Category Links and Product Links

Catalog managers can define static links between products and/or catalog categories in order to define relations between products and categories. The following link relations are possible:

  • Product - product

  • Product - category

  • Category - product

  • Category - category

When working with catalog categories or products, catalog managers can define both "outbound" links and "inbound" links. Outbound links define another product or category as the "relation target", whereas inbound links make the current category the "relation target" of another product or category.

These links can be of different types, depending on the business semantics of the link. Intershop Commerce Management provides out-of-the-box support for the following link types:

Table 1. Product Link Types
Link Type Description
Replacement To offer similar products to buyers. Replacement products can be shown when the requested product is currently out of stock.
Cross-Selling To offer related products. In the storefront, cross-selling products can be shown, for example, on the basket page, based on the products the buyer has currently in the basket.
Up-Selling To offer alternative products, e.g., similar products offered at a different price. In the storefront, up-selling products can be shown, for example, on the product detail page under the heading "Other User's Choice".
Accessory To offer complementary products, such as a monitor for a desktop computer. In the storefront, accessories can be shown, for example, on the product detail page under the heading "Accessories".
Follow-Up To offer follow-up versions of the product currently selected. In the storefront, follow-up products can be shown, for example, on the product detail page under the heading "Newer Versions".
Different Order Unit Refers to offer(s) of the same product sold in a different order unit. In the storefront, different order unit products can be shown, for example, on the product detail page under the heading "Also available as".
Spare Parts To offer available spare parts for a product. In the storefront, spare parts are included on the product detail page as links to the respective product detail pages.
Gift Wrap To offer available "gift wrap" products for a product.
Gift Message To offer available "gift message" products for a product.
Warranty Creates a warranty relation between the current product and a "warranty" product.
Other The link type Other does not have any pre-defined semantics and can be used for any purpose.
Table 2. Category Link Types
Link Type Description
Cross-Selling To offer related products. In the storefront, cross-selling products can be shown, for example, on the basket page, based on the products the buyer has currently in the basket.
Up-Selling To offer alternative products, e.g., similar products offered at a different price. In the storefront, up-selling products can be shown, for example, on the product detail page under the heading "Other User's Choice".
Accessory To offer complementary products, such as a monitor for a desktop computer. In the storefront, accessories can be shown, for example, on the product detail page under the heading "Accessories".
Follow-Up To offer follow-up versions of the product currently selected. In the storefront, follow-up products can be shown, for example, on the product detail page under the heading "Newer Versions".
Spare Parts To offer available spare parts for a product. In the storefront, spare parts are included on the product detail page as links to the respective product detail pages.
Other The link type Other does not have any pre-defined semantics and can be used for any purpose.