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Creating a Shop - Using a Spreadsheet

Last updated on by Freeola Support

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Important Information

This guide is for the Freeola InstantPro Website Builder. This service has now been replaced by a more modern product, RQS, and therefore is no longer updated with new features.

To build your website in RQS for free, please click here or visit the RQS Builder section of your MyFreeola Control Panel.

This guide is for creating a new shop, via the Shop Setup Wizard. If you have already started to create your shop and have been through the wizard, then please refer to the Managing & Importing Your Product List Guide.

If you have a large product list, it may be beneficial to import your list. Your list will have to be in .csv format and must be in the correct structure. You can take a look at an example .csv file here. Following this guide will take you to the Import Products page, where you will be able to download the template.

However you may find it helpful to add a few products individually and export the Product List so that you can see how your list should be structured. After exporting, you can add the rest of your products to the list and then import it. If you would prefer to use this method then please refer to the Adding Products Individually Guide first.

Step 1

From the Main Menu, select Create a Shop from under the Pages & Content heading.

Create a Shop

Step 2

You will now be taken to the Shop Setup Wizard.

Shop Setup Wizard

Step 3

The third step of the wizard covers Payment & Delivery Settings (optional).

Payment & Delivery

Here you can set up a method for taking payments on your site, either by entering your PayPal Email Address, or by adding Alternative Payment Instructions (such as a telephone number or email address). You can also customise delivery options and charges here too.

Once you are happy with the details press Next.

Note

This section is optional, and can be edited at another time. You can skip this section by pressing the Skip this Step button.

To find out more, please take a look at the Payment & Delivery Options Guide.

Step 4

The next step of the wizard, is where you choose whether to Add Products Individually or Import a Product List. For this guide select Import a Product List.

Importing Your Product List

Step 1

You will now come to the Import Products page, here you can select to Download the Template. Below is an example of a .csv with a few lines completed and then a brief explanation of the field and how they may affect your shop.

Example .CSV File
  • Reference (Compulsory) - Your products must have a unique reference number, which must be between 3-20 characters (alpha-numerical). If your items don’t already have a reference you could try P01 as your first item, and so on.

  • Product Names (Compulsory) - The name of your item, keep it concise so it’s easy to search.

  • Variations - If there are variants of your product, such as colours or sizes, they can be listed here (separated by commas). Only do this if the price is not affected.

  • Category (Compulsory) - Your products will be organised by their category, and will be split into category pages.

  • Subcategory - Can make searching for items easier for your customers (for example you could split books into fiction & non-fiction).

  • Description - You can add a brief description for your customers.

  • Price (Compulsory) - You must add the full purchase price here (inclusive of VAT). Do not use any currency symbols.

  • Max Buy Quantity - If you have limited stock, or want to limit the purchase quantity per person, then enter the quantity here (visitors can’t see this).

  • Status (Compulsory) - Must enter either Active or Inactive. You can use this to indicate that your item is available and in stock - if you mark this as Inactive your item will not be displayed online.

  • Image (1-7) - You can add up to 7 images to each product. You can add the file name of your image here (such as image1.jpg). Leave this section blank if you don’t want to add any.

  • Sorting Priority - If you put a Yes in this column, it will ensure that the product appears at the top of your pages. It’s a good idea to mark your best selling products as a priority.

  • Is New - If you have a new item that you would like to appear on a dedicated “New” page, then enter a Yes into this column.

  • On Offer - If an item is on special offer and you would like it to appear on a dedicated “Offers” page, then enter a Yes in this column.

Step 2

If you have the file names of your images included in your .csv file, you will need to upload the images to your Media Library before they will be displayed alongside your products. This can be done at a later time or you can also add images to your products individually later.

Step 3

Once you are confident that your list is in the correct structure, press the Import File button and select your file. If there are any problems with the .csv file; the line and error type will be listed at the bottom of the page.

Your items will be listed in the Products In File section, once you are happy press the Save & Finish button.

Import Products

Step 4

This will now take you to your Product List, and you will see all of your products listed. Here you can make adjustments to your products, including adding images individually.

To add images individually, click the Add Product Image icon, and select either an existing image from your Media Library, or you can choose to Browse Computer to find and select a file from your computer.

Add Image

Note

If you make any changes manually, do remember to Export your product list, so that you have an up to date back up.

Exporting Your Product List

We would recommend that you export your Product List regularly, to serve as a back up. Also if you are looking to Import a Product List we recommend that you add a few items individually and then Export your Product List to see how the list should be structured.

The following explains how to export your product list.

Step 1

From the Main Menu, select Shop Manager from under the Pages & Content header.

Step 2

You will be taken to the Shop Product List page, press the Export button.

Step 3

On the next page, select the Export Product List .CSV button. You will then be prompted to choose which program you would like to open or save your list in.

We recommend Microsoft Excel or Open Office Calc.

Export CSV

Step 4

Once you have exported your product list, you can use it to add additional products, or just keep it as a back up.

CSV File

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