For sellers, a PIM system (product information management) can spell the difference between confusing spreadsheets and a streamlined ecommerce engine.
Think of it this way: the system can help shoppers find exactly what they’re looking for, resulting in faster checkout and fewer returns.
Nearly one in three shoppers abandon their carts because the product descriptions fail to deliver. And when 46% of customers say not being able to touch or feel a product is the biggest downside of online shopping—and another 45% worry they can’t trust its quality—you can’t afford to have vague product information.
This is where the right PIM system shines, making sure every listing is conversion-ready.
What is Product Information Management?
Product information management (PIM) is a framework or approach that helps businesses handle all the data needed to market and sell their products. A PIM system guarantees that your product content stays consistent across all the platforms where it’s displayed, including:
- Titles
- Specs
- Images
- Descriptions
- Prices
PIM helps keep your product information accurate, thorough, and uniform across every platform where it appears.
What is a PIM System?
A PIM system serves as a central hub for gathering, managing, enhancing, and sharing product information across all your sales and marketing platforms. Think of it as your master control center for everything from product names and specs to images, pricing, translations, and compliance info.
The need for efficient product data management is rising rapidly. In 2021 alone, the global PIM market was valued at over $10.9 billion. Projections show it’s not slowing down anytime soon, with an expected compound annual growth rate of 14.53% in the coming years.
How does a PIM system work?
First, a PIM system pulls data from multiple sources, such as your:
- Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
- Suppliers
- Spreadsheets
- Internal teams
It then helps you clean and enrich that data with standardized formats, localized content, SEO-friendly descriptions, and digital assets like photos or manuals.
Once your product catalog is complete and polished, the system pushes that content out to your ecommerce platform, marketplace listings, print catalogs, or wherever else it’s needed.
One of the most valuable PIM features is integration with tools like Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, and Amazon. This allows you to avoid duplicate entries, reduce human error, and launch or update listings faster.
The Role of PIM Systems in Ecommerce Success
Here’s why more brands are turning to product information management software to boost their ecommerce business:
- Centralized product content. A product information management software allows you to keep all their product data—descriptions, images, pricing, specs—in one place, making updates faster and easier.
- Multichannel consistency. With product information management solutions, you can ensure that your product listings are accurate and aligned across websites, marketplaces, social media, and print catalogs.
- Faster time-to-market. You can launch new products or update existing ones without delays caused by manual data entry or approval bottlenecks.
- Improved collaboration. Teams from marketing to merchandising can work on the same data simultaneously, reducing miscommunication and duplicated work.
The best PIM software can help you reduce errors and returns by ensuring every product listing is consistent, complete, and accurate across all your channels. That matters more than ever when you consider that 64% of ecommerce returns happen because the product doesn’t match its description.
It’s clear: sloppy or unclear product data is a profit killer. A strong PIM system tackles these issues head-on by standardizing content and delivering reliable product information.
How to Choose the Right PIM Software
With so many solutions on the market, finding the best PIM system for your business can be a daunting task. Here are a few things to look for when evaluating PIM options:
- User-friendly interface. Your team should be able to use it without needing constant technical support. A clean, intuitive dashboard can save hours in training and onboarding.
- Robust data import/export capabilities. The system should support bulk uploads, flexible templates, and automatic syncing with your ERP, CMS, and other tools.
- Strong digital asset management (DAM). Look for features that make it easy to manage and attach images, videos, spec sheets, and other media to your product listings.
- Localization and translation tools. If you’re selling in multiple regions, your PIM should handle different currencies, languages, and regulatory requirements.
- Omnichannel support. Make sure the PIM system can push product data to all your sales and marketing platforms. This kind of integration has become essential as more brands embrace omnichannel selling.
The omnichannel retail commerce platform market is experiencing rapid growth, with estimates showing it could climb from $6.57 billion in 2024 to $7.52 billion in 2025.
