Magento 2 Backend Exploration: Customer Now Online

We continue exploring the Magento 2 backend and this time want to show you how to monitor customers online in Magento 2. Recently, we’ve already described the All Customers screen – the main interface under the Customers section. And today, you will find a detailed description of another grid dedicated to your store visitors – Customers Now Online. This section doesn’t let you register new clients or import/export them, but it is useful in terms of promotions and marketing campaigns, introducing advanced monitoring opportunities. Also, note that we’ve already described the main sections of Admin->Sales (Orders, Invoices, Credit Memos, etc.) as well as the Products and Categories screens from the Catalog section. 

Magento 2 Customers Now Online

You can see people browsing your website under Customers -> Now Online.

Control elements

The Customers Now Online screen offers only several control elements. You don’t have either a standard search field on the top left above the grid or a dropdown with actions below. 

However, the top right area above the Customers Now Online grid lets you apply filters, switch between grid views, show/hide columns, select the number of customers per page, and switch between grid pages. 

Let’s take a look at the filters section. It lets you narrow down the selection of store visitors who are now online. You can apply the following filters:

• ID;
• Last Activity;
• First Name;
• Last Name;
• Email;
• Type (Visitor or Customer).

If you want to customize the appearance of the Customers Now Online grid, enable/disable the six columns:

• ID;

• Last Activity;

• First Name;

• Last Name;

• Email;

• Type (Visitor or Customer).

After changing the appearance of the Customers Now Online grid, you can save it as a new view:

The default Customers Now Online grid view

By default, the Customers Now Online grid includes all six columns that we’ve just mentioned above. It has the following appearance:

Note that unregistered and store visitors and those who didn’t log in are marked as Visitors. The others – Customers.

How to edit a customer in Magento 2

Since Customers Now Online are available for monitoring purposes only, you cannot edit customers in the grid. However, we describe this process here: How to edit a customer in Magento 2.

How to add a new customer in Magento 2

And you cannot add new customers from the Customers Now Online screen. However, this procedure is quite simple. We’ve described it in this guide: How to add a new customer in Magento 2.

How to Import Customers to Magento 2

Since we are talking about customers, it is also important to discuss how to import them. Unfortunately, neither All Customers nor Customers Now Online let you do that. However, you can find the default import tools in the Magento 2 admin. But they are very limited despite constant updates. Therefore, we recommend you to use the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension to import customers and all the related data to Magento 2 quickly and automatically. 

Since the most common use case for customers import is migration to Magento 2, let’s describe this procedure. Imagine that you have to migrate from your old Magento 1 website or another e-commerce platform to a brand new Magento 2 store. Create an export file with customers on your old site. Next, transfer it to a server or a Dropbox account. Then, follow these steps:

Go to System->Improved Import/Export->Import Jobs and hit the “Add New Job” button.

Go to the job’s General Settings to enable it, specify its title, choose the manual run frequency (we are transferring data from your old store, so it is a one-time procedure), select a language (locale), and enable/disable the following features depending on your business needs:

• Generate Unique Url if Duplicate;
• Re-Index after Import; 
• Send email from new tracks.

Proceed to the Import Settings section. Here, you can enable/disable API, choose Customers & Addresses in the Entity dropdown, and select a platform (Magento 1). You can also remove up-sell and cross-sell products.

In Import Behavior, select Add/Update from the dropdown, choose a validation strategy, specify the maximum possible number of errors, and set separators.

In Import Source, select CSV as your import file type (or choose another standard if your data file is not CSV). Next, specify your import source. You can import a data file with customers to Magento 2 from a server, Dropbox account, URL, or upload it directly. In the case of Dropbox, specify a file path, access token, and remote images directory. Enable/disable the following features depending on your business needs:

• Use Image Import Source;
• Do you want to remove current mappings?

