It is necessary to provide detailed information about each listing, when listing with a UPC.
· Some details are required for successful listing to Amazon.
· Details increase search results and increase sales.
You need to understand these Amazon required and recommended details and how to implement them in SureDone.
Amazon’s Inventory File Template:
Amazon provides an Inventory File Template that details what fields are required or relevant for the product you are trying to list.
Using this file you can:
· Create the fields you need
· Map those field to your Amazon channel
· Add all the product details as you list
Warning: Sometimes the accepted values listed in the Inventory File Template are not the same ones that Amazon requests via their API. We try to catch them all, but things are constantly changing - if you use an accepted value in this file and Amazon returns an error, they usually return the updated list in the error message. Please report it to us in a ticket at www.suredone.com/support.
Click here to view the inventory file templates
Under the Templates header, you will find to sets of files. The Lite templates, on the left, provide you with only the essential details. The Standard templates, in the middle, provide all the product details. The files are organized by department.
1. Download the file relevant to your products.
2. Open the file.
3. Click enable, when prompted to enable Enable Macros.
· If your version of excel is not compatible with macros, you can still get what you need from the file.
· Categories marked with an asterisk require prior approval from Amazon to sell in that category.
4. Read the instructions.
· Keep in mind these files were created by Amazon for a different purpose.
· So not all the information is relevant for listing from SureDone.
· The most important things will be mentioned here in this guide.
Data Definitions Tab
This tab contains a list of all possible fields that can be sent to Amazon. It includes everything from basic fields, such as price, to more obscure fields, such as battery_type or exterior_finish.
This page will tell you:
- The technical name of the field
- The common name of the field
- What it is used for in Amazon
- What format to use for accepted values
- Whether the field is required, preferred, or optional. This is the most important column.
If a column says "Please select a value from the Valid Values tab,” you can only use the valid values tab to view the accepted values for this product detail. Values not on the list will not be accepted.
The file color coding for general fields that apply to all categories are:
· Basic information is in orange
· Offer information is in red
· Dimension information is in blue
· Discovery information is in green
· Images information is in yellow
· Fulfillment information is in light blue
· Color coding is consistent between Data Definitions and Valid Values tabs.
The file will also include category relevant sections and may be broken down into several product type sections. If a field is relevant for more than one Product Type, it will be repeated for each relevant section.
Valid Values Tab
This tab lists what values are accepted for fields which accept only specific inputs. For example, sole_materials must be one of the values in column BJ (see below).
Best practice workflow:
1. Find your product type under the Data Definitions tab.
2. Note all relevant fields.
3. Use the Valid Values tab to find the accepted options for those fields.
The fastest way is to copy the field_name (Column B) from Data Definitions tab, then go to the Valid Values tab and hit Control + F to search for that value.
Accepted values for a field can vary with product type. Above, you'll notice that Outer Material is listed twice; once for [ RidingApparel ] and once for [ Helmets ].
When this happens the format is as you see in the picture above Field Name - [ProductType]. So make sure you are looking at the correct value. Fortunately, Amazon groups duplicated of the fields together so you will know quickly if it has duplicates.
How to Map these Fields in SureDone:
1. Create a custom field for that field
· You should check out the Accepted Values cell in the Data Definitions tab (Column E) to set the best settings for your custom fields. Generally, a normal varchar field will work for any, but you may wish to customize these.
2. Go to Channels>Amazon
3. Click on Amazon XML Mapping
4. Select the Department you want to map:
· Universal Product fields apply to all Products (basic details, offer details, etc.)
· Price, Inventory, Product Images, Shipping Overrides apply to all products.
· Departments are listed in alphabetical order.
5. Locate the attributes within the department that you want to map.
6. Click the drop down to the right.
7. Locate and select the custom field you made in step 1.
8. Repeat this process until you have mapped all the fields you need for your Product type.
Be sure to press SAVE at the bottom of the page when you have completed mapping the fields.
Important Reminders:
· SureDone automatically select the ProductType for you.
· If you find that you need to submit a different ProductType, map it under the department XML mapping and submit your own value.
· You should be able to find every field listed in the Inventory file templates under Amazon’s XML Mapping. Amazon of course updates their system from time to time without announcement, so if you find one you need is missing, just let us know.