What’s driving that surge? A mix of rising mobile commerce, real-time inventory expectations, and a stronger focus on consistent customer experience. A reliable PIM system helps you meet those demands by keeping your product information aligned and up to date across every touchpoint.
PIM Pricing: What to Expect
The right PIM system isn’t just about managing data but unlocking your brand’s ability to scale, sell faster, and serve customers better.
Various factors can affect the pricing for a PIM system, including the following:
- Size of your business
- Number of products you manage
- Features you need
That said, there’s also no one-size-fits-all model. Some solutions charge per user, some per number of SKUs, and others offer tiered plans based on functionality or integration options.
Here’s a simplified overview of what you can anticipate:
- Entry-level PIM software. These are often geared toward small businesses or startups and may start around $50 to $500 per month. They typically include core features like product data management and basic channel integration.
- Mid-tier plans. For growing ecommerce businesses handling thousands of SKUs across multiple platforms, pricing can range from $500 to $2,000 per month, depending on user seats, API access, and workflow tools.
- Enterprise-level solutions. These are built for large organizations with complex catalogs, international operations, or custom integration needs. Pricing here is often custom-quoted, sometimes exceeding $50,000 per year.
- Open-source options. Platforms like Pimcore offer free community editions, but keep in mind you’ll need developer resources to set up and maintain them.
- Hidden costs to consider. Implementation, onboarding, custom integrations, and training can all add up, especially for enterprise-level tools. Certain providers may apply additional fees for advanced capabilities such as digital asset management, language localization, or enhanced support services.
Examples of PIM Systems
Different PIM vendors cater to different business sizes, industries, and levels of technical expertise, so the best choice depends on your unique needs.
Here are a few standout PIM examples worth exploring:
Salsify
Salsify combines product information management (PIM) with product experience management (PXM), equipping brands with the tools to build, refine, and distribute engaging content across various digital channels
- Ideal for. Medium to large brands selling across marketplaces, retailers, and D2C channels.
- Pricing. Starts around $1,500 a month, with custom enterprise quotes depending on catalog size and features.
Akeneo
Known for its intuitive interface and strong open-source foundation, Akeneo is a great fit for mid-sized to large companies. It offers flexible workflows, product enrichment tools, and powerful import/export features.
- Ideal for. Mid-sized to enterprise-level companies needing open-source flexibility or enterprise-grade SaaS.
- Pricing. Akeneo’s Community Edition is free and open-source, while its Growth Edition starts at around $25,000 per year. They also offer an Enterprise Edition with custom pricing based on catalog and feature needs.
PIMworks
Built specifically for ecommerce sellers, PIMworks focuses on automation, collaboration, and integration with platforms like Shopify and Magento. It’s a solid choice for businesses that want a lightweight but scalable solution.
- Ideal for: Small to medium-sized ecommerce brands, especially those using Shopify, Magento, or WooCommerce.
- Pricing: Starts at approximately $500 a month, with custom plans for larger catalogs.
Pimcore
As an open-source PIM system, Pimcore is among the highly customizable PIM solutions ideal for teams with in-house developers. It goes beyond product data to include content management, digital asset management, and even customer data capabilities.
- Ideal for. Tech-savvy teams with developer resources, needing a flexible, customizable solution.
- Pricing. The Community Edition is free and open-source, while the Enterprise Subscription is offered at custom pricing.
Final Thoughts
As consumers grow more demanding and ecommerce competition tightens, businesses can’t afford to rely on outdated spreadsheets.
A reliable PIM system can be a game-changer for brands that want to scale with confidence, reduce costly mistakes, and deliver a consistent product experience across every channel.
From reducing returns to speeding up time-to-market, the right product information management software empowers your team to do more with less friction.
If you’re unsure where to start or need help implementing a solution that aligns with your operations, AMZ Advisers can help. Our experts specialize in ecommerce strategy to maximize efficiency and profitability.
Author
Carla Bauto Deña is a journalist and content writer producing stories for traditional and digital media. She believes in empowering small businesses with the help of innovative solutions, such as ecommerce and data analytics.
