is trained on vast amounts of textual data, enabling it to generate coherent and contextually appropriate responses.

How Chat GPT Enhances Customer Experience

1. Personalized Customer Interactions

With Chat GPT, e-commerce businesses can offer personalized customer interactions at scale. By capturing and analyzing customer data, such as past purchases, browsing behavior, and preferences, Chat GPT can tailor responses to meet individual customer needs. This level of personalization creates a more engaging and satisfying experience, fostering a sense of connection between the customer and the brand.

2. 24/7 Availability

One of the most significant advantages of Chat GPT is its ability to provide round-the-clock support. Unlike traditional customer service channels, which are often limited by business hours, Chat GPT is available at any time, allowing customers to seek assistance whenever they need it. This uninterrupted availability not only enhances customer satisfaction but also reduces response time, leading to increased customer loyalty and retention.

3. Efficient Query Resolution

Chat GPT is proficient in understanding and resolving customer queries with remarkable accuracy. Whether it’s addressing product-related inquiries, providing order updates, or assisting with troubleshooting, Chat GPT can deliver prompt and relevant responses. By streamlining query resolution, e-commerce businesses can significantly reduce customer frustration and enhance overall satisfaction.

Driving Sales with Chat GPT

1. Product Recommendations

Chat GPT can leverage its deep understanding of customer preferences to provide highly targeted product recommendations. By analyzing customer data and utilizing machine learning algorithms, Chat GPT can suggest relevant products based on individual preferences, purchase history, and browsing behavior. This personalized approach increases the likelihood of a successful cross-sell or upsell, ultimately driving sales and revenue for the e-commerce business.

2. Seamless Shopping Experience

By integrating Chat GPT into the e-commerce platform, businesses can offer a seamless shopping experience to their customers. Chat GPT can assist customers throughout the entire purchase journey, from product discovery to checkout. It can provide detailed product information, assist with size and fit queries, and even guide customers through the payment process. This level of support not only enhances the overall customer experience but also reduces cart abandonment rates, ultimately boosting conversion rates and sales.

3. Proactive Customer Engagement

Chat GPT empowers e-commerce businesses to proactively engage with customers and nurture leads. Through intelligent chatbots powered by Chat GPT, businesses can initiate conversations with website visitors, offering assistance, recommending products, or even providing exclusive offers. This proactive engagement helps capture customer interest, build trust, and drive them towards making a purchase.

Implementing Chat GPT in Your E-commerce Business

Now that we have explored the various ways Chat GPT can revolutionize the e-commerce landscape, let’s discuss how you can implement this powerful technology into your own business. By following these steps, you can harness the potential of Chat GPT and stay ahead of the competition.

1. Assess Your Customer Needs

Start by understanding your target audience and their specific needs. Analyze the common queries, pain points, and challenges faced by your customers. This knowledge will help you train Chat GPT to provide accurate and relevant responses.

2. Prepare Training Data

To ensure Chat GPT understands your customers’ inquiries, gather a substantial amount of training data. This data should include a wide range of customer queries, along with appropriate responses. It’s crucial to curate diverse and representative data to enhance the model’s understanding of various customer scenarios.

3. Train the Chat GPT Model

Next, train the Chat GPT model using the prepared training data. This process involves feeding the data into the model and allowing it to learn patterns and generate responses based on the provided inputs. Training a high-quality Chat GPT model may require significant computational resources, so ensure you have access to adequate infrastructure.

4. Fine-tune and Optimize

After the initial training, fine-tune the model to align it with your specific business objectives. Incorporate domain-specific knowledge and continue training with additional data if needed. This step helps refine the model’s responses and tailor them to your unique e-commerce requirements.

5. Integration with Your E-commerce Platform

Integrate Chat GPT seamlessly into your e-commerce platform. This can be achieved by leveraging APIs or using pre-built chatbot platforms that offer integration capabilities. Ensure the chatbot interface is user-friendly, visually appealing, and provides a seamless experience for your customers.

6. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement

Regularly monitor the performance of your Chat GPT implementation. Analyze customer interactions, review feedback, and identify areas for improvement. Keep refining the training data and fine-tuning the model to optimize its responses over time. This iterative process ensures that Chat GPT continues to enhance customer experience and drive sales effectively.

Maximizing the Potential of Chat GPT in E-commerce

To fully maximize the potential of Chat GPT in your e-commerce business, there are additional strategies and considerations to keep in mind. By implementing the following practices, you can further enhance the impact of Chat GPT and drive exceptional results.

1. Multi-Channel Integration

Expand the reach of Chat GPT by integrating it across multiple channels. Besides your website, consider implementing it on popular messaging platforms, such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or WeChat. This allows customers to engage with your chatbot on their preferred communication channel, increasing accessibility and convenience.

2. Natural Language Processing Enhancements

To improve the accuracy and understanding of customer queries, leverage advanced natural language processing techniques. Implement sentiment analysis to gauge customer emotions and sentiment during interactions. This can help you better tailor responses and address customer concerns effectively.

3. Knowledge Base Integration

Integrate Chat GPT with a robust knowledge base that contains comprehensive information about your products, policies, and frequently asked questions. By leveraging this knowledge base, Chat GPT can provide accurate and detailed responses, empowering customers with the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions.