To start importing customers to Magento 2, hit “Save & Run” in the top right corner of the screen. Now, our extension will transfer all customers and the corresponding data to your new Magento 2 store. For further information about how to do that, follow the link below and contact our support:

Get Improved Import & Export Magento 2 Extension

How to Export Customers from Magento 2

As for the export procedure, it is often used in integrations with CRM systems. You need to provide an external software solution with information about all existing customers as well as newly registered ones. Unlike one-time migration, integration with a remote system requires constant updates. And you can automate them entirely. To export customers from Magento 2, we recommend using the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension due to the same reasons. The module not only automates the default customer export but also lets you transfer all the related data to any external system without modifying anything manually. Let’s see how to provide an external platform with customers. Follow these steps to achieve your goal:

Go to System->Improved Import/Export->Export Jobs and hit the “Add New Job” button.

The General Settings section lets you enable the job, type its title, and select a frequency (e.g., every day at 3:00 am if you want to provide CRM with updates daily). Choose a local file language and divide additional attributes if necessary. 

In Export Settings, select Customers Main File from the Entity dropdown and enable Consecutive Export.

In Export Behavior, select a format of your customers export file (your CRM system should support this format) and specify separators.

In Export Source, specify a place to transfer customers to. You can select FTP, SFTP, or a data file as a destination. Check the connection before going any further.

Next, map attributes and add filters.

To start the export process, hit “Save & Run” in the top right corner of the screen. For further information on how to export customers from Magento 2, follow the link below and contact our support:

Get Improved Import & Export Magento 2 Extension

Improved Import & Export Features

Below, we shed light on the features of the Improved Import & Export extension that simplify the import and export processes of all Magento 2 entities, including customers. With our module, you can streamline several different techniques for moving customers and the related data to and from your e-commerce website. It is even possible to establish a direct connection between the two systems. As a store administrator, you can manage all integrations right in the backend interface, automating all import and export processes. Let’s start the exploration describing this opportunity.

Automated Import & Export Processes

The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension provides the ability to automate data transfers in two different ways: via schedules and event-based triggers. We describe both mechanisms below. Let’s take a look at how schedules work.

Schedules

The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension relies on the default cron syntax to create import/export schedules for moving Magento 2 entities to/from a remote platform. It provides the ability to specify any custom intervals so that you can create a schedule suitable for any business needs. At the same time, it is possible to select one of the predefined intervals, which are also fully customizable, create import and export profiles that have no schedules, or launch every profile manually.

Events

As for event-based triggers, they represent the second way of automating data transfers in Magento 2. With this mechanism, the Improved Import & Export extension enables real-time updates. You only have to create and configure a trigger that launches import/export processes. Specify conditions to synchronize two systems right after a specific action takes place.

Select an event that launches customer data import or export. The plugin considers the specified event a trigger and starts the transfer. Thus, the data is transferred to a remote platform in real-time. For instance, you can configure the plugin to provide an external system with a customer data update right after the new changes to the existing account are applied. 

The same approach can be applied to import processes as well. For further information, check this article: How to Run Magento 2 Import or Export After Specific System Event or Process.

Advanced Mapping Features

The ability to solve problems caused by different attribute standards is another feature that makes Improved Import & Export the number one time-saver. Our module provides several mapping techniques that simplify both import and export procedures radically. And the best thing is that it eliminates the necessity to edit attributes and their values manually in a data file. 

Besides, you can match attribute values and categories as well as generate missing data right during the import. Every configuration is saved and applied to further updates so that you can automate import/export processes entirely. Let’s find out how everything works.

Mapping Presets

You get a very straightforward way of matching external attributes to ones used internally with the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension. The module offers a bunch of predefined mapping schemes called mapping presets. They provide the ability to implement attribute matching in a few clicks. When you configure a new job, choose a suitable preset, and let the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension do all the work for you.

Our module analyzes the input data and matches all third-party designations to the internal ones. Thus, you don’t need to discover third-party attributes that should be replaced. All manual interactions with data files are eliminated. Here is how everything happens in the admin:

Matching Interface

We work hard to provide all possible presets, but it is impossible to create all of them, satisfying all business needs. Therefore, if there is no preset suitable for your integration or you just want to make an import/export file suitable for third-party requirements manually, utilize the matching interface of the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension. You can freely map attributes in the Magento 2 backend manually. The procedure is fast and intuitive. You have to select an entity, choose a system attribute, and specify the corresponding external one in front of it as shown below:

Specify hardcoded (default) attribute values, using the “Default Value” column. The extension will add them to all items that use the appropriate attribute.

