PIM software: a powerful solution for ecommerce growing pains

Are you continually looking for ways to improve product management in your ecommerce business?

Yes, said every ecommerce business owner ever.

We get it – product information management (PIM) is a headache. It’s often time consuming, expensive, and unnecessarily complicated. Common PIM errors include duplicate item numbers, overstocked or understocked inventory, inaccurate SKUs, and systems failing to ‘talk’ to each other in real time.

These errors negatively impact the customer experience, leading to low conversion rates, abandoned carts, and product returns.

What can you do to improve PIM in your ecommerce business?

You could continue to tweak your existing PIM system (likely made up of multiple Excel sheets and data entry tools).

You could also engage an IT expert to build a sophisticated PIM solution tailored to your business.

However, both options still leave wide scope for error.

We’ve worked with many clients to tackle PIM issues, and we believe the best approach is to invest in reputable PIM software that connects with your website and ERP system – such as CommerceConnect by Fusion Factory.

What is PIM software?

PIM software has only been around for a few years, but it’s already becoming essential. Strong PIM software syncs product information across all your business technology, providing one accurate, real-time set of product data.

It’s a central hub of product information for the entire business. Everyone accesses the same data, leaving little room for discrepancies. Once generated, the data can be customised (think multiple currencies and languages) and pushed through multiple sales channels.

PIM differs from ERP software because it’s focused on accuracy of product data, while ERP uses that data to drive workflows and automation. Ideally, your business should have both working in harmony.

Benefits of PIM software

• Centralised product data across your business
• Accurate tracking of product progress and completion
• Customisable product descriptions and metadata
• Reduced discrepancies and errors
• Improved customer experience
• Saves time, money, and manpower
• Syncs product data across multiple stores, currencies, and countries

3 signs your ecommerce business needs PIM software

PIM software is powerful, but is it worth the investment? It depends – on how your business is performing, your global ambitions, and the extent product problems are impacting your bottom line.

Here are three clear signs it’s probably time to invest:

1) Your ecommerce business is in high growth

Sales are increasing rapidly, but your systems are struggling to keep up. More customers means more fires to put out. Profit is rising, but so are complaints and returns.

PIM software won’t solve every growing pain, but it will streamline product management, reduce errors, and improve the shopping experience. It becomes part of the stable foundation you need to scale fast.

2) You’re expanding globally

International growth means dealing with multiple currencies, languages, and regulations. Without the right system, it quickly becomes overwhelming.

PIM software streamlines global product management, giving you a central, reliable source of data that you can trust worldwide.

3) Recurring product discrepancies

Inventory issues are your Achilles heel. No matter how well the rest of the business performs, product discrepancies continue to frustrate your team and your customers.

PIM software eliminates these recurring problems, freeing your business to focus on growth. It also future-proofs your operations, making it easier to expand or scale when the time is right.

Conclusion: PIM software is an investment in your business

PIM software is impressive technology that solves real problems for ecommerce. But, as with all technology, it’s what you do with the data that really matters.

PIM promises accuracy and centralisation – the real question is: how will you use those benefits to grow your business?

‍