Do you control the product category the right way?

Arranging your goods and their related information is the base of a good online shop. But do you control the product category the right way? Here, we look at the essentials of category control for a thriving business.

Category control definition

Category control (also referred to as product categorization) involves controlling goods in a way connecting them by how relevant they are. It narrows down large categories into less sizable ones. Every category sees goods whose similar characteristics or tags are grouped logically. 

For instance, when you visit a grocery location, you can reasonably seek milk in the dairy zone. On an online shop, for example, Walmart, to discover a bed lamp, you find furniture and after that look for the category most particular to your demands such as home furniture. 

It is worth mentioning that ConnectPOS has strong support for category control. ConnectPOS is one of the leading point of sale solution providers. With this, the product hierarchy is as intuitive as possible, so it allows customers to look for products easily.

Steps to perfecting category control

Define data sources

Understanding the precise locations where your goods’ information is currently stored is a fundamental step in effective data management. In a business environment, product information can be scattered across various databases, software platforms, or physical records. To streamline your operations and ensure data accuracy, it’s crucial to start by mapping out where this information resides. By identifying these storage points, you can establish a comprehensive overview of your data landscape and make informed decisions about data organization, access, and integration. This initial assessment paves the way for more efficient data management practices, ultimately enhancing your ability to retrieve, utilize, and maintain product information with ease and precision.

Collect every product information

It is similar to when you arrange your house. When you want to figure out how to set up your space, we suggest laying out all the things in front of you after taking them out. Then, decide which items to keep or get rid of. After that, decide the way to organize your space. This approach also applies to your goods. 

Generate logical relationships between goods for easy category control

Let’s move on to category generation. Now, visualizing what buckets to put goods in should be simple. A lot of the categories do not need explanation. That is because these are in connection with product characteristics.

Optimize every naming convention

It’s essential to meticulously review and scrutinize every aspect of your naming conventions, from categories and subcategories to product pages, item titles, features, and more. Consistency and clarity in your naming conventions are crucial for effective data organization, searchability, and customer comprehension. By examining and refining these conventions, you ensure that your products are presented in a way that makes sense to both your team and your customers. Clear and well-structured naming conventions simplify data management, enhance user experience, and contribute to a more efficient and customer-friendly product presentation, ultimately benefiting your business in the long run.

Think about the customer’s psychology

Effective category management hinges on the ability to step into the shoes of your target customers. Understanding their shopping behaviors and preferences is pivotal in shaping your goods categories. By gaining insights into how your customers typically shop and what they prioritize, you can tailor your category organization to align with their needs and expectations. This customer-centric approach not only simplifies the shopping process but also enhances the overall shopping experience. It enables you to present products in a manner that resonates with your audience, encourages exploration, and drives more successful conversions. As a result, placing yourself in the shoes of your customers is a strategic move that fosters a deeper connection between your product offerings and the shoppers you aim to serve.

Enhance your category control

Feedback is an invaluable resource when it comes to refining and improving the quality of your product categorization. While your product hierarchy may not always have a direct one-to-one translation to the navigation menu, it undeniably plays a crucial role in shaping the user experience. Feedback from customers, as well as insights from your team, can shed light on how effectively your product categorization aligns with user expectations and needs. It can reveal whether the categories are intuitive and easily navigable or if adjustments are necessary to enhance the overall shopping experience. By considering and acting on this feedback, you can ensure that your product categorization is not only well-structured but also resonates with your audience, ultimately leading to more successful and satisfying interactions with your products and services.

Scale the category control

When your business flourishes, you can scale the product categorization. For example, continually returning to the goods categories is necessary when you add more product series. So, it is crucial to have a good categorization at first. This should consider your business objectives.

After reading this post, we hope you have a better idea of category control. If you wish to learn more about it and ConnectPOS with strong support for category control, contact us today.