What is Reference Manager and When to Use It?
General

How to bulk edit Shopify products

Introduction

Managing product data is a major challenge for Shopify store owners, particularly when working with large catalogs. Customizing your store effectively is essential for standing out in a competitive marketplace. Accentuate Custom Fields’ new Reference Manager is the solution for bulk editing and Metaobject management

 

This powerful tool allows merchants to save time by applying changes to multiple products simultaneously, enhancing both the speed and accuracy of your store's updates. Whether you're updating additional product descriptions, adding size charts, or linking important data, Reference Manager streamlines your workflow and improves overall efficiency. 

 

Additionally, it’s designed with a simple and intuitive interface, so you can start using Reference Manager even if you’re not a tech expert.

 

In this post, we’ll explore what Reference Manager is, why it’s important for your store, and how it can simplify your product management process.

 

What is Reference Manager?

Reference Manager allows you to bulk apply product, collectio, or Metaobject references across multiple products at once. 

 

Instead of manually updating product information one by one, you can make mass changes in just a few clicks applying consistent data across your entire Shopify store. Whether you’re adding recommended products, upsell content, SEO-optimized product specifications, or Metaobjects like size charts, care instructions, or FAQs, Reference Manager simplifies the process for any catalog size.

 

This tool is particularly valuable for merchants with large product catalogs or those who need to update product data frequently, such as during sales campaigns, seasonal changes, or product launches. Reference Manager enables you to bulk edit Metaobjects and custom fields, allowing you to apply updates quickly and accurately. 

 

What truly sets Reference Manager apart is that even Shopify has not yet introduced a feature like this. This makes it a one-of-a-kind tool for managing product data and improving overall Shopify store customization. With its ability to streamline the bulk editing process, Reference Manager not only saves you time but also ensures your product information is always accurate and up-to-date.

 

For any Shopify merchant looking to stay ahead of the curve, Reference Manager is an indispensable tool for managing Metaobject references and maintaining well-organized data.

 

When to use Reference Manager?

Here are some examples of when Reference Manager can come in handy: 

 

1. Campaign and Seasonal Updates 

    Seasonal events often require a store refresh - updating product pages and promotions that align with the season. For example, during Halloween, merchants may offer limited-time products or spooky themes for their Halloween sales. With Reference Manager, you can quickly apply a Halloween Metaobject to all relevant products, updating their details to include festive keywords, and even connecting festive collections promoting upsells - all in one go.

    Major campaigns, like Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM), or a summer sale demand fast and accurate updates. Instead of manually adjusting products one by one, use Reference Manager to apply promotional information across many products at once.

    For instance, for Christmas, you can update product pages with holiday gift ideas, holiday packaging options, or new product arrivals.

     

    2. Bulk Assign Relevant Information

      Keeping your product data consistent across your store not only improves your Shopify store design but also ensures your marketing efforts are reflected on product pages.

      For example, if you are managing a clothing store there are a lot of moving parts. You might be selling apparel for men, women, and children. Each has different size charts, materials, dimensions, and care instructions. Reference Manager allows you to bulk-apply specific information for each in one go. This bulk action ensures that all products display the correct sizing information, helping to improve customer experience and Shopify SEO.

       

      3. Product Launches

        When launching new products, you should provide product specifications, warranty information, and setup guides for a smooth rollout. For example, if you’re introducing a new line of electronics - such as smartphones, tablets, and accessories - each product will need specific technical details, warranty terms, and user manuals. With Reference Manager, you can bulk assign the correct Metaobject references easily.

        For instance, a smartphone might require detailed battery life specs and a quick start guide, while accessories like chargers or cases need only compatibility information. By using Reference Manager, you ensure that all products have the right data linked, improving the customer experience and minimizing support requests. This strategy not only helps organize your Shopify store but also boosts Shopify SEO by ensuring that product listings are rich with relevant, searchable information.

         

        What’s next?

        We’re just getting started! In the coming updates, we’ll be expanding Reference Manager’s capabilities. Soon, you’ll be able to use Reference Manager for a wider range of functions and it will allow you to apply references to even more areas. As we roll out these new features, we’ll keep you posted so you can continue to make the most of this tool.

         

        Also, you can check out our step-by-step guide on how to use Reference Manager.

         

        Read our guide here

         

        Ready to try it?

        Reference Manager is available now, and we encourage you to give it a go! This is just the beginning of how we’re simplifying bulk editing for you.

         

        Stay tuned for more updates, and happy bulk editing!

         

        Get started with Accentuate Custom Fields

         

        FAQ

        1. What is Reference Manager?
          Reference Manager is a tool within Accentuate Custom Fields that allows Shopify merchants to apply Metaobject references across multiple products in bulk, streamlining the process of updating product descriptions, specifications, size charts, and more.

        2. How can Reference Manager help with seasonal updates?
          During seasonal events like Halloween or Christmas, Reference Manager allows you to quickly update product pages with festive details, promotions, and upsell recommendations, ensuring your store reflects seasonal trends efficiently.

        3. Can I bulk update multiple product details at once?
          Yes, Reference Manager simplifies bulk editing by allowing you to apply changes to multiple products simultaneously. This is especially helpful for large catalogs or during campaigns like Black Friday or seasonal sales.

        4. Does Reference Manager support bulk updating for upselling products
          Yes, you can bulk apply product references for upselling related products across multiple listings, which is great for driving more sales with minimal effort.

        5. How does Reference Manager improve Shopify SEO?
          By bulk-adding relevant product information - like specifications, FAQs, or care instructions - you can increase keyword density and ensure your product pages are rich in searchable content, improving your store’s SEO.

        6. Is Reference Manager difficult to use?
          No, Reference Manager has a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both technical and non-technical users. You can start applying updates to your store with minimal effort.