4. Continuous Training and Retraining

Chat GPT’s effectiveness can be further enhanced by continuously training and retraining the model. Regularly update the training data with recent customer interactions and new product information. This ensures that the model stays up-to-date and capable of delivering relevant and accurate responses to evolving customer needs.

5. Analytics and Insights

Implement analytics tools to track and analyze the performance of Chat GPT. Monitor key metrics such as response accuracy, customer satisfaction ratings, and conversion rates. Leverage these insights to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to optimize the chatbot’s performance continuously.

6. A/B Testing and Experimentation

Conduct A/B testing and experimentation to fine-tune the chatbot’s responses and optimize its performance. Test different variations of responses and observe the impact on customer engagement, conversion rates, and overall satisfaction. This iterative approach allows you to identify the most effective strategies and continuously refine your chatbot’s capabilities.

7. Human Oversight and Escalation

While Chat GPT offers significant benefits, it’s important to have human oversight in place. Incorporate mechanisms for seamless escalation to human agents when necessary. This ensures that complex queries or specific customer concerns can be addressed by a knowledgeable human representative, maintaining a high level of customer support.

How Cluster can Help

Cluster offers a comprehensive suite of tools and insights that empower e-commerce sellers to achieve growth and success. The platform provides owners with the necessary resources to make informed decisions and drive their businesses forward. Book a demo now.

Millennials are a key demographic for eCommerce businesses, with their purchasing power increasing as they become the largest generation in the workforce. This tech-savvy generation values convenience, personalization, and social responsibility in their shopping experiences. 

To effectively reach and engage with millennial consumers, eCommerce businesses need to adopt innovative marketing strategies that align with their preferences and behaviors. In this blog, we will explore the top millennial eCommerce marketing strategies that businesses can use to attract and retain this important demographic, from leveraging social media influencers to incorporating sustainability and social responsibility into their brand messaging.

The Power of Video Content in Millennial eCommerce Marketing

As the largest demographic group in the workforce, millennials are a key target audience for eCommerce businesses. However, this tech-savvy generation is also notoriously difficult to engage and retain. With their short attention spans and preference for visual content, video has become an essential tool for eCommerce businesses looking to reach and engage with millennials. Now, let’s explore the power of video content in millennial eCommerce marketing, and provide tips for creating engaging video content that resonates with this important demographic.

Why Video is Important for Millennial eCommerce Marketing

Video is a highly effective tool for reaching and engaging with millennials, who are more likely to watch videos on their mobile devices than any other generation. Video content is more engaging than static images or text, allowing eCommerce businesses to showcase their products and services in a dynamic, interactive way. Videos are also more likely to be shared on social media, increasing their reach and potential to go viral.

In addition to its engagement benefits, video can also help eCommerce businesses build trust and credibility with millennial consumers. According to a study by Animoto, 80% of millennials consider video content when making a purchasing decision, and 68% are more likely to buy a product after watching a video about it.

Tips for Creating Engaging Video Content

To create effective video content for millennial eCommerce marketing, businesses should consider the following tips:

• Keep it short and sweet: Millennials have short attention spans and are more likely to watch shorter videos. Keep your videos under 2 minutes in length to maximize engagement.

• Showcase your products: Videos allow you to showcase your products in action, highlighting their features and benefits in a way that static images or text cannot.

• Make it visually appealing: Use high-quality visuals, animations, and graphics to make your videos visually appealing and engaging.

• Tell a story: Use storytelling techniques to make your videos more memorable and emotionally resonant with your audience.

• Optimize for mobile: Millennials are more likely to watch videos on their mobile devices than any other generation, so make sure your videos are optimized for mobile viewing.

• Include a call to action: Encourage viewers to take action by including a call to action at the end of your video, such as visiting your website or making a purchase.

Personalizing the Customer Experience: How to Use Data to Target Millennials

The millennial generation, those born between 1981 and 1996, is the largest demographic in the U.S. and has a significant purchasing power. As digital natives, millennials expect a personalized shopping experience that caters to their interests and preferences. To attract and retain this valuable customer segment, eCommerce businesses must leverage data to create a personalized customer experience.

Here are some tips for using data to target millennials and boost engagement with your eCommerce brand:

Collect and Analyze Data on Customer Behavior

The first step in personalizing the customer experience is to gather and analyze data on your millennial customers’ behavior. This includes their purchase history, browsing behavior, search queries, and social media activity. By tracking this data, you can identify patterns and insights that can help you create more targeted marketing campaigns and product recommendations.

Some effective data collection tools for eCommerce businesses include Google Analytics, heat mapping software, and customer surveys. These tools can help you gather data on your millennial customers’ behavior and preferences, as well as their demographic information and psychographic profiles.

Segment Your Audience

Once you have collected data on your millennial customers, you can segment your audience into smaller groups based on shared characteristics, interests, and behaviors. This allows you to create more targeted marketing campaigns that are tailored to each group’s unique needs and preferences.

For example, you might segment your millennial audience based on their location, age, gender, income level, or purchase history. You could also create segments based on their interests, such as fashion, beauty, or tech.

Use Personalization Techniques to Create Customized Experiences

Once you have segmented your audience, you can use personalization techniques to create customized experiences for each group. This might include personalized product recommendations, tailored promotions, and customized messaging.

