Import from URL

Import data directly from a publicly accessible URL without downloading files first

Overview

The URL import option allows you to import data directly from a remote URL. PrimeLink will download the file from the URL and process it automatically.

This is perfect for importing from supplier feeds, API endpoints, or any publicly accessible file on the internet. The file is downloaded temporarily and processed just like a local upload.

When to Use URL Import

  • Importing from supplier product feeds
  • Accessing files from CDN or cloud storage
  • Importing from API endpoints that return CSV/XML
  • Automated imports from external sources
  • Files that update regularly on remote servers
  • Scheduled imports from remote URLs

How to Import from URL

Step 1: Select URL Option

In Step 2 of the import wizard:

  1. Find the URL option
  2. Click to select it
  3. The URL input field will appear

Step 2: Enter URL

Enter the full URL to your file:

  1. Type or paste the complete URL in the input field
  2. URL must be publicly accessible (no authentication required)
  3. Include the full protocol: https:// or http://
  4. Example: https://example.com/products/feed.csv

Step 3: Fetch File

After entering the URL:

  1. Click Fetch or Load button
  2. PrimeLink will attempt to download the file
  3. Wait for the download to complete
  4. If successful, the file will be parsed automatically

Step 4: Continue Import

Once the file is fetched:

  1. The file will be parsed automatically
  2. Columns/fields will be detected
  3. A preview of the data will be shown
  4. Click Next to proceed to Step 3

URL Requirements

Publicly Accessible

The URL must be publicly accessible:

  • No authentication required (no login/password)
  • No IP restrictions
  • Accessible from your server's IP address
  • HTTPS or HTTP protocol

Supported File Formats

The URL should point to a file in one of these formats:

  • CSV (.csv)
  • XML (.xml)
  • XLSX (.xlsx)
  • XLS (.xls)

URL Format Examples

  • https://example.com/products.csv
  • https://cdn.example.com/feeds/products.xml
  • https://api.example.com/export/products.xlsx
  • http://files.example.com/data/import.csv

Caching and Updates

URL Caching

PrimeLink caches URL-based imports for performance:

  • First fetch downloads and caches the file
  • Subsequent fetches use cached version if available
  • Cache helps with preview and testing
  • Cache is cleared when you fetch again

Getting Latest Data

To ensure you get the latest data:

  • Click Fetch again to refresh
  • Cache is automatically cleared on new fetch
  • For scheduled imports, each run fetches fresh data
💡 Tip: For scheduled imports from URLs, PrimeLink automatically fetches fresh data on each scheduled run, so you always get the latest version.

Best Practices

  • Use HTTPS: Always use HTTPS URLs when possible for security
  • Test URL first: Verify URL is accessible before setting up import
  • Check file size: Very large files may timeout - consider file size limits
  • Use stable URLs: Ensure URLs don't change frequently
  • Monitor availability: Check that remote files remain accessible
  • Schedule regular imports: Use scheduling for regularly updated feeds
  • Handle errors gracefully: Set up notifications for failed URL fetches

Troubleshooting

URL Not Accessible

  • Verify URL is correct and complete
  • Check URL is publicly accessible (no auth required)
  • Test URL in browser to confirm it works
  • Check if server allows outbound HTTP/HTTPS requests
  • Verify URL doesn't require specific headers or cookies

Download Fails

  • Check server can make outbound HTTP requests
  • Verify firewall allows connections to the URL
  • Check for SSL certificate issues (HTTPS)
  • Verify file size isn't too large
  • Check server timeout settings
  • Review server error logs for details

File Not Parsed

  • Verify file format matches the extension
  • Check file is actually CSV/XML/XLSX, not HTML error page
  • Ensure file has proper structure
  • Check for encoding issues

Timeout Issues

  • Large files may timeout during download
  • Check PHP max_execution_time setting
  • Consider using FTP/SFTP for very large files
  • Check server network connection speed

Next Steps

📤 Upload from Computer

Upload files directly from your computer

Learn More →
⏰ Scheduling

Set up automatic imports from URLs

Learn More →
🗺️ Field Mapping

Map your imported data to WooCommerce fields

Learn More →