Understanding Classification and Attributes

Classifications are used to group similar inventory items together. For similar items group together under a classification, you can create custom attributes, set a posting priority, associate upsell items, and define eBay item specifics information.

By creating classifications, you can group similar products in the inventory views. Additionally, you can assign a schedule and upsell items to all SKUs grouped in a classification. But most importantly, by using Classification Attributes, you can create additional information fields in the inventory record for each SKU. You can then use this additional information in your ads with template tags. Moreover, these additional fields are used to associate eBay Item Specific information with your ads. For more information about using eBay Item Specifics, see the Item Specifics Guide.

To access the Classifications view, go to Inventory > Classifications.

The following fields can be seen in the Classifications view:

• Classification Name - This is simply the name of the classification. Classification names should be descriptive enough to associate with your company's inventory.
• Priority - Classifications may be given a priority of 1 to 10, which controls the priority the items are given when posting to the marketplace. The lower the priority number, the sooner the item will post to the marketplace if multiple items are queued to post at that time.
• Custom Classification Fields - These are the attribute names you created in the classification. You can then use these field names as template tags for both your ads and eBay Item Specifics.
• Shipping Option - Shipping may be assigned at the classification level as described in the Shipping tutorial. This column shows whether or not shipping information has been assigned to the classification and if so, what type of shipping option is used.
• Schedule Option - This column displays if a schedule has been assigned to the Classification. This causes all items assigned to that classification to post according to the assigned classification schedule.

Note: Assigning both a Classification schedule and an Ad schedule to an item will cause the item to post using both schedules. In other words, ad schedules do not override classification schedules so if you use both, multiple listings for that item may post to the marketplace which is probably not what you intended. Therefore, we recommend either assigning a schedule to an ad OR to the classification.

• # of SKUs - The total number of inventory SKUs assigned to the classification.

	Allows you to copy a classification.
	This allows you to assign a classification schedule to your classifications in bulk.
	This allows you to configure the shipping setting for your classifications.
	Allows you to assign upsell items to that classification. Those upsell items will be displayed during checkout for any SKUs assigned to the classification.
	Allows you to delete a classification.

To create a new classification, do the following:

1. Go to the Classifications view (Inventory > Classifications)
2. Click
3. Give the Classification a name
4. In the Attributes section, create names for your attribute fields.
5. In the column labeled “List of Choices,” you may enter a list of different choices for an attribute separated by double pipes ||. When you later edit or create an inventory item, these choices will be displayed as a drop down list for a given attribute.
6. To assign shipping information to the classification, click . Otherwise click

If you choose to assign shipping to your classification, you must:

1. Select a distribution center and click
2. Choose a shipping option and click
3. Fill in the appropriate shipping rates for that shipping option and click

When you created a classification, you probably created custom attribute names. These attribute names will become additional information fields for each SKU assigned to that classification. Then for each inventory item assigned to that classification, you are able to assign values to those custom information fields.

In addition to creating attribute fields, you can specify a default value for an attribute and define a list of acceptable values. The acceptable values you define will appear as a dropdown list when you edit the information for an inventory item. Using such a list will prevent you from accidentally entering invalid data for that attribute value.

For example, classification below is for digital cameras in which we have defined five custom attributes: Brand, Condition, MPN, Resolution, and Type. For “Brand,” “Condition,” and “Type,” we have defined a list of choices and given the “Condition” attribute a default value of “New”.

Assigning a classification to an individual item is simple. To assign a classification to inventory items:

1. Go to the All Items view (Inventory > All Items)
2. Put checks beside the items you want to associate with your classification
3. Click
4. Select a classification from the dropdown list
5. Click

If you want to assign a classification to a single inventory item, you can simply select the classification when you edit the item.

When you assign a classification to an inventory item, you can then assign values for each custom attribute. Using the previous digital camera classification in the example below, if we did not create a list of values for an attribute, that attribute will appear as a text box in the inventory item. Notice that for the “Condition” attribute, the default value “New” appeared in the inventory item. Finally looking at “Type” attribute, you can see a dropdown list created from the list of values we defined in the classification.

Additionally, the attribute names you created in the classification can be used as template tags in both your ad and posting templates. The template tag version of an attribute name is simply the name capitalized and enclosed by double curly braces. For example, the template tag for the attribute name “condition” would be {{CONDITION}}.

If you use these tags in your ad templates, the information associated with that attribute name will appear in your ad in the marketplace. In posting templates, these template tags are used to associate inventory information with eBay Item Specifics.

In addition to assigning a classification to items from within Merchant, you can also assign classifications, attribute names, and attribute values in bulk using the Inventory Upload Spreadsheets. To learn how to download and use the inventory spreadsheets, see the Create & Update Inventory with Spreadsheets tutorial. For information on specific data columns within the spreadsheets, see the Spreadsheet Guide.

Using the digital camera classification from above, we would fill in the spreadsheet columns as shown below.

If the classification name in your spreadsheet does not match an existing classification in your account, a new classification will be created. Additionally, if an attribute name in the spreadsheet does not match an attribute in the classification, a new attribute will be created in the classification. Therefore, you should be careful to make sure all classifications and attributes match information already in your account.

If you use the spreadsheets to assign attribute values to your inventory items, you can enter any data you want as an attribute value. In other words, Merchant does not check the data you upload against any acceptable value lists you have defined for your attributes.