Connect to an Activation Channel
Now that you’re connected to the app from your PIM and on the Akeneo Activation App channel page, you can browse and select the channels you want to connect to and start sending your product catalog to retailers and marketplaces.
Channel List
On this page, you can explore the list of available channels and find new retailer channels where you want to send your catalogs.
Use the search bar to narrow down your channel search. You can also filter the channel list by country (e.g., to see all the retailers and marketplace channels available in France or the United States).
The number of available channels will be shown next to the country filter.
Note: Please note that the number of channels you can link to is limited by your channel quotas. Once you reach your quota, you won’t be able to connect to additional channels. If you need to adjust your quotas or add new retailer or marketplace channels, please contact your dedicated CSM for assistance.
Adding a Retailer or Marketplace Channel
Once you've selected the channel you would like to start sending products to from the available channel list, click “add this channel” on the channel card to connect to it.
This action creates the initial product data flow and enables you to create product catalogs inside that activation channel.
Once added, the retailer or marketplace channel(s) will be displayed in the connected channels section of the channel list page.
Note that some of the retailers and marketplaces (the ones working with APIs or SMTPs) will require credentials in order to connect properly to them. It will not be possible to successfully create the initial product data flow if valid credentials are not provided.
- For example, while working with Amazon, you will be requested to add your Seller ID
- For example, while working with NuOrder, you will be requested to add your SMTP credentials
By default, the connected channel will be paused or set to inactive because there won’t be any catalogs or products to export to the retailer or marketplace yet. This means there will be no automated data transfer between your PIM and the retailer or marketplace's activation channel. You can change the status from the activation channel header. Even if you have set up your channel’s credentials correctly and haven’t exported any products yet, the channel will be considered “live” but not "active."
- The channel card will be labeled as “paused” in the channel list if its status is inactive and "active if its status is active
After connecting to a retailer or marketplace activation channel, the next step is to create a product catalog and begin mapping your products according to the retailer or marketplace requirements. You can read this dedicated article to get started.