Filters

Filters represent another feature that simplifies the default Magento 2 export. Being a robust addition to every export profile, they narrow down the selection of items in a data file. Follow these steps to master the tool:

• Click the ‘Add Filter’ button;
• Select an entity;
• Select a system attribute that will be used as a basis of a new filter;
• Specify parameters applied for filtering;
• Repeat the previous steps to create more filters.

Note that the parameters available with each filter depend on the chosen attribute. Use filters to eliminate unnecessary items providing an external system with required data only. Everything is intuitive and straightforward:

Attribute Values Mapping

Besides, the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension offers the ability to match attribute values. With this feature, you can simplify your import/export routine dramatically. No incorrect designations will prevent import processes. To map attribute values, our plugin offers an interface similar to the one we’ve just described above. You can easily choose a third-party designation and specify a corresponding internal one in front of it while importing customers to Magento 2. Repeat the process until no external values are left. For further information, read this article: Attribute Values Mapping.

Attribute Values Editing

You can also edit attribute values in bulk with the help of the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 module. Utilize the following rules:

• Add a prefix to multiple attribute values;
• Add a suffix to numerous attribute values;
• Split various attribute values;
• Merge multiple attribute values.

The extension lets you combine them, applying to multiple values simultaneously. You can also create various conditions to increase the efficiency of editing. For further information, check this article: How to Modify Attribute Values During Import and Export in Magento 2.

Category Mapping

Category mapping is another feature that simplifies the way you work with data import processes. The Improved Import & Export extension lets you import products without editing third-party categories manually or applying changes after the update is transferred.

Our module lets you match external product categories to ones used internally right in your admin. The process looks as follows:

Furthermore, it is possible to create new categories on the fly. The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 module lets you select a parent category and specify a new one related to it. Both features are described here: Category Mapping.

Attributes On The Fly

You can also create attributes on the fly to add missing data right during the import process. The Improved Import & Export extension offers the following general form to specify all parameters necessary to get all missing attributes automatically:

Attribute|attribute_property_name:attribute_property_value|…

The procedure is described in more detail here: Product attributes import.

Extended Connectivity Options

Now, we’d like to draw your attention to the extended connectivity options of the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 module.

Multiple File Standards

Although CSV files are the only standard supported by Magento, you are no longer limited to it with the Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension. The module lets you also use XML, JSON, ODS, and Excel files. Thus, the necessity to convert data files into CSV and vice versa is eliminated! And if your file with customers is compressed, there is no need to extract it before the import. The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension will do everything for you!

Multiple File Sources

Another vital improvement that enables all kinds of import/export is support for multiple sources. The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension lets you leverage the following connection options for file transfers:

• FTP/SFTP. Transfer data files using a local or remote server.
• Dropbox. Use a Dropbox account to establish a connection between the two systems. Alternatively, you can rely on Box, OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, and Amazon Drive.
• URL. A direct URL can be used to import a data file as well.

Alternative Ways of Import & Export

Now, let’s take a look at the exclusive ways of import and export that are not represented in Magento 2 by default. The Improved Import & Export Magento 2 extension lets you establish direct API connections. The module provides the ability to leverage REST for the Magento 2 synchronization with external systems. However, it also relies on other API standards if necessary. Thus, you can also leverage SOAP and GraphQL. Note that all API connections support other extension’s features.

As for the supported intermediary services, they include Google Sheets, Office 365 Excel, and Zoho Sheet. Use them to transfer customers to Magento 2. Below, you can see how to import product data to Magento 2 using Google Sheets:

And of course, the Improved Import & Export extension opens completely new possibilities with support for WSDL and WADL.

The video below displays other details of our extension:

Final Words

Now, you know where to monitor store visitors in real-time in Magento 2. And as you know from our previous articles, creating and editing customers is a very straightforward procedure. As for the corresponding data transfers, they become dramatically simplified with the Improved Import & Export module. For further possibilities of our extension, follow the link below and contact our support:

Get Improved Import & Export Magento 2 Extension