Import WooCommerce products with images: product image guide

Do you want a straightforward way to import products with images into your WooCommerce store from a CSV file? You've landed in the perfect spot! 📦✨ This comprehensive guide will make your import process smoother (also for variable products).

Master WooCommerce: Import products with images easily

• Why should you import products with images?
• How to use built-in WooCommerce product importer?
• What problems might occur when importing products with multiple images?
• Is it better to use a CSV importer or a dedicated plugin to import products?
• What is Dropshipping XML for WooCommerce and how does it work?
• How to import multiple product images from CSV file?
• How to import products, images, and update products from XML files?
• Free vs PRO import options: which plugin version should you choose?
• How to schedule regular product imports with images?
• Can you update existing products while importing?
• Best practices when importing WooCommerce products with images

Why should you import products with images?

Images help your products sell. Customers need to see what they’re buying. Products with images get more views and better engagement. WooCommerce supports this out of the box.

Let’s say you sell shoes. One product image isn’t enough. Show the top, side, sole, with background. The more images, the better.

Of course, you can add more images to existing products by updating them.

But the advantage of product import is obviously time and less errors possible when editing products.

How to use built-in WooCommerce product importer?

Go to Products → Import in your WooCommerce dashboard. Upload your CSV file. Map the columns and necessary fields. Run the import.

Include product data like name, description, price, and image URLs.

Double-check image links before importing and map the column names with product field names.

What problems might occur when importing products with multiple images?

WooCommerce only takes one image per product by default.

To import product galleries, you need multiple image URLs in one line of the CSV file inside "", and separated by commas. For example:

ID, Name, Images

20, Blueberries, "https://site.com/image1.jpg,https://site.com/image2.jpg,https://site.com/image3.jpg"

The first image will be taken as the product featured image, other will go to the gallery.

Sometimes image links don’t work. Maybe the file path is wrong. Maybe the image is private. Always test a few products first.

Is it better to use a CSV importer or a dedicated plugin to import products?

The built-in importer works well for small catalogs. But if you import thousands of products, or need automatic updates, use a plugin.

Dropshipping XML for WooCommerce lets you import from XML or CSV. It automates the process. No manual uploads.

What is Dropshipping XML for WooCommerce and how does it work?

It’s a WooCommerce plugin that lets you import products, images, stock, and prices. From XML or CSV files. You set the source. The plugin fetches and imports data.

It also supports automatic updates. You can sync your store with a supplier’s feed. That means less manual work.

Assign image column with URLs in your CSV or XML to the image section to display product images effectively.

How to import multiple product images from CSV file?

Add a column called images. Add all image URLs for each product in that column. Separate them with commas.

Example:
https://site.com/image1.jpg,https://site.com/image2.jpg,https://site.com/image3.jpg

WooCommerce takes the first one as the main product image. The rest go to the product gallery.

Of course, import method doesn't matter if products are not present at a given location. Make sure the URL points to the file, or upload the images to a folder via FTP or file manager of your hosting account.

How to import products, images, and update products from XML files?

The plugin allows choosing two import formats. You may even get images via FTP or upload it locally with the FTP add-on for the plugin.

The product mapper is quite similar. XML files usually give more structured and easy-to-read data based on nodes with attributes. You may ask the product feed provider about the file format.

💡 Tip: Preview before you import

Before finalizing the import, use the preview feature. Check that product data and images are correctly mapped and will show up properly in your store.

Set the "product template" including the product type, product details you want to import with a WooCommerce product CSV or XML feed.

Free vs PRO import options: which plugin version should you choose?

The free version lets you import products manually. One feed. One-time import. Basic features only.

The PRO version adds automation. You can:

• Add new products and a new import using visual interface
• Schedule automatic imports
• Map fields using the product mapper
• Set pricing rules for product you wish to import
• Connect multiple suppliers - you may import more files at the same time
• Use conditional logic to manage imports

Choose PRO if you manage a growing catalog. Or work with external vendors.

Ready for advanced product imports?

Upgrade to Dropshipping XML for WooCommerce PRO

Experience automated imports, advanced scheduling, and seamless integration with multiple suppliers with this WooCommerce integration.

👉 Explore PRO Features

How to schedule regular product imports with images?

Use the PRO version. Go to the plugin settings. Set the import frequency — daily, hourly, or weekly. Select the file source. Map the fields.

The plugin checks the feed and imports updates. Automatically. No need to open and check WooCommerce to import products to WooCommerce.

Can you update existing products while importing?

Yes. Dropshipping XML detects existing products based on this setting.

Then it can update products instead of creating duplicates. Useful when a supplier changes prices or stock levels.

Of course, set the plugin to update specific fields — like price, stock, or product descriptions.

It means that you can select product fields you choose to import and synchronize (update) in the next imports.

Updates can run on schedule - the plugin allows setting product imports/ updates easily.

Also, you can select products to import products as drafts.

Finally, updating or importing WooCommerce products along with images is also possible from more CSV or XML files.

Best practices when importing WooCommerce products with images

Back up your store first. Always. Run a test import with 3–5 products. Check the images, prices, descriptions.

Use correct file formats. Make sure image URLs are accessible. Use plugins for recurring imports.

Import products with images in WooCommerce – key points

• Use the built-in WooCommerce importer for simple imports
• If you need to import or update products and images, product fields, or schedule the import use the plugin
• Use Dropshipping XML for large or automated imports
• Separate multiple image URLs with commas
• Use PRO version to schedule and automate updates
• Always test before bulk imports

There are different ways to import products without plugins, but if you want to configure batch import with products using a default importer you may not map fields so easily.

Learn how to import products with images using the Dropshipping XML for WooCommerce plugin. Test the extension in a free demo.

You may also take a look at the product options visit the plugin page or start with the free version of the plugin.

🚀 Master product import once, and managing your WooCommerce store becomes much easier!

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