Auto parts catalogs are a necessity in the digital automotive aftermarket industry. However, auto parts catalogs can also be a huge pain because the information they contain can often become out of date very quickly. Unlike other items purchased over the internet, Auto parts need to be verified for fitment. Customers want to know whether a component or accessory will fit their car and meet their specific requirements.

As a result, fitting data comprises various elements such as the vehicle’s year, make, and model. It also includes additional relevant information about the component, such as trim, submodel, transmission type (automatics or manuals), engine type (diesel or gasoline), body style (sedan or wagon), and so on.

This is critical because automobile parts are highly compatible with a wide range of vehicles. As a result, fitment data is a method of determining compatibility. However, to do so, it must be clean, precise, thorough, and up-to-date. It should also be stated that this information doesn’t just include the brand but all other available aftermarket goods that are suitable for any car.

Automobile companies will utilize an eCommerce catalog to make this information available to their customers. Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and all others working in the automotive aftermarket sector may use these catalogs to sell their goods, create their websites, store their products, and promote themselves above the competition.

In this article, we will discuss what auto retailers need to do in order to keep their auto parts catalogs clean, current, and up-to-date.

What Exactly is Fitment Data?

Fitment data is the information used to determine whether or not a particular auto part will fit on a certain make and model of car. This data is usually found in an auto parts catalog, and it can be used to help auto part retailers determine which parts to carry in their inventory.

Fitment data is important because it helps ensure that customers get the right parts for their vehicles. It also helps prevent returns and refunds, which can save businesses money. In addition, fitment data can help auto part retailers stay up-to-date with changing vehicle models and specifications.

However, fitment data can become obsolete over time. As new models are released, and old ones are discontinued, the fitment data associated with them become out of date. This can cause problems for auto part retailers, as they may sell parts that don’t fit certain vehicles. Auto part retailers need to keep their catalogs clean and up-to-date to avoid this.

Why Keep Auto Part Catalogs Current?

For auto parts retailers, auto part catalogs are the key to their business. Because auto parts have a short lifespan (they become obsolete very quickly), they need to keep their fitment data up-to-date. If they don’t do that, they will run into serious problems regarding their customers and their sales. These problems can be so severe as to put them out of business entirely.

One common issue is that a customer might order an auto part that’s too large or too small for their car. Another problem is that a customer might order an auto part that doesn’t quite match the make or model of their vehicle. The result will be a disappointed customer who will have to return the auto part in either case. It’s also very possible for auto parts retailers to lose their customers entirely, as customers will usually not buy from the same auto parts retailer twice if they had a bad experience with them.

Another issue auto parts retailers face is that auto manufacturers and auto part manufacturers produce new auto part models, discontinue old auto parts, or make changes to their existing auto parts.

If they don’t keep these changes updated in their system, it can lead to many problems. First off, orders will be canceled because the manufacturer or supplier no longer carries the auto part they ordered. This can also cause an order backlog and a large number of returns. It also causes customers to have negative experiences at your store.

Not only does this negatively affect customer retention rates, but it also reduces sales for you now and in the future since those customers are more likely not to buy from your store again after a bad experience with them.

In the auto parts industry, auto manufacturers and auto part manufacturers update their vehicle fitment data at least once a year. If an auto parts retailer doesn’t keep up-to-date with those changes, they will have issues with order fulfillment rates as well as customer retention rates.

How To Keep Your Auto Part Catalog Current

One of the most important aspects of maintaining an auto part online catalog is keeping it clean and up-to-date. This means regularly updating your product data to ensure that it reflects the latest products, applications, and fitment information.

Fitment data is a critical part of any auto parts catalog. It ensures that customers can find the right parts for their vehicles and that those parts will fit properly. When this data becomes obsolete or inaccurate, it can lead to all sorts of problems for retailers – from missed sales opportunities to incorrect orders being shipped out.

Fortunately, there are several things online retailers can do to keep their auto parts catalogs current:

• Keep auto parts catalog updated with manufacturer data
• Regularly clean the auto part fitment datasets
• Manage auto parts catalog data in real-time
• Use auto parts catalog software that automates the data management process

By following these tips, online retailers can keep their auto parts catalogs current and avoid any negative consequences that come with inaccurate data.

How Evokat Premier Can Help

A truly professional auto part catalog management system would be able to provide everything we’ve discussed thus far, as well as others. This is where Evokat Premier comes in. It’s a very flexible tool that enables you to manage all diverse demands from a single location while also providing highly configurable authoring and reporting capabilities. To put it another way, Evokat Premier will give you incredibly configurable authoring and reporting features, as well as a user-friendly interface that is consistent with ACES, PIES, and their databases.

Evokat Premier is a Software as a Service (SaaS) aftermarket catalog software, which means you may access and manage your automobile catalog applications data from any place with an internet connection. Because it’s cloud-based, you won’t have to buy any hardware or software to use it. The system also includes security enhancements and branding flexibility for selling your items in various marketplaces while maintaining the same brand.

If you work in the auto aftermarket industry, keeping your fitment data up to date is practically unavoidable. Aftermarket ACES and PIES software are required to maintain that level of consistency. It will also allow you to increase your speed to market, lower product returns, and boost monthly sales.

The auto aftermarket industry has a great deal of fitment data, which can easily become out of date. However, by using the right auto parts catalogs software, you’ll be able to keep your auto part catalog clean and up-to-date with little effort. By doing so, you’ll ensure that your products are always available when customers need them; as a result, they will return again and again. When this happens over time, it becomes easier to predict what is required in terms of inventory management because there is less guesswork involved on both sides of the transaction.