1. Key Errors and Their Consequences
Errors in File Structure and Format
One of the most common issues is uploading a file that the platform simply cannot “understand.” Column separators may be misplaced, column names may not meet requirements, or incorrect encoding may distort symbols. As a result, products either fail to upload or appear with distorted data.
Incorrect Data
Pricing Errors
Imagine a customer visits a website and sees a smartphone priced at $1 instead of $1000. Conversely, the price may be inflated due to a file error.
In both cases, businesses lose money: if the price is too low, the seller may incur losses; if too high, customers may be deterred. Such errors are particularly dangerous in automated advertising campaigns, where incorrect prices can lead to inefficient budget spending.
Product Description Errors
Now consider another scenario: a customer orders a laptop based on the specifications in the feed but receives a model with a different processor or lower memory capacity. Errors in descriptions and images mislead buyers, leading to returns, negative reviews, and decreased brand trust. This is especially critical for marketplaces, where inaccurate product attributes can result in penalties or lower seller rankings.
Data Update Issues
The feed was uploaded but not updated in time? This means outdated products may remain on the website or unavailable items may still be displayed. This is particularly problematic for marketplaces, where data accuracy directly impacts seller ratings.
Non-Compliance with Platform Requirements
Every platform (CMS or format) has its own data structure requirements. If a file contains incorrect categories, invalid characters, or improperly filled fields, the platform may reject it entirely, resulting in lost sales channels for businesses.
Technical Failures in Automated Systems
Even with automation, errors can occur. API issues, server downtimes, or integration failures can lead to delayed or distorted data transmissions.
2. Why Errors Occur
Human Factor: Manual File Processing
When employees manually edit feeds in Excel or CSV, errors are inevitable. A single misplaced character, incorrect formula, or accidental column deletion can render the entire feed unusable. Additionally, manual editing consumes time and increases the risk of outdated data being uploaded.
Automation Errors
Automated systems function reliably… as long as everything goes according to plan. However, if the algorithm contains errors, is updated incorrectly, or fails to account for platform-specific nuances, failures are inevitable. Let’s consider two scenarios.
If Using In-House Software:
- Incomplete data updates (e.g., not the entire inventory is uploaded);
- Coding errors leading to incorrect feed formatting;
- Differences in data standards, preventing platform acceptance.
How to Prevent? Regular testing, logging, and setting up failure notifications can help detect issues early.
If Using a Third-Party Service:
- Automatically generated feeds may not meet marketplace requirements;
- API integration errors (e.g., incorrect requests sent by the service);
- Service delays leading to untimely updates.
How to Mitigate Risk? Choose reliable services, regularly verify exported data, and monitor SLA (Service Level Agreement) to promptly address failures.
3. How to Prevent Errors and Protect Your Business
Errors are inevitable, but they don’t have to be catastrophic. Here are some key strategies:
- Set up monitoring — automated feed validation before upload can help catch errors before they enter the system;
- Test before updating — use test feeds to ensure everything is correct;
- Create backups — if something goes wrong, you can always revert to a previous version;
- Log errors — this allows for quicker issue identification and resolution;
- Train your team — understanding potential issues reduces the likelihood of mistakes.
4. How NotPIM Helps Prevent Errors
Many product feed issues can be solved with specialized tools. NotPIM provides powerful features that help:
- Validate feeds before upload – The system automatically analyzes data, checks for compliance with platform requirements, and generates a detailed report. If errors are found, clients receive a list of affected products along with recommendations for fixes.
- Automate uploads through a SaaS platform – NotPIM not only handles data uploads but also performs intelligent content validation, detecting typos, content inconsistencies, sudden price changes, and other potential issues.
As a result, clients receive an aggregated and corrected product feed where:
- Data from all suppliers is collected and matched;
- Duplicate listings are removed;
- Content is cleaned and corrected;
- The file fully meets marketplace and advertising platform requirements.
Conclusion
Errors in product feed uploads can be a major headache for businesses, but they can be avoided. Well-structured processes, controlled automation, and proactive issue detection help minimize losses and ensure smooth operations. The key is to keep feed management under control and regularly analyze potential weak points.