One effective way to personalize the customer experience is through email marketing. By using data on your millennial customers’ behavior and preferences, you can create targeted email campaigns that offer personalized product recommendations and promotions.

Another way to personalize the customer experience is through your eCommerce website. By using data on your millennial customers’ behavior and preferences, you can create customized landing pages, product recommendations, and shopping experiences that cater to their unique interests and needs.

Leverage Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for targeting millennials and creating a personalized customer experience. By monitoring your millennial customers’ social media activity, you can gain insights into their interests, preferences, and behavior.

You can also use social media to engage with your millennial customers and create a sense of community around your eCommerce brand. This might include creating social media campaigns that encourage user-generated content, or running social media contests that offer personalized prizes.

Monitor and Measure Your Results

Finally, it’s important to monitor and measure the results of your personalization efforts. By tracking key metrics such as engagement rates, conversion rates, and revenue, you can determine the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns and make adjustments as needed.

Some effective tools for measuring the success of your personalization efforts include Google Analytics, social media analytics tools, and A/B testing software.

The Importance of Sustainability in Millennial eCommerce Marketing

Millennials, the largest generation in the world, have been driving the shift towards sustainability in all aspects of life, including their shopping habits. This has led to a rise in demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products, and a push towards more sustainable business practices. As such, it is increasingly important for eCommerce businesses to embrace sustainability as part of their marketing strategy in order to attract and retain millennial customers.

1. Connect with your audience– Millennials are very concerned about the environment, and they are looking for companies that share their values. By incorporating sustainability into your marketing strategy, you are showing your customers that you care about the environment, and that you are committed to making a positive impact. This can help you to connect with your audience on a deeper level, and build stronger, more meaningful relationships with them.

2. Stand out from the competition– As more and more companies embrace sustainability, it is becoming a necessary aspect of doing business. However, not all companies are equal in their sustainability efforts. By going above and beyond in your sustainability efforts, you can stand out from the competition and position your brand as a leader in the industry.

3. Appeal to the conscious consumer– Millennials are often referred to as the conscious consumer generation. They are willing to pay more for products that are sustainably sourced, produced, and packaged. By integrating sustainability into your eCommerce business, you can appeal to this conscious consumer, and position your products as a more ethical and responsible choice.

4. Reduce costs– Sustainability can actually help your bottom line. By reducing waste, energy use, and packaging materials, you can save money on production costs. In addition, sustainability efforts can often lead to increased efficiency and streamlined processes, which can also reduce costs.

5. Make a positive impact– Ultimately, the most important reason to embrace sustainability in your eCommerce marketing is to make a positive impact on the environment and the world. By reducing your carbon footprint, sourcing materials responsibly, and using sustainable practices, you are contributing to a more sustainable future for all.

Now that we’ve established the importance of sustainability in millennial eCommerce marketing, let’s explore some ways you can integrate sustainability into your business.

1. Choose eco-friendly materials– From packaging materials to product materials, choose eco-friendly options whenever possible. This could include recycled or biodegradable materials, or sustainably sourced materials like bamboo or organic cotton.

2. Reduce waste– Reduce waste wherever possible by using minimal packaging, encouraging customers to recycle, and finding ways to repurpose or donate excess materials.

3. Use sustainable production methods– Choose production methods that are energy-efficient, and minimize waste and pollution. Consider investing in renewable energy sources like solar or wind power.

4. Partner with sustainable organizations– Partner with organizations that align with your sustainability values, and work together to make a positive impact on the environment. This could include environmental groups, fair trade organizations, or sustainable product certifications.

5. Communicate your sustainability efforts– Make sure your customers are aware of your sustainability efforts by communicating them through your website, social media channels, and marketing materials. This will help to build trust and loyalty with your millennial audience.

How Can Cluster Help?

Cluster is on a mission to help businesses operating in the eCommerce space take advantage of digital point-of-sale and normalized catalog data for success. Schedule a demo today.

At our company, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our clients’ sales and engagement on social media platforms. With the rise of social commerce, businesses are now able to sell products and services directly through social media channels, making it easier for customers to make purchases without leaving the platform.

In this article, we will discuss the best social commerce strategies that businesses can implement to boost their sales and engagement on social media platforms. By following these strategies, you can effectively compete with other businesses and increase your online visibility.

Understanding Social Commerce

Social commerce is the act of selling products or services through social media platforms. Social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have introduced features that enable businesses to sell directly to their followers. Social commerce strategies include the use of social media influencers, social media ads, shoppable posts, and social media stores.

The Benefits of Social Commerce

Social commerce offers businesses numerous benefits, including increased online visibility, improved customer engagement, increased brand loyalty, and higher conversion rates. By selling products directly through social media channels, businesses can bypass the traditional e-commerce process, making it easier for customers to make purchases.

The Best Social Commerce Strategies

1. Utilizing Social Media Influencers

Social media influencers have become a crucial component of social commerce strategies. By partnering with influencers, businesses can reach a larger audience and tap into their followers’ trust in the influencer’s brand. Influencers can help businesses boost their sales and engagement by creating engaging content that showcases their products or services.

2. Social Media Ads

Social media ads are a great way to reach a larger audience and boost sales. Businesses can use social media ads to target specific demographics, locations, and interests. Social media ads allow businesses to create visually appealing ads that grab customers’ attention and encourage them to make a purchase.

