Advanced Shopify | Using a Product Upload File
These step by step instructions for using a product upload file for adding or editing products in Shopify is part of my Advanced Shopify Course. The course is perfect if you have a Shopify site that you would like to tweak and improve, the advanced course follows on from my Basic Shopify Course that will step you through exactly how to build a Shopify store.
Product upload files are a great way of adding, updating or editing a large number of products at the same time. This is a great way to add products to your store in time for launch, or if you have a new range or collection.
Sometimes it's a bit hard to get your head around using this file, but you will get there I promise. I have put together a file with notes and explanations for you to try and make your first product upload as easy as possible.
To get a "blank" product upload file (without my notes), go to Products and click on Import a box will pop up that gives you the option to Download a sample CSV template:
This link will take you to a page within the Shopify help centre that has lots of information about CSV files and how to use a CSV file to add products to your Shopify store. This page also includes an explanation of each field (or column) in the CSV upload file.
You can download your own CSV sample template under the heading Get a sample CSV file by clicking on sample product CSV file:
Alternatively you can click here to use this CSV file that have my notes and explanations. You can use this as your product upload file but be sure to delete my notes from the top row of the file and then save the file as a CSV.
Quick tip: You can use a product upload file to assign product images to your products. First of all, these product images need to be uploaded to Shopify. Ensure that all of your images are optimised for website use (I like my images to all be square and 800px * 800px, but you can have yours all landscape or all portrait and compressed to similar dimensions), also ensure that you have named the image file so that you can easily identify each image.
Go to Settings > Files and click on Upload files (top right) and then choose the files from your computer or laptop or from your phone if you are using the Shopify app.
By changing the file names before you upload your images, these file names will show in Shopify making it easier to see which images belong to which products:
Alternatively you can click the name in the File column to enlarge the thumbnail if you need a closer look at the product image:
Copy the link that appears in the URL column and paste it into the product upload file alongside the product in the Image Src column.
Once you have completed your file (remember, if you are using my version, delete the top row of the file and then save the file as a CSV), go to Products > Import and click on Add file then select your product upload file.
If you tick the box beside Overwrite any current products that have the same handle. Existing values will be used for any missing columns it will ensure that there are no double ups - this is important if you are using an upload file to edit your on page SEO for your products.
If you found these instructions useful you might like to check out my Advanced Shopify Course, the advanced course follows on from my Basic Shopify Course that will step you through exactly how to build a Shopify store.
The best place to ask questions about product uploads or Shopify or just business in general is the Running In Heels Bidness Tips and Tricks Facebook Group.
