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Imagine the frustration you would feel: you own a first-generation cellphone model, and its battery is damaged. You can’t buy the same phone battery since the manufacturer had replaced the said model. So it is when online shopping enters the picture. It makes acquiring such items possible by connecting the buyer to the world of previously inaccessible resources.
The best way to look for these kinds of items is through the manufacturer or other platforms. But often, manufacturers don’t want to deal with consumers directly, which would rob them of revenue.
It becomes an opening for resourceful Amazon sellers to dig into the Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) and include this code in their listings. However, not all sellers have acknowledged the importance of this number, which makes it difficult for shoppers to find what they need. Thus, they may lose the potential to earn.
First Things First
Unique item identifiers define goods uniquely. They help in distinguishing them so that they would match search queries. A product’s manufacturer assigns them to match the UPIs with the reseller’s.
The most common unique item identifiers are Manufacturer Part Number (MPN), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), and Universal Product Code (UPC). The following are the uses, attributes, and differences in the aforementioned product identifiers.
- Manufacturer Part Numbers (MPNs) are alphanumeric digits of various lengths uniquely identifying the item to its manufacturer. They are required for products with no GTIN assigned by the manufacturers. Buyers use the MPN to confirm if the merchandise they are purchasing is the product they are looking for.
- Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is a unique number assigned to billable items to identify the merchandise’s price, options, and manufacturer. Through this number and letter combination, companies could track, quantify, and manage the inventory effectively with the aid of a computerized system instead of the manual one.
Companies assign the SKU numbers to physical items or even intangible elements like warranties. Whenever an SKU number is assigned, the number reflects the minutest possible unit a store will stock. They are usually printed in a barcode format on item labels so one can read through a barcode scanner. It would make internal inventory tracking and managing easy.
- The Universal Product Code (UPC), also known as the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)-12 and UPC-A, is a 12- digit unique numerical identifier stamped on commercial products and linked to a barcode. It is used primarily in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and many other countries around the globe. The UPC is usually located below a barcode on the item package or at the back of the book cover. It includes digits on the left and right ends of the lines.
Take note that if your item has a GTIN assigned, it should help improve your product’s promotion and discoverability. However, if you have products that are not GTIN-applicable, then just submit the identifier and brand name of the product.
Examples of non-GTIN items are store brand products, replacement parts, OEM or original equipment manufacturer parts or replacement parts for OEM, and custom-made goods. It might also be books released before ISBN was approved, vintage or antique items, and preordered products since they use the condition attribute.
What Is Manufacturer Part Number and Its Significance?
So, what’s MPN meaning? The Manufacturer Part Number is a unique product identifier assigned by the manufacturer to differentiate it from related parts and possible counterfeits. It is particularly relevant to the seller of spare parts or electronics. It helps manufacturers and sellers identify and manage stock levels, which makes buyers easy since they know it’s the right part they are getting.
MPN manufacturer number is optional in the inventory listing file and does not apply to all merchandise on Amazon. It is only relevant in some cases. For example, if you have the GTIN already in your product feed, then MPN is not mandatory.
Otherwise, you must include an identifier and the product’s brand name to narrow your search. They are also used in Amazon’s internal and external queries. Thus, you must coordinate MPN with Amazon to improve your listing relevance.
However, it is still a pot of gold for numerous reasons. Thus, you might want to look at the part number of the item you intend to sell now, or you might lose the chance of a monetary conversion.
The Benefits of Using MPN
- Easily discovered. MPN is a docketed field in both Amazon and Google Merchant Center. Including this code in your product listing shall allow their respective part number search engines to capture and match these codes and display them on the results page. Your product will appear immediately without the encumbrances of ambiguity. Also, you can submit the brand name to narrow down the searches.
- Income conversion. Replacement parts, aftermarket parts for vehicles, or a highly specific model of computer equipment are not optional items, nor do they have searchable variants. These kinds of items are specific and hard to find. Therefore, a torrent of sales will likely fall upon your wallet when you dig down the specificity of the manufacturer part number, which matches what the user is looking for.
- Little to no returns. Selling customers the right and exact products won’t lead to unwarranted returns. It saves you time, money, and effort. At the same time, it can escalate your rankings and ratings as a seller.
- Good reviews and repeat buyers. Product reviews are one of the key factors that drive a items’ discoverability and purchasability. Consumers leverage a huge pile of positive customer reviews. With high item compatibility, a good review awaits your doorstep. Shoppers are extremely grateful for those sellers who can meet their specific demands and needs. Satisfied customers will always come back to your store.
Where and How to Find MPN Number?
You have probably crossed paths with MPN countless times: purchasing products, browsing through a particular manufacturer’s list and database on online comparison shopping platforms, and markets. However, there are ways you can follow to find the MPN. They’re as follows:
- Look on the product – most of the time, MPN is listed on either the side or bottom of the product or its packaging. The number is probably listed next to the brand name: Part Number MPN.
