The e-commerce space is overflowing with revenue potential for brands, but that’s no surprise. Online shopping has been on the rise for quite some time, affording brands with what’s projected to be a $5.4 trillion opportunity in 2022. But just because there’s opportunity, doesn’t mean every brand will find success on the digital shelf. 

In our 2021 Widen Connectivity Report, we explore the role of product information in helping brands achieve e-commerce success. We learn that while every brand is different, there are best practices that brands must follow in order to get the most out of their product information, strengthen audience connections, and ultimately deliver customer experiences that count. 

What is omnichannel retailing?

Omnichannel retailing refers to the use of various sales channels (physical and digital storefronts) to create a unified, seamless brand experience for consumers on any platform, at any time. When done effectively, users should be able to move freely from one channel to the next, building a relationship that improves the overall buying experience and encourages brand loyalty. 

Most businesses today use multiple platforms and channels for sales. Brands are spread across websites, social media, print catalogs, and brick and mortar stores. Since sales on various channels can essentially act independently of one another, if they aren’t set up properly they can create a disjointed or inconsistent experience for the consumer.

The steady growth in e-commerce sales over the past three decades has been significantly accelerated by the coronavirus crisis. Research from McKinsey found that since COVID-19, there's been a 15-30% increase in consumers who make purchases online, suggesting that digital shopping is here to stay.

In today’s digital landscape, staying ahead of the curve is more important than ever as brands vie for profitability in a crowded, competitive online marketplace. Finding an effective approach to managing product information is critical...it allows you to be confident that your product data is complete, consistent, and up-to-date at every stage of the process.

A product information management (PIM) system can help you manage data associated with your product lines. PIM e-commerce solutions offer significant benefits that can promote higher profitability in today's fiercely cutthroat consumer and B2B markets.

My dog Rosie may only weigh 18 pounds but she is a power chewer. So when I search for dog toys online, you bet I rely on product information to find ones that can withstand the crushing strength of her little puppy jaws.

Understanding what information your shoppers need to shop and purchase online is critical.

Read on, as we discuss the basics of developing and communicating the attributes of your products in the marketing field, including a definition of these attributes, their importance, and best practices for attribute management.

Shopping online has its advantages. You can browse 24/7. You can quickly compare prices. You can avoid crowds during a pandemic. But all of these conveniences come with a big sacrifice – direct experience with the product before purchasing it.

To make up for this lack of product interaction, brands must use content to convey its value. Detailed photographs, short-form videos, descriptions, and specifications shape the shopper’s perception of the product. And when all of this content is combined, the product becomes information.

Managing all of this content for an entire product inventory is no small task. Let’s take a closer look at some of the common e-commerce content challenges that businesses face.