3. Shoppable Posts

Shoppable posts allow businesses to tag products directly in their social media posts. This enables customers to click on the product and be taken directly to the product page, where they can make a purchase. Shoppable posts are a great way to improve customer engagement and increase sales.

4. Social Media Stores

Social media stores are a feature that enables businesses to create an online store within their social media channel. This feature allows customers to browse products and make purchases without leaving the platform. Social media stores are a great way to increase online visibility and improve customer engagement.

How to Implement Social Commerce Strategies

Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of social commerce and the best social commerce strategies, let’s take a closer look at how businesses can implement these strategies effectively.

1. Find the Right Influencers

When selecting influencers to partner with, it’s important to consider their audience and their relevance to your brand. Look for influencers who have a similar target audience to your business and who have a strong engagement rate. Reach out to the influencers with a proposal that outlines your expectations and the compensation you are willing to offer.

2. Design Eye-Catching Social Media Ads

To create effective social media ads, it’s important to use high-quality images or videos and to have a clear and concise message. Use social media analytics to determine the best time to post your ads and target them to specific demographics and interests.

3. Create Shoppable Posts

To create shoppable posts, businesses must first set up a product catalog through Facebook or Instagram. Once the catalog is set up, businesses can tag products directly in their posts, making it easy for customers to make a purchase. Make sure your product images are high-quality and clearly show the product’s features.

4. Build a Social Media Store

To build a social media store, businesses can use platforms like Facebook or Instagram Shops. Businesses must first set up a product catalog and then create a store within their social media channel. It’s important to regularly update the store with new products and promotions to keep customers engaged.

Tips for Successful Social Commerce Strategies

To further enhance the success of your social commerce strategies, here are some additional tips to keep in mind:

1. Create a Strong Brand Image

To attract and retain customers, it’s important to have a strong brand image that resonates with your target audience. This includes having a consistent brand voice, visual style, and messaging across all your social media platforms.

2. Focus on Customer Service

Social media provides a direct line of communication between businesses and customers. It’s important to respond promptly to customer inquiries and feedback, and to provide a positive customer experience throughout the buying process.

3. Leverage User-Generated Content

User-generated content is a great way to showcase your products and services and build trust with your audience. Encourage customers to share their experiences with your products on social media, and reshare their content on your own channels.

4. Monitor and Analyze Your Results

Regularly monitor and analyze the effectiveness of your social commerce strategies. Use social media analytics to track engagement, sales, and other important metrics. Adjust your strategies as needed to ensure continued success.

Conclusion

Social commerce is a rapidly growing trend, and businesses that implement social commerce strategies can benefit greatly. By utilizing social media influencers, social media ads, shoppable posts, and social media stores, businesses can increase their sales and engagement on social media platforms. With the rise of social commerce, businesses can now sell products and services directly through social media channels, making it easier for customers to make purchases without leaving the platform.

How Cluster Can Help

Cluster is on a mission to help businesses operating in the eCommerce space take advantage of digital point-of-sale and normalized catalog data for success. Book a Demo.

When planning your online catalog, you need to take several central factors into consideration: Firstly, your online catalog is your showplace, and as such it must captivate your visitors as soon as they enter your website. Secondly, you must provide the information potential customers are seeking accurately and clearly. Thirdly, the data about products must be easily accessible. And finally, in contrast to physical stores, there is no sales staff to explain the pros and cons of various products or demonstrate how they are used. So your catalog must provide easily understood specifications and descriptions.

Our 5 insights you stand to gain from an optimized Product List Page

1. Learn how to attract your target audience

One of the most important ways to attract your audience is through the use of the right keywords. For example, if you sell rings, make sure to place them all on a single page rather than spread them out. Optimize the category by using different keywords for each type of ring – for example, diamond rings, ruby rings, antique rings, etc. This way, you will bring in the right traffic through search engines. This type of category structure enables you to gain insights regarding the popularity of various items and better ways to promote others. 

2. Gather information from your customer

You can acquire valuable insights by consulting with your customers regarding how they feel about your catalog. Ask them for ratings and comments under each product listing. Find out if they would recommend your website/product to a friend, and if not, why. Enable them to share your pages on social media, and take note which media they prefer for future engagement. The category structure enables you to drill down to gain insights about specific products. 

3. Manage your inventory wisely

Insights on the category level contribute to intelligent inventory planning. By gathering data about sales volumes in each category and sub-category, you can make accurate predictions about future sales and order stock accordingly. This information prevents costly overstocking and also eliminates the kind of understocking that frustrates potential customers. 

4. Test your visual presentation

According to some marketing experts, 93% of consumers consider visual appearance to be the key deciding factor in a purchasing decision. Due to the fact that end customers are unable to feel or try on online products, it is crucial to provide high-quality, enticing visuals that will captivate your buyers. Provide as many views of the product as possible so that potential customers can get a real feel of the item. Some automated catalog platforms provide tools to automatically detect which images are optimal, based on the standards of each retailer or brand. You can check if a certain category is performing poorly because of low-quality images and make the presentation more exciting.

5. Facilitate the customer journey

What are the steps that your potential buyer takes before making a purchase? Whether the customer starts browsing on a smartphone, a tablet or on your online website, you should maintain consistency across channels, enabling you to offer a strong and enjoyable omnichannel experience. Follow your customers’ footsteps across channels and determine which categories were visited at each location. Based on this data, create special personalized offers on products in categories that are the most popular, and provide incentives in categories that are less popular in certain channels.

