Advanced Shopify Import: Shopify Google Drive Integration

Although Shopify is undoubtedly one of the greatest e-commerce platforms, its import and export capabilities may appear somewhat constrained. First of all, because you are bound to manual file uploads, requiring a hands-on approach to get your data where it needs to be. However, a basic Shopify Google Drive integration could dramatically enhance your data management routine. We’ve already explored a working method for Shopify FTP imports.  Now, it’s time to learn how to connect Shopify with Google Drive. While Shopify’s built-in instruments prove insufficient for the task, the key to unlocking the desired capability lies in the utilization of the Firebear Import & Export Tool. In the following guide, we’ll navigate the intricacies of Shopify inventory auto-sync with Google Drive. Yes, you got it right: the app not only enables the Shopify Google Drive integration but also lets you automate the corresponding data exchanges entirely.

In the following article, we explore only the import side of the Shopify Google Drive dilemma. The process of exporting files to Google Drive is described in our Shopify Google Drive export guide. Below, you will find the default way of exchanging data between your e-commerce website and the popular data storage platform. After that, we will focus on what Google Drive is and why it is so advantageous to integrate your Shopware storefront with it. And, of course, you will find the improved Shopify Google Drive integration routine described below. Follow our Shopify Cookbook to discover other useful enhancements to Shopify data transfers.

Default Shopify Google Drive Import

As we’ve already mentioned, Shopify’s default tools do not include a direct, built-in feature to import data directly from Google Drive. Instead, data import in Shopify typically involves using CSV files or similar formats, and this usually requires manual file uploads.

If you want to import data from Google Drive into Shopify using the default Shopify tools, you would need to follow a manual process similar to this:

1. Export Data from Google Drive. First of all, navigate to your Google Drive and export the desired data file to your computer. 
2. Prepare Your Data. Ensure that the data you want to import is correctly formatted in a CSV file or another compatible format.
3. Log in to Your Shopify Admin Panel. Access your Shopify store’s admin dashboard and go to the section where you want to import the data. If we assume that you deal with a product update, than you should navigate to the Products screen of your Shopify admin.
4. Use the Import Tool. Within the relevant section – Products, you’ll typically find an “Import” option. Click on this to initiate the import process.
   
5. Upload Your Data. The system will prompt you to upload your data file. Choose a CSV with your product update from your computer.
6. Initiate the Import. Once you are satisfied with the settings, confirm the import. The system will process the data and update your product catalog.

Please note that the process can vary depending on the type of data you’re importing (e.g., products, customers, or orders).

If you’re looking for more automated and streamlined options for importing data from Google Drive, pay attention to the Firebear Import & Export Tool. But before we explore the simplified procedure, let’s refine your knowledge about Google Drive first.

What is Google Drive

Google Drive is a cloud storage service integrated with your Google account. So, most people have it and use it to securely store files, including images, videos, and documents, accessible from any device.

Another good thing is that there is a family of files that you can create with other Google tools, such as Docs or Sheets. You can open such files in your web browser or on mobile. For other file types, like PDFs, standard software or browser extensions are needed.

Therefore, storing Shopify updates on Google Drive is an ideal option because it’s easily accessible, user-friendly, and can be seamlessly synchronized with your e-commerce website. Let’s look at other benefits.

Shopify Google Drive Integration Advantages

The Google Drive integration with Shopify brings forth a range of benefits:

1. Efficient Data Management: Your Shopify data can be centralized and organized within Google Drive, simplifying the management and accessibility of your e-commerce information from a single hub.
2. Secure Cloud Storage: Google Drive offers a dependable and secure cloud storage solution for your Shopify data, minimizing the risks associated with data loss or hardware failures.
3. Collaboration: Google Drive facilitates collaborative work on documents and files, streamlining the process of sharing and editing data with your team or external partners.
4. Accessibility: Your Shopify data stored on Google Drive is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, promoting remote work capabilities and flexibility.
5. Data Backup: Google Drive acts as an automatic backup for your Shopify data, adding an extra layer of safeguard against data loss.
6. Integration with Google Services: The integration allows you to seamlessly combine your Shopify data stored on Google Drive with other Google services like Google Sheets, enabling data analysis and reporting.
7. Scalability: Google Drive provides scalable storage options, accommodating the expansion of your e-commerce data as your business grows.
8. Enhanced Workflow: When combined with tools such as the Improved Import & Export Tool, this integration can automate data transfers between Shopify and Google Drive, streamlining your workflow and saving valuable time.

Finally, we can explore the Shopify Google Drive import. Let’s see how to establish the integration.

Shopify inventory auto-sync with Google Drive

The Firebear Import & Export Tool lets you effortlessly integrate Shopify with Google Drive. Upon installing this tool, a sequence of steps is required to effectively import data to your e-commerce website. Below, you will find a detailed breakdown of these steps:

Prepare Your Google Drive Storage

Before you begin with your Shopify admin, you need to prepare your Google Drive storage. Here is how: 

1. Initiate the process by creating a new folder within your Google Drive. To do this:
   • Click the “New” button located on the left side of your Google Drive main page.
     
     
   • Select “New Folder.”
     
