Product Experience Glossary
Explore key terms and acronyms related to product experience, digital experience, and e-commerce to enhance your industry knowledge and business strategies.
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3D Secure (3DS)
A security protocol that adds an additional verification step during online transactions.
A
A/B Testing
Comparing two versions of a webpage or ad to determine which performs better.
Affiliate Marketing
A performance-based marketing strategy where partners earn a commission for driving sales.
Amazon Seller
An Amazon Seller is a third-party business or individual that sells products directly to consumers through Amazon’s marketplace.
Amazon Vendor
An Amazon Vendor operates under a first-party (1P) relationship, selling products directly to Amazon, which then acts as the retailer.
Anomaly Detection
The process of detecting outliers in a dataset to maintain consistency and improve data accuracy.
API Integration
A technical connection that enables automated data exchange between marketplaces, ERP systems, and other tools.
Approval Workflows
Automated processes that ensure product data passes through defined approval steps before being published.
Artificial Intelligence
The study and creation of computer systems designed to replicate the human mind’s problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Artificial Reality (AR)
Artificial Reality, also known as Augmented Reality (AR), involves overlaying digital elements such as images, text, or 3D objects onto the real world using compatible devices.
ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number)
A unique identifier for Amazon products.
Attributes
Product characteristics such as size, color, and material.
Automated Machine Learning (AutoML)
Automating machine learning tasks from data preparation to deployment, designed to simplify complex processes for non-technical users, enhancing prediction accuracy while saving time.
B
B2B (Business-to-Business)
E-commerce transactions conducted between two businesses.
B2B Marketplace
A digital platform where businesses trade products or services with other businesses.
B2C (Business-to-Consumer)
E-commerce transactions between a business and individual consumers.
B2C Marketplace
A platform where businesses sell directly to individual consumers (e.g., Amazon, Walmart).
Backorder Management
The process of handling orders for items that are temporarily out of stock.
Best-of-Breed
Best of Breed refers to choosing the best solution for each specific function rather than relying on a single integrated system to manage multiple tasks.
Black Friday
Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days globally, during which businesses offer significant discounts to attract more customers and boost sales.
BOPIS
BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up in Store) allows customers to place orders online and conveniently collect them from a physical store location.
Bounce Rate
The percentage of visitors who leave a website after viewing only one page.
Brands
Brands are products or services that embody a company’s unique identity, defined by elements such as name, logo, design, and overall customer experience.
Breadcrumb Navigation
A hierarchical path showing the user’s location within the website.
Brick-and-Mortar
Brick-and-mortar refers to businesses that maintain a physical storefront or location for in-person customer interactions and sales.
Bulk Editing
The ability to modify multiple product entries simultaneously to improve efficiency.
C
C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer)
Transactions where consumers sell directly to other consumers via platforms like Etsy or eBay.
Call to Action (CTA)
A prompt that encourages visitors to take a specific action.
Carrier Integration
Connecting the OMS to shipping carriers like UPS, FedEx, or DHL for automated label generation and tracking.
Cart Abandonment
When a customer adds products to their cart but leaves without completing the purchase.
CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)
A law regulating data privacy rights for California residents.
CDN (Content Delivery Network)
A network of servers that delivers content quickly by distributing it closer to users.
Checkout Process
The series of steps a customer follows to complete a purchase.
Circular Economy
A sustainable business model designed to minimize waste by reusing, repairing, and recycling products and materials throughout their lifecycle.
Cloud Hosting
A scalable hosting solution that offers improved performance and flexibility.
Cluster Management
The strategic grouping of warehouses to optimize delivery time and reduce shipping costs.
Commission Fee
The percentage a marketplace charges sellers for each sale.
Composable Commerce
An approach where a business integrates the best individual services from multiple vendors to build a customized and flexible online store solution.
Conversational Commerce
Combines eCommerce with communication technologies, enabling brands and retailers to engage with customers through channels like messaging apps, chatbots, and voice assistants.
Conversion Rate
The percentage of website visitors who take a desired action, such as making a purchase.
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
A system designed to manage customer interactions, improve relationships, and enhance sales efforts.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
A system designed to manage customer interactions, improve relationships, and enhance sales efforts.
Cross-selling
Encouraging a customer to purchase complementary products.
Customer Experience
The overall perception formed by a customer’s interactions with a business across all touchpoints and channels.
