Product Seeding (Stores) on ExpertVoice

Overview

Your product seeding experience on ExpertVoice is a key component of your brand experience for engaged experts. Keep in mind when determining the functionality of your store on ExpertVoice that any goals related to product sales or product seeding will be directly impacted. Choose the best commerce option that you can facilitate to create the best user experience possible and achieve your brand goals.

There are three options for a store experience on ExpertVoice, with the option of an add-on:

1. Managed-service hosted store
2. Managed-service redirect store (set-up of Product Catalog recommended)
3. Brand-managed redirect store (set-up of Product Catalog recommended)

Notes:

• To collect reviews on ExpertVoice: Only available for hosted store or redirect store option with the add-on of a Product Catalog
• To syndicate reviews to the Recommendation Display: Only available for hosted store or redirect store option with the add-on of a Product Catalog
• For products to appear in ExpertVoice search: Only available for hosted store or redirect store option with the add-on of a Product Catalog

Managed-service hosted store

Your entire e-commerce experience for experts purchasing from your brand on ExpertVoice is hosted & maintained on ExpertVoice.com. This includes all aspects of a store, including:

• Product search (Products are organized using the ExpertVoice taxonomy system to allow for a quick, smooth search and checkout experience)
• Product descriptions
• Photos
• Specifications
• Ability to collect and syndicate product reviews
• Checkout process

Brand Requirements

• Brand contact who will manage implementation with ExpertVoice for store setup and maintenance, inventory management, and order processing
• Regularly keep ExpertVoice Excel store file up to date with current products and pricing (working back and forth with ExpertVoice teams to ensure regular updates)
  
  • If your brand is on Shopify, ExpertVoice will be able to pull your current product assortment on the initial build and, when prompted after launch, based on product updates
• Media Library or file share containing product images
  • If your brand is on Shopify, ExpertVoice will be able to pull from there
• Regular upload of an inventory file through ExpertVoice Admin or via FTP (CSV or EDI files)
• Order processing is executed through EDI, CSV Export through ExpertVoice Admin, or manually
• Order guidelines form with defined shipping costs, order rules/limits, and purchasing guidelines (provided by ExpertVoice)

Managed-service redirect store

With the support of ExpertVoice to set up, utilize your existing e-commerce experience to support your ExpertVoice solution. Once an expert engages with your brand on ExpertVoice, send them directly to your dedicated e-commerce store to shop and purchase. Some of the benefits of connecting to your existing redirect store can include:

• Consistent checkout process for all purchasers of your product(s)
• The efficiency of managing your inventory and processing orders in the same place
• Accessing shopping activity and order information in the same place as your other e-commerce program(s)

Brand Requirements

• Brand contact who will manage implementation with ExpertVoice for store setup, maintenance and troubleshooting issues
• Tracking pixel set-up (JS Snippet added to your brand's e-commerce site)
• Financial reporting of ExpertVoice sales is required until the pixel is validated (can take several months until the pixel is working properly)
• URL of where members should be redirected to when sent from ExpertVoice to your brand's website 
• Execution of discount applying to members' orders with one of the following options:
  • Single-use unique coupon codes provided by you.
    • Requires future codes to be made when codes run out on ExpertVoice.
  • Referral link (src codes/discount groups)

Brand-managed redirect store

Take ownership and set up your own redirect store on ExpertVoice.com through the Campaign Manager.  Utilize your existing e-commerce experience to support your ExpertVoice solution.  Once an expert engages with your brand on ExpertVoice, send them directly to your dedicated e-commerce store to shop and purchase. Some of the benefits of connecting to your existing redirect store can include:

• Consistent checkout process for all purchasers of your product(s)
• The efficiency of managing your inventory and processing orders in the same place
• Accessing shopping activity and order information in the same place as your other e-commerce program(s)

Note: For a brand-managed redirect store, codes must be used to facilitate the shopping experience for ExpertVoice experts shopping on your e-commerce site. The referral link option is only available through a managed-service redirect store.

Brand Requirements

• Confirm with your Account Executive that your subscription supports the use of the Campaign Manager
• Brand contact who will manage implementation with ExpertVoice for store setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting issues
• Tracking pixel set-up (JS Snippet added to your brand's e-commerce site)
• Financial reporting of ExpertVoice sales is required until the pixel is validated (can take several months until the pixel is working properly)
• Set up the incentive in the ExpertVoice Advocacy Platform
  
  • Requires five steps to set up and publish when you are ready
• Create and upload a bank of single-use unique coupon codes to apply the discount at checkout
  • Requires future codes to be made when codes run out on ExpertVoice

Product catalog for redirect stores

With the add-on of a product catalog to your redirect store experience, experts who engage with your brand on ExpertVoice will be able to search for and shop your products on ExpertVoice, and then will be redirected to your e-commerce site when they are ready to purchase.  This makes for a more convenient shopping experience for the experts and benefits your brand experience with the following:

• Product search (Products are organized using the ExpertVoice taxonomy system to allow for a quick, smooth search and checkout experience)
• Product descriptions
• Photos 
• Specifications
• Ability to collect and syndicate product reviews

We have found that this add-on to your redirect solution is the most beneficial option for brands and experts.

Note: If you are using the Brand-managed redirect store option and setting up your own redirect store, you will need to work directly with ExpertVoice for the product catalog add-on

Brand Requirements

• Confirm with your Account Executive that this product is in your current contract
• Regularly keep ExpertVoice Excel store file up to date with current products and pricing (working back and forth with ExpertVoice teams to ensure regular updates)
• If your brand is on Shopify, ExpertVoice will be able to pull your current product assortment on the initial build and, when prompted after launch, based on product updates
• Media Library or file share containing product images
  • If your brand is on Shopify, ExpertVoice will be able to pull from there

Similar articles

• Learn more about managing inventory
• Learn more about processing orders