Product Data Cleaning: How to Fix Duplicate SKUs & Improve Catalog Quality

Standardizing Product Titles

Start with a clear title formula that guides what information goes into your product titles. For example:

Brand + Common Name + Type

Example: Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant

Depending on your product assortment, you may have different rules for different categories. Consistency improves search relevance and user clarity.

Crafting Consistent Descriptions

Use basic HTML and a standardized format for product descriptions. A good structure includes:

• A long description at the beginning (1-2 paragraphs)
• Benefits listed in a bulleted list
• Additional info like usage instructions or ingredients (if applicable)

Consider splitting some info into metafields to support accordions or tabs on product pages.

Defining Product Types & Taxonomy

Maintain a fixed taxonomy tracked in a master document or spreadsheet. Be specific and consistent:

• Use singular or plural terms consistently
• Get granular (avoid vague terms like "Accessories")
• Consistency affects merchandising, reporting, and filtering

Vendor & Brand Consistency

Apply the same consistency rules to your product brands/vendors as you do for product types.

Image Standards & Naming

Establish a file naming convention and follow your theme's recommended image dimensions. Ensure:

• Consistent aspect ratios across images
• Products sit on the same plane (e.g., containers)
• Model shots have consistent framing (avoid cropped heads or inconsistent views)

Variant Naming & Ordering

Maintain consistent order and naming of product variants. For example:

• Always list color first, then size (or vice versa) consistently across products
• Use consistent variant names (e.g., XS, S, M, L, XL instead of mixing abbreviations and full names)
• Consistency improves filtering, user experience, and reporting

Pricing Consistency

Price your products consistently. Avoid mixing price endings like .99 and .00 across your catalog.

Tag Management & Housekeeping

Tags are powerful for backend workflows. Keep them clean by:

• Regularly removing unused or obsolete tags (quarterly housekeeping)
• Maintaining consistency in tag naming
• Preventing confusion for future team members

Meta Titles & Descriptions

Have a clear SEO strategy for meta titles and descriptions and implement it consistently across your catalog.

Using Metafields Effectively

Metafields depend on your assortment. Use predefined lists for team members to select from to avoid typos and maintain consistency.

Final Thoughts

This guide scratches the surface of product data management. Recognizing messy data is the first step. Now is the time to set standard operating procedures, clean up your catalog, and stay organized. Consistency and discipline will save you headaches down the road.

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