A How-To Guide on Updating Your Amazon Product Catalog
by Brad Hunt • June 17, 2024
Is Your Amazon Product Catalog Stale? Here’s How to Tell!
Let’s talk about that moment when you realize your once-shiny Amazon product catalog might be gathering some dust. Picture this: you’ve been riding high on the e-commerce wave, sales were booming, and then—BAM!—a sudden nosedive. Panic sets in, and you’re left scratching your head, wondering what the heck happened.
Enter: the dreaded product update dilemma.
The Marketer’s Illusion: Everything Looks Like a Nail
As seasoned Amazon marketing experts, we’ve seen it all. There’s a tendency among us marketers to believe that every problem is a nail and that our trusty marketing hammer can fix it all. But newsflash: sometimes it’s not just the marketing that needs a tweak.
Amazon is a very competitive landscape. Many times what we’ll see is that a product does well for a handful of years and then starts to lose it’s footing. This tends to happen more in industries where trends can change quicker. For example, fashion & apparel, beauty & personal care, etc.
No matter the category you’re selling in, it’s important to continue to improve your existing products and/or add new ones to it.
Does Your Amazon Product Catalog Need a Makeover?
No matter your niche, it’s crucial to keep your Amazon product catalog fresh and fabulous. Here are a few spicy questions to kick-start your brainstorming:
– Can I add new variations? Think bigger, smaller, redder, bluer, or even tastier.
– How about complementary products? What pairs with my core products like wine with cheese?
– What’s the competition up to? Are they offering something new that’s giving you FOMO?
– What are the customers griping about? Turn those complaints into opportunities for upgrades.
– Can I bundle up? Sometimes two or three products together are the best friends your sales need.
– Upgrades, anyone? Think better materials or more popular ingredients.
Don’t Get Left Behind in the Product Parade
If your sales are on a downtrend, it might not be your Amazon marketing plan’s fault. The market shifts and the competition often rolls out newer, shinier, more irresistible products.
Here’s a reality check: do you know of any successful product that never changed? Even a simple paperclip now comes in sizes, colors, and shapes you never knew you needed! Major brands are constantly on the lookout for ways to spruce up their line-up and catch the next big wave.
Annual Review: The Key to Keeping Your Brand Fresh
We recommend giving your Amazon product catalog a thorough review at least once a year. Think of it as a spa day for your brand—keeping it from falling behind and ensuring it stays vibrant and appealing.
Stepping up your game with new products, variants, or even a snazzy packaging revamp can mean the difference between losing your market share and reclaiming it with gusto.