Product Attributes
Product attributes are product characteristics such as color, size, etc. that can be used to add product specifications, improve webstore search, and filter the catalog. Product attributes help customers filter through options and choose products that best match their needs. Using product attributes in your webstore is essential because they can enhance customer experience, increase sales and get your brand noticed in the crowded e-commerce world.
Sana Commerce Cloud allows to use product attributes created in your ERP or PIM system and use them in the webstore. In case your ERP system does not support product attributes, or its functionality is not good enough, or you do not want to use product attributes in your ERP or PIM system for some reason, then you can create product attributes in Sana Admin and use them just in the same way.
Besides, product attributes from your ERP or PIM system and product attributes created in Sana Admin can be used simultaneously in the webstore without causing any issues.
In this article you will learn how to create and manage product attributes in Sana Admin.
Where Can Product Attributes Be Used?
Product attributes can be used for multiple purposes in Sana Commerce Cloud and they play a significant role in your webstore. In the following list, you can see where exactly product attributes can be used:
Filter fields are used to set up facetted filters, sorting and product sets. You can set up facetted filters, sorting and create product sets using the product attributes you created in Sana Admin only when these product attributes are added to the filter fields.
Keywords added to the keyword fields help customers find the necessary products.
Facetted filters are used to set up filtering of products by adding filters to the webstore on the product list and search results pages. Using facetted filters, a customer can filter the products in the webstore, for example by color, size, or brand.
Sort fields are used to set up product sorting which allows customers to change the order of the products shown on the product list and search results pages.
Product specifications are used to add more information to a product and help further refine the catalog.
Product sets are used to group products using filter expressions based on their characteristics or other criteria.
Product groups are used to combine similar products into groups making it much easier for the customers to find the right product.
Product attributes which are created in Sana Admin are marked with the [SANA] tag.
Creating Product Attributes
To create product attributes, in Sana Admin click: Products > Product attributes.
Attributes Tab
On the Attributes tab, you can see the list of already created product attributes. You can create a new product attribute, edit or delete the existing product attributes.
To create a new product attribute, click Add product attribute.
The table below provides the description of the fields necessary to create a product attribute.
|
Field |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Name |
Enter the product attribute name. This name is used only for the internal purposes, and it is not shown anywhere in the webstore. |
|
Title |
Enter the product attribute title. The product attribute title is shown in the webstore. |
|
Category |
Select the product attribute category. If there are no available categories, you can just enter the category name. Once a product attribute is saved, the entered category will be automatically created on the Categories tab. You can create categories on the Categories tab, then you will be able to select them in the Category field while creating product attributes. Categories are used to group product attributes. The product attributes are shown on the product pages in the category they are assigned to. |
|
Value type |
Select the product attribute value type. The following options are available:
To learn more about different value types, see the Product Attribute Value Types section. |
Categories Tab
On the Categories tab, you can create categories that are used to group product attributes.
To create a product category, you just need to enter the name.
The created categories will be available for selection in the Category field when you create a product attribute. If you enter a name of a category which does not exist yet while creating a product attribute, after saving a product attribute, the entered category will be automatically created on the Categories tab.
The product attributes will be shown in the category they are assigned to on the product pages in Sana Admin.
Product Attribute Value Types
When you create a product attribute, you must select the value type. The value type determines in which format the product attribute values will be shown on the product pages. For example, attribute values can be a simple text, integer or decimal number, they can be shown in the dropdown or as a multiple selection.
The following 6 value types are available when you create a product attribute:
-
String – is a sequence of characters which is used to store text.
-
String select – is a dropdown list with values where only one value can be selected.
-
String multiple select – is a list of values which can be selected at once.
-
Boolean – is a value type which stores two possible values: true or false.
-
Integer – is a numeric value type which is used to store whole numbers without decimals.
-
Decimal – is a numeric value type with fixed scale and precision. This value type accepts any number with decimal places.
Adding Attributes to Products
All created product attributes are shown on the Attributes tab on the product pages.
Product attributes are grouped and shown under the categories they are assigned to. If some product attributes are not relevant to your product, just leave them without setting any values, then these product attributes will not be used in the webstore for this product. When all the necessary attribute values are set, save a product.
Now, depending on your needs, you can add product attributes to the filter fields, keyword fields, facetted filters, sort fields, product specifications and product sets, and use these product attributes in the webstore. Once product attributes are added everywhere you need, run the Product import scheduled task.
Also, you need to run the Product import task when you change the product attribute, change the product attribute value on the product page or add it to a different product, when you remove product attributes from any fields in Sana Admin.
Product Attributes Translations
Sana Commerce Cloud is a multi-lingual e-commerce solution. By default, a Sana webstore is available in English, but we also deliver the language packs which can be installed with a single button click from Sana Apps.
The Sana language packs contain the default webstore interface texts, error and validation messages and system e-mails in the language of your choice. The language packs also allow you to translate your webstore content to different languages.
To translate the product attribute, find the product attribute that you want to translate on the Product attributes page and click Edit 
. Then select the necessary language from the list in the header of Sana Admin.
You can translate the title of any product attribute.
If you have product attributes of the String multiple select and String select value types, you can also provide translations to the product attribute values.
The product attributes of the String value type can be translated from the product page.
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