What is PriceGrabber and why use it for product distribution?
PriceGrabber is a price comparison platform that aggregates product listings from multiple retailers. Merchants submit product feeds to PriceGrabber to appear in search results when consumers compare prices across suppliers. The platform drives qualified traffic to your storefront by matching shoppers actively looking for products you sell.
Unlike marketplace platforms that host inventory directly, PriceGrabber functions as a traffic source. Your products appear alongside competitors' listings, ranked by price, merchant rating, and product attributes. Visibility depends on feed data quality, accurate pricing, realistic delivery costs, and proper categorisation.
Merchants use PriceGrabber to reach price-conscious shoppers at the moment they are comparing options. The platform handles traffic at scale, making it suitable for retailers with diverse product ranges who want exposure across multiple categories.
Core feed structure and required fields
PriceGrabber accepts product feeds in CSV, XML, or JSON format. Each product record must include a unique identifier and sufficient detail for PriceGrabber to match it to existing product data in their catalogue.
The following fields form the foundation of a valid PriceGrabber feed:
| Field | Required | Purpose | Impact on approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retsku | Yes | Your internal product SKU or unique identifier | Feed validation fails without this. Must be unique per product variant |
| product_name | Yes | Full product title | Displayed in search results. Incomplete or generic names reduce click-through rates |
| deeplink | Yes | Direct URL to product page | Must be valid and functional. Broken links cause feed rejection |
| price | Yes | Current selling price | Must match website. Price mismatches trigger customer complaints and feed suspension |
| category_name | Yes | Product category path | Incorrect categorisation hides products from relevant searches |
| image_url | Yes | Primary product image | Missing or broken images reduce visibility and click-through. Must be at least 100x100 pixels |
| availability | Yes | Stock status (in_stock, out_of_stock, pre_order, discontinued) | Out-of-stock products may be delisted. Incorrect status wastes impressions |
| description | No | Full product description | Improves search relevance and helps PriceGrabber match products to queries |
| currency | Yes | Currency code (GBP, EUR, USD, etc.) | Required for correct price display. Mismatch causes approval failure |
| brand | No | Manufacturer or brand name | Enables brand-specific searches and filters |
| manufacturer | No | Original equipment manufacturer | Useful for electronics and appliances |
Field mapping and data preparation
Retsku (Product identifier)
The Retsku field is your unique internal product identifier. This must be consistent across all feed submissions and never change for the same product variant.
Use SKUs that reflect your inventory system. If you sell the same product in multiple colours or sizes, create separate records with distinct Retsku values. PriceGrabber uses this identifier to track product performance, handle updates, and link customer reviews to the correct variant.
If your Retsku changes between submissions, PriceGrabber treats it as a new product. Historical performance data, reviews, and merchant ratings reset. This damages visibility and requires rebuilding trust with the platform.
product_name and short_description
The product_name field should be concise and descriptive. Include the brand, model, key attributes (colour, size, capacity), and primary benefit. Avoid redundant words, all-caps text, or special characters that may not render correctly.
Example: 'Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-cancelling headphones, black' is better than 'HEADPHONES SONY BEST PRICE' or 'Sony WH-1000XM4'.
The short_description field (up to 160 characters) appears in search snippets. Use it to highlight key selling points: warranty, free delivery, stock status, or unique features. This text directly influences click-through rates.
The description field provides full product details. Include specifications, materials, dimensions, care instructions, and usage scenarios. Comprehensive descriptions improve PriceGrabber's ability to match your products to shopper queries and reduce return rates caused by unmet expectations.
deeplink (Product page URL)
The deeplink must point directly to the product page, not the homepage or category page. PriceGrabber validates that the URL is accessible and returns a 200 HTTP status code. Broken or redirecting links cause feed rejection or product delisting.
Ensure your deeplinks remain stable. If you restructure your website, implement 301 redirects from old URLs to new ones. Do not use shortened URLs, referral links, or tracking parameters that may break or redirect unexpectedly.
PriceGrabber crawls the destination page to verify product details match your feed data. If the page content contradicts the feed (different price, availability, or description), the product may be flagged or delisted.
Image URLs (image_url, image_large_url, image_thumbnail_url)
The image_url field is mandatory and must reference a valid product image. PriceGrabber displays this in search results and product pages. Images that are broken, too small, or irrelevant reduce click-through rates and may trigger manual review.
Image requirements:
- Minimum 100x100 pixels (larger is better; 400x400 or above recommended).
- JPEG or PNG format.
- Direct URL (not a redirect or dynamic parameter that may change).
