XML Feeds as the #1 Problem in e-Commerce
Exporting product data in XML is a standard task for online stores. But if you’ve ever tried to generate a feed in a PIM or CMS, you know the feeling: instead of a simple process, it turns into a complex quest.
Dozens of settings, manual field mapping, constant validation errors. Even a basic feed can take hours to prepare, and creating a new format often takes days.
Why It’s So Complicated
PIM systems were originally designed to be as flexible as possible, covering a wide range of business cases. But this flexibility comes at a price: excessive complexity.
- To generate a feed, you have to manually connect attributes.
- One mistake at the input breaks the whole structure.
- Marketers spend time on technical tasks, while developers are forced to clean up the chaos.
The result is clear: businesses lose both speed and money.
Why the Market Puts Up with It
Today, most companies rely on built-in editors inside their CMS or PIM. They’re inconvenient but familiar. “It works somehow — good enough.”
But as product ranges and the number of partners grow, the pressure mounts. Imagine a store with 50,000 SKUs and ten different sales channels. Each one requires its own feed, with its own rules. The outcome: dozens of versions of the same data, each manually configured. A single field error can cost thousands in lost impressions or sales.
The NotPIM Approach
At NotPIM, we believe clients shouldn’t deal with technical complexity. The system should take care of data mapping and formatting itself.
In the current version of our XML feed editor, everything revolves around a simple principle: you specify what data you want in the feed, and the system determines the format, currency, and validation automatically.
A simple example: you want to display a price. Just type “100 dollars” — the system understands it’s a price, adds the correct currency, and pulls data from the right source.
For special cases, manual configuration is still available. But in 80% of real-world scenarios, it’s no longer needed. That saves valuable time for marketers and removes repetitive tasks from IT teams.
The Next Step: AI and Sample-Based Feeds
We’re going further. The next version of NotPIM’s XML editor will rely on a common market practice: sample files.
When marketers prepare a feed for a partner, they almost always receive a sample file along with the technical requirements. The task is to replicate the same structure.
Until now, this meant hours of manual mapping and adjustments. With NotPIM, you’ll just upload the sample file. Our built-in AI reads its structure and automatically configures all necessary mappings. The result: a fully compliant integration — ready to use.
Imagine the difference. Instead of spending weeks preparing a new marketplace integration, you’ll be ready in minutes. This not only accelerates your business but also lowers the barrier for smaller retailers to expand quickly.
Business Impact
- Speed — New integrations go live in minutes, not weeks.
- Resource Savings — Marketers no longer need developers for every feed.
- Scalability — Easily connect dozens of partners without growing your team.
- Fewer Errors — AI interprets the sample and removes human error.
Why It Matters for e-Commerce
This isn’t just about convenience. A smarter XML editor means faster market entry, the ability to test new sales channels instantly, and staying ahead of competitors.
In the long run, tools like NotPIM change the rules of the game. Smaller players gain enterprise-level capabilities, while larger businesses reduce costs and complexity.
Conclusion
For years, XML feed editors have been the “weak link” in e-commerce. Businesses could no longer afford to lose time and money on outdated tools.
NotPIM turns feed generation from a manual headache into a predictable, automated process. Today it’s smart in-system configuration. Tomorrow it’s fully automatic feed creation based on any sample file.
Ready to try the XML feed editor in action? Sign up for NotPIM and see how effortless feed management can be.