How to Create a New Ranking Attribute

Introduction to creating new ranking attributes

This guide will provide you with a simple step-by-step guide to creating ranking attributes using Fredhopper's Merchandising Studio.

Ranking attributes allow you to execute simple or more complex ecommerce strategies. Applying ranking attributes will enable you to order products using a combination of metrics simultaneously, rather than pure sort alone. These ranking attributes can then be applied to category and search pages, product recommendations carousels and modification groups.

 

Purpose of this feature	To create more advanced ranking strategies that factor in a combination of performance metrics rather than pure sort based on a single metric or attribute. Strategies can be focused to achieve multiple goals, for example: Conversion lift Improve Revenue and Profit Inventory Management Set Trends
Menu name in Merchandising studio	Ranking
Sub-menu name in Merchandising studio	Ranking attributes

 

Prerequisites

It is recommended that you read the 'Getting Started with ranking attributes' article before you use Ranking Attributes in your Merchandising Studio. You will also need access to your Fredhopper Merchandising Studio to set up a ranking attribute.

Scenario

We want to push products with the lowest discount percentage, with high sales and high stock.

1. Using your credentials open your Merchandising Studio.
2. From your Merchandising Studio navigate to Rankings > Ranking attributes.
3. Click New.
4. Type a unique name for the ranking attribute e.g. rc_low_discount:
   Note: The ranking attribute name has the following character limitation. Valid characters are lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_).
5. Click Select Scope and choose the scope for the ranking attribute using the radio button, then click Select. (Note that ranking attributes are always on universe level. They are not "triggering" entities and the only condition by which they are available is being in a particular universe)
6. Click Add Attribute. We will push products with a low discount percentage, high sales and high stock. The ranking attribute is set up as follows:
   
   As you add your attributes, a summary will appear in the footer. Check you have added the attributes based on the business strategy you want to achieve.
7. Click Save in the top menu.
8. If you are ready to set this ranking attribute live, send the ranking attribute for publication. Your ranking attribute will show as pending in your shortcuts area to the left, and you can also view the status to the right:
   Once this ranking attribute has been published it can be applied to category and search pages, product recommendations carousels and modification groups as required.

Best practices

• Use the preferred naming convention; rc_ prefix followed by the name, for example, rc_sales_seasonal.
• Test the behaviour of each attribute using your preview site.
• Add at least one attribute for which data is always available.
• Align the ranking attributes with your ecommerce strategy and your shoppers' behaviour.
• Choose the best normalisation option based on the values and the attribute value distribution.
• Pay attention to the pushing values you have chosen. See the Getting started with ranking attributes guide for more information on normalisation, pushing and weight.
• Clean up/manage ranking attributes regularly.

Next steps

• Once the ranking attribute is published, it can be used across these features: campaigns, ranking rules, result modifications and facets. You can apply these ranking attributes across any of these features, but remember to publish the feature again for it to appear live across your site.
• (Optional) Enable the ranking attribute in the presentation field to see what values products have in relation to this ranking attribute.