Listing Products in the Right Category, Why It Matters More Than You Think
Listing products in the right category is a very essential part of every online listing. Let’s look at why they matters.
When selling a product online, it’s essential to have beautiful and catchy pictures of your products, likewise listing them on the right category to be visible. Whether you are selling on Jumia, Nairapage, Konga, jiji, or your own website, choosing the right category makes a big difference.
Many sellers make the mistake of putting their products in the wrong place, and this can cost them sales, visibility, and even customer trust.
screenshoot of jiji listing categories
Here we will look closely the benefits of listing products correctly, common mistakes online vendors make, and how to do it properly.
But before we get to it, lets understand what product categories are and what the fuzz is all about.
What Is a Product Category?
A product category is the group or section where your product belongs in an online listing, ecommerce websites or online marketplace.
For example:
- A mobile phone should go under “Electronics > Mobile Phones”
- A pair of sneakers should go under “Fashion > Footwear > Men’s Shoes” (or Women’s, depending on the product)
- A blender should go under “Home Appliances > Kitchen Appliances”
It simply means picking a right section that matches your listing so buyers can find your product or service easily.
Benefits of Listing Products in the Right Category
It’s important to understand that online shoppers have short attention span, hence they use keywords to search for what they want to buy. As a seller being able to use those keywords rightly, and listing your products accurately will effectively give your business:
1. More Visibility
When you list in the correct category, your product shows up when buyers search or browse. People who are looking for similar items are more likely to see it.
2. Better Search Results
Online platforms use filters to help buyers narrow their search. If your product is in the right category, it appears when people filter by product type. If it’s in the wrong category, it may never show up.
3. Increased Sales
When buyers find your product quickly and easily, they are more likely to buy. A well-placed product is one step closer to being sold.
4. Customer Trust
If a buyer sees a phone listed under “Toys,” they may not trust your store. It looks unprofessional and careless. Listing in the right category shows that you know what you’re doing.
5. Platform Approval and Avoiding Penalties
Some platforms may remove your listing or suspend your account if you continue to post products in the wrong categories. They expect sellers to follow proper guidelines.
Common Mistakes Sellers Make
some of the mistakes sellers make when listing their products online are:
- Choosing a Category Based on Popularity: Some sellers choose popular categories just to get more views, even if their product doesn’t belong there. This can lead to fewer sales and confused buyers.
- Guessing the Category: Instead of checking properly, many sellers just guess where the product should go. This leads to wrong listings.
- Ignoring Sub-Categories: Main categories are helpful, but sub-categories are even more important. For example, putting “T-shirt” under “Fashion” is not enough. It should be “Fashion > Men’s Clothing > T-shirts” or “Fashion > Women’s Clothing > T-shirts.”
Having understood the common mistakes when choosing a category in online listing, let’s get to how you can properly give your products a right category.
How to List Your Products In the Right Category
- Know Your Product Well
Before listing, understand what your product is, what it does, and who it is for. This will help you pick the best category.
- Check Similar Listings
Search for similar products on the platform. Look at how top sellers list theirs. This can give you a clue about the correct category.
- Use the Platform’s Category Guide
Most eCommerce and listing platforms like our have a category tree or listing guide. Use it. Don’t guess. Read through the available options and follow the instructions.
- Be Specific
Always choose the most specific category available. Don’t stop at a broad category when a better sub-category exists.
For example:
You shouldn’t pick “Home Appliances”
When you can use: “Home Appliances > Kitchen Appliances > Blenders”
- Use the Right Keywords
Sometimes, the category search tool lets you type a keyword to find suggestions. Use clear and direct keywords to help the system show correct categories.
- Ask Support (If Not Sure)
If you’re confused, reach out to the platform’s seller support team. It’s better to ask than to make a mistake.
Real life Examples:
Imagine a seller who wants to list a children’s toy drone. If they list it under “Electronics > Phones”, they are likely won’t be visible because people visiting that category are obviously looking to buy phones not kids toy
The right way to post is “Toys & Games > Remote Control Toys > Drones”. This enables your product to be found when people search for it.
Do, it is important to list on the right category so as to get the desired categories.
Conclusion
Listing a product in the right category is not hard, but it takes a little attention and care. It’s like putting goods on the correct shelf in a supermarket. If you throw everything in the wrong place, people won’t find what they need, and you won’t make sales. But if you take the time to place your products where they belong, customers will come, browse, and buy.
So, whether you are new to online selling or already experienced, always make sure your product is in the right place. It can make a big difference for your business.