Customer Journey
The entire process a customer goes through from discovering a product to making a purchase and beyond.
Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)
The total revenue a business expects from a customer over their lifetime.
Customer Portal
A self-service interface where customers can track their orders and manage returns.
Customer Retention
Strategies aimed at keeping existing customers loyal to the brand.
Customer Review System
A public feedback system that allows buyers to rate and review products and sellers.
Cyber Monday
An annual online shopping event held on the Monday following the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend, known for exclusive digital deals and discounts.
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DAM (Digital Asset Management)
A system that organizes, stores, and distributes digital files like images, videos, and documents.
Data Mapping
The process of matching data fields from one system to another to enable accurate data flow.
Data Syndication
The process of distributing product information to various sales channels from a centralized system.
Deep Learning Model
An AI method inspired by the structure and function of the brain, allowing computers to identify complex patterns and make predictions based on data such as images, text, and sound.
Digital Product Passports
Digital Product Passports (DPP) are digital records that provide transparent and essential information about a product, including its entire value chain, from production to disposal.
Digital Shelf
The online representation of a product, including its description, images, and reviews.
Digital Transformation
The process of using digital technologies to reshape a business’s culture, processes, and customer experiences to adapt to evolving market conditions and business needs.
Direct-to-Consumer (DTC)
A business model where brands sell directly to consumers without intermediaries.
Discount Code
A unique code that customers can use to receive discounts on their purchases.
Distributors
Businesses or entities that purchase products from manufacturers and resell them to retailers or directly to customers for a profit.
Drop Shipping
A fulfillment model where the retailer sells products without holding inventory, relying on suppliers to ship directly to customers.
Dynamic Pricing
A pricing strategy that adjusts product prices based on demand, competition, or market conditions.
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E-commerce
The buying and selling of goods or services over the internet.
E-commerce Platform
A software solution that allows businesses to build and manage their online stores.
EAN (European Article Number)
A barcode format widely used in Europe for product identification.
Email Marketing
Promotional campaigns sent via email to engage customers.
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
Software that centralizes and manages business processes such as finance, inventory, and HR.
Estimated Delivery Date (EDD)
The projected date when a shipment is expected to arrive.
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First-Party Marketplace
A first-party marketplace is an eCommerce model in which the marketplace owns the inventory and operates as the primary retailer.
Flash Sale
A limited-time discount event designed to boost sales.
Flexible Delivery Options
Offering multiple delivery choices such as same-day delivery, scheduled delivery, or eco-friendly options.
Free Shipping Threshold
A minimum order value required for customers to qualify for free shipping.
Fulfillment Center
A warehouse where products are stored, packed, and shipped.
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GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
European Union law on data protection and privacy.
Generative AI
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence designed to create original content, including text, images, audio, and even video, based on provided data and prompts.
Greenwashing
Greenwashing is a misleading marketing practice where companies exaggerate or falsely claim to be environmentally friendly to attract eco-conscious consumers.
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Headless Commerce
An e-commerce architecture that separates the front-end presentation layer from the back-end functionality.
Hybrid Marketplace
A platform that combines elements of both B2B and B2C, allowing businesses to sell to both groups.
Hybrid Shopping
Hybrid shopping blends offline and online channels, allowing customers to effortlessly browse, purchase, and return products across both platforms.
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Influencer Marketing
Partnering with social media influencers to promote products.
Inventory Management
The process of tracking and controlling stock levels.
Inventory Synchronization
Ensuring product stock levels are updated simultaneously across all sales channels.
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Knowledge Base
An organized collection of helpful articles and guides for customer self-service.
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Landing Page
A targeted web page designed to convert visitors into leads or customers.
Large Language Model (LLM)
Large language models (LLMs) are advanced AI systems that process vast amounts of internet data using specialized accelerators. Examples include GPT, PaLM, LLaMa, and Claude.
Last-Mile Delivery
The final step of the delivery process from the local distribution center to the customer’s doorstep.
Listing Optimization
The practice of improving product listings to increase visibility and sales.
Live Chat
A real-time messaging tool that helps customers interact with support agents directly on the website.
Localization
Adapting product information to suit regional language, cultural differences, and local regulations.
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Machine learning (ML)
The creation of computer systems that independently learn and adapt through algorithms and statistical models.
