Selling products across multiple channels can be a great way to reach new customers and grow your business, but it also comes with challenges. Each platform—whether it’s your own website, a marketplace, or a reseller—has unique requirements for things like product descriptions, specifications, and even image formats. Keeping up with these differing demands can quickly turn into a burden, and if the requirements aren’t met, you could face some serious issues: products might not get approved for listing, get displayed with incorrect information, or worse yet, fail to show up in your clients’ search. 

But there is a solution. A PIM can centralize all your product data and help you customize it to fit the needs of each sales channel, saving you time and preventing headaches.

PIM features that will help you scale up across multiple channels

With features that make it easy to organize and share product information that’s tailored to each channel’s requirements, you can ensure your products are always listed with the right details, making for a smoother, more successful multi-channel selling experience.

Getting channel-specific with specifications and specification groups

When selling on multiple channels, consistency is key—especially when it comes to product details. A PIM solution makes it easy to manage and organize your product specifications, ensuring that all your channel-specific needs are met, and your data stays accurate and complete.

Efficiently create and manage specifications: with a PIM, you can easily set up specifications tailored to each product, whether it’s color, size, material, or anything else your channels require. By using predefined options (like a dropdown menu), you minimize the chance of errors and keep your data consistent. For example, instead of typing out “Red” each time, you select it from a list, which means no more typos or inconsistencies to worry about.

Streamlined specification groups for specific channels: specification groups allow you to bundle relevant details into sets tailored to specific sales channels. For example, Amazon might require specifications like weight, dimensions, and material, while Zalando could need additional attributes such as fabric type and care instructions. By creating a specification group for each channel, you can easily apply the relevant specs and ensure your product data meets the unique requirements of each platform. This saves time and ensures consistency across your listings, no matter where your products are displayed.

Multilingual specifications made easy: expanding into new markets? Multilingual specification features allow you to set up translations for product specifications in advance. When a product is created or imported, the system automatically applies these translations, saving you time and reducing errors. 

Want to dive deeper into how multilingual support can boost your global sales? Check out how PIM helps you sell abroad.

Syndicating product pictures across all channels with image groups

In multi-channel selling, having the right product images is just as important as having accurate descriptions and specs. Each channel might have its own requirements for image dimensions, types, and presentation styles. With features like KatanaPIM’s Image Groups, you can organize and categorize your product images to meet the specific needs of each platform effortlessly.

Efficiently manage and create image groups: this feature allows you to set up image groups that cater to the unique visual requirements of different sales channels. For example, you might need one set of images with specific framing for your website, while another set of close-up images and lifestyle shots is necessary for a marketplace like Amazon. With KatanaPIM, you can define image types and layers for each group, ensuring a consistent presentation across all platforms.

Distributing data seamlessly with advanced export and API options

Each platform may require data in different formats or with specific details. Modern PIM systems offer robust export and API features, making it easy to tailor and distribute your product data, ensuring each channel gets exactly what it needs. Whether it’s product details, variant relationships, or information in specific languages, these tools allow for customization and flexibility in how you manage and share your data.

Customized product exports for specific needs: With a PIM system, you can filter and select exactly which products to include in your exports, ensuring only the relevant data gets distributed. Advanced filtering options enable you to refine selections based on criteria like category, publish status, or specific attributes, so each file aligns perfectly with the requirements of the target channel.

Effortless API integration for real-time data distribution: Beyond downloadable exports, many PIM platforms—like KatanaPIM—offer open API capabilities, providing seamless data syncing with external systems and sales channels. This real-time connectivity means your product information remains up-to-date across all touchpoints, reducing manual work as you scale operations.

Flexible format and frequency options: A good PIM tool will support various file formats, like .xlsx and .csv, to ensure compatibility with other systems. You can schedule exports to run automatically, keeping all your channels updated with minimal effort. Additionally, exporting as a feed allows you to share data through a dynamic URL that updates as needed, ensuring that your partners and channels always have access to the most current product information.

Embracing multi-channel success with PIM

Thanks to the features mentioned above, businesses that want to scale up can ensure that each channel receives accurate, tailored information, ultimately boosting efficiency and enhancing the customer experience.

Take Ridam Online, for example. Originally a traditional retail operation, Ridam embraced digital transformation to expand its reach across various online marketplaces throughout Europe. They faced the challenge of managing inventory and product data for multiple Shopify stores and marketplace integrations, each with unique requirements. By adopting KatanaPIM as their PIM tool, Ridam was able to ensure consistency across all channels.

With their new system, Ridam can quickly adjust to market demands, providing an optimized shopping experience for customers on platforms like Bol.com and more. This integrated approach positioned them for further growth as they continue to expand their presence in the European market.

For businesses like Ridam, a PIM solution is an important part of their digital strategy, helping them stay competitive, improve customer trust, and scale their operations effortlessly. As the demands of multi-channel selling evolve, so too does the need for a centralized and efficient way to manage and distribute product information across all platforms. With the right PIM solution, businesses can look forward to smoother operations and new opportunities for growth.