WooCommerce eCommerce Store: The Ultimate Guide to Product Imports
Managing an online store can be a complex task, especially when handling large product catalogs. WooCommerce includes a built-in basic product import feature, but it may not always meet the needs of growing businesses. This is where you’d need to import WooCommerce products from CSV files, and there are a number of plugins that can help.
Why You Should Use WooCommerce Product Import Plugins
WooCommerce comes with a basic default importer that lets you import multiple products at once. You can upload a CSV file with your products and use a simple interface to map the data to WooCommerce fields.
While this is good for a basic WooCommerce site, it lacks in a few areas. For instance, there’s no custom field support, complex product type imports, filtering, scheduling, data manipulation, and others.
This is where a WooCommerce product import plugin comes in. The right solution can offer several advantages over the default product importing functionality:
- They let you bulk import or update hundreds or thousands of products at once, which saves you countless hours of manual data entry.
- Advanced import product plugins often offer elements such as scheduling imports or filtering. They can handle complex product types that the default WooCommerce importer doesn’t support.
What’s more, third-party import plugins usually offer integrations with various other plugins and extensions, while letting you include their data in the import too. Apart from importing products, these plugins also enable you to update existing product data with newer information from your import file.
5 Ideal WooCommerce Plugins to Import Products from a CSV File
1. WP All Import
WP All Import is a top choice as an ideal WooCommerce import plugin. It offers a user-centric interface and powerful functionality. The plugin includes support for various product types and can import data from multiple file formats, including CSV.
The main aim of using product import plugins is to simply add multiple products at once and save time. WP All Import does exactly that and gives you complete control over the import process by breaking it into multiple steps.
For example, you get a drag-and-drop interface for mapping fields from your import file, and it is near-perfect at handling images, variations, custom fields, and taxonomies…
Key Features
- Support for multiple file formats including CSV, XML, Google Sheets, and Excel.
- Import subscriptions, variable products, simple products, affiliate products, and grouped products.
- Drag-and-drop interface for mapping fields from your import to product fields.
- Powerful filtering that lets you filter down to exactly which products to import.
- Custom fields and SEO plugin integration to add their data during the import.
- Recurring import to add product data on a regular basis.
- Import images and set the featured image from multiple sources such as URLs, your computer, or those already in WordPress.
Pricing
WP All Import has a free version with limited functionality available on the WordPress Plugin Directory. The premium version with advanced features starts at $99 per year, and you can install it on as many sites as you need.
2. Woo Import Export
Woo Import Export is another plugin that helps import WooCommerce products from CSV files. It uses a similar interface style to WP All Import by breaking down the import process into steps.
One of the unique features of Woo Import Export is that it lets you pause, resume, or stop the import at any time. This is particularly useful when dealing with large datasets where you need to make adjustments mid-import…
Key Features
- Support for a wide range of file formats including CSV, XLS, XLSX, JSON, TXT, ODS, and XML.
- Drag-and-drop interface for field mapping.
- Filtering option to import only selected products.
- Nearly 20 different integrations with third-party plugins.
- Option to import new products or update existing ones.
- Support for variable products and custom fields.
Pricing
Woo Import Export is available as a premium plugin on CodeCanyon for $229. This includes 6 months of support and future updates.
3. Product Importer Deluxe
Product Importer Deluxe is a WooCommerce product import plugin that supports multiple file formats, including support for CSV files. It offers the option to not only import new product data but also update your existing dataset.
One of the unique features of Product Importer Deluxe is its automatic field mapping when your column names match those displayed in the plugin. You can simply upload your spreadsheet, and the plugin will automatically do the heavy lifting of mapping your data to the appropriate WooCommerce fields…
Key Features
- Support for multiple file formats including CSV, TXT, and TSV.
- Import various product types such as simple, external, virtual, and variable.
- Multiple image import methods.
- Support for subscription products.
- Option to import new products only, update existing ones, or both.
Pricing
Product Importer Deluxe is a premium plugin that comes in a package with the Store Exporter Deluxe plugin and costs $158/year.
4. Import WP
Import WP is a WooCommerce plugin that enables you to import product data from a CSV file and export it from your site. You can load import files from various sources such as remote URLs, data feeds, FTP servers, Google Sheets, or manually upload files.
The plugin includes an intuitive data selection tool that simplifies the mapping of data from your import file to WooCommerce product fields. It supports all product types and product data—and also integrates with various popular WordPress custom fields and SEO plugins…
Key Features
- Works with CSV and XML file formats.
- Visual data selector tool for mapping product fields.
- Schedule automated product import tasks via cron jobs.
- Integration with a number of third-party SEO and custom field plugins.
- Skip, delete, or update existing products by setting unique identifiers.
- Supports other WordPress data types such as posts, pages, categories, tags, and attachments.
Pricing
Import WP has a free version along with the WooCommerce add-on available to install from the WordPress Plugin Directory. There’s also a premium version which costs $59 per year for a single site license.
5. WooCommerce Product CSV Import Suite
The final plugin on our list is WooCommerce Product CSV Import Suite. This is the ‘official’ solution that lets you import, merge, and export products and variations using CSV files.
As you’d expect, it’s compatible with a number of WooCommerce extensions such as Brands, Product Vendors, Google Product Feed, and more. Along with the product import features, it also lets you mass update standard fields such as price and description…
Key Features
- Mass update functionality for product information such as prices.
- Import special product details like vendors, brands, and add-ons.
- Option to set export limits for large datasets.
- Skip rows during export for manageable file sizes.
- Built-in feature to export everything, or only export select products.
Pricing
WooCommerce Product CSV Import Suite is available for purchase from the WooCommerce marketplace for $59 per year.
Which Plugin Can Help You Import WooCommerce Products from CSV Files?
WooCommerce includes a built-in product import feature, but has limitations when dealing with complex products. Choosing the right WooCommerce product import plugin can help you easily map all product fields without a hitch.
Each of the plugins we’ve listed offers various features to cover different product import needs. However, if you’re looking for a comprehensive plugin that is user-friendly and offers powerful features, WP All Import stands out as the best choice. It simplifies your product import process and helps you manage your online store more effectively.
Which of these plugins will best help you import WooCommerce products from CSV files? Share your experiences with us in the comments section below!
Conclusion
Importing products into your WooCommerce eCommerce store can be made significantly easier and more efficient by using the right product import plugin. Each of the plugins mentioned in this guide offers unique features to help streamline the process and save you time and effort.
Consider the specific needs of your online store and the complexity of your product catalog when choosing the best WooCommerce product import plugin for your business. Whether you opt for WP All Import, Woo Import Export, Product Importer Deluxe, Import WP, or the WooCommerce Product CSV Import Suite, you’re sure to find a solution that meets your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are these plugins beginner-friendly?
Yes, all of the mentioned plugins offer user-friendly interfaces and step-by-step guides to help beginners import products easily. - Can I schedule imports with these plugins?
Many of the plugins, such as WP All Import and Woo Import Export, offer scheduling features for automated imports. - Do these plugins support bulk imports?
Absolutely! All the plugins mentioned support bulk imports, allowing you to import multiple products at once effortlessly. - Can I update existing product information using these plugins?
Yes, most of the plugins, like Product Importer Deluxe and WooCommerce Product CSV Import Suite, allow you to update existing product data during the import process. - Do these plugins offer support for custom fields?
Yes, many of the plugins provide support for custom fields, allowing you to import and map custom data to your WooCommerce products.