Want to learn more about how category level insights can boost your sales? Click here.

It’s no secret that eCommerce is growing in profitability now that more and more buyers are shopping online. Stores must adopt eCommerce if they want to increase visibility and accessibility for their products. Today, an online presence isn’t optional—it’s essential.

But eCommerce doesn’t come without its own challenges. Companies must deal with large catalogs of hundreds or even thousands of products (SKUs). Every product must be identified and shipped quickly, and sometimes requires a bit of customization before it reaches the hands of the buyer. Businesses in this sector usually sell in multiple sales channels and marketplaces as well, further complicating the process.

This complexity ensures the importance of a consistent and efficient cataloging system. Without one, you risk incorrect or incomplete information leaking into your listings, frustrating customers and wasting company time that’s used to reorganize it. It’s time to look for a product identification solution, but what are some potential challenges you might face in doing so?

What Is Catalog Management in eCommerce and Why Does It Matter?

Catalog management occurs when suppliers must generate quality product data to describe accurately what a company is selling. This information must not only be accurate but also in the correct format for the target marketplace.

Having excellent catalog management results in:

• More positive customer experiences since they can more easily find the items they want or search for what they need easily. The company can also make more accurate product recommendations this way.
• Search engine optimization, as it helps streamline site navigation and product searching. More potential buyers will find your website this way.
• Better product suggestions for cross-selling and upselling
• Faster time-to-market since your business can update and expand the catalog more quickly. Reaching the customer in a timely fashion means more attention to your brand.
• More accurate financial reporting, which also includes better inventory management and better timing for ordering new stock

Catalog management might be a feature of your business’s current enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform. But let’s talk about some challenges of catalog management first.

The Most Common eCommerce Product Catalog Management Challenges

What causes some managers to become frustrated with eCommerce product catalog management?

Updating Product Listings

Poor product catalog management makes updating your catalog a pain. The time you waste working with a badly organized catalog means a less efficient workflow. How do you tweak your management protocol to accept product or price changes in a timely manner?

Handling Multiple Sales Channels

Catalog management must efficiently support multiple online stores, such as Amazon and eBay. Each channel likely has a different system for accepting product specifications and categories. Tailoring your catalog data to each can take a long time, especially if the information is incomplete or messy.

Incorporating Third-Party Data

Your business often doesn’t write its own product data. It’s occasionally provided by a third-party supplier and thus may be in a different format or be missing certain attributes. Catalog management must involve cleaning up this data for your own use.

Expanding Your Offerings

When it comes to adding new products to your store, it’s more difficult to do so with a badly organized catalog. Developing businesses will find this issue especially worrying, as it caps how quickly the company can grow.

Complicated Structures of Products

Not all items “function” the same way. For instance, serialized items require an individual identifier for each unit. Company vehicles are an example.

You also may deal with different variations of the same product, such as offering multiple colors and sizes. Ensure your management can deal with special catalog items.

Addressing the Problem

How well a business handles eCommerce content management hinges on how it manages its data centrally. Smaller stores may use Excel, but this solution fails when dealing with larger catalogs. It also relies on human input, opening up the possibility for error.

There are eCommerce platforms available that offer either basic or advanced SKU management. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms are popular amongst larger companies, as they work closely with your financial reporting sector. Such a solution handles updating prices, publishing to new markets, and working with inventory.

Another solution for eCommerce product catalogs is the PIM, or product information management platform. These services are specifically for handling product data, including uploading and publishing it to multiple sales channels. However, PIM can be expensive for enterprises, so it’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth the investment.

Regardless of what solution you choose, make sure it serves your needs. For instance, can you import and publish the data to all the marketplaces you use? Can the tool be used for inventory fulfillment? And does it automate the process effectively. Using artificial intelligence to streamline catalog management is one of the leading trends in eCommerce.

Are you trying to identify and enhance your product catalog, but only have basic information from your supplier? Algopix helps online brands validate and enhance their catalog data to fill in the gaps. 

Learn more about how eCommerce catalog management can improve your catalog data and improve your conversion rates. Boom a demo now.

GTIN numbers are a crucial part of the product identification process. They help businesses in identifying their products and tracking their movement throughout the supply chain.

What are GTIN codes?

GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) codes are unique identifiers that are assigned to products to facilitate their identification and tracking throughout the supply chain. These codes include 8, 12, 13, or 14 digits and can be found on product barcodes. They are used to identify a product’s brand, model, size, and color, making it easier for businesses to manage their inventory and customers to find and purchase products.

Types of GTIN Numbers

GTIN-8

GTIN-8 is an 8-digit number used for small-sized products such as chewing gum or cigarettes. The GTIN-8 number consists of a GS1 prefix, an item reference, and a check digit.

GTIN-12

GTIN-12 is a 12-digit number used for packaged consumer goods. The GTIN-12 number consists of a GS1 prefix, an item reference, and a check digit.

GTIN-13

GTIN-13 is a 13-digit number used for consumer goods sold in retail stores. The GTIN-13 number consists of a GS1 prefix, an item reference, and a check digit.

GTIN-14

GTIN-14 is a 14-digit number used for trade items shipped in logistics. The GTIN-14 number consists of a GS1 prefix, an item reference, and a check digit.

