Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Enhancements to the Seller Center Experience
- Revamped Account and Item Sales Reports
- Managing Potential Duplicate Items
- Introducing SEM Suggestions in Success Hub
- Necessary API Updates
- Caution Against Phishing Scams
- About Walmart
- Understanding Cookie Usage
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
In the ever-evolving landscape of eCommerce, staying updated with platform changes is crucial for maintaining and improving your business operations. If you are a seller on Walmart Marketplace, the July 2024 updates bring several important enhancements to the Seller Center, notably in search functionality, reporting, item review processes, and API integrations. This detailed blog post will walk you through these updates, how to leverage them effectively, and their implications for your daily operations. Whether you are an experienced seller or new to the platform, these changes are designed to streamline your experience and help you stay competitive.
Enhancements to the Seller Center Experience
Easier Search Functionality
The search functionalities in the Seller Center have been fine-tuned for efficiency. Now, sellers only need to enter two characters to yield results when searching for SKUs and Item Names. This improvement not only speeds up the process but also reduces the need for precise inputs. Additionally, the new search functionality is case-insensitive, providing flexibility and ease in managing your inventory.
New Sortable Columns
To provide more control over how you view your items, new sortable columns have been introduced, including SKU, Ratings, and Reviews. These columns allow you to sort products based on various metrics, enabling better insight and quicker decisions.
Revamped Account and Item Sales Reports
The latest updates to the Account Sales and Item Sales reports introduce more intuitive visualizations, enabling you to easily interpret your data. You can view multiple metrics simultaneously, and the reports now offer more customization options, including different chart types and filters. This means that analyzing your sales performance can be more aligned with your specific business needs, giving you clearer insights into what’s working and what might need adjustment.
Managing Potential Duplicate Items
Duplicate listings can confuse customers and dilute sales. Walmart has introduced a more streamlined process for identifying and managing potential duplicates. By navigating to the Notifications section in the Seller Center and enabling the relevant settings, you can receive alerts about potential duplicates. These notifications will direct you to a Pending Review section where you can assess suggested duplicates. You have up to 30 days to either merge duplicate items or mark them as unique, ensuring your listings are accurate and clear.
Introducing SEM Suggestions in Success Hub
In a bid to enhance your marketing strategies, Walmart's Success Hub now offers Search Engine Marketing (SEM) suggestions. These suggestions provide insights into which items you should consider promoting through external SEM campaigns on platforms like Google and Bing. Utilizing these recommendations can improve your items’ visibility, driving more traffic and potentially increasing sales.
Necessary API Updates
API users need to take action by August 26 to update their Items and Disputes API integrations. These updates are crucial to avoid errors related to duplicate listings, which could lead to your listings being unpublished. Ensuring these integrations are updated will help maintain the transactability of your items and comply with Walmart's Duplicate Listings Policy.
Caution Against Phishing Scams
Recently, there has been a phishing scam targeting Walmart Marketplace sellers. The scam involves fraudulent emails from addresses like @walmartcustomersupport.com. It is vital to disregard and not respond to these emails to protect your personal and business information. Being vigilant about such scams and reporting any suspicious activity can help maintain a secure selling environment.
About Walmart
Walmart continues to be a global leader in retail, with a vast network of stores and a robust online presence. With significant revenue and a large workforce, Walmart remains committed to sustainability and corporate responsibility. As a seller, being part of this expansive and reputable network can bolster your business prospects.
Understanding Cookie Usage
Cookies are small text files that enhance your experience by storing relevant information about your preferences and past actions. The site categorizes cookies into four types:
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Strictly Necessary/Essential Cookies These are critical for the website's basic functions, such as security, logging in, and fast content loading. They are set by default and cannot be disabled.
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Performance Cookies These cookies help measure website traffic and detect performance issues, enabling continuous improvements.
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Functional Cookies Functional cookies remember your preferences, such as language and display settings, personalizing your experience.
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Targeting/Advertising Cookies These gather data to deliver targeted advertising relevant to your interests.
You can manage your cookie preferences through the site’s Privacy Center, although disabling certain cookies may affect your overall experience.
Conclusion
The July 2024 updates to Walmart’s Seller Center bring a host of improvements designed to enhance your selling experience. From more efficient search capabilities and enhanced sales reports to better duplicate item management and valuable SEM suggestions, these changes offer significant benefits. Don’t forget to update your APIs to comply with the new listing policies and stay alert to phishing scams to protect your business. By staying informed and proactive, you can make the most of these updates, driving your eCommerce success forward.
FAQ
What do the new search functionalities entail?
The updated search functionalities now require only two characters to yield results, and the search is case-insensitive, allowing for quicker and easier inventory management.
How can I prevent my listings from being unpublished due to duplicate errors?
Update your Items and Disputes API integrations by August 26 to avoid duplicate listing errors that could lead to your items being unpublished.
What is the importance of the new sortable columns?
The new columns, like SKU, Ratings, and Reviews, help you sort items based on various metrics, providing greater insight and aiding in better decision-making.
How do I handle potential duplicate items?
Enable notifications in the Seller Center, review potential duplicates in the Pending Review section, and take action within 30 days to merge duplicates or mark items as unique.
What should I do about the ongoing phishing scam?
Disregard and do not respond to any emails from @walmartcustomersupport.com to protect your information from phishing attempts.
How do SEM suggestions in Success Hub benefit me?
These suggestions guide you on which items to promote through external SEM campaigns on platforms like Google and Bing, enhancing visibility and driving traffic to your listings.
