E-commerce Dictionary
Not sure what a term means? Find plain-English definitions, real-world examples, and practical tips for PIM, product data, and all things e-commerce.
All Terms
Product Data Syndication Standards
Product data syndication standards are shared formats and rules, such as GS1 GDSN, BMEcat and ETIM, for exchanging product data between suppliers, retailers and channels.
Product Data Taxonomy Mapping
Product data taxonomy mapping assigns each product to the right category in a channel's taxonomy and converts its attributes to the names that channel expects.
Product Data Transformation Pipeline
A product data transformation pipeline is a series of automated steps to convert raw product data into a structured format for various channels and uses.
Product Data Transformation Rules
Product data transformation rules are instructions that change product data on its way to a channel, such as shortening titles or converting units, without editing the master record.
Product Data Validation
Checking product information against rules for completeness, format and correctness before it goes to a webshop, feed or marketplace.
Product Data Validation Workflow
A product data validation workflow is the sequence of rule checks, reviews and fixes that product data passes before it is published to a channel.
Product Data Versioning
Product data versioning keeps earlier states of product records, with who changed what and when, so teams can compare, audit and restore them.
Product Data Workflow Automation
Product Data Workflow Automation involves using technology to streamline and automate repetitive tasks and processes within the product information lifecycle. It improves efficiency, reduces errors, and accelerates time-to-market for products.
Product Description
A product description is the text on a product page that explains what the item is, what it does, who it is for and why it is worth buying.
Product Detail Page (PDP)
A product detail page (PDP) is the page in an online store that shows everything about one product: name, price, images, specs, variants and the add to cart button.
Product Discovery
Product discovery in ecommerce is how shoppers find products, through search, categories, filters, recommendations and channels like Google Shopping.
Product Discovery Experience (PDX)
Product discovery experience (PDX) is how shoppers find products in a store through search, navigation, filters and recommendations, before they reach a product page.
Product Engagement
Product engagement is how much shoppers interact with a product, such as views, image and video use, review reads and add-to-cart clicks on its product page.
Product Experience (PX)
Product experience (PX) is the impression a shopper forms of a product across every place they meet it online, shaped mostly by its product content.
Product Experience Management (PXM)
Product experience management (PXM) is the practice of shaping product content for each channel and audience, so shoppers get the information they need to buy.
Product Feed
A product feed is a structured file (XML, CSV or TSV) that lists each product's ID, title, price, stock, link and image so channels like Google Shopping can list it.
Product Feed Optimization (PFO)
Product feed optimization is improving the product data you send to channels like Google Shopping, so more products get approved, matched to searches and clicked.
Product Import/Export
Product import/export is moving product data into a system from files or other platforms, and out again to webshops, marketplaces and feeds.
Product Information Architecture
Product information architecture is the structure behind your product data: categories, families, attributes, variants and how they relate.
Product Information Centralization
Product information centralization means keeping all product data in one system, so every channel uses the same up-to-date version of each product.
Product Information Delivery
Product Information Delivery refers to the process of effectively transmitting product data from a PIM system to various sales channels and customer touchpoints. It ensures consistent and accurate product content reaches the right audience at the right time.
Product Information Ecosystem
A product information ecosystem is the set of sources, systems, people and channels through which product data is collected, managed and published.
Product Information Exchange Standards
Standardized formats and protocols for exchanging product data between businesses and systems, ensuring interoperability and data consistency.
Product Information Flow Optimization
Product information flow optimization is improving how product data moves from its sources through enrichment and checks to every sales channel, faster and with fewer errors.
Product Information Governance (PIG)
Product Information Governance (PIG) is the overarching framework of policies, processes, roles, and standards for managing the quality, security, and lifecycle of all product information.
Product Information Lifecycle
The product information lifecycle is the sequence of stages product data goes through, from creation and enrichment to publishing, updating and retirement.
Product Information Lifecycle Management (PILM)
PILM (product information lifecycle management) is managing product data through every stage, from creation and enrichment to publication, updates and phase-out.
Product Information Master Record
A product information master record is the single, complete and approved version of a product's data that every channel and system takes its information from.
Product Information Maturity Model
A product information maturity model is a framework that rates how well a company manages its product data, from scattered spreadsheets to a governed, automated process.
Product Information Overload
Product information overload is when a product page or catalog shows more data than a shopper can process, so the information that matters gets lost.
Product Information Portal (PIP)
A product information portal (PIP) is a login-protected website where resellers, partners and internal teams find approved product data, images and documents.
Product Information Sharing
Product information sharing is sending accurate product data, such as specs, prices and images, to retailers, distributors and marketplaces in the format each one needs.
Product Information Strategy
A product information strategy is a plan for how you collect, manage, improve and publish product data so every channel shows correct, complete details.
Product Information Structure
Product information structure is how product data is organized into categories, attribute groups, typed attributes and variants, so every product is described the same way.
Product Information Usability
Product information usability is how easily shoppers can find, read and act on the descriptions, specs and images on a product page.
Product Information Workflow
A product information workflow is the fixed sequence of steps, owners and checks a product passes from first data to a live listing on every channel.
Product Launch Management
Product launch management is the planning and coordination of everything a new product needs to go live on time, from product data and channel listings to marketing.
Product Launch Workflow
A product launch workflow is the fixed sequence of steps that takes a new product from first data to live listings, with an owner and a check for each step.
Product Liability Data
Product liability data is the safety, compliance and manufacturer information a seller must keep and show for a product, such as warnings, certificates and contact details.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
Product lifecycle management (PLM) is the process and software for managing a product from idea, design and engineering through production and launch to retirement.
Product Marketing Data
Product marketing data is the customer-facing part of your product data for e-commerce: titles, descriptions, benefits, images and selling points that help a shopper decide.
Product Merchandising
Product merchandising is how a store selects, presents, groups and promotes products so shoppers find them and buy, in a physical shop or online.
Product Merchandising Rules
Product merchandising rules are automated logic applied to product listings to optimize visibility, promotions, and presentation based on defined criteria.