Introduction to Content interface paragraphs
Note
To enable this feature, contact customer support.
The content interface paragraph imports product data, such as offer texts and product images, from your e-commerce system into the Template Kit. Whether Optimizely Commerce Connect, Shopware, Magento, OXID, in-house software development by your company, or another system, the content interface paragraph is flexible and supports a variety of data sources.
The technical implementation supports the open XML standard and CSV file format – many data sources support both formats.
Export product data from your data source and let Optimizely Campaign process it. In the Template Kit, create a new content interface paragraph with individual items, then import your current product offering with just a few mouse clicks. See Import and export a catalog.
Your data source can handle product data either by:
- saving it as static XML files on your webspace or server
- your server generating dynamic XML files when queried
- saving product data as a CSV file on the server (both manually or automatically)
Tip
The content interface paragraph is the further development of the product paragraph with a content interface and supports both CSV and XML formats. You can use both file formats together.
Static and dynamic content
The content interface paragraph supports static and dynamic content.
- Static content. Product data is loaded when you create the mailing. The data can then be edited. If you integrate static content, all recipients receive the same content.
- Dynamic content. The content is loaded when the message is being sent. You cannot edit content in advance. However, you can send different product recommendations to each recipient. For more information, see Dynamic CSV and XML articles.
Tip
You can use static content with dynamic content in the same mailing. Customer support can advise you about combining content types.
Paragraph types
There are four paragraph types. Only types enabled in your client appear in the Template Kit.
- Static CSV article
- Static XML article
- Dynamic CSV article
- Dynamic XML article
Permitted image formats
Following image formats can be processed via content interface paragraphs:
- .jpg/.jpeg
- .png
- .gif
Setting up the content interface paragraph
To set up the content interface paragraph, provide customer support with the following information:
- XML or CSV, or XML and CSV together: Which format do you want for product data?
- XML. In which directory on your webspace or server will you store product data? That directory must allow HTTP requests. If the directory is only accessible with authentication, disable it. You can restrict access to product data to specific IP addresses.
- CSV. What will you call the CSV file to which your product catalog is saved? If you update the product catalog later, you must save that version of the CSV under the name given when setting up the content interface.
- Static content, dynamic content or a combination of both content types: Do you want to send the same content or customized product recommendations to your recipients?
After setup, the Content Interface paragraph type is available in the Template Kit.
Updating mailing content prior to dispatch
Note
To enable this feature, contact customer support.
Days may pass between a mailing's creation date and its dispatch date. This delay can cause content to be out-of-date, such as a product that is no longer available.
This add-on verifies the imported content in the mailing when it was created. Product information is validated with the help of a unique product ID. Also, if a product is not available at dispatch, or if some information is incorrect, the add-on pauses sending.