Platform Connectors in Imports

Import data directly from Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce stores

Overview

Platform connectors allow you to import data directly from external e-commerce platforms without downloading files first. PrimeLink connects to the platform's API and fetches data in real-time, making it perfect for keeping multiple stores synchronized.

Supported platforms:

  • Shopify - Import products, orders, and customers from Shopify stores
  • Magento - Import products, orders, and customers from Magento stores
  • BigCommerce - Import products, orders, customers, and coupons from BigCommerce stores

Using Platform Connectors in Import Wizard

Step 1: Select Platform Source

In Step 2 (Select Data Source) of the import wizard:

  1. Select Import from Platform (Real-time)
  2. Choose your platform from the dropdown:
    • Shopify
    • Magento
    • BigCommerce

Step 2: Enter Platform Credentials

After selecting a platform, you'll see a credentials form specific to that platform:

Shopify Credentials

  • Shop Domain: Your Shopify shop domain (e.g., your-shop.myshopify.com)
  • API Key: Shopify private app API key
  • API Secret: Shopify private app API secret
  • Access Token: Shopify Admin API access token

Magento Credentials

  • Magento Base URL: Your Magento store URL (e.g., https://your-store.com)
  • Access Token: Magento integration access token

BigCommerce Credentials

  • Store Hash: Your BigCommerce store hash (e.g., abc123)
  • Access Token: BigCommerce API access token
  • Account UUID: (Optional) Alternative to Store Hash

Step 3: Test Connection

Before proceeding, test the connection:

  1. Fill in all required credentials
  2. Click Test Connection
  3. Wait for the connection test to complete
  4. If successful, you'll see a confirmation message
  5. If it fails, check your credentials and try again

Step 4: Continue with Import

After a successful connection:

  1. Click Next to proceed
  2. PrimeLink will fetch data from the platform
  3. Continue with the rest of the import wizard:
    • Step 3: Import Strategy
    • Step 4: Filters & Preview
    • Step 5: Field Mapping
    • Step 6: Options & Scheduling
    • Step 7: Review
    • Step 8: Run Import

How Platform Imports Work

Real-Time Data Fetching

Unlike file-based imports, platform connectors fetch data directly from the platform's API:

  • Data is fetched in real-time during the import
  • No need to download or upload files
  • Always uses the latest data from the platform
  • Supports pagination for large datasets

Data Mapping

Platform data is automatically converted to WooCommerce format:

  • Platform-specific fields are mapped to WooCommerce equivalents
  • You can still customize mappings in Step 5
  • Images, variants, and attributes are handled automatically

Incremental Updates

For scheduled platform imports:

  • PrimeLink tracks the last imported item ID
  • Subsequent imports only fetch new or updated items
  • Makes scheduled imports much faster

Platform-Specific Considerations

Shopify

  • Uses since_id for efficient pagination
  • Rate limits: ~2 requests per second (handled automatically)
  • Fetches products, variants, images, and inventory
  • Supports product metafields

Magento

  • Uses searchCriteria for filtering and pagination
  • Fetches products with all attributes and extensions
  • Supports multiple store views
  • May have rate limits depending on configuration

BigCommerce

  • Uses pagination with page parameter
  • Fetches products, variants, images, and custom fields
  • Supports orders and customers import
  • Requires proper OAuth scope permissions

Scheduling Platform Imports

Setting Up Scheduled Platform Imports

Platform imports can be scheduled just like file-based imports:

  1. Complete the import wizard with platform connection
  2. In Step 6, enable scheduling
  3. Set your desired schedule interval
  4. Save the import
  5. The import will run automatically at the scheduled times

Benefits of Scheduled Platform Imports

  • Keep stores synchronized automatically
  • Always import latest data from source platform
  • No manual file downloads needed
  • Incremental updates for faster execution
💡 Tip: For regular synchronization between stores, schedule platform imports to run daily or multiple times per day. This ensures your WooCommerce store always has the latest data from the source platform.

Setting Up Platform Credentials

Before using platform connectors, you need to set up API credentials on the source platform. Detailed setup instructions are available in the Platform Connectors documentation:

🛍️ Shopify Setup

Learn how to create Shopify private apps and get API credentials

Learn More →
🛒 Magento Setup

Learn how to create Magento integrations and get access tokens

Learn More →
🏪 BigCommerce Setup

Learn how to create BigCommerce API accounts and get credentials

Learn More →

Troubleshooting

Connection Failed

  • Verify all credentials are correct (no extra spaces)
  • Check that API credentials are still valid and not expired
  • Ensure the platform API is accessible from your server
  • Check platform-specific requirements (permissions, scopes)

No Data Returned

  • Verify data exists on the source platform
  • Check that products/items are published/enabled
  • Ensure API has proper read permissions
  • Check platform-specific filters or visibility settings

Rate Limit Errors

  • Platforms have API rate limits
  • PrimeLink handles rate limiting automatically with delays
  • For very large imports, consider scheduling during off-peak hours
  • Break large imports into smaller batches if needed

Slow Import Performance

  • Platform API response times can vary
  • Use incremental updates for scheduled imports
  • Consider running imports during off-peak hours
  • Check server connection speed to platform

Best Practices

  • Test connection first: Always test the connection before running a full import
  • Use scheduling: Set up scheduled imports for regular synchronization
  • Enable incremental updates: Only import changed items for faster execution
  • Monitor first runs: Check that scheduled imports complete successfully
  • Secure credentials: Store API credentials securely, never share them
  • Check rate limits: Be aware of platform API rate limits
  • Use filters: Filter data in Step 4 to import only what you need

Next Steps

🛍️ Shopify Connector

Detailed setup guide for Shopify

Learn More →
🛒 Magento Connector

Detailed setup guide for Magento

Learn More →
🏪 BigCommerce Connector

Detailed setup guide for BigCommerce

Learn More →
⏰ Scheduling

Set up automatic recurring platform imports

Learn More →