Using eCommerce PIM to Transform Your Business

Last Updated: 

October 14, 2024

Get Your FREE Signed Copy of Take Your Shot

As the world becomes increasingly digital, businesses are looking for new and innovative ways to keep up with the competition. One way businesses do this is by using eCommerce PIM software to manage their online stores. 

eCommerce PIM software allows businesses to keep track of all of their products, as well as manage customer information and orders. This can help businesses save time and money while also improving the customer experience.

If you want to learn more, check out this article.

The Basics of PIM

Product Information Management (PIM) is a software solution that helps eCommerce businesses manage their product data. This includes managing product attributes, descriptions, images, pricing, and more. 

With PIM, businesses can streamline their product data management processes and improve the quality of their product information. This can result in increased sales and improved customer satisfaction. Any good SEO companies in Houston, Berling, and New York will tell you the same thing - you want good data management services.

PIM can be used to manage both physical and digital products. PIM can help businesses keep track of inventory levels, stock locations, and shipping information for physical products. For digital products, PIM can help businesses manage licensing and access control. 

PIM solutions vary in terms of features and price. Some PIM solutions are designed for specific types of businesses, such as B2B or B2C businesses. Others are designed for specific industries, such as the fashion industry. 

It can also be used to manage both small and large product catalogs. Some PIM solutions offer basic features, while others offer more advanced features, such as support for multiple languages or currencies. 

These solutions can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud. On-premise PIM solutions are installed on a company’s own servers, while cloud-based PIM solutions are hosted by the PIM provider. 

How Does PIM Work?

Product information management (PIM) systems help businesses manage product data and associated media files (images, videos, etc.) in a central repository. This allows businesses to easily share accurate product information across multiple channels (e.g., web, print, ecommerce, mobile, etc.), and ensures that all stakeholders have access to the most up-to-date product information.

Keyboard - Product Information Management
[Source: Pixabay]

PIM systems typically include features for importing and exporting product data, as well as for managing product catalogs, media files, and other digital assets. Many PIM systems also offer ecommerce integration, allowing businesses to easily share product information with online shoppers.

When it comes to managing media files, PIM systems typically provide users with the ability to upload, store, and preview files. Some PIM systems also offer features for managing file versions, Cropping files, adding watermarks, and more.

These systems can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud, and are often offered as part of a larger product experience platform (PXP) or digital experience platform (DXP). While PIM systems are typically used by larger businesses, there are also a number of cloud-based solutions that are designed for small and medium-sized businesses.

If you’re looking for a product information management system for your business, there are a number of factors to consider. Be sure to evaluate the features and capabilities of each system, and consider your specific business needs. You’ll also want to compare pricing and read reviews from other users before making a final decision.

Features Of A PIM System

PIM systems typically have the following features: 

  • Data import/export: PIM systems need to be able to import data from multiple sources (such as suppliers, ERP systems, and TREX) and export data to multiple channels (such as ecommerce platforms, marketplaces, and print catalogues). 
  • Data cleansing: PIM systems need to be able to cleanse and standardise data to ensure that it is accurate and consistent. This includes tasks such as deduplication, enrichment, and validation. 
  • Data management: PIM systems need to provide ways to manage product data, such as assigning taxonomies, creating workflows, and setting permissions. 
  • Search and navigation: PIM systems need to provide search and navigation features so that users can easily find the product information they need. 
  • Reporting and analytics: PIM systems need to provide reporting and analytics features so that users can track the performance of their product information. 
  • PIM systems can be either on-premise or cloud-based. On-premise PIM systems are installed on a company’s own servers, while cloud-based PIM systems are hosted by the PIM vendor. 

PIM systems can be either stand-alone or integrated with other software systems. Stand-alone PIM systems are purpose-built for managing product information, while integrated PIM systems are bundled with other software, such as an ecommerce platform or ERP system. 

The choice of PIM system depends on the needs of the company. Small companies may be able to get by with a simple, stand-alone PIM system, while larger companies may need a more comprehensive, integrated PIM system. 

When choosing a PIM system, it is important to consider the following factors: 

  • Ease of use: The PIM system should be easy to use, with a user-friendly interface. 
  • Flexibility: The PIM system should be flexible, so that it can be easily customised to the company’s specific needs. 
  • Scalability: The PIM system should be scalable, so that it can grow with the company. 
  • Cost: The PIM system should be cost-effective, so that it does not break the budget. 

