Export / Import

To create a comprehensive backup of WooCommerce products, including all images, attributes, and variations, you can follow these detailed steps. This procedure involves using both the WooCommerce built-in export feature and additional plugins to ensure all aspects of your products are backed up.

Step 1: Backup Products Using WooCommerce Export:

1. Access WooCommerce Export:
   • Go to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Navigate to WooCommerce > Products.
   • Click on Export at the top. This opens the Export Products page.
2. Configure Export Settings:
   • Columns: By default, all columns are selected for export. You can customize this selection if needed, but for a full backup, it's best to leave all columns checked.
   • Product Types: Select all product types to include simple, grouped, external, and variable products.
   • Product Categories, Tags, and Attributes: If you want to export all products, leave these options unchanged. Otherwise, you can select specific categories, tags, or attributes to filter the products you want to export.
3. Export Products:
   • Click on Generate CSV. WooCommerce will create a CSV file containing all your selected product data. This file includes information like product names, types, prices, categories, tags, and stock status but does not include images or detailed attribute/variation data in a format that can be easily re-imported.

Step 2: Backup Product Images:

Since WooCommerce's default export doesn't include images in a way that's directly usable for a full restore, follow these steps:

1. Use FTP/SFTP:
   • Connect to your website's server using an FTP client like FileZilla.
   • Navigate to the wp-content/uploads directory.
   • Look for the woocommerce folder inside the uploads directory, where product images are typically stored.
   • Download the entire woocommerce folder to your computer. This folder contains all product images.
2. Alternative: Use a Plugin:
   • If you're not comfortable using FTP, you can use a WordPress plugin like UpdraftPlus WordPress Backup Plugin or All-in-One WP Migration to backup your entire site, including the WooCommerce images stored in the media library.

Step 3: Backup Attributes and Variations:

For a complete backup of all product attributes and variations, the CSV file generated in Step 1 includes basic information. However, to ensure a comprehensive backup and easier restoration:

1. Use a Dedicated WooCommerce Backup Plugin:
   • Install a plugin like WooCommerce Simply Export Products or Product Import Export for WooCommerce by WebToffee.
   • These plugins allow for a more detailed export, including custom attributes and variations, and provide options to export images in a manner that can be easily re-imported.
2. Export Products:
   • After installing your chosen plugin, navigate to the plugin's export section in your WordPress dashboard.
   • Configure the export settings to include all product data, attributes, variations, and images.
   • Export the file. Some plugins offer the option to directly download images or include URLs to images in the export file, facilitating easier restoration.

Step 4: Store Backup Safely:

• Store the exported CSV file(s) and the downloaded woocommerce folder in a secure location. Consider using cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or an external hard drive for safekeeping.

Step 5: Regular Backups:

• Regularly repeat this process to ensure you have up-to-date backups of your WooCommerce products. Automating this process through backup plugins can save time and ensure consistency.

By following these steps, you'll have a detailed backup of your WooCommerce products, including all images, attributes, and variations, ready for restoration when needed.