- Communicate with the product part manufacturer – call and ask for the MPN Product Part Number directly from the manufacturer for the item you need.
How to Include UPIs in a Product Data?
The type of identifiers you submit depends on the products you’ll submit. However, it is highly recommended that the GTIN, brand, and MPN are submitted. After all, the three attributes can help boost advertisement performance and help users find the item.
If you have merchandise that has product details and is MPN Amazon-applicable, it’s a plus. However, you can still go beyond. Here are the guidelines that will help you get the most out of it inputting MPN on the optional field:
- Double-check if you are enlisting the correct MPN number Amazon. Confusion might jeopardize the benefits that you would get from using it. Make sure you use the correct part number for each product since each variant has its unique MPN. The key exception is apparel products of different sizes that have identical MPNs.
- Include the MPN not just on the Manufacturer Part Number Amazon field but also in the product title and its corresponding bullet points. Copy the code religiously, including punctuations if there are any. It won’t cause any unrest in the MPN search engines.
- Take a photo of the stamped MPN of the product and include it in your product gallery. It would assure buyers that they get the right product or spare part.
- If the spare part you sell is compatible with many products, enlist those other products. It would allow you to pick up traffic from onlookers who do not know you have what they are looking for.
Remember that it is best to include unique product identifiers in submitting products. Doing otherwise might lead to item invalidation and rejection.
Best Practices to Use MPN in your Product Listings
Adding just the MPN to your product listing is not enough. To guarantee that you’re going beyond just including the MPN in the appropriate field, here are some useful tips that you may follow:
- Ensure that your MPN is 100% accurate. It’s something that AMZ sellers often overlook and cannot be stressed enough. A minor mistake, such as replacing the number “0” with the letter “O”, may harm your product listing.
- Do not just add the MPN in your inventory listing’s necessary field. If you may add the MPN to your title, featured bullet points, and description, feel free to do so. The more you add the manufacturer part number on the listing, the better the opportunities of the MPN being indexed by AMZ search engines.
- Do not change how your MPN Manufacturer Part Number is written. If it includes spaces or dashes between a set of numbers or letters, then ensure that you include spaces or dashes when adding the MPN to your items.
- If the number of your item is embossed or stamped on your actual product itself, take a clear photo demonstrating the exact MPN and include this in your AMZ listing. Viewing the actual MPN on the item can boost the confidence of potential clients and can quickly close out sales.
- If the replacement part or product you are offering is compatible with other models, ensure to include all the compatible goods when you’re listing. Again, it will give you a much better likelihood of getting indexed by AMZ search engines. You may also bring traffic from other possible buyers by indicating as many compatible models as possible.
What Can You Do If Your Product Doesn’t Have MPN?
The manufacturer allocates an MPN before the actual item leaves the production line. If your products do not have this number, there’s no chance of getting it. However, you may improve your goods’ visibility in the product listings and AMZ search results. Follow the below simple tips:
Look for the relevant search terms. There are many AMZ-specific services for research and discovery, so pick one of them and learn which queries your clients use to find the item they need. Then, add these keywords into the product description text organically.
Add as much information about your items as possible. Ensure to include all the information about the item so that the clients have no extra questions. Creating a holistic impression of your item is a top way to prevent your leads from searching for other options and comparing them.
Work on your product reviews. Ensure your goods have an excellent rating based on the reviews from your previous clients. Social proof is one more trigger for buying, so do your best to collect as much positive feedback as possible.
Final Thoughts
The greatest challenge as a seller is identifying the areas of your product catalogue where you should focus your energy and efforts. There is a constant need to improve your product’s current data and invest in resources that would improve the integrity of your content. Product optimization should be the primary goal by enhancing the interplay between discoverability and purchasability.
Also, ensure that your product pages are easily understood and pleasing for customers and search engines. It would increase your opportunities for getting your items on the frontline for potential customers to see.
It is why sellers should consider knowing what an MPN number on Amazon is. Including the MPN manufacturer, part number, or model number enables online platforms such as Facebook or Instagram to display ads for products related to the user’s search.
It ensures product listings and information accuracy, such as technical specifics. Furthermore, it makes the product comparatives more accurate while eliminating guesswork simultaneously.
Thank you so much! I’ve been struggling with manufacturer since I purchase private label, as well as parts number. I can now move on and create more listings.
Wow got straight to the point. Great article
Very useful info both for sellers and shoppers. MPN helps to save time and in most cases guarantees that you’ll get what you actually ordered.
Knowing MPN has helped me a lot of times. Thanks for the article!
Implementing the mpn is the must-have for those who want to scale their business online.
Really irreplaceable when it comes to buying/selling products like car parts.