Channels Overview
Channels represent where you sell your products. Tether allows you to manage multiple sales channels, track performance by channel, and configure channel-specific settings.What is a Channel?
A channel is a sales avenue for your products:- Direct-to-Consumer: Shopify, your website
- Marketplaces: Amazon, eBay, Walmart
- Wholesale: B2B customers, distributors
- Retail: Physical stores
- Custom: Any other sales avenue
Why Track Channels?
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Demand Forecasting | Forecast by channel for accuracy |
| Inventory Allocation | Know where demand comes from |
| Performance Analysis | Compare channel performance |
| Pricing | Channel-specific pricing |
| User Access | Control who sees what data |
The Channels Dashboard
Navigate to Channels in the sidebar.Dashboard Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Channel List | All channels with status |
| Search | Find channels quickly |
| Create Button | Add new channels |
| Status Indicators | Active/Archived status |
Channel Information
Each channel shows:- Name: Channel display name
- Type: Category of channel
- Status: Active or Archived
- SKU Count: Products available on channel
Channel Types
Organize channels by type:| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| E-commerce | Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce |
| Marketplace | Amazon, eBay, Etsy |
| Wholesale | B2B portal, distributor orders |
| Retail | Physical store POS |
| Direct | Phone orders, manual entry |
Creating a Channel
Enter Details
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes | Channel display name |
| Code | Yes | Short identifier |
| Type | No | Channel category |
| Description | No | Additional details |
Channel Status
Channels can be Active or Archived:| Status | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Active | Used in forecasting, available for orders |
| Archived | Hidden from active use, data preserved |
Channels and Forecasting
Channels are essential for demand forecasting:Forecast by Channel
- Each SKU/channel combination has its own forecast
- Different channels may have different demand patterns
- Promotions can be channel-specific
Channel Performance
Track metrics per channel:- Sales volume
- Forecast accuracy
- Growth trends
Channels and Inventory
Fulfillment Mapping
Configure which warehouses fulfill which channels:| Channel | Fulfilled From |
|---|---|
| Shopify US | Main Warehouse |
| Amazon | Amazon FBA |
| Wholesale | Regional DCs |
Channel Availability
Control which SKUs are available on which channels:- All SKUs on all channels
- Channel-specific assortments
- Exclusive products
Channel Access Control
Control user access by channel:| Role | Access |
|---|---|
| Admin | All channels |
| Sales Rep | Assigned channels only |
Best Practices
Consistent Naming
Consistent Naming
Use clear, consistent channel names:
- Include region: “Shopify US”, “Shopify EU”
- Include type: “Amazon Marketplace”, “Wholesale B2B”
Match Business Structure
Match Business Structure
Create channels that match how you manage the business:
- Separate channels for separate P&Ls
- Group similar channels if managed together
Consider Forecasting Needs
Consider Forecasting Needs
Create granularity needed for accurate forecasts:
- Different patterns = different channels
- Same patterns = can combine
Plan for Growth
Plan for Growth
Design for scalability:
- Room for new channels
- Consistent structure