     
2. Give your folder the name “shopware-import-export.” Yes, “shopware-import-export” is specifically tailored for Shopify. Remarkably, this folder can also serve the dual purpose of accommodating data for Shopware and BigCommerce.
   
   
3. With your folder in place, you can now transfer your updates into the “shopware-import-export” folder. Here’s how:
   
   
   • Open the context menu.
   • Click “Organize.”
   • Select “Move.”
   • Opt for the “shopware-import-export” folder and click “Move.”
     
     

Your storage is now ready for Shopify inventory auto-sync with Google Drive. You need to create an import profile to complete it.

Configure a New Import Profile:

Here is how you configure a new import profile for your Shopify Google Drive integration:

1. Head to “Apps” in your Shopify admin panel, followed by “Firebear Import & Export Tool.” Click on the “Import” option and the “New Profile” button.
   
   
2. This will bring up the “Select file” screen. Follow these subsequent steps to configure your Shopify Google Drive import profile:
   
   • Specify your profile’s name, such as “Google Drive Product Import.”
   • Select the entity you intend to import. Choose products to run the inventory updates. Also, you can import customers. Support for order import is coming soon.
   • Create a schedule for updates. You need to choose a time zone and select how often you need the app to import product updates from Google Drive to Shopify: hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly. 
   • Configure email notifications as needed. The app can notify you about successful, failed, or both types of import.
   • Choose your desired file format. By default, it should be CSV only. Our app also adds support for XML and XLSX. You can even establish a Shopify Google Sheets integration. But let’s return to our mutton.
   • You need to choose a file source for your update. Opt for Google Drive. Ensure that you grant the Firebear Import & Export Tool the necessary access permissions to your storage.
     Now, specify the full file name with its extension, for instance, “Shopify product export test.csv.” Note that your file will be imported from the “shopware-import-export” folder on Google Drive. Alternatively, you can import data over FTP or from a URL.
   • Define separators or allow the app to automatically detect delimiters if your update is provided via CSV. 
   • Configure advanced settings, including the stock increment strategy.
3. Click “Continue” to proceed to the mapping screen. Here, you need to specify which columns from the imported file should align with the properties of your Shopify products. Otherwise, you won’t be able to establish Shopify inventory auto-sync with Google Drive. If your product update originates in another Shopify website, it won’t take any effort to map it. But if it is generated in a third-party system, you will need to examine column headers carefully and specify the corresponding names suitable for Shopify.
   
4. Notably, the app provides a preview of how your products will appear after Google Drive Shopify files are on board.
   
   
5. Lastly, click “Save” to preserve your Shopify Google Drive import profile. Upon clicking “Import,” the app will initiate the data transfer, moving your data file from Google Drive to Shopify.
   
   

For a corresponding guide on Shopify export, check this tutorial: Shopify Export to Google Drive. You can also refer to our detailed documentation in the Firebear Import & Export Tool Manual.

Other Features

The Firebear Import & Export Tool doesn’t just address the typical challenges faced by Shopify store owners during their import and export procedures; it takes these operations to entirely new heights. In contrast to traditional data transfer methods, this application offers a wide range of features and functionalities designed to refine and diversify your data management capabilities, where Shopify Google Drive integration is only one of them. Here are some of the noteworthy aspects that are already available or will soon be added:

• Comprehensive Product Import and Export: This tool empowers you to import and export products with full customization of properties and attributes, allowing you to tailor your product listings to your unique requirements.
• Effortless Customer Data Management: Simplify the handling of customer data as the tool supports the import and export of customer information, including addresses, offering a holistic view of your clientele.
• Seamless Order Import & Export: Effortlessly export your order data to gain valuable insights and enhance order management. Additionally, you have the flexibility to import orders from other sources, consolidating your sales data in one central location.
• Efficient Product Properties Mapping: With the ability to map product properties and apply preset mappings, you can ensure that your data aligns precisely with your Shopify store’s specifications. The use of presets allows for the automation of repetitive import processes, streamlining your operations.
• Automated Import and Export Scheduling: The tool provides scheduling options, automating your data transfers at convenient intervals, ultimately saving you time and effort.
• Versatile File Format Support: You can seamlessly work with a range of file formats, including CSV, XLSX, and XLSX, accommodating various data sources and types.
• Real-Time Collaboration with Google Sheets: Seamlessly integrate your data with Google Sheets for collaborative, real-time data management.
• Convenient Direct File Uploads: Enjoy the convenience of direct file uploads, simplifying the data transfer process.
• Secure Data Transfers with FTP/FTPS: Ensure secure and efficient data transfers with support for FTP and FTPS uploads, safeguarding the safety and integrity of your data.
• Enhanced Data Management with Google Drive: Leverage Google Drive for data uploads, expanding your data management options.

Admit that with these extensive capabilities up the sleeve, it is much easier to establish seamless Shopify inventory auto-sync with Google Drive or any other data exchange between the two platforms than when you are stuck with the default tools. Our app empowers you to exercise precise control over your data, providing a comprehensive solution for efficient data management. For a more in-depth exploration of the Import & Export Tool, please follow these links:

• Firebear Import & Export Tool for Shopify  
• Firebear Import & Export Tool Manual
• Contact us