Digital Shelf Analytics: how to choose the right solution for you

(Advertorial) To keep on top of any issues – and ahead of their digital shelf competition – a growing number of brands and manufacturers are implementing digital shelf analytics (DSA) solutions. But how do you choose the right digital shelf analytics software for you? Here are 5 key tips.

1. Do you need digital shelf analytics?

If you’re selling online, you know how challenging the digital shelf can be. From marketplaces to social media and even your own website, tracking and optimizing performance on all your digital channels can be tricky. Images can get distorted. Specifications can be deleted. Entire listings can even disappear. And your competition could be moving ahead of you.

So, you’re considering digital shelf analytics. But will DSA be the answer to your digital shelf dilemmas? That depends on how you sell and what you actually need. After all, there are plenty of software solutions out there, and ensuring you get the right one for your business ambitions is essential if you want to avoid a costly misstep. For example, if you’re selling online, you’ll probably need a “closed-loop” approach to your digital shelf – meaning a standalone DSA solution might not be enough. Start by understanding your issues. That way, when you start looking at software options, you know exactly what you need.

2. Understand the core DSA capabilities…

While no two DSA platforms are the same, there are some core capabilities that are key to digital shelf analytics technology. For example, the ability to ensure all your product listing pages are visible across all sites. These core capabilities can revolutionize your digital shelf operations and take your omnichannel strategy to the next level.

3. …and the DSA differentiators

As we mentioned, no two digital shelf analytics solutions are built equal. This becomes increasingly clear when you start to dig a little deeper into what’s on offer from various DSA vendors. The extended capabilities and features of DSA software can make all the difference to the effectiveness of your digital shelf strategy.

4. Research the marketplace

When you’re looking for new solutions, it’s always smart to research your options ahead of time. You’ll learn the capabilities you need to look out for. In their November 2022 Market Guide for Digital Shelf Analytics, leading market analyst Gartner detailed 16 Representative Vendors in Digital Shelf Analytics. This highlights the competitiveness of the current DSA landscape – and the importance of understanding exactly what your business needs.

5. Get the analyst’s view

You wouldn’t buy a new home without finding out what the experts think of its foundations. The same applies when you’re in the market for DSA software. To help you choose the right digital shelf analytics solution, leading market analyst Gartner has put together their valuable DSA insight into an easy-to-read guide. This forms part of their regular, independent research into the software technologies that can help drive stronger performance.

Want to read Gartner’s view of the digital shelf analytics market? Download the Gartner©, Market Guide for Digital Shelf Analytics today and gain invaluable insight into your next software solution.