- Fast load time (optimised file size under 500 KB).
- Clear, well-lit product shot with minimal background clutter.
The image_large_url field allows you to supply a higher-resolution version for detailed product pages. The image_thumbnail_url field provides a smaller version for list views. Supplying all three improves page load performance and user experience.
Host images on a reliable CDN or server. Do not rely on third-party image URLs that you do not control; if the source removes or moves the image, your feed breaks.
price, baseprice, normal_price, and currency
The price field is the current selling price. This must match the price displayed on your website at the time the feed is submitted. PriceGrabber compares prices across merchants; if your feed price is significantly lower than your website, customers will complain and your feed may be suspended.
The baseprice field is the original or recommended retail price before discounts. This provides context for promotional pricing and helps shoppers assess value.
The normal_price field is an alternative to baseprice for indicating the standard price when a promotion is active.
Always include the currency field to avoid ambiguity. Use ISO 4217 codes (GBP, EUR, USD, etc.). If your feed serves multiple currencies, create separate feeds per currency or use the currency field to distinguish prices.
Price mismatches are the most common reason for customer complaints and feed suspension. Implement automated feeds that pull prices from your inventory system in real time, or update feeds manually at least daily.
category_name (Product categorisation)
The category_name field determines where your product appears in PriceGrabber's directory. Use PriceGrabber's official category taxonomy, not your own internal categories.
PriceGrabber provides a category mapping tool or list. Common categories include Electronics, Fashion, Home & Garden, Sports, Beauty, Books, and Toys. Subcategories are often available (e.g., Electronics > Computers > Laptops).
Incorrect categorisation hides products from relevant searches. A laptop filed under 'Accessories' will not appear when shoppers search for laptops. Review PriceGrabber's category guide and test your mappings before submitting large feeds.
If a product fits multiple categories (e.g., a smart speaker could be Electronics or Home & Garden), choose the most specific and primary category. Do not duplicate products across categories to game visibility.
availability and in_stock
The availability field indicates current stock status. Accepted values typically include:
- in_stock: Product is available for immediate dispatch.
- out_of_stock: Product is not currently available.
- pre_order: Product is available for pre-order with a future delivery date.
- discontinued: Product is no longer sold.
The in_stock field is a boolean (true/false) alternative to availability. Use one or the other, not both, unless your feed specification requires both.
Accurate availability is critical. Out-of-stock products listed as in_stock generate customer complaints, returns, and refund requests. PriceGrabber may flag or delist merchants with chronic availability mismatches.
Update availability in real time or at least daily. If you use a batch feed, ensure the feed reflects inventory state as of the submission time.
delivery_cost and delivery_period
The delivery_cost field specifies shipping charges to the customer. Enter 0 for free delivery. This field strongly influences purchase decisions; shoppers filter and sort by total cost (product price + delivery).
If your delivery cost varies by region, product weight, or order value, you may need to submit multiple feeds or use PriceGrabber's regional delivery settings. Clarify your delivery model with PriceGrabber support.
The delivery_period field indicates how long delivery takes (e.g., '1-2 days', '3-5 working days', 'Next business day'). Use clear, consistent language. Vague or misleading delivery times reduce conversion and increase complaints.
If you offer multiple shipping options (standard, express, overnight), create separate product records or use PriceGrabber's shipping options feature to display all choices.
manufacturer and manufacturers_product_number
The manufacturer field is the original maker of the product (e.g., Apple, Sony, Adidas). This is distinct from the brand you sell under.
The manufacturers_product_number (also called MPN or model number) is the official product code assigned by the manufacturer. This is crucial for electronics, appliances, and branded goods because it allows PriceGrabber to match your product to the correct entry in their product database.
If you do not provide an MPN, PriceGrabber may struggle to match your product, especially if your product_name is slightly different from the official name. Mismatches result in duplicate or orphaned product entries.
For branded products, always include the MPN. You can usually find it on the product packaging, your supplier's invoice, or the manufacturer's website.
brand
The brand field is the name under which the product is marketed. For products you manufacture or private label, use your brand name. For resold products, use the original brand.
Brand is often used as a search filter on PriceGrabber. Incorrect or missing brand information reduces discoverability among brand-loyal shoppers.
keywords and european_article_number
The keywords field allows you to supply additional search terms relevant to the product. Use this to capture variations in how shoppers search (e.g., 'wireless' and 'cordless' for a product). Separate keywords with commas or semicolons as specified by PriceGrabber.