Manufacturers
A manufacturer is a business that produces goods in large quantities, typically to supply wholesalers, distributors, retailers, or directly to consumers.
MAP (Minimum Advertised Price)
The lowest price a retailer is allowed to advertise for a product as set by the manufacturer.
Marketplace
An online platform that connects multiple sellers with buyers.
Merchant Account
A business account that allows sellers to accept payments online through the marketplace.
Merchant of Record
The entity responsible for processing transactions, managing refunds, and handling taxes.
MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price)
The recommended selling price set by the manufacturer.
Multi-Vendor Platform
A type of marketplace where multiple independent sellers list their products or services.
Multichannel Commerce
Multichannel commerce is a strategy where businesses sell products across multiple sales channels, such as physical stores, websites, mobile apps, and social media platforms, to reach a broader audience.
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Omnichannel
A strategy that integrates multiple sales and communication channels to provide a seamless customer experience.
Omnichannel Experience
An omnichannel customer experience is a fully integrated strategy that ensures a seamless and consistent customer journey across all channels, connecting both online and offline touchpoints.
OMS (Order Management System)
A system that tracks orders from placement to delivery, ensuring seamless communication between sales channels, warehouses, and logistics providers.
One-Click Checkout
A streamlined checkout process that allows returning customers to purchase with minimal steps.
Online Storefront
The user-facing website where customers browse and purchase products.
Open Source Models
Open-source AI models promote collaboration and innovation by allowing customization, though they may also introduce potential security and liability risks.
Order Aggregation
The process of combining multiple marketplace orders into one streamlined workflow for easier fulfillment.
Order Dispute Resolution
The process for resolving issues related to product quality, delivery problems, or refunds.
Order Fulfillment
The complete process of receiving, processing, and shipping orders to customers.
Order Lifecycle Management
The end-to-end management of an order from creation to delivery and potential returns.
Order Routing
Automatically directing orders to the most suitable warehouse, fulfillment center, or supplier based on location, stock availability, and delivery timelines.
Order Status Updates
Notifications sent to customers during key stages of the fulfillment process (e.g., order confirmation, shipment dispatch, delivery).
Order Tracking
The process of tracking an order's status from placement to delivery.
P
Payment Gateway
A service that securely processes credit card and digital wallet transactions.
Payment Processor
A company that handles the back-end processing of online transactions.
PCI Compliance
Security standards designed to ensure safe card transactions.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Marketplace
A platform where individual consumers can sell products or services directly to other consumers (e.g., Etsy, eBay).
Picking and Packing
The process of selecting products from warehouse shelves and preparing them for shipment.
PIM (Product Information Management)
A system designed to centralize, manage, and distribute product data across various channels.
PPC (Pay-Per-Click)
A digital advertising model where advertisers pay for each click on their ads.
Privacy Policy
A document that explains how customer data is collected, used, and stored.
Product Bundling
Grouping related products and selling them as a package.
Product Catalog
The complete collection of products offered in an online store.
Product Cloud
A Product Cloud is a SaaS solution designed to manage the entire product lifecycle, ensuring seamless and engaging omnichannel experiences across all customer touchpoints.
Product Data Enrichment
The process of enhancing product information with additional attributes, descriptions, and media.
Product Discovery
Product discovery is the process through which customers find and explore products across various channels or platforms, often guided by search, recommendations, or browsing.
Product Experience
Product experience refers to the interactions a customer has with a product, shaping their overall perception and influencing their customer journey.
Product Experience (PX) Strategy
A product experience strategy focuses on delivering exceptional product interactions across all touchpoints, enhancing customer satisfaction, driving growth, and aligning with organizational objectives.
Product Experience Management (PXM)
Product Experience Management (PXM) is a strategic approach that focuses on managing and enhancing a customer’s experience with a product by delivering engaging, consistent, and personalized product content across multiple channels.
Product Feed
A structured file containing product information that is uploaded to a marketplace.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is a strategic approach that businesses use to manage a product’s entire lifecycle — from initial concept and design to production, distribution, and eventual retirement.
Product Page
A product page is a dedicated web page on an eCommerce site that provides detailed information about a specific product, including its features, price, images, and purchasing options.
Product Template
A pre-defined structure for entering product details in a consistent format.
Product Variants
Different versions of the same product (e.g., color, size).
