Import Customers
Import customer data into WooCommerce from external sources
Overview
Customer imports allow you to migrate customer data from another store, import customer lists from external systems, or sync customer information between platforms.
PrimeLink imports customer accounts with all their information including billing and shipping addresses, account details, and metadata.
Customer Fields Overview
Account Information
- Customer ID: WooCommerce customer ID
- Username: Customer username (if creating new account)
- Email: Customer email address (required)
- Password: Customer password (hashed or plain text)
- Role: Customer role (customer, subscriber, etc.)
- Date Registered: Account creation date
Personal Information
- First Name: Customer first name
- Last Name: Customer last name
- Display Name: Display name for the account
- Nickname: Customer nickname
Billing Address
- Billing First Name: Billing first name
- Billing Last Name: Billing last name
- Billing Company: Billing company name
- Billing Address 1: Billing street address
- Billing Address 2: Billing address line 2
- Billing City: Billing city
- Billing State: Billing state/province
- Billing Postcode: Billing postal code
- Billing Country: Billing country code
- Billing Phone: Billing phone number
- Billing Email: Billing email address
Shipping Address
- Shipping First Name: Shipping first name
- Shipping Last Name: Shipping last name
- Shipping Company: Shipping company name
- Shipping Address 1: Shipping street address
- Shipping Address 2: Shipping address line 2
- Shipping City: Shipping city
- Shipping State: Shipping state/province
- Shipping Postcode: Shipping postal code
- Shipping Country: Shipping country code
Additional Information
- Custom Fields: Additional customer metadata
- Meta Data: Custom meta fields
Import Process
Step 1: Welcome
Start the customer import wizard from PrimeLink → Imports → New Import → Customers
Step 2: Select Data Source
Choose where your customer data is coming from
Step 3: Import Strategy
Choose how to handle existing customers:
- Create & Update: Create new customers and update existing ones
- Create Only: Only create new customers, skip existing
- Update Only: Only update existing customers, skip new ones
Step 4: Filters & Preview
Filter your customer data and preview results
Step 5: Field Mapping
Map source fields to WooCommerce customer fields:
- Map account information
- Map billing and shipping addresses
- Map personal information
Step 6: Options & Scheduling
Configure import options and scheduling
Step 7: Review
Review your import configuration
Step 8: Run Import
Start the import and monitor progress
Matching Customers
Matching Criteria
When updating existing customers, PrimeLink needs to match them. Available options:
- Customer ID: Match by WooCommerce customer ID
- Email: Match by email address (recommended)
- Username: Match by username
- Custom Field: Match by custom field value
Best Practices
- Use Email for matching when possible (most reliable)
- Ensure email addresses are unique
- Use Customer ID if importing from another WooCommerce store
- Username matching is less reliable
Password Handling
Password Formats
Passwords can be imported in different formats:
- Plain Text: Passwords in plain text (will be hashed automatically)
- Hashed: WordPress password hashes (from another WordPress site)
- Generate: Auto-generate passwords (customers receive reset email)
Password Security
Best Practices
- Use Email for matching: Most reliable way to match customers
- Test with sample data: Run a test import with a few customers first
- Verify email addresses: Ensure email addresses are valid and unique
- Handle passwords carefully: Use hashed passwords when possible
- Backup first: Always backup your store before large imports
- Check for duplicates: Verify no duplicate email addresses
- Validate addresses: Ensure billing and shipping addresses are complete
Common Issues and Solutions
Customers Not Created
- Check required fields are mapped (Email is required)
- Verify email format is correct
- Check import logs for specific errors
- Ensure email addresses are unique
Duplicate Customers
- Check for duplicate email addresses in source data
- Use "Update Only" mode to update existing customers
- Verify matching criteria is correct
- Filter duplicates before import
Password Issues
- Verify password format is correct
- Check if password hashes are valid (if using hashed passwords)
- Consider generating passwords and sending reset emails
Address Issues
- Verify address fields are properly mapped
- Check country codes are valid (ISO format)
- Ensure state codes are correct for the country
Next Steps
Learn how to import orders
Learn More →Detailed guide to field mapping
Learn More →Complete import process guide
Learn More →