The european_article_number (EAN or UPC barcode) is a unique product identifier used in retail. If you have EAN codes, include them; PriceGrabber uses them to match products and verify authenticity.
promotions and best_sellers
The promotions field allows you to flag products that are on sale or part of a promotion. Format varies by PriceGrabber's specification; it may be a boolean, a discount percentage, or a promotion code.
The best_sellers field indicates whether a product is a bestseller or popular item. This may be a boolean or a ranking position. Use this field to highlight high-demand products, which can improve visibility and conversion.
language
The language field specifies the language of your feed content (e.g., en, fr, de). This is important if you submit feeds in multiple languages or if PriceGrabber operates in multiple countries.
Ensure all text fields (product_name, description, keywords) are written in the language specified. Mixing languages within a single feed causes display and search issues.
Feed submission and validation
Before submitting your feed to PriceGrabber, validate it locally:
- Check that every required field is populated for every product.
- Verify that Retsku values are unique and do not change between submissions.
- Test all deeplinks to confirm they are accessible and return the correct product page.
- Validate all image URLs; confirm images load quickly and are not broken.
- Cross-check prices against your live website.
- Confirm availability status matches your inventory system.
- Verify category_name values exist in PriceGrabber's official category list.
- Ensure currency codes are valid and consistent.
PriceGrabber typically accepts feeds via SFTP, HTTP POST, or a web upload interface. Your account manager will provide connection details and preferred methods.
After submission, monitor PriceGrabber's feed processing status. The platform usually sends a report indicating how many products were accepted, rejected, or flagged for review. Address any errors before the next submission.
Common approval issues and troubleshooting
Broken deeplinks: PriceGrabber crawls the destination page. If the URL returns a 404 or redirects to a generic page, the product is rejected. Ensure deeplinks are direct, stable, and functional.
Price mismatches: If your feed price differs significantly from the live website price, the product may be flagged or delisted. Implement real-time price synchronisation or update feeds frequently.
Incomplete or missing images: Products without images or with broken image URLs are rejected or deprioritised. Supply high-quality, accessible images for every product.
Incorrect categorisation: Products filed in irrelevant categories will not appear in correct searches. Review PriceGrabber's category guidelines and test mappings.
Duplicate or conflicting products: If you submit the same product with different Retsku values, PriceGrabber may create duplicate listings or merge them incorrectly. Maintain a consistent product identifier scheme.
Missing mandatory fields: Feeds lacking required fields (Retsku, product_name, deeplink, price, category_name, image_url, availability, currency) are rejected entirely. Double-check your field mapping before submission.
Optimising feed performance and visibility
Real-time price updates
Implement automated feeds that pull prices from your inventory system. Manual, infrequent updates result in stale data and customer complaints. If you use a product information management (PIM) system or e-commerce platform, configure it to export feeds to PriceGrabber automatically.
Detailed product descriptions
Write comprehensive descriptions that answer common questions: What is this product? What are its key features? What problem does it solve? Who should buy it? Include specifications, dimensions, materials, colours, and care instructions.
PriceGrabber uses description text to match products to search queries. Detailed descriptions improve relevance and click-through rates.
High-quality images
Supply clear, well-lit product images with minimal background. Avoid watermarks, logos, or text overlays that obscure the product. If available, include multiple images or provide the large image URL for detailed views.
Competitive pricing and transparent delivery costs
Monitor competitor prices on PriceGrabber and adjust yours accordingly. Shoppers sort by total cost (product + delivery). If your delivery cost is high, consider offering free or discounted shipping to remain competitive.
Accurate stock management
Keep availability status in sync with your inventory system. Do not list out-of-stock products as in_stock. Use pre_order status for upcoming products to capture demand without generating unfulfillable orders.
Merchant ratings and reviews
Your overall merchant rating on PriceGrabber influences product visibility. Deliver orders on time, respond to customer inquiries promptly, and handle complaints professionally. Positive reviews increase visibility and conversion.
Summary
PriceGrabber is a high-traffic price comparison platform that requires accurate, detailed product data to drive qualified traffic to your store. Success depends on maintaining clean, up-to-date feeds with correct prices, functional links, quality images, and proper categorisation.
Focus on the core mandatory fields first: Retsku, product_name, deeplink, price, category_name, image_url, availability, and currency. These determine whether your products are approved and indexed. Then enhance visibility by adding detailed descriptions, brand and manufacturer information, delivery costs, and keywords.
Implement automated feed management to keep prices, availability, and images in sync with your live website. Monitor PriceGrabber's processing reports and address validation errors promptly. Over time, as your merchant rating improves and your feed quality increases, you will see higher visibility, traffic, and conversion on the platform.