The DotFeed console will take data from your AspDotNetStorefront database and create the atoms called "items" that Google now requires. These items represent one "row" for every product/variant/attribute combination and follows exactly the Google recommendations.
The DotFeed console will also extract data and populate the Google feed as fully as it possibly can. Below we are listing all the data that Google is seeking. We have a new mantra - "if Google needs it, we'll feed it". Much of the data can be left untouched if you are short of time (although there are many refinements you can make if you are interested to do so). In the tables below we endeavor to highlight the "must-do" preparation so that you can work out for yourself the rules you will be setting.
About DotFeed Rules
Each rule is simple in itself . A cascade of rules happens from top to bottom, and the result of each rule will over-write any earlier rules.
Here's an example:
Bob is a merchant. He uses DotFeed. He wants to use the DotFeed rules to complete his "Google Product Category". Bob sells football pants for adults and kids. On his own store he has categories Apparel > Pants > Football Pants and he also sells junior pants under Junior > Football > Football clothes. In this latter category he also sells shirts but he knows that the keywords "football pants" or "football shirt" are always in the name of his product for valuable SEO.
He would set his rules as follows: Rule 1- If "product type" contains "Apparel > Pants > Football Pants" then put "Apparel & Accessories>Clothing>Activewear>Football Pants" into "Google Product Type"
then Rule 2- If "product type" contains "Junior > Football > Football clothes" then put "Apparel & Accessories>Clothing>Activewear>Football Pants" into "Google Product Type"
then Rule 3- If "name" contains "Football Shirt" then put "Apparel & Accessories>Clothing>Activewear>Active Shirts" into "Google Product Type"
Notice how Rule 3 overwrites Rule 2, just as Bob wants it to. Typically, Bob will now move from his "Mapping Rules" (which happen in bulk) to his product rules and he will refine as necessary.
