> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://localtechnologiesinc.mintlify.site/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Product Best Practices Getting your products into the system is only the first step. How you set them up has a direct impact on whether customers find your store, trust what they see, and decide to buy. This guide covers the habits and strategies that consistently lead to better-performing product listings. *** ## 1. Write Product Names Customers Actually Search For Your product name is the first thing both the search engine and customers see. Vague or internal names make products invisible. **The formula:** `[Key Attribute] + [Product Type] + [Size or Variety]` | Instead of | Use | | ---------- | --------------------------------------- | | `Honey 1` | `Local Raw Wildflower Honey — 375g Jar` | | `Loaf` | `Stone-Ground Sourdough Loaf` | | `Eggs pkg` | `Free-Range Brown Eggs — 12 Pack` | | `Jam new` | `Small-Batch Blueberry Jam 250mL` | Clear names also reduce customer support questions — people know exactly what they're ordering before they buy. *** ## 2. Never Skip the Description Products without descriptions convert significantly worse than products that have them, even if the description is just two or three sentences. A good description answers the question: *"Why should I buy this instead of something else?"* **A simple three-sentence structure that works:** 1. What it is and its key quality 2. Where it comes from or how it's made 3. How to use or enjoy it **Example:** > "Our cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil is harvested from a small family grove in the Okanagan Valley. Pressed within hours of harvest, it delivers a fresh, peppery finish that's ideal for dressings, dips, and finishing dishes. Available in a 500mL bottle." Use the **AI description generator** to get a starting draft — then personalise it with specific details only you know, like the farm name, a production note, or a taste description. *** ## 3. Use a High-Quality Photo for Every Product Customers cannot touch, smell, or taste your product before buying. Your photo is doing all of that work. **What makes a good product photo:** * **Clean background** — white or light neutral works best. Avoid busy or dark backgrounds. * **Good lighting** — natural light near a window or a simple lightbox both work well. Avoid harsh overhead lights that create shadows. * **The right crop** — your product should fill most of the frame. Don't leave large empty areas around it. * **Shows quantity** — if selling a bundle or bag, include enough context that the size is clear. * **One product per photo** — the main image should feature the single product being listed, not a whole spread. Even a well-lit smartphone photo on a clean white surface outperforms a blurry or dark studio photo. Consistency across your catalog also matters — a cohesive look builds trust. Products with placeholder images get significantly less engagement. Update every product with a photo before publishing. *** ## 4. Price Accurately and Strategically Customers on Local Pass are comparing your products against others in the same category. Pricing that reflects value — not just cost — performs better. **Practical pricing tips:** * **Use round or psychological price points.** `$4.99` tends to outperform `$5.00`, and `$12.50` outperforms `$13.00` when the quality difference isn't obvious. * **Set a promotion price for older inventory.** Use the sale price field to clear out products nearing the end of their season or shelf life rather than leaving them at full price while stock sits. * **Update pricing seasonally.** If your product price changes with supply (e.g., fresh produce), update it regularly so customers aren't surprised. * **Use the Soon-to-Go flag as a soft pricing signal.** Rather than heavy discounting, the "soon to go" badge creates urgency that can move products at full or near-full price. *** ## 5. Pick the Right Category (and Keep It Honest) The category determines where your product appears in marketplace browsing and search filtering. Choosing an inaccurate category to get more visibility backfires — customers who find your product in the wrong section are less likely to buy. **Tips:** * Browse the category list before adding products so you know what's available * If two categories seem to fit, choose the more specific one * Use the subcategory to add specificity — it helps customers narrow down within a large category * If your product genuinely doesn't fit any existing category, contact Local Pass to request one — it's the right long-term solution *** ## 6. Add Keywords That Customers Actually Use The **Search Keywords** field is one of the most overlooked parts of the product form, and one of the most impactful. **Add keywords for:** * **Synonyms** — if you sell "cheddar," add `cheese` as a keyword * **Common uses** — `salad dressing`, `baking`, `snack` * **Attributes** — `organic`, `local`, `raw`, `artisan`, `cold-pressed` * **Regional or cultural names** — if your product has a common name variation, include it * **What it goes with** — `pairs with pasta`, `great for grilling` **What not to do:** Don't stuff keywords with unrelated terms to game search. It creates a poor customer experience and can lead to your listing being deprioritised. *** ## 7. Keep Stock Levels Up to Date Nothing frustrates a customer more than ordering a product and then finding out it's out of stock. Accurate stock numbers also help you: * See which products are moving fastest * Know when to replenish before running out * Use the low-stock alerts (red indicators at ≤5 units) as a proactive trigger **Practical habits:** * Update stock after every market or fulfillment run * Use the **bulk stock update** on the Inventory page to adjust multiple products at once — faster than editing one by one * Set stock to `0` for products you've temporarily run out of, rather than archiving them (unless they're permanently discontinued) *** ## 8. Use Dietary Labels — Even When It Feels Obvious Customers filter by dietary labels when browsing. If your product qualifies for a label and you haven't added it, those customers simply won't see your product in their filtered results. **If your product is organic, vegan, gluten-free, halal, or any other labelled category — add those labels.** It takes 30 seconds and can meaningfully increase the number of customers who find you. *** ## 9. Declare Allergens — It's Non-Negotiable Failing to list allergens isn't just a missed opportunity — it's a safety issue. Customers with food allergies rely on allergen information to make safe purchasing decisions. **If your product contains, or is produced in a facility that handles, any of the following — declare it:** * Tree nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc.) * Peanuts * Dairy / milk * Eggs * Wheat / gluten * Soy * Fish * Shellfish * Sesame When in doubt, err on the side of disclosure. *** ## 10. Use Featured and Soon-to-Go Flags Sparingly Both of these flags work best when they're rare. * **Featured:** If every product is featured, none of them are. Keep this to a handful of your absolute best or most representative products. Rotate it seasonally. * **Soon-to-Go:** This is most effective for genuinely limited items — end-of-season produce, final batches, or a recipe being retired. Using it too broadly trains customers to ignore it. *** ## 11. Publish in Batches, Not All at Once When you're setting up your store for the first time — especially after a bulk import — resist the urge to publish everything at once. **A better approach:** 1. Publish your **10–15 strongest, most complete products** first (best photos, full descriptions, accurate pricing) 2. Review how they look on your storefront from the customer's perspective 3. Continue publishing the rest in waves as you refine each listing This gives you a chance to catch issues — a wrong photo, a missing description, an incorrect price — before they're live to your entire customer base. *** ## 12. Review Your Catalog Regularly A product catalog is not a set-and-forget asset. Set a recurring reminder to: * Update prices when your costs change * Refresh seasonal product descriptions and photos * Archive products that are permanently discontinued * Remove or update products with photos that no longer match what you're selling * Add new search keywords based on how customers are actually finding you A clean, up-to-date catalog builds trust. Customers who find accurate, current information are more likely to become repeat buyers. *** ## Quick Checklist Before Publishing Any Product Use this before clicking Publish on any new product: * Product name is clear and search-friendly * Description is written (at least 2 sentences) * Regular price is correct * Unit and measurement are set (so the price makes sense) * A real photo is uploaded (not a placeholder) * Category and subcategory are correct * Stock level is accurate * Dietary labels are applied (if applicable) * Allergens are declared (if applicable) * At least 3 search keywords are added * Sales model is set (Retail / Wholesale / Both) * Shipping settings are configured If every item on this list is checked, your product is ready to go live.