Prompt Engineering
The skill of prompt engineering involves creating precise, well-structured prompts to effectively guide large language models in producing accurate and desired outputs.
R
Reckless Consumerism
Reckless consumerism refers to excessive and irresponsible purchasing behavior, where people prioritize acquiring products and services without considering the environmental and societal impact.
Refund Process
The procedure for reimbursing customers for returned or defective products.
Remarketing (Retargeting)
Advertising campaigns that target users who previously visited the website.
Resale Markets
Resale markets consist of wholesalers, retailers, distributors, and individuals who purchase products with the intent to resell them to consumers.
Responsive Design
A web design approach that ensures websites function well across different devices.
Retail Channels
Retail channels refer to the various outlets or platforms through which customers purchase products, including physical stores, online marketplaces, mobile apps, and social media platforms.
Retailers
A retailer is a person or business that buys products in bulk from wholesalers or manufacturers and sells them in smaller quantities directly to consumers.
Return Policy
Guidelines that explain how customers can return purchased products.
Return Rate
A return rate is the percentage of purchased products that customers return to the original point of sale.
Revenue Sharing Model
A payment structure in which the platform takes a percentage of each sale made by vendors.
Reverse Logistics
The management of product returns, including inspection, restocking, or disposal.
S
Safety Stock
Extra inventory held to prevent stockouts during unexpected demand spikes.
Seller Portal
A dedicated dashboard where marketplace vendors manage their inventory, pricing, and sales.
Seller Rating System
A feedback mechanism that allows customers to review sellers based on their experiences.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
The process of improving a website’s visibility on search engines.
Session Duration
The average length of time a visitor spends on the site.
Shipping Carrier
A company that handles the transportation of goods (e.g., FedEx, UPS, DHL).
Shipping Zones
Geographic regions that determine shipping costs and delivery times.
Site Search
A website feature that enables users to quickly locate specific content, products, or information by entering queries into a search box.
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
A unique code used to identify individual product variations.
Split Orders
Dividing a customer’s order into shipments from multiple warehouses to speed up delivery.
Stock Replenishment
The process of restocking inventory based on predefined thresholds or sales forecasts.
Supplier Onboarding
The process of establishing new supplier relationships by gathering essential data, streamlining communication, and efficiently managing supplier information.
Suppliers
An individual or company that provides products or services required for another organization’s operations or production processes.
Supply Chain
A network of people, organizations, resources, and processes involved in the production, distribution, and sale of a product or service.
Sustainable Retail
Selling products and services in a way that minimizes environmental harm and maximizes positive social impact.
Syndication
The process of distributing content, products, or data across multiple channels to expand reach, enhance visibility, and engage a broader audience.
T
Taxonomy
A structured system for organizing product data into categories and hierarchies.
Terms of Service (ToS)
Legal agreements that outline the rules for using an e-commerce website.
Third-Party Marketplace
A third-party (3P) marketplace is when a brand sells its products directly to consumers through a retailer’s platform, with the retailer acting as an intermediary.
Tiered Pricing
A strategy where discounts are applied based on order quantity or purchase amount.
Time-to-Market
Time to market (TTM) refers to the period it takes to develop a product, from the initial idea to its availability for sale in the market.
Tokenization
The process of replacing sensitive card information with a secure, random token to prevent fraud.
Tracking Number
A unique identifier for tracking the shipment's progress.
U
UPC (Universal Product Code)
A barcode standard used for tracking products in stores.
Upselling
Encouraging a customer to purchase a higher-end product than the one they are considering.
User Experience (UX)
The overall experience a visitor has when interacting with an e-commerce site.
User Interface (UI)
The visual layout and interactive elements of an e-commerce site.
User-Generated Content (UGC)
Photos, reviews, or videos created by customers to showcase their purchases.
V
Value Chain
A value chain is the series of activities a business undertakes to create and deliver a product or service, from initial conception to when it reaches the customer.
Vendor Onboarding
The process of adding new sellers to the marketplace, including registration, product uploads, and compliance checks.
Voice Search
Voice search is a technology that enables users to search the internet or interact with devices by speaking commands or queries, rather than typing them.
W
Warehouse Quotas
Inventory limits allocated to specific warehouses to manage stock distribution.
Workflow Automation
Automating repetitive data entry, enrichment, or publishing tasks within the PIM system.
