Retailer XML Feed Documentation
Introduction
An XML feed is a structured data file that contains your product listings in a standardized format. It allows you (a retailer) to automatically share up-to-date inventory, pricing, and product details with the GunNabber platform. By using an XML feed, you can ensure your listings stay current without manual updates, making it easy to manage large catalogs and keep customers informed about your latest offerings.
The XML Feed supports managing your product listings, including creating, updating, and deleting products based on scheduled parsing of the XML file.
Intended Use
The XML feed is intended to provide GunNabber with accurate, up-to-date product information directly from a retailer’s inventory system. Retailers should use this feed to automate the sharing of product details such as price, availability, descriptions, etc. This ensures that customers always see current and reliable listings on the GunNabber platform, reducing manual data entry and improving the overall shopping experience. It is one of two supported integration methods:
- XML Feed Import – Retailers expose a publicly accessible XML file, which we periodically parse to update product listings.
- Retailer API – Retailers integrate directly with our platform via a RESTful API, enabling real-time, fine-grained control over product data.
Why Use the XML Feed?
An XML feed is often the simpler choice for retailers who want an easy, low-maintenance way to keep their product listings up to date. Unlike API integration, which may require custom development and ongoing code changes, an XML feed can typically be exported directly from your existing system and scheduled for regular updates. It's ideal for retailers with a stable or moderately changing catalog who want to automate updates without complex programming.
Depending on the e-commerce platform you use, generating an XML feed may be as simple as configuring a plugin or exporting a file from your inventory management system. This makes it accessible even for retailers with limited technical resources. You would need to consult with your e-commerce platform documentation or support team to set up the XML feed correctly.
Requirements to Use an XML Feed
To successfully provide an XML feed to GunNabber, your feed must be publicly accessible via a stable URL, structured in valid XML format, and include all required product details such as title, description, price, quantity, SKU, and image links. The feed should be updated regularly to ensure accurate inventory and pricing. For best results, follow GunNabber’s recommended data specifications to ensure compatibility and minimize errors during parsing.
To provide us with an XML Feed, you will need:
- An online store or e-commerce platform with URL-accessible product data.
- Product details such as URL, Name, Price, Quantity, MPN for each product listing. (view XML Format for more information)
- A paid retailer account.
- A person or technical team capable of generating and hosting a publicly accessible XML document that includes all of your product listings.
- Ability to:
- Host the XML feed on a publicly accessible URL.
- Ensure the XML is well-formed and adheres to our schema, or a schema from another data provider that we can parse.
- Update the feed regularly to reflect current inventory and pricing. We will parse the feed every 5-15 minutes to keep listings current. We ask that you generate the XML feed as frequently as possible, ideally every 5 minutes, to ensure the most up-to-date information is available.
Testing Your XML Feed
You can use our Feed Validator to test your XML feed. This tool checks for common issues and provides feedback to help you get your feed working smoothly. Simply enter the URL of your XML feed, and the validator will attempt to access and parse it, returning a success message or a list of errors if any are found.
Who Can Help You Set Up the XML Feed?
In general, you would want to consult with your e-commerce platform documentation or support team to set up the XML feed correctly. Many platforms have built-in features or plugins that can help you generate the required XML format without needing extensive coding knowledge.
As plugins and tools for generating XML feeds are developed, we will update this documentation to include more information on how to set up the XML feed for your specific platform.
Why Choose the XML Feed?
XML Feed vs Retailer API
| Feature | XML Feed Advantage | Retailer API Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Complexity | ✅ Easy to set up | ❌ Requires coding effort |
| Integration Needs | ✅ Low technical requirements | ❌ Developer resources needed |
| Update Frequency | ✅ Scheduled automation | ❌ Requires manual triggers or app logic |
| Maintenance | ✅ Minimal ongoing work | ❌ Needs version management and error handling |
| Feature | XML Feed Trade-Off | Retailer API Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Real-Time Updates | ❌ No (scheduled) | ✅ Yes (instant) |
| Field-Level Control | ❌ Limited | ✅ Full |
| Requires Development Effort | ❌ Minimal | ✅ Yes |
If you prefer a “set it and forget it” solution, the XML feed may suffice. If you want full control and real-time integration, the Retailer API is your best option.
If you have questions or need help getting started, please reach out to our support team. We're here to help make integration smooth and successful!