Documentation

Installation

Installing Smart Category Automation & Merchandising takes just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps to get started:

1. Install from BigCommerce App Store

   Navigate to the BigCommerce App Store and search for "Category Automation". Click the "Install" button to begin the installation process.

2. Authorize the Application

   You'll be redirected to authorize the app. Review the permissions and click "Confirm" to grant access to your store data.

3. Complete Initial Setup

   After authorization, you'll be guided through a quick setup wizard where you can configure your preferences and import your existing catalog.

4. Start Your Free Trial

   Your 3-day free trial begins automatically. No credit card required. You'll have full access to all features during the trial period.

Quick Start Guide

Get up and running with these essential first steps:

Understanding the Dashboard

Your dashboard provides a real-time overview of your automation performance:

Navigation Overview

• Dashboard: Your central command center for monitoring and quick actions
• Rules: Create and manage automation rules
• Merchandising: Visual product arrangement and pinning
• Analytics: Detailed performance reports and insights
• Settings: Configure app preferences and integrations

Creating Your First Rule

Let's create a simple rule to automatically categorize products. This example will move all products priced above $100 to a "Premium" category.

1. Navigate to Rules

   Click on "Rules" in the main navigation, then click the "Create New Rule" button.

2. Name Your Rule

   Give your rule a descriptive name like "Premium Products Categorization".

3. Set Conditions

   Add a condition: Field: "Price" | Operator: "Greater than" | Value: "100"

4. Define Actions

   Set the action: "Add to Category" | Select: "Premium Products"

5. Preview & Save

   Click "Preview" to see affected products, then "Save & Activate" to enable the rule.

Rules Engine

The rules engine is the heart of Smart Category Automation. It processes your conditions and executes actions automatically.

Rule Components

1. Triggers

• Manual: Execute rules on-demand
• Scheduled: Run at specific times (hourly, daily, weekly)
• Real-time: Trigger on product changes via webhooks

2. Conditions

Build complex logic using AND/OR operators:

IF (Price > 50 AND Stock > 10) OR (Category = "Featured")
THEN Add to "Best Sellers"

3. Actions

• Add to category
• Remove from category
• Update product fields
• Set merchandising position
• Apply tags
• Send notifications

Rule Priority

Rules are executed in priority order (1 being highest). When multiple rules affect the same product, priority determines execution order.

Conditions & Operators

Available Fields

You can create conditions based on any product field in your BigCommerce catalog:

Operator Reference

Text Operators

• equals - Exact match
• not equals - Does not match
• contains - Contains substring
• starts with - Begins with text
• ends with - Ends with text
• matches regex - Regular expression match
• is empty - Field has no value

Numeric Operators

• equals - Exact numeric match
• greater than - Value is higher
• less than - Value is lower
• between - Within range (inclusive)
• in list - Matches any value in list

Date Operators

• before - Earlier than date
• after - Later than date
• between - Within date range
• in last X days - Recent timeframe
• older than X days - Age threshold

Visual Merchandising

Take full control of your product presentation with our visual merchandising tools.

Key Features

Drag & Drop Interface

Rearrange products with simple drag and drop. Changes are saved automatically and sync instantly with your store.

Product Pinning

• Pin to Top: Keep bestsellers or featured items at the beginning
• Pin to Position: Lock products to specific positions (e.g., position 3, 5, 10)
• Pin to Bottom: Place clearance or low-priority items at the end

Boost & Bury

Adjust product positions without pinning:

• Boost: Move products up by X positions
• Bury: Move products down by X positions
• Smart Boost: Suggests optimal positions based on performance

Merchandising Strategies

1. Hero Products: Pin top 3-5 bestsellers to first positions
2. New Arrivals: Boost new products for 30 days after launch
3. Inventory Management: Bury low-stock items to prevent overselling
4. Seasonal Rotation: Schedule position changes for seasonal products

Multi-Channel Setup

Manage multiple storefronts and channels from a single dashboard.

Channel Configuration

1. Add Channel

   Go to Settings > Channels and click "Add Channel". Select your BigCommerce channel from the list.

2. Configure Rules

   Create channel-specific rules or apply global rules to multiple channels.

3. Set Merchandising

   Each channel can have unique product arrangements and pinning.

Channel Features

Performance Optimization

Rule Optimization

• Use Specific Conditions First: SKU or ID matches before broad text searches
• Limit Rule Scope: Add category filters to reduce products evaluated
• Batch Similar Rules: Combine related rules when possible
• Schedule Wisely: Run intensive rules during off-peak hours

Best Practices

1. Test in Preview Mode: Always preview rule effects before activation
2. Start Small: Begin with a subset of products, then expand
3. Monitor Execution Time: Check analytics for slow-running rules
4. Use Caching: Enable result caching for frequently accessed data
5. Regular Cleanup: Archive or delete unused rules

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Rules Not Executing

• Check rule status - ensure it's active
• Verify conditions match existing products
• Review execution logs for errors
• Confirm API permissions are correct

Sync Issues

• Check BigCommerce API status
• Verify webhook configuration
• Force manual sync from Settings
• Clear cache and retry

Performance Problems

• Reduce rule complexity
• Stagger scheduled executions
• Enable incremental processing
• Contact support for optimization review

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

How long does initial setup take?

Installation takes 2-3 minutes. Initial catalog sync depends on size but typically completes within 5-10 minutes for most stores.

Can I test rules before applying them?

Yes! Every rule has a preview mode that shows exactly which products will be affected without making any changes.

Is there a limit on the number of rules?

Starter plans support 10 rules, Professional plans support up to 50 rules, and Enterprise plans have unlimited rules and advanced features.

How often do rules execute?

You control execution frequency: manual, real-time via webhooks, or scheduled (hourly, daily, weekly, custom).

Technical Questions

Does the app work with variants?

Yes, you can create rules based on variant attributes like size, color, and custom options.

Can I export/import rules?

Yes, rules can be exported as JSON for backup or migration between stores.

How are conflicts handled?

When multiple rules affect the same product, priority determines execution order. Higher priority rules execute first.