In the e-commerce world, one of the paths to success is data feed optimization. But what is data feed and how can it be made more effective? In this article, we will answer the question of what a data feed is and discuss the solutions Optifeed offers in this area.
What is Data Feed?
A data feed is a file that contains detailed information about all the products on an e-commerce site. This file houses various details including product names, prices, stock statuses, and images. Data feeds facilitate the correct integration of your products into digital advertising platforms, allowing you to reach potential customers through the ads you create using this file.
What is a Product Data File Used For?
Product data feed files enable you to easily upload your products to various online marketplaces, advertising platforms, and product comparison sites.
Creating and Managing Product Data Feed Files with Optifeed
Optifeed is a tool that allows e-commerce sites to easily create and manage product data feed files. With Optifeed, you can manage and optimize your product data feed files from a single panel. Start your free trial now.
Product Data File Formats and Technical Specifications
Product data feed files can generally be created in the following formats and technical specifications:
Popular Formats
- CSV (Comma-Separated Values)
Advantages: Widely accepted, simple structure, supported by many platforms.
Disadvantages: Does not support more complex data structures. - XML (eXtensible Markup Language)
Advantages: Structural and hierarchical data storage capability, supported by many platforms.
Disadvantages: File sizes can be large, requires more technical knowledge. - JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
Advantages: Lightweight, fast, and readable by humans, suitable for modern web applications.
Disadvantages: Not as widely accepted as XML. - TXT (Text)
Advantages: Simple and lightweight, supported by many platforms.
Disadvantages: Does not support more complex data structures.
Technical Specifications
- Character Encoding: UTF-8 character encoding is generally used because it supports all characters and is suitable for international use.
- Delimiter: In CSV files, values are generally separated by a comma (,) or semicolon (;).
- Escape Character: An escape character is used to define special characters, generally a backslash (\\) is used.
- Language: Product information should be provided in a language suitable for the target audience.
- Time Zone: Information such as prices and stock status should be updated considering a specific time zone.
- Image Formats: JPEG and PNG are the most commonly used image formats.
Optifeed can help you create and optimize your product data feed files considering these formats and technical specifications, allowing you to prepare the most suitable file for your e-commerce site.
How Often Should a Product Data File Be Updated?
The update frequency can vary depending on the dynamics of your business, but the general opinion is that the more frequently it is updated, the more current information will be presented to customers on advertising platforms.
For instance, critical information such as price and stock status is updated much more frequently, while products to be added or removed from XML can be updated at a lower frequency.
Some information can be designed to be updated when changed. Information such as the product name, description, and image does not change very often. Therefore, a path such as updating the XML when it changes can be followed.
Automatic Updates with Optifeed
By the help of Optifeed, you can automatically update your product data file at the frequency you set. This reduces the burden of manual updates and saves time for your business.
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Main and Additional Product Data Feed Files: When and How to Use?
In the e-commerce world, product data feed files play a critical role in correctly introducing and selling your products. These files are divided into main (primary) and additional (secondary) files. So, what do these files mean and when are they used? Let's examine together.
What is the Main (Primary) Product Data Feed File?
The main product data feed file contains all the basic product information on your e-commerce site. This file generally contains basic information such as:
- Names
- Prices
- Stock statuses
- Images
What is the Additional Product Data Feed File?
The additional product data feed file is used to further detail the product information in the main file. Also, frequently changing product information can be updated with this smaller size product data file instead of updating the entire XML. This file can especially contain additional information such as:
- Product prices
- Product stock statuses
- Campaign information
- Discount rates
- Seasonal features
When is the Additional Feed File Used?
The additional feed file is used, especially in large e-commerce sites, to update product information quickly and easily. For example, during a discount campaign, an additional feed file can be created just to update the discount rates. Updating with an additional feed file is preferred when there are sudden changes in product stocks. Today, it is generally used to update product price and stock status.
Managing Product Data Feed Files with Optifeed
Optifeed offers a solution that allows you to manage both your main and additional product data feed files easily and effectively. With Optifeed, you can create, manage, and optimize your product data feed files from a single panel.
