Recommended Reading: E-Commerce - You Have to Start Somewhere - Modern Distribution Management

Recommended Reading: E-Commerce – You Have to Start Somewhere

Waiting for perfection will keep you from beginning.

While independent distributors face myriad challenges around e-commerce, data management is one of the biggest hurdles they often face. Building out and maintaining a consistent catalog can be cost prohibitive for many, says Bob Lewis, founder of B2X Partners, in AD Tackles E-Commerce 'Monster.'

Part of the problem is that it's an ongoing process; it "won't be perfect from day one," says Lewis, who was hired by Affiliated Distributors, Fort Wayne, IN, to help develop an e-catalog for the buying and marketing group's members. But that shouldn't stop you from moving forward.

“We can spend a year-and-a-half going around and around trying to get it perfect, but the more pragmatic approach is to take our best shot and get it well defined, so that it puts us in a good position,” he says. This means ensuring that a clean taxonomy is in place and standards are established so that the maintenance doesn't complicate what has already been created.

Once the taxonomy and standards are in place, applying it to each product is still a process, but it's a much more manageable one.

Read more about how AD developed its e-catalog program in AD Tackles E-Commerce 'Monster.'

Share this article

About the Author
Recommended Reading
Leave a Reply

Leave a Comment

Sign Up for the MDM Update Newsletter

The MDM update newsletter is your best source for news and trends in the wholesale distribution industry.

Get the MDM Update Newsletter

Wholesale distribution news and trends delivered right to your inbox.

Sign-up for our free newsletter and get:

  • Up-to-date news in a quick-to-read format
  • Free access to webcasts, podcasts and live events
  • Exclusive whitepapers, research and reports
  • And more!

2

articles left

Want more Premium content from MDM?

Subscribe today and get:

  • New issues twice each month
  • Unlimited access to mdm.com, including 10+ years of archived data
  • Current trends analysis, market data and economic updates
  • Discounts on select store products and events

Subscribe to continue reading

MDM Premium Subscribers get:

  • Unlimited access to MDM.com
  • 1 year digital subscription, with new issues twice a month
  • Trends analysis, market data and quarterly economic updates
  • Deals on select store products and events

1

article
left

You have one free article remaining

Subscribe to MDM Premium to get unlimited access. Your subscription includes:

  • Two new issues a month
  • Access to 10+ years of archived data on mdm.com
  • Quarterly economic updates, trends analysis and market data
  • Store and event discounts

To continue reading, you must be an MDM Premium subscriber.

Join other distribution executives who use MDM Premium to optimize their business. Our insights and analysis help you enter the right new markets, turbocharge your sales and marketing efforts, identify business partners that help you scale, and stay ahead of your competitors.

Register for full access

By providing your email, you agree to receive announcements from us and our partners for our newsletter, events, surveys, and partner resources per MDM Terms & Conditions. You can withdraw consent at any time.

Learn More about Custom Reports

Request a Market Prospector Demo

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.