> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.opencart.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.opencart.com/admin-interface/reports/products.md).

# Products

## Introduction

**Product Reports** allow you to evaluate the performance of your inventory. By analyzing which products are being viewed and which are actually being purchased, you can identify your best-sellers as well as products that may need better promotion or price adjustments. This data helps in inventory management, seasonal planning, and optimizing your store's layout to highlight high-interest items.

## Accessing Product Reports

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Navigate to Reports

Go to **Reports → Reports** in your admin panel.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select Report Type

From the **Report Type** dropdown menu, choose **Products Viewed** or **Products Purchased**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Filter and Analyze

Filter by date ranges and order status to focus on valid sales data and specific time frames.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Product Report Types

### 1. Products Viewed Report

This report lists products based on the number of times they have been viewed on the storefront.

* **Key Columns**: Product Name, Model, Viewed, and Percent.
* **Usage**: Identifying "window shopping" trends. A high view count but low sale count might indicate a price that is too high or a poor product description.

### 2. Products Purchased Report

This report focuses on actual sales performance per product.

* **Key Columns**: Date Start, Date End, Product Name, Model, Quantity, and Total.
* **Usage**: Identifying your most profitable products and managing stock levels based on sales velocity.

## Common Tasks

### Identifying Underperforming Products

To find products that attract interest but don't sell:

1. Compare the **Products Viewed Report** with the **Products Purchased Report**.
2. Look for products with high views but low quantities sold.
3. Review these products' pricing, image quality, and descriptions.

### Planning Seasonal Inventory

To prepare for upcoming seasons:

1. Run a **Products Purchased Report** for the same period last year.
2. Identify which models and quantities were most popular.
3. Use this data to inform your ordering and promotional schedule for the current year.

## Best Practices

<details>

<summary><strong>Inventory Optimization</strong></summary>

* **Reset View Counts**: Periodically reset view counts (if your version allows or via database) after making major changes to product pages to see if interest improves.
* **Focus on 'Total'**: When looking at sales, pay attention to the **Total** revenue column, not just the **Quantity**. A low-quantity item with high margins might be more valuable than a high-volume low-margin item.
* **Monitor Models**: Ensure your product models are unique and descriptive so they are easy to identify in reports.

</details>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Marketing Insight**: High view counts in the "Products Viewed" report indicate that your SEO or external advertising is working well to bring traffic to those specific items.
{% endhint %}

## Troubleshooting

<details>

<summary><strong>Products viewed report shows zero or inaccurate view counts</strong></summary>

**View Tracking Issues**

* **Tracking Enabled**: Verify that product view tracking is enabled in your store settings.
* **Cache Issues**: Clear OpenCart cache as view counts may be cached.
* **Bot Traffic**: Some views may be from bots that are not tracked.
* **Time Delay**: View counts may update periodically rather than in real-time.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Products purchased report missing certain products</strong></summary>

**Data Coverage Issues**

* **Order Status Filter**: Ensure you're including completed orders in the report filter.
* **Date Range**: Verify the date range includes the period when purchases occurred.
* **Product Status**: Check that products are enabled and visible in the catalog.
* **Inventory Settings**: Products with zero stock may not appear if out-of-stock purchases are disabled.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Discrepancies between viewed and purchased reports</strong></summary>

**Analysis Issues**

* **Time Lag**: Customers may view products and purchase days later; extend date ranges for correlation.
* **Product Variations**: Views may be for parent products while purchases are for specific variants.
* **Price Displays**: Ensure product prices are visible and accurate to encourage conversion.
* **Mobile vs Desktop**: View patterns may differ by device, affecting conversion rates.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Report data appears outdated</strong></summary>

**Data Refresh Issues**

* **Cache Clearing**: Clear OpenCart cache to refresh report data.
* **Database Indexing**: Ensure database tables are properly indexed for timely updates.
* **Scheduled Tasks**: Some reports rely on scheduled tasks; check cron job configuration.
* **Extension Conflicts**: Disable recently installed extensions to check for conflicts with report updates.

</details>

> "Products tell a story—views are the opening chapters, purchases are the climax. Product reports give you the narrative arc of your inventory, showing you which stories resonate and which need rewrites."