How to Import New Products from Square to WooCommerce
This is guide is for website store owners and managers using the Square – WooCommerce integration. The guide assumes that Square is the system of record for the store inventory.
Here we provide some important background on the Square – WooCommerce integration. It’s recommended to read the full guide before importing, as additional actions might be required before running the import.
Just want the instructions on How to Import New Products from Square to WooCommerce? Scroll toward the bottom of this page for step-by-step instructions.
WooCommerce does not import new products and product variations during the regular Square – WooCommerce Sync.
WooCommerce’s Square settings include the option to set a periodic inventory sync from Square to WooCommerce. Most stores will have this setup. You can find the settings here:
WooCommerce > Settings > Square > Scroll to Configure Sync Settings
The default sync runs once every 1 hour. So, when product data is updated in Square, this will reflect on the website when the next hourly sync is run*. The Square WooCommerce integration synchronises product data between Square and WooCommerce, but there are a couple of important notes to be aware of:
- The sync only matches existing data points
- New Products will not be imported – eg. if a new product has been created in Square, it will not be imported to WooCommerce.
- New Product Variations will not be added – eg if new Product Variations have been added in Square, they will not be imported to WooCommerce.
- New Variations of existing products will not be added – eg. even if New Variations have been added to Existing Products, they will not be imported to WooCommerce.
So, the regular sync between Square and WooCommerce only updates existing data points that already exist both in Square and WooCommerce (eg stock, price etc).
*Website caching may impact updates actually showing on the website. If you’re synced updates are not showing on the website, first flush the Object Cache. If you’re on a DedicatedWP plan, you probably have Object Cache enabled. To flush the Object Cache go to:
Dashboard > Admin Bar > Object Cache > Flush Cache
Or contact DedicatedWP Support.
Two examples of how New Products and New Variations are / are not imported to WooCommerce.
1. New Square Products with New Variations that don’t exist in WooCommerce.
Product A is created in Square with Variations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Only Variations 1, 2 and 3 exist in WooCommerce.
In this instance, Product A will be imported, but only with Variations 1, 2 and 3.
2. New Square Products with New Variations that do exist in WooCommerce.
Product A is created in Square with Variations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Variations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 already exist in WooCommerce.
In this instance, Product A will be imported, with Variations 1, 2, 3 4 and 5.
Tip: If you are importing New Products with Variations that are not already in WooCommerce, first setup up the Corresponding Attribute Terms in WooCommerce.
Dashboard > WooCommerce > Attributes > Select Attribute > Configure Terms > Add New
Import New Products from Square to WooCommerce
To bring new products (created in Square as the System of record) we need to use the “Import all products from Square” functionality in WooCommerce Square settings.
Got to:
WordPress Dashboard > WooCommerce > Settings > Scroll to Import all products from Square
Click
Import all products from Square
Then click
Import
Important! When using this import, leave “Update existing products during import” unchecked. Checking this will import ALL products as if they were new products that do not already exist in WooCommerce. One consequence of this is that all products will become uncategorised.
This Import – with “Update existing products during import” unchecked – will bring all new products into WooCommerce as published Products (or Drafts) and leave existing Products untouched.
It will also bring in new Product Variations – as long as those Variations (Attribute Terms) already exist in WooCommerce (see above).
Once the import is complete, go to:
Dashboard > Products > All Products
From here, you will be able to see and review the new products and new product variations that have been imported.
Important note: Remember, if Square is your system of record for inventory and product data, do not edit product information in WooCommerce as this will not be updated in Square.