Exporting Product SKUs and URLs for Shopify Stores

Introduction

For Shopify store owners, managing product information efficiently is crucial. One common task is exporting a list of product SKUs along with their corresponding URLs. This information can be valuable for inventory management, marketing campaigns, or creating custom product feeds. In this guide, we’ll explore various methods to export product SKUs and URLs in Shopify, including both standard products and individual variants.

Understanding the Challenge

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand the specific requirements:

What We Need

1. A list of all product SKUs in the store
2. URLs for each product
3. URLs for individual variants

Why It’s Challenging

Shopify’s built-in export features don’t always provide all the information we need, especially when it comes to variant URLs. This has led many store owners to search for alternative solutions.

Method 1: Utilizing Shopify’s Sitemap (Recommended)

One of the most efficient methods to obtain product URLs without using the API involves leveraging Shopify’s built-in sitemap feature.

Steps to Export Using Sitemap

1. Navigate to your store’s sitemap by entering yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml in your browser.
2. Locate the products sitemap URL within the main sitemap.
3. Right-click on the products sitemap link and select ‘Save As’ to download the XML file.
4. Open the downloaded XML file in Microsoft Excel or a similar spreadsheet application.
5. Use Excel’s default settings to import the XML data.

Advantages of the Sitemap Method

• Quick and easy to implement
• Provides direct access to product URLs
• No need for additional apps or API knowledge

Limitations

While this method is excellent for obtaining product URLs, it doesn’t include variant-specific URLs. For most purposes, however, this list will be sufficient as it provides the main product pages from which variants can be accessed.

Method 2: Shopify’s Built-in Export Feature

Shopify offers a built-in export feature that can provide some of the information we’re looking for.

How to Use Shopify’s Export Feature

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Navigate to the ‘Products’ section.
3. Click on the ‘Export’ button.
4. Choose the information you want to export.
5. Download the CSV file.

What You’ll Get

• Product SKUs
• Product handles (which can be used to construct URLs)
• Basic product information

Constructing URLs from Handles

To create full URLs from the exported handles, use the following format: https://yourdomain.com/products/[handle]

Method 3: Third-Party Apps for Advanced Exports

For those needing more detailed exports, including variant URLs, third-party apps can be a solution.

Popular Export Apps

Several Shopify apps specialize in advanced product exports. These apps often offer:

• Custom field selections
• Variant-specific information
• Direct variant URL generation

Using Export Apps

1. Install a reputable export app from the Shopify App Store.
2. Configure the app to include the fields you need (SKUs, URLs, variant IDs).
3. Run the export process.
4. Download the resulting file, typically in CSV format.

Advantages of Using Apps

• More flexibility in choosing export fields
• Ability to include variant-specific URLs
• Often provide additional features like scheduled exports

Understanding Variant URLs

Variant URLs are slightly different from standard product URLs and require a bit more information to construct.

Structure of Variant URLs

A typical variant URL looks like this: https://yourdomain.com/products/[product-handle]?variant=[variant-id]

Finding Variant IDs

1. Variant IDs are usually available in advanced product exports.
2. They can also be found in the product editor in your Shopify admin.
3. Some apps specialize in providing this information in an easily accessible format.

Best Practices for Managing Product Data

While exporting product information is important, maintaining accurate and up-to-date data is equally crucial.

Regular Data Audits

• Schedule regular exports to review your product data.
• Check for inconsistencies or missing information.
• Update product information promptly to ensure accuracy.

Organizing Your Exports

• Use clear file naming conventions for your exports.
• Store exports in a dedicated folder or cloud storage.
• Keep track of export dates to maintain version control.

Leveraging Data for Business Insights

• Use exported data to analyze product performance.
• Identify trends in your inventory.
• Inform marketing strategies based on product data.

Advanced Techniques for Power Users

For those comfortable with more technical solutions, there are additional methods to obtain comprehensive product data.

Using Shopify’s API

• Shopify’s API allows for custom data retrieval.
• Requires programming knowledge or use of API tools.
• Offers the most flexibility in terms of data access.

Custom Scripts and Tools

• Develop custom scripts to automate the export process.
• Integrate with other business systems for streamlined operations.
• Tailor the output to your specific business needs.

By following these methods and best practices, Shopify store owners can efficiently export and manage their product SKUs and URLs, including those for variants. Whether you opt for the simple sitemap method, utilize Shopify’s built-in features, or leverage third-party apps, you’ll be well-equipped to handle your product data needs.