The Importance of Using GTIN Codes

Using GTIN codes on your eCommerce site can have several benefits, including:

1. Improved Product Visibility

By using GTIN codes, your products will be more visible to potential customers. When customers search for products on search engines or marketplaces, the search algorithm will use the GTIN code to identify the product, making it more likely to appear in relevant search results.

2. Better Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Using GTIN codes can improve your site’s SEO by providing search engines with structured data that they can use to understand your products better. This can help improve the accuracy of search results and increase the visibility of your products.

3. Enhanced Product Information

GTIN codes contain valuable product information, including the product’s brand, model, size, and color. By including this information on your product pages, you can provide customers with a more detailed and accurate product description, which can help increase sales.

4. Improved Inventory Management

By using GTIN codes to track your inventory, you can better manage your stock levels and ensure that you never run out of products. This can help prevent backorders, reduce the risk of overselling, and improve your overall customer satisfaction.

How to Use GTIN Codes on Your eCommerce Site

To use GTIN codes on your eCommerce site, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps:

1. Obtain GTIN Codes for Your Products

You can obtain GTIN codes for your products from a variety of sources, including GS1, the organization responsible for managing and distributing GTIN codes. You can also purchase GTIN codes from resellers, but it’s important to ensure that the codes are legitimate and have not been previously used.

2. Include GTIN Codes on Your Product Pages

Once you have obtained GTIN codes for your products, you’ll need to include them on your product pages. This can be done by adding a barcode to your product images or including the code in the product description.

3. Submit GTIN Codes to Search Engines and Marketplaces

To ensure that your products are accurately indexed and displayed on search engines and marketplaces, you’ll need to submit your GTIN codes to these platforms. This can be done using the Google Merchant Center or the marketplace’s product listing process.

The Importance of GTIN Lookup

GTIN lookup is a crucial tool for businesses that sell products online. By using GTIN lookup, businesses can access vital information about their products, including their brand, manufacturer, and product specifications.

GTIN Lookup helps businesses to identify their products accurately and efficiently. By searching for a GTIN number, businesses can retrieve detailed information about the product, such as its name, description, and attributes. This information is crucial for maintaining accurate and up-to-date product records, which is essential for supply chain and inventory management.

Using GTIN lookup can benefit businesses in several ways. First, it can help them ensure that the products they sell are authentic and legitimate. Second, it can help them improve their product listings and increase their sales. Finally, it can help them comply with regulations and avoid legal issues.

The importance of GTIN Lookup can be understood from the following points:

1. Product Identification

GTIN Lookup helps businesses to identify their products accurately and efficiently. By searching for a GTIN number, businesses can retrieve detailed information about the product, such as its name, description, and attributes. This information is crucial for maintaining accurate and up-to-date product records, which is essential for supply chain and inventory management.

2. Supply Chain Management

GTIN Lookup is also useful for supply chain management. By using GTIN Lookup, businesses can track the movement of their products throughout the supply chain, from the manufacturer to the end consumer. This helps businesses to monitor the flow of products, detect any delays or errors, and take corrective actions if necessary.

3. Customer Experience

GTIN Lookup can also improve the customer experience. By providing accurate and detailed product information to customers, businesses can enhance their brand reputation, increase customer loyalty, and drive sales. Customers can use GTIN Lookup to verify the authenticity of products, check their features and specifications, and make informed purchasing decisions.

4. Regulatory Compliance

GTIN Lookup can help businesses to comply with regulatory requirements. Many countries and industries have specific regulations and standards for product identification and labeling. By using GTIN Lookup, businesses can ensure that their products meet the required standards and avoid penalties or fines for non-compliance.

How to Use GTIN Lookup

To use GTIN lookup, businesses need to have access to a database of GTINs. There are several ways to access this database, including using a third-party service like Cluster GTIN Lookup Tool or using a barcode scanner app. A GTIN number lookup can be accomplished quickly, and without wasted resources.

Once you have access to the GTIN database, you can simply enter the GTIN of the product you want to look up. The database will provide you with information about the product, including its brand, manufacturer, and product specifications.

Best Practices for Using GTIN Codes

When using GTIN codes on your eCommerce site, it’s important to follow best practices to ensure maximum effectiveness. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Use Legitimate GTIN Codes

When obtaining GTIN codes, it’s important to ensure that they are legitimate and have not been previously used. Using invalid or duplicate GTIN codes can result in penalties and damage your site’s credibility.

2. Include GTIN Codes on All Products

To ensure maximum visibility and accuracy, include GTIN codes on all your products, even if they are not required. This can improve the accuracy of search results and make it easier for customers to find and purchase your products.

3. Ensure Consistency Across Platforms

Ensure that your GTIN codes are consistent across all platforms, including your eCommerce site, marketplaces, and search engines. This can help improve the accuracy of search results and prevent confusion among customers.

4. Update GTIN Codes Regularly

Update your GTIN codes regularly to ensure that they remain accurate and up to date. This can help prevent errors and inaccuracies that can negatively impact your site’s credibility and customer satisfaction.

How Cluster Can Help

In eCommerce, if you cannot identify a product, then nothing else works, and no one will buy it. Not having accurate GTINs for all products impacts the likelihood of Google returning your product as a natural search term. Cluster offers two service models (full-service and self-service) that address this fundamental issue for marketplaces. Book a demo now!

