Matt from the StoreAutomator Customer Success Team walks through one of the pivotal features of StoreAutomator – templates. Templates play a crucial role in managing and optimizing data flow within StoreAutomator, allowing you to efficiently handle product data, order information, and pricing details. In this guide, we'll explore the significance of templates and delve into the four main types available.
StoreAutomator as a Data Hub
At its core, StoreAutomator serves as a centralized database for your business data, encompassing product, order, and price information. The platform facilitates seamless communication with various channels, enabling tasks such as pushing product information to Amazon, receiving data - such as orders - and managing shipping confirmations.
The Role of Templates
Given that each channel or partner may have distinct data requirements, templates become instrumental in tailoring your data to meet those specifications. Whether you are sending data to an endpoint or receiving it, templates act as mapping tools to ensure compatibility.
Navigating to Templates
To access templates, navigate to the left-hand menu, click the plus sign next to Settings, and select Templates. Currently, our account has one template – the product data creation template. To explore the four types of templates, click on "Add Template" in the top right corner.
1. Generic Feed Template (Orange Icon)
Acts as the workhorse template for moving data from StoreAutomator to external channels or databases. Universally applicable, regardless of the destination channel.
2. Generic Input Template (Blue Icon)
Facilitates the import of product, quantity, or price data into StoreAutomator. Ideal for regular imports, such as when manufacturers provide new product data on a monthly or quarterly basis.
3. Order Export Template (Purple Icon)
Outbound template consolidating order data from various channels into a unified file. Enables retrieval via FTP or forwarding to warehouses or shipping partners, etc.
4. Channel-Specific Template
There are tailored templates for well-known channels like Amazon, BigCommerce, Shopify, and Walmart. Already pre-configured, minimizing manual setup for common channels. For channels like Amazon, BigCommerce, Shopify, and Walmart, StoreAutomator offers pre-built templates. Users may choose between XML and flat file formats, depending on their preference and channel requirements. JSON templates are also available for platforms like eBay.
Check out our other videos guides where we provide step-by-step guides for creating templates for specific channels.