Start your free trial now.
What Should Be Included in a Product Data Feed File?
In the e-commerce world, a product data feed file is a crucial tool used to promote products across various advertising channels. This file contains detailed information about the products, facilitating more effective management of advertising campaigns. Platforms like Google Merchant Center utilize these files to ensure products are matched with the correct queries.
Here are some of the mandatory and optional fields that can be found in a product data feed file:
- ID [id]: A unique identifier for the product, often known as the SKU number.
- Title [title]: The name of the product. This field usually contains keywords that help customers easily find the product.
- Description [description]: A detailed description of the product, providing information about its features, benefits, and usage.
- Link [link]: The URL directing to the product's page on the website.
- Image Link [image_link]: The URL of the product's main image. High-quality and high-resolution images are preferred.
- Price [price]: The price of the product, generally displayed without including taxes.
- Brand [brand]: The brand of the product. This field is important for enhancing brand recognition.
- GTIN [gtin]: The Global Trade Item Number, facilitating global recognition of the product.
- MPN [mpn]: Manufacturer Part Number, a unique number given to the product by the manufacturer.
- Condition [condition]: The condition of the product, which can be specified as new, refurbished, or used.
- Availability [availability]: The stock status of the product, generally indicated as "in stock," "out of stock," or "preorder."
- Google Product Category [google_product_category]: A number indicating one of Google's product categories.
- Product Type [product_type]: Specifies the product category in the store.
- Shipping [shipping]: Shipping information, generally specified as the fee and duration.
- Sale Price [sale_price]: The discounted price of the product, if applicable.
These fields are the most popular and frequently used when creating product data feed files.
Common Mistakes Encountered in Product Data Feed Files
The most common errors in product data feed files usually stem from incorrect or incomplete information. Here are some prevalent mistakes:
- Missing Information: Not filling in mandatory fields such as ID, title, description, etc.
- Incorrect Product Categorization: Misplacing products in wrong categories, leading to their appearance in incorrect search results.
- Incorrect Pricing: Displaying incorrect or outdated prices.
- Poor Quality Images: Using low-resolution or misleading images.
- Incorrect Stock Information: Incorrectly stating the stock status, which can lead to customer dissatisfaction and advertising out-of-stock products.
- Erroneous GTIN, MPN, or Brand Information: Incorrectly or incompletely filling in these fields can result in incorrect or non-listing of the product.
- Incorrect Shipping Information: Incorrectly stating the shipping time and fee.
- Misleading Product Titles and Descriptions: Writing product titles and descriptions in a way that misleads customers.
- Invalid URLs: Non-working links to the product page or image.
- Incorrect Language Usage: Presenting content in a language inappropriate for the target audience.
- Product File Format Errors: Creating the file in incorrect formats (CSV, XML, etc.) or encountering character encoding errors.
Tools like Optifeed can be used to prevent these errors and manage product data feed files more effectively. Optifeed assists e-commerce sites in easily creating, managing, and optimizing their product data feed files.
Start your free trial now.
