When it's time to update the products on your site by filling in Product Descriptions, setting up SEO options, or updating sizes, it can feel overwhelming to navigate through different pages one at a time to get everything done. But don't worry! We has a fantastic feature that makes it super easy for you.
With Export/Import Products feature, you can export the product data from any store on your site as an CSV spreadsheet file format. This file allows you to quickly and effortlessly edit the information you need right on the spreadsheet.
Once you're done editing, simply import the updated data back into your site. This ensures that any changes you made in the spreadsheet will automatically update on your site.
Now you can easily manage and update your site's information without the hassle of going from page to page. Art Storefronts has made it simple and convenient for you to take control of your website's details.
To begin, please ensure that you are logged in to your Art Storefronts Site Manager. Once logged in, scroll down the page until you locate the specific store you wish to work with. It's important to note that this process is applicable to both Art Print Stores and Standard Stores.
For the purpose of this tutorial, we will focus on exporting your print products from the Art Print Store.
Once we have selected our store page, we need to switch over to the "Info" tab.
On the INFO tab of your Store page, continue scrolling down the page until you reach the bottom section called Export/Import Products. Click on the "EXPORT PRODUCTS" option located there.
Please keep in mind that if you are working with a Standard Store, you will need to select the specific type of product you wish to export. This includes options such as Originals, Limited Editions, Calendars, Standard Products, and Panel Art. Unfortunately, it is not possible to export all of these product types simultaneously since they have different fields that require individual attention.
The system will prompt you to check the type of your export format. For general product updates, it is recommended to choose the "Standard" option. This format is suitable for most regular updates and ensures compatibility with the export/import process.
Click on the button titled START THE EXPORT to initiate the export process on the site.
After initiating the export process, the site will display a message informing you that the export file is being created. At this point, click on the "Ok" button to acknowledge the message.
Navigate to your email and look for an email titled Product Export Request.
Within the email, there’s a link labeled Click here to download your file and you’ll need to click on this to download the excel spreadsheet.
The spreadsheet will download and when it finishes, you can click on it to open it.
Once the spreadsheet is open, you will notice various columns of information. The first column is labeled "ASF ID" which represents the unique identification number assigned to each product upon upload. This is the ID number that the site will need to identify in order to apply the updates to the correct product.
It is crucial to note that you should NOT modify this ASF ID. Making changes to this field will not create a new product, nor will it update the existing product on your site.
The next section in the spreadsheet is the "Item Code" field. It is important to note that using the "Item Code" field is optional, and you are not obligated to fill it out. It is provided for your convenience, allowing you to include any relevant codes or numbers associated with your products if desired.
Then, there’s the field called Name. This field allows you to update the name of each exported product. If you need to make any changes to the product names, simply update the corresponding entries in this column of the spreadsheet.
After the "Name" field, you will find the section labeled "Artist Name" in the spreadsheet. In this section, you can enter the name of the artist who created the artwork. It's important to note that filling out this field is optional, and you are not obligated to provide the artist's name if you prefer not to.
SEO Options are up next. They consist of 4 options, SEO Title, SEO Meta Description, SEO Meta Keywords and Smart URL and are located in columns G-K. In this section, you can quickly update the SEO settings for each product listed in the spreadsheet.
Art Storefronts Tip: For more information about SEO, please visit our article on Search Engine Optimization.
Once you're ready to proceed, the next section is titled "Search Keywords." Here, you can enter keywords that you want to use for site search purposes or as categories if you are utilizing the advanced options.
It's important to note that these Search Keywords are distinct from SEO Meta Keywords and do not impact your ranking on Google. Please refrain from filling out these fields with the expectation of improving your Google ranking.
Furthermore, please remember to separate the Search Keywords with commas. If a keyword consists of multiple words, such as "best sellers," it should be hyphenated as "best-sellers" in the spreadsheet. This ensures proper formatting and clarity for your keywords.
Example Image is next. This is simply an informational field for you. If you need to know which image you are filling the information out for, you can follow this link to see it.
After that, there’s a section titled Available Sizes. In this section, you will find a list of all the sizes that are currently activated for each product in the specified store on your site.
To update the available sizes for a particular product, simply type in the desired sizes in this section. If the sizes you enter match the available options for that product, they will be activated, while any other sizes not listed will be deactivated.
This feature allows you to easily manage and control the available sizes for each product, ensuring that only the specified sizes are displayed while others are automatically disabled.
Catalog - Short Description This is where you can enter in the short description you’d like displayed on your catalog.
Short Description is where you can update the short description of your product
Long Description is where you can provide a longer description and explanation of an image.
Now that you have made all the necessary updates to the information on this spreadsheet, it is important to save it before proceeding with the import onto your ASF site.
To save the spreadsheet, click on the "Save" or "Save As" option in your spreadsheet software (such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets). Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the file, provide a suitable name, and click "Save" to finalize the saving process.
By saving the spreadsheet, you ensure that all the modifications you made are preserved and ready for the import onto your ASF site.
After saving the updated spreadsheet, return to your Art Storefronts site and locate the "IMPORT PRODUCTS" button.
Clicking on the "IMPORT PRODUCTS" button will initiate the import process, allowing you to upload the saved spreadsheet containing the updated product information. This step is crucial to synchronize the changes you made in the spreadsheet with your Art Storefronts site.
Ensure that you have the correct file selected for import, and follow any on-screen instructions or prompts to complete the import process successfully.
A new window will pop up and you’ll need to click the Choose File button and select the spreadsheet you just updated.
After that, click the IMPORT button.
Once you click on the "IMPORT PRODUCTS" button, a warning box will appear on your screen. It is crucial that you carefully read and understand the contents of this warning. Before proceeding with the import, it is highly recommended that you take the following precautionary measures:
Triple check that you have a backup of the original file you exported. This ensures that you have a copy of the data as it was before any modifications were made. Keep this backup file stored in a separate location and avoid overwriting it.
If you haven't already done so, export a fresh copy of the original data and save it as a separate file with a unique name. By creating this additional backup, you will have an extra layer of protection in case any issues arise during the import process.
When you’re sure you’ve read and understood the warning and created a back-up, type I SAVED A BACKUP in the box.
Click CONFIRM.
You’ll receive a confirmation message letting you know the file is being imported. Give it a bit, especially if you have quite a bit of information to import, but otherwise, you’re done!