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In the auto parts market, building an effective digital catalog is one of the most critical steps in the digitalization journey. It’s through the catalog that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can organize, promote, and sell their parts with precision and scalability. According to the E-commerce Quality Index, 96% of Brazilian e-commerces still fail to deliver a good shopping experience often due to poor product catalog data.
1. Lack of a clear cataloging strategy
Before going digital, it’s important to ask: Who is this catalog for? Which channels will it be used on? Which product categories will be prioritized? A strong strategy considers not just volume but structure, consistency, and integration with marketplaces and management systems (ERP/DMS).
2. Not knowing where the catalog will be published
Each sales channel has specific technical requirements. Selling on a marketplace like Mercado Livre or on your own e-commerce site involves different image formats, description standards, and category structures. Ignoring these variations can harm ad performance and lead to customer rejection.
3. Lack of resources and role definition
Without a team dedicated to managing the catalog, the process becomes slow and error-prone. It’s important to define early whether the catalog will be handled internally, outsourced, or supported by a specialized auto parts platform. This decision directly impacts speed and quality.
4. Incomplete or poorly structured information
Incomplete technical descriptions, missing attributes such as year/model/compatibility, and lack of SKU codes not only hinder the sale but also the post-sale process. The more detailed and accurate the product sheet, the lower the risk of mistakes, returns, and complaints which is critical in the auto parts replacement sector.
5. Lack of time and staff for maintenance
Even after initial publication, the catalog must be regularly reviewed and updated. Prices, stock, applications, and images change over time. Without a dedicated team, the catalog loses relevance and compromises the buyer's experience.
6. Unfamiliarity with marketplace requirements
Listing auto parts in marketplaces requires knowing the specific rules of each platform. Image guidelines, mandatory attributes, categories, and compatibility data must be correctly filled in. Marketplaces like Mercado Livre and Amazon use technical filters that, if misconfigured, can make your products invisible.
7. Poor or unprofessional images
Good images sell. In the automotive sector, this means showing details, angles, materials, and version differences. The first image must follow marketplace standards (white background, no branding), and whenever possible, include contextual photos or demo videos. This builds trust and reduces hesitation at checkout.
Distributors and manufacturers who invest in building a strong digital catalog sell more, with fewer errors and greater speed. In a technical sector like auto parts, the quality of information is what separates competitors from true market leaders.