UPC codes, or Universal Product Codes, are used by retailers to identify products for sale and to facilitate the checkout process. UPC codes are found on almost all merchandise in stores, and are usually printed on the product packaging. UPC codes are essential for efficient inventory management, product tracking, and sales tracking. UPC codes are ubiquitous in modern commerce, serving as a means of identifying products and making transactions easier. This guide will explain what UPC codes are, how they are used, and the different types of UPC codes available. 

What is a UPC Code? 

A UPC code is a barcode consisting of 12 digits used to identify a product. UPC codes are a series of numbers that are printed on the packaging of a product. The numbers are composed of two parts: the first part is a unique number that identifies the manufacturer of the product, while the second part is a unique number that identifies the specific product. 

The UPC code was created in the 1970s by the Uniform Code Council, a standards organization that sets industry-wide standards for the retail industry. The universal product code is now used by retailers around the world to track and identify products, because it is a standardized method of identifying products, allowing for easier inventory management, price tracking, and supply chain management.

UPC codes are used for a variety of purposes, including inventory control, pricing, and product identification. UPC codes are a valuable tool for retailers, as they allow them to track product information, inventory levels, and even pricing. UPC codes are also used to identify products for online shopping, as well as for promotional and marketing purposes.

How are UPC codes created?

UPC codes are assigned by GS1, a non-profit organization responsible for maintaining global standards for product identification. The first six digits of a UPC code represent the manufacturer, while the next five digits represent the product itself. The final digit is a check digit used to ensure the code is accurate.

UPCs are created by a process called “assigning” that assigns a unique number to each product. This number is then encoded into a barcode that can be scanned at the checkout. The process of assigning UPCs begins with a company applying for a UPC from a UPC registry. The registry will then assign a unique 12-digit number to the product. 

The first six digits of the UPC are the manufacturer’s identification number (MID). The MID is a unique code assigned to the company by the registry and is used to identify the company and its products. The next five digits are the product code, which is used to identify the specific item in the company’s product line. The last digit is a check digit, which is used to verify the accuracy of the other 11 digits. 

UPC codes are used to identify products for sale. When a customer purchases a product, the UPC code is scanned at the checkout. The information from the UPC code is then sent to the retailer’s inventory system, which is used to track inventory and sales. The UPC code is also used to track sales. When a customer purchases a product, the UPC code is scanned at the checkout, and the information is sent to the retailer’s sales system. This helps the retailer track product sales, identify customer preferences, and adjust inventory levels accordingly. 

Types of UPC Codes 

There are several types of UPC codes available:

12-digit UPC Code

The most common type is the 12-digit UPC code –  UPC-A and UPC-E. UPC-A codes are the standard 12-digit codes used for most products. 

This type of code is used to identify products in most retail stores, It is used to identify individual products and is the most widely used UPC code in retail stores. The 12-digit UPC code consists of a manufacturer’s identification number, a product number, and a check digit. The check digit is used to ensure accuracy when scanning the UPC code. 

8-digit UPC code

The 8-digit UPC code is used to identify a group of products. This type of UPC code is used in retail stores to identify products that are part of a set or bundle. For example, a bundle of DVDs may have an 8-digit UPC code that identifies the bundle as a whole, rather than individual DVDs.

UPC-E codes are a shortened version of UPC-A codes, used for smaller items that don’t have enough space for a full 12-digit code, the 8-digit UPC code is used for smaller items, such as office supplies or accessories.

Other UPC codes

The 7-digit UPC code is used to identify a product, but it is not as detailed as the 12-digit UPC code. This type of UPC code is used to identify items such as food, office supplies, and other general merchandise. The 13-digit UPC code is used for larger items, such as furniture or appliances. 

In addition to the primary types of UPC codes, there are other types of UPC codes that are used in the retail industry. These codes are used to identify and track products that are not typically found in retail stores. For example, there are UPC codes for automotive parts, medical supplies, and even consumer electronics.

Benefits of using UPC codes

UPC codes offer several benefits to both manufacturers and retailers. For manufacturers, look up a UPC code allow for easier tracking of inventory and sales data. They also make it easier to manage the supply chain by ensuring that the right products are being shipped to the right locations.

For retailers, UPC codes allow for easier tracking of sales and inventory, making it easier to restock popular items and manage inventory levels. They also make it easier to manage pricing, as the code can be scanned at the point of sale to automatically update the price.

UPC codes also make it easier for customers to identify products. By scanning the UPC code, customers can quickly and easily find out information about the product, such as the price, availability, and reviews. 

Using UPC codes for e-commerce

UPC codes are essential for e-commerce, as they allow for easier tracking of inventory and sales data. They also make it easier to manage pricing, just by lookup upc codes, as the code can be scanned at the point of sale to automatically update the price.

Once the manufacturer has encoded the UPC into a barcode, they must print it on the product. This is usually done by affixing a label to the product, although some companies have begun to print the barcode directly onto the product. The barcode must be clearly visible and should be placed in an area that can be easily scanned, making barcode upc lookup fast.

Once the UPC has been assigned and printed, the manufacturer must register the UPC with the UPC registry. This allows the registry to track the product and ensure that it is properly identified when scanned at the checkout. The registry will also store product information such as name, price, and quantity so that it can be retrieved when needed.

