A CedCommerce vs Shopify Marketplace Connect (formerly Codisto) Case Study for Amazon Integration

Overview

Thrill House is a popular apparel brand based in Australia. They offer a wide range of trendy and stylish t-shirts for customers who seek high-quality, comfortable, and fashionable clothing options. With a focus on delivering unique designs and a passion for creating exceptional tees, Thrill House has become a go-to destination for those looking to elevate their wardrobe with distinctive graphic prints. This case study explores how “Thrill House” began the process of integrating its eCommerce operations with Amazon. Thus, highlighting the significance of choosing the right integration platform. It also takes a dig at CedCommerce vs Shopify Marketplace Connect (formerly known as Codisto)  integration.

While expanding business online and selling on Amazon, the brand identified the need to integrate its Amazon and Shopify stores. They explored the market for the tools and used Shopify Marketplace Connect (formerly Codisto) integration solution initially and later switched to CedCommerce.

Challenge

Thrill House, is a thriving eCommerce enterprise specializing in apparel. The brand is committed to deliver top-quality products to customers. As the business continued to grow, they recognized the need to expand their reach and capitalize on the immense potential offered by one of the world’s largest online marketplaces: Amazon. But soon after they also realized that they needed an integration solution to streamline their Shopify and Amazon business.

Major Challenges faced by the Thrill House:

1. Attribute Mapping: Mapping Shopify’s product attributes to Amazon’s requirements proved to be a complex task. It was crucial to ensure that the product listings on Amazon were accurate and optimized to maximize visibility and sales.

2. SKU Management: One of the significant challenges revolved around the difference between Parent SKU (a concept on Amazon) and Child SKU (Variant SKU on Shopify). Amazon’s Parent-Child relationships required careful handling and mapping.

3. Efficiency and Resource Utilization: While they were eager to embrace the Amazon marketplace, they did not want the integration process to be an inefficient resource drain. The brand needed a solution that could seamlessly integrate its operations without undue hassle.

The complexities they faced in mapping attributes and managing SKUs highlighted the need for an integration platform that not only understood the intricacies of our business but could also provide practical solutions to overcome these challenges. It was in this context that they embarked on a comprehensive evaluation of integration platforms, which eventually led them to explore CedCommerce as a potential solution.

Solution

The main objective of the integration was to seamlessly align Shopify product attributes with Amazon product attributes. While the Shopify Marketplace Connect fulfilled its role, CedCommerce’s solution distinguished itself by going the extra mile. Their primary focus was on mapping Shopify attributes to Amazon attributes, a task where Codisto (now Shopify Marketplace Connect) faced challenges, particularly in mapping Parent-Child SKUs. Codisto’s inherent system limitations necessitated the exploration of alternative apps as workarounds, resulting in a cumbersome and inefficient allocation of resources. In contrast, CedCommerce demonstrated a deep understanding of these intricacies and provided an intuitive and effective solution.

Comparison of CedCommerce vs Shopify Marketplace Connect (Codisto)

Support:

CedCommerce Support:

Experience with CedCommerce’s support team was marked by prompt responses and a proactive approach. They were quick to address our queries and concerns. In several instances, CedCommerce support went the extra mile by scheduling meetings to discuss and resolve issues. This personal touch greatly expedited the problem-solving process.

Shopify Marketplace Connect Support:

Codisto’s (now Shopify Marketplace Connect) support team was generally responsive. While they were helpful, we found that Codisto’s approach was somewhat less proactive compared to CedCommerce. They did address our concerns but did not always take the initiative to offer meetings for more efficient communication.

Functionality:

Specific Functionality Requirements:

Thrill House specific requirement was to map the Parent SKU (an Amazon concept) to the Child SKU (Variant SKU in Shopify). This was crucial for creating accurate product listings on Amazon.

Codisto’s Limitations:

Codisto (now known as Shopify Marketplace Connect) had limitations in meeting the unique requirement. Their system was not designed to handle this specific mapping, which presented a challenge. To work around this limitation, Thrill House were required to seek additional apps and manual processes, leading to inefficiencies and increased resource consumption.

CedCommerce’s Solution:

CedCommerce, on the other hand, demonstrated a deep understanding of our needs. They provided a solution that was not only intuitive but also highly effective in addressing our requirements. The Amazon Integration solution provided by CedCommerce for mapping Parent SKU to Child SKU streamlined operations, eliminating the need for additional apps and manual workarounds.

Overall Experience

Codisto Integration Journey

Thrill House’s integration journey with Shopify Marketplace Connect (formerly Codisto) spanned approximately seven months. During this time, they encountered multiple challenges, primarily related to attribute mapping and SKU management. The process was marked by complexities, inefficiencies, and a sense of exhaustion due to the ongoing issues.

Transition to CedCommerce

The transition to CedCommerce brought about a significant shift in their experience. The agile response of the CedCommerce team and their tailored solutions drastically improved the integration process. CedCommerce’s approach not only resolved existing issues promptly but also ensured that new challenges were met with effective solutions.

Impact of CedCommerce’s Agile Response

The agile response of CedCommerce, combined with their understanding of the brand’s specific needs, transformed their integration experience. The hurdles and exhaustion they faced with Codisto (now Shopify Marketplace Connect) were replaced with efficiency and confidence.

In conclusion, the comparison between CedCommerce and Codisto (now Shopify Marketplace Connect) highlights that while both platforms have strengths, CedCommerce excelled in some specific cases. Their proactive support, efficient functionality, and agile response played a pivotal role in achieving our integration goals. For businesses seeking seamless integration, excellent customer support, and tailored solutions, CedCommerce undoubtedly emerges as the preferred choice.

Summing Up

The right platform can be a catalyst for growth, while the wrong one can result in inefficiency and frustration. Thrill House’s experience underscores the significance of selecting the right eCommerce integration platform that aligns with the business’s unique needs and ambitions. The brand in this case study talks about the experience of CedCommerce vs Shopify Marketplace Connect (formerly known as Codisto) integration solution. CedCommerce, with its responsive support, efficient functionality, and tailored solutions, stands as a compelling example of how the right choice can lead to a seamless and successful integration, ultimately contributing to a business’s competitiveness and long-term success in the digital marketplace.