Bulk product upload for a small business

  • I have a small business site that uses WooCommerce and the All Import plugin.

    The website has been having problems with uploading products with the All Import plugin, it is either really slow, or gives a 524 error.

    I am going to rebuild the site and hopefully avoid running into the same problems. I did not build the site myself initially.

    however, I am not aware of any ‘better’ plugin for uploading bulk products, other than All Import.

    we have 1000s of products and i hope to upload them to a new site. I have considered using WP-CLI with All Import and I will be testing it but my question is how do other businesses that use Worpdress handle their bulk uploads of products?

    I would like to use the most effective method if any body has any ideas.
    i have a php qualification and have built a couple of hobby sites using it so I am comfortable with code, although not an expert.

    any help would be appreciated ??

    • This topic was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by Jan Dembowski. Reason: Moved to Fixing WordPress, this is not an Developing with WordPress topic
Viewing 10 replies - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

  • WooCommerce has an inbuilt functions to upload products. I use that feature only to upload products all at once using an MS Excel file. Have you tried using the default Product Upload option?

    Thread Starter mirwordpress

    (@mirwordpress)

    Hi,
    Thank you. That’s interesting and I am wondering if this is how developers of wordpress websites that have 1000s of products do their uploading. Im really just trying to see all available options for this.
    I have tested the default upload yes – maybe I can add custom fields to it and improve what it does by default.

    Yes, the defauul WooCommerce CSV looks complicated. The good thing is it can be customized based on what Fields You Require and What Not.

    You can export a CSV file from your Website and save it as a file to check which fields you actually use. You can delete the columns that you don’t need and can make a custom template for future use.

    You can also read WooCommerce Guide here: https://docs.woocommerce.com/document/product-csv-importer-exporter/

    That said, if you’re looking for a standalone plugin, there are some free and premium which you need to explore based on your specific needs.

    Thread Starter mirwordpress

    (@mirwordpress)

    thank you. I would like to avoid plugins but i know thats not always possible. I will have alot of imagery to be linked to products too. Like at most 2-3 per product. Im still trying to decide how that will be completed too. Does the default plugin allow some type of linking of imagery? Do you know the best way to do this part.

    The default plugin allows linking images: You can bulk upload product images to WordPress and then put image URLs in the Image column of the CSV file. You can add multiple images by putting a comma between two URLS. Check this default file for reference:
    https://github.com/woocommerce/woocommerce/blob/master/sample-data/sample_products.csv

    If you want to follow this path, you should put all your images in one place and pay close attention to how you name each of these images (Image file names). By creating a list of the file names, you can use it in the CSV file which will be treated as URLs.

    For Example:
    Image File Name: Tshirt1.jpg
    https://xyz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Tshirt1.jpg

    • This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by dmknows.
    Thread Starter mirwordpress

    (@mirwordpress)

    thank you. Do you mean to store them on the server and link those URLS? Is this best practice?
    Can I ask you if you know anything about the storage of the images, after uploading. How many folders in WordPress do they go into by default, ( i know wordpress by default will create 3 ) and can I thereafter remove the original and just keep the default images?

    Sorry just asking as this current website has a HUGE uploads folder – and i want to avoid wasting resources for the new site – I have no idea why the uploads folder has so many images in it.

    You can always use external URLS as well. For example, URLs of the images available on the current site can also be used on the new site. Here’s what the Official Document states: “External URLs are supported and imported into the Media Library if used.”

    Regarding the subfolders in the Uploads folder, you can always change that option from here: WordPress > Settings > Media. You can also uncheck the box that says ‘Organize my uploads into month- and year-based folders’

    For the multiple images, the thing is WooCommerce and WordPress (depending on the theme) use multiple variants (Thumbnail, Original Size, etc.) of a single image and each is required. So, it’s better not to delete anything without taking a backup.

    As far as the best practice is concerned, honestly I wouldn’t call it the best because there should be an easier way to upload and link image in WooCommerce than playing with URLs and bulk image uploads. Unfortunately, that’s not. But if you are just moving or copying the same products on a new website/installation, Database methods can save you a lot of time and energy.

    Just found this https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/quick-product-image-upload/
    This plugin adds a column to the product listing in WooCommerce with links to upload and delete product images.

    Thread Starter mirwordpress

    (@mirwordpress)

    thank you again.
    I was hoping to upload current versions of products as the current website is outdated and alot of products and their imagery are outdated.
    it would be interesting to know what experienced developers do in this case – where they have 1000s of products to upload. I did come across WP-CLI – have you ever used this or heard much about it?

    Otherwise, no other leads than to use the default woocommerce upload function..

    Thread Starter mirwordpress

    (@mirwordpress)

    thanks for that link will check it out ??

Viewing 10 replies - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
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