For e-commerce sellers, UPC codes are necessary for listing products on marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay. These marketplaces require UPC codes to ensure that products are correctly identified and tracked.

How Cluster Can Help

Through a partnership with GS1, Cluster is able to identify and validate barcodes, as well as assign recommended GTINs based on a probability score, by using keywords or product descriptions. Book a demo now!

Are you looking for the best ways to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace? Do you want to make sure you’re setting the right prices for your products and services? Have you been trying to find the right price benchmarking strategies to stay ahead of your rivals? If so, then you need to understand the importance of competitive intelligence and price benchmarking. Why competitive intelligence and price benchmarking are essential tools for any business and will provide strategies for achieving the right price benchmarking. 

What is Competitive Intelligence?

Competitive intelligence (CI) is the process of gathering and analyzing data to gain insights into your competitors’ activities and strategies. The goal of CI is to enable a company to make informed decisions that will give it a competitive edge in the marketplace. It can involve monitoring your competitors’ pricing strategies, marketing campaigns, product launches, customer service initiatives, and other activities. By understanding your competitors’ strategies, you can develop your own strategies that will give you an advantage.

What is Price Benchmarking?

Price benchmarking is the process of comparing the prices of your products or services to those of your competitors. This allows you to identify any pricing discrepancies and make adjustments accordingly. The goal of price benchmarking is to ensure that your prices are in line with industry standards, while still allowing you to remain competitive and profitable.

There are several methods that can be used for price benchmarking, including:

Online research: Utilizing search engines and industry websites to research the prices of similar products or services offered by your competitors.

Surveying customers: Asking customers about their experiences with the prices of similar products or services offered by your competitors.

Directly comparing prices: Visiting your competitors’ physical locations or websites to compare the prices of their products or services to yours.

Why are Competitive Intelligence and Price Benchmarking Important?

Competitive intelligence and price benchmarking are essential tools for any business that wants to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Price benchmarking is a vital process for any business looking to stay competitive in today’s market. By regularly comparing your prices to those of your competitors, you can ensure that you are offering your products or services at a fair and attractive price point. Without these tools, it’s impossible to know how to price your products and services effectively.

Competitive intelligence and price benchmarking give you the information you need to make informed decisions. By understanding your competitors’ strategies, you can develop strategies that will give you an edge in the marketplace. You can also use price benchmarking to make sure you’re offering competitive prices and to identify new opportunities for pricing optimization.

The Advantages of Price Benchmarking

Improved competitiveness

Regularly benchmarking your prices against those of your competitors, you can ensure that your prices remain competitive and attractive to potential customers.

Increased profitability

By identifying any pricing discrepancies and making adjustments accordingly, you can increase your profitability and boost your bottom line.

Better understanding of the market

Through the process of price benchmarking, you can gain a better understanding of the market and the pricing strategies of your competitors.

Improved customer satisfaction

By offering fair and attractive prices, you can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Cost savings

By identifying areas where you can reduce costs, you can ultimately save money and increase your profit margins.

Strategies for Achieving the Right Price Benchmarking

Now that you understand the importance of competitive intelligence and price benchmarking, let’s look at some strategies for achieving the right price benchmarking:

1. Gather and Analyze Data

The first step in achieving the right price benchmarking is to gather and analyze data. You need to collect data on your competitors’ prices, promotions, and other activities. You should also look at industry trends and customer feedback. This data will help you understand your competitors’ strategies and identify opportunities for pricing optimization.

2. Use Automated Tools

There are a number of automated tools available that can help you gather and analyze data. These tools can automate the process of collecting and analyzing data, making it easier and faster to gain insights into your competitors’ activities and pricing strategies.

3. Monitor Your Competitors Regularly

You need to monitor your competitors regularly if you want to stay on top of their strategies and pricing changes. You should set up alerts that will notify you when your competitors make changes to their prices or launch new promotions. This will help you stay up-to-date and make sure you’re always offering competitive prices.

4. Develop a Pricing Strategy

Once you’ve gathered and analyzed data, you need to develop a pricing strategy. This strategy should be based on the data you’ve collected and should take into account factors such as market trends, customer feedback, and your competitors’ strategies.

5. Test and Adjust

It’s important to test and adjust your pricing strategy regularly. This will help you identify any areas where you can optimize your pricing and ensure you’re always offering competitive prices.

The Importance of Setting the Right Price

Setting the right price for your products or services is essential to the success of your business. If you charge too much, you may find that you’re not competitive in your market, and that you’re not able to sell as many products or services as you’d like. On the other hand, if you charge too little, you may find that you’re not able to cover your costs, and that you’re not making a profit.

When it comes to pricing, benchmarks can be incredibly valuable. They can provide a sense of what the market is willing to pay for similar products or services, and can help you to understand what prices are reasonable. Additionally, benchmarks can help you to identify areas where you may be able to charge more, or where you may need to reduce your prices in order to be competitive.

There are a number of different types of benchmarks that you can use to inform your pricing decisions. 

How Can Cluster Help?

Build and enhance product data efficiently to understand insights from channel to channel. Complete solution from catalog integrity and assortment to seller onboarding and more. If you’re ready to start growing your store with the most accurate cross-channel eCommerce data in real-time, book a demo with us today!