How to optimize your data feed with Synesty and save time

Prevent data feed problems and increase your Google ranking.

Without optimizing your data feed, it may be rejected by your target system, or in the worst case, your account may even be suspended- a scenario that can occur especially with Google Shopping Merchant Center. In this article and the accompanying tutorial, we will show you how to optimize your data feed with Synesty to avoid these problems while improving your Google ranking. Data optimization can be time-consuming and tedious, especially if you manage thousands of articles. However, Synesty makes this process more efficient and easier. In our tutorial we will show you step by step how to correct your incorrect data feed in just a few minutes.

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Why is an optimized data feed important?

An incorrect or unstructured data feed can not only cause your target system to reject the data, but also cause your products to rank lower on Google. A well-structured and corrected data feed, on the other hand, improves your chances of being found by potential customers.

Which errors in data feeds often need to be fixed and which optimizations are important?

1. remove spaces from article numbers

Spaces in item numbers can cause problems. They should be removed to make the data consistent and error-free.

2. enrich descriptions with keywords

Enriching product descriptions with relevant keywords is crucial to be found better in Google's search results. Synesty allows you to integrate these keywords into the data feed.

3. correct article categories

Using the correct categories for your products is important to show up in the right search results and improve the user experience.

4. standardize decimal separator of prices

Prices should be uniformly formatted to avoid problems with the target system

5. filter out items with zero prices and zero inventory.

Products with no price or inventory should be removed from your data feed to avoid customer frustration and increase the quality of your offers.

6. remove control characters

Control characters are non-displayable or invisible characters that often cause data processing errors. Automate the process with Synesty

Now you might be wondering how to do all these optimizations in your data feed, especially if you manage thousands of articles. This is where Synesty comes in. With Synesty, you can set up these tasks once and then run them automatically on a daily basis.

Step-by-step guide with Synesty

In our video we explain the procedure with Synesty. We show you a process (flow) that consists of single steps with the help of which you can fix the different errors.

1. download data:

To download the supplier file from a FTP server, use the URL Download Step.

2. read in CSV file:

To read in the downloaded file, use the CSVReader Step.

3. Unify the prices with a Mapper Step using the Search & Replace function:

Before filtering zero prices, the decimal separators of the prices must be unified to a point, otherwise the subsequent filter will not work.

4. Filtering zero prices and zero stocks:

To sort out items with zero prices and zero stocks, add a filter step.

5. Unify categories and recalculate prices:

To unify categories, the "Mapping Set" function of the Mapper Step is used. Prices can be recalculated in the mapper using the "arithmetic operation" function.

6. customize description text:

To optimize the description text, values such as brand names or key words from other columns can be inserted into the text using the Mapper step.

7. removing unwanted spaces and control characters

Spaces and control characters can be removed in the mapper using the "Find & Replace" function.

8. add image URLs:

To retrieve the appropriate image URL from a datastore for each item, use the Cross Reference Function in the Mapper Step.

9. Grouping:

To make the data feed clearer, you can use the "Group" function in the mapper to group articles and variants together in one row, for example.

10. continue working with the file:

After these configurations are complete, you can continue to do whatever you want with the file. For example, you can send the file by e-mail with an e-mail Send Step, upload it to an FTP server with an FTPUpload or import the data into various store or merchandise management systems with one of our Connector Steps. Please note that the file must be adapted to the respective system for this.

11. automate:

Flows can be executed in Synesty in various ways. For example, time-controlled execution is suitable for automation.

Conclusion

Optimizing your data feed is crucial to make your products more visible and to avoid problems with your target system. With Synesty you can automate this process and save time as well as nerves. Try it out and optimize your data feed today! If you have further questions or need support, we are at your disposal. You can try Synesty in a free and time unlimited test phase.