E-commerce
When to use Catalog Maker vs. Platform Sync, and how to highlight hero products.
Why Catalog Maker matters for e-commerce
If you run a Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, or Amazon store, E-commerce Integration auto-syncs your full product catalog. So when should you use Catalog Maker?
Catalog Maker fills the gaps: hero product spotlights, seasonal collections not in your store, bundles, services alongside products, and team stories that e-commerce sync doesn't handle.
| Scenario | Use |
|---|---|
| Full product catalog sync | E-commerce Integration |
| Highlighting 5–10 hero products | Catalog Maker |
| Seasonal collections | Catalog Maker + Treat as Event |
| Bundles not in your store | Catalog Maker |
| Services alongside products | Catalog Maker |
| Team stories, behind-the-scenes | Catalog Maker |
Primary use case
What to catalog: Hero products you want extra attention on (Product), seasonal collections (Event), team and brand stories (Person, Behind the Scenes), and services not in your e-commerce platform.
Key features: Product tag with pricing fields, External Link to product pages, Treat as Event for launches and sales, Promo Code Message for discount codes.
Example catalog
Sage Linen Tote Bag
Hero product. Price: $34. Compare-at: "Was $42." Promo: INSTA15. External link to product page.
Summer Collection 2026
Treat as Event: June 1. Lead-up: 14 days. multiple images selected: 6 product shots.
Meet the Maker: Portland Studio Tour
Video of workshop, materials, process.
Gift Bundles – Holiday 2026
Treat as Event: Nov 15–Dec 25. Bundles not in Shopify.
Free Shipping Over $50
Ongoing promotion, always active.
Customer Review – The Sage Tote
Linked collateral: screenshot of 5-star review.
Media recommendations
- multiple images selected for products — lifestyle shots, flat lays, detail close-ups, scale/size reference.
- Picture Collage for collections — show 4-6 products in one post.
- Ken Burns Effect for product photography you want as Reels.
- Use your own product photography, not stock images.
Collateral strategy
- Upload brand story and founder bio documents
- Link product spec sheets and care instructions to items
- Upload customer reviews and testimonials
- Upload behind-the-scenes workshop/studio photos
Example week of posts
With this catalog setup, your AI Manager creates:
Sage Linen Tote: back in stock, on sale, use code INSTA15
Behind the scenes: how we hand-stitch each tote in Portland
Customer review: why Sarah loves her Sage Tote
Summer Collection preview: 14 days until launch
Pro Tips
- •Use Catalog Maker for hero products even if E-commerce Integration syncs your full catalog — it gives your AI Manager extra context for better posts.
- •Fill in all commercial fields (price, compare-at, promo code, external link) for conversion-focused posts.
- •Use Treat as Event for product launches and seasonal sales so timing is automatic.
- •Don’t catalog every product — that’s what E-commerce Integration is for. Catalog the 5–10 you want featured most.
Common Questions