All Fields That Can Be Found in the Product Data Feed File
| Product Data Field | Field Name | Field Description |
|---|---|---|
| Additional image link | additional_image_link | Contains the URLs where the additional visuals of the product are found. |
| Ads redirect | ads_redirect | Specifies the special URLs where the ads will be redirected. |
| Adult | adult | Indicates whether the product is for adults or not. |
| Age group | age_group | Indicates the target age group of the product. |
| Availability | availability | Shows the stock status of the product. |
| Availability date | availability_date | Shows when the product will be available. |
| Bundle | is_bundle | Indicates whether the product is a bundle or not. |
| Brand | brand | Indicates the brand of the product. |
| Certification attribute | certification | Indicates whether the product has a specific certification or not. |
| Color | color | Indicates the color of the product. |
| Condition | condition | Shows the condition of the product (new, used, etc.). |
| Cost of goods (cogs) | cost_of_goods_sold | Shows the cost of the product. |
| Custom label 0 | custom_label_0 | Used for custom labeling. |
| Custom label 1 | custom_label_1 | Used for custom labeling. |
| Custom label 2 | custom_label_2 | Used for custom labeling. |
| Custom label 3 | custom_label_3 | Used for custom labeling. |
| Custom label 4 | custom_label_4 | Used for custom labeling. |
| Description | description | Contains a detailed description of the product. |
| Disclosure date | disclosure_date | Shows the date the product was disclosed. |
| Energy efficiency class | energy_efficiency_class | Indicates the energy efficiency class. |
| Minimum energy efficiency class | min_energy_efficiency_class | Indicates the minimum energy efficiency class. |
| Maximum energy efficiency class | max_energy_efficiency_class | Indicates the maximum energy efficiency class. |
| Expiration date | expiration_date | Shows the expiration date of the product. |
| Excluded countries for Shopping ads | shopping_ads_excluded_country | Indicates the countries excluded for Shopping ads. |
| External seller ID | external_seller_id | Indicates the external seller ID. |
| Excluded destination | excluded_destination | Indicates the excluded destinations. |
| Gender | gender | Indicates the target gender of the product. |
| Google product category | google_product_category | Indicates the Google product category. |
| Google Search index link | canonical_link | Indicates the Google search index link. |
| GTIN | gtin | Indicates the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). |
| ID | id | Indicates the unique identity (ID) of the product. |
| Identifier exists | identifier_exists | Indicates whether the identifier exists or not. |
| Included destination | included_destination | Indicates the included destinations. |
| Installment | installment | Indicates the installment options. |
| Image link | image_link | Indicates the URL of the main visual of the product. |
| Item group ID | item_group_id | Indicates the product group ID. |
| Lifestyle image link | lifestyle_image_link | Indicates the lifestyle image link of the product. |
| Link | link | Indicates the link of the product's webpage. |
| Material | material | Indicates the material of the product. |
| Maximum handling time | max_handling_time | Indicates the maximum handling time. |
| Minimum handling time | min_handling_time | Indicates the minimum handling time. |
| Mobile link | mobile_link | Indicates the special product link for mobile devices. |
| MPN | mpn | Indicates the Manufacturer Part Number (MPN). |
| Multipack | multipack | Indicates whether the product is a multipack or not. |
| Pattern | pattern | Indicates the pattern of the product. |
| Pause | pause | Indicates whether the product will be paused or not. |
| Price | price | Indicates the price of the product. |
| Product detail | product_detail | Indicates the details of the product. |
| Product highlight | product_highlight | Indicates the highlighted features of the product. |
| Product length | product_length | Indicates the length of the product. |
| Product width | product_width | Indicates the width of the product. |
| Product height | product_height | Indicates the height of the product. |
| Product weight | product_weight | Indicates the weight of the product. |
| Product type | product_type | Indicates the type of the product. |
| Sale price | sale_price | Indicates the sale price. |
| Sale price effective date | sale_price_effective_date | Indicates the date range when the sale price is valid. |
| Size | size | Indicates the size of the product. |
| Size system | size_system | Indicates the size system (e.g., EU, US). |
| Size type | size_type | Indicates the size type. |
| Shipping | shipping | Indicates the shipping information. |
| Ships from country | ships_from_country | Indicates the country from which the product will be shipped. |
| Shipping label | shipping_label | Indicates the shipping label. |
| Shipping length | shipping_length | Indicates the shipping length. |
| Shipping width | shipping_width | Indicates the shipping width. |
| Shipping height | shipping_height | Indicates the shipping height. |
| Shipping weight | shipping_weight | Indicates the shipping weight. |
| Subscription cost | subscription_cost | Indicates the subscription cost. |
| Tax | tax | Indicates the tax information. |
| Tax category | tax_category | Indicates the tax category. |
| Title | title | Indicates the product title. |
| Transit time label | transit_time_label | Indicates the transit time label. |
| Unit pricing base measure | unit_pricing_base_measure | Indicates the unit pricing base measure. |
| Unit pricing measure | unit_pricing_measure | Indicates the unit pricing measure. |
| 3D model link | virtual_model_link | Indicates the 3D model link. |
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