Ten Applications of PIM to Your eCommerce Bussines

The benefits of Product Information Management (PIM) are many and varied, but eCommerce businesses can particularly benefit from improved product data management in a number of ways. Here are ten of the most important ways that PIM can help to improve your eCommerce business:

Improved product data quality

One of the most important benefits of PIM is that it can help to improve the quality of your product data. Having accurate, consistent and up-to-date product information is essential for any eCommerce business, as it helps to ensure that customers can find the products they are looking for easily and that they have all the information they need to make a purchase.

With PIM, you can be sure that your product data is of the highest quality, which can help to improve both the customer experience and your conversion rates.

Product Data Quality
[Source: Pixabay]

Increased efficiency

Another key benefit of Product Information Management is that it can help to increase the efficiency of your eCommerce business. With PIM, all your product information is stored in one central location, which makes it much easier and faster for you to update and manage your product data. 

This can free up time and resources that can be better spent on other areas of your business, such as marketing or customer service.

Improved customer experience

As well as helping to improve the quality of your product data, PIM can also help to improve the overall customer experience on your eCommerce website. 

With accurate and up-to-date product information, customers can easily find the products they are looking for and have all the information they need to make a purchase. This can help to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as boost your conversion rates.

Greater customer loyalty

Improved customer experience can lead to greater customer loyalty, as customers are more likely to return to your website if they have had a positive experience. With PIM, you can be sure that your product data is of the highest quality and that your customers can easily find the products they are looking for. This can help to build customer loyalty and repeat business.

Increased sales

Improved customer experience and increased customer loyalty can lead to increased sales for your eCommerce business. If customers are able to find the products they want easily and have all the information they need to make a purchase, they are more likely to buy from your website. With PIM, you can help to increase your sales and revenue.

Improved search engine optimisation

PIM can also help to improve your eCommerce website's search engine optimisation (SEO). Having accurate and up-to-date product information helps to ensure that your products can be easily found by customers searching online. This can help to increase traffic to your website and improve your chances of ranking higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Greater agility

PIM can also help to make your eCommerce business more agile. With PIM, you can easily and quickly update your product information, which means you can respond quickly to changes in the market or to customer needs. This can help to give you a competitive edge and enable you to seize opportunities as they arise.

Reduced costs

PIM can also help to reduce the costs of your eCommerce business. With PIM, you can streamline your product data management processes, which can save you time and money. In addition, PIM can help to reduce the need for physical storage space for your product information.

Improved competitive advantage

PIM can also help to improve your competitive advantage. With accurate and up-to-date product information, you can ensure that your products are always visible to potential customers. In addition, PIM can help you to quickly and easily update your product information in response to changes in the market, which can help you to stay one step ahead of your competitors.

Increased efficiency and productivity

Finally, Product Information Management can also help to increase the efficiency and productivity of your eCommerce business. With PIM, all your product information is stored in one central location, which makes it much easier and faster for you to update and manage your product data. This can free up time and resources that can be better spent on other areas of your business, such as marketing or customer service.

PIM in Use and Product Usage Data

This data can be used to understand how the product is being used, what features are being used, and how often the product is being used. Product usage data can be captured manually or automatically, and can be stored in a variety of format..

There are a number of benefits to capturing and storing product usage data. This data can be used to improve the product, better understand customer needs, and make decisions about future products. Additionally, this data can be used to create targeted marketing campaigns, and to improve customer support.

It can be captured in a number of ways, including through surveys, customer interviews, focus groups, and customer service interactions. Additionally, this data can be captured automatically through software that tracks product usage.

Once product usage data has been captured, it needs to be stored in a format that can be easily accessed and analysed. Common formats for storing product usage data include spreadsheets, databases, and text files.

If you’re looking to capture and store product usage data, there are a number of things to consider. Be sure to evaluate your needs, and select a method and format that will work best for you. Additionally, be sure to consider how you will access and analyse the data.

Conclusion

Product Information Management is a tool that can be used to manage and store product information. There are a number of benefits to using PIM, including increased sales and revenue, improved SEO, greater agility, reduced costs, improved competitive advantage, increased efficiency and productivity. 

Additionally, PIM can be used to capture and store product usage data, which can be used to improve the product, better understand customer needs, and make decisions about future products. When selecting a PIM system, be sure to evaluate your needs and choose a system that will work best for you. Additionally, be sure to consider how you will access and analyse the data.

And, well, that's all folks. We hope this article has been informative and useful.

Author bio

Travis Dillard is a business consultant and an organisational psychologist based in Arlington, Texas. Passionate about marketing, social networks, and business in general. In his spare time, he writes a lot about new business strategies and digital marketing for DigitalStrategyOne.

People Also Like to Read...

Don't forget to check out our Case Studies and also how Business Coaching can help your business. If you're ready to talk further and get the full coaching experience you can book a FREE 30-Minute Coaching Session.