How to Upload Your Product Catalog via CSV

This guide will walk you through how to upload your product catalog to Tolstoy using a CSV file. If you need to display product data (such as images, prices, and descriptions) in Tolstoy experiences, you'll need to set up a daily export of your product catalog, host it at a public URL, and connect it in the Tolstoy settings.

This is the same process followed for Pinterest and Meta.

Step 1: Prepare Your CSV File

Before linking your CSV file, ensure it follows the correct column naming conventions. Your CSV file must contain specific mandatory columns as shown below.

Mandatory Fields:

id: A unique identifier for the product (e.g., SKU or product ID).
title: The name of the product.
url: The URL link to the product page.
imageUrl: The primary image URL of the product.
price: The current price of the product.

Optional Fields:

descriptionHtml: A description of the product, which may include HTML formatting.
images: Additional image URLs for the product (comma-separated).
compareAtPrice: The original price before any discounts (for comparison).
currencyCode: The code of the currency (e.g., USD, EUR).
currencySymbol: The symbol of the currency (e.g., $, €).
inventory: The number of units available.

Ensure your CSV file matches these column names exactly, as Tolstoy will not accept files with incorrect headers.

Step 2: Set Up a Daily Export

1. Export Your Product Catalog:

Set up a system to export your product catalog data daily into a CSV file. Many eCommerce platforms (such as Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.) allow automated product data exports.

2. Host the CSV File:

Place the exported CSV file in a shared location with a public URL. The CSV file must be accessible via a public link so Tolstoy can access it regularly. For example, you can host it in a public cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or AWS S3 with public read permissions.

Step 3: Add CSV URL to Tolstoy Settings

1. Navigate to Tolstoy Settings:

Log into your Tolstoy account and go to the Installation section.
You can get there by clicking your profile letter on the lower left, then selecting Settings.

2. Upload Your CSV:

In the "Upload from CSV" section, click Import CSV file.
Paste the public URL of your CSV file into the provided input field.

3. Connect the CSV:

Once the URL is added, Tolstoy will automatically import the product data from the CSV file.
Ensure that your CSV file is updated daily to reflect accurate and up-to-date product information in Tolstoy experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What happens if my CSV file has an error?

Ensure the CSV file follows the correct column names and formats. Any discrepancies in the required fields may result in errors during upload.

How often should I update the CSV file?

We recommend updating the file daily to ensure your product information in Tolstoy is always current and reflects changes in inventory or pricing.

Can I manually upload the CSV file instead of using a URL?

Currently, Tolstoy requires a public URL to access your CSV file. This helps automate the process by pulling in updated product data daily without manual uploads.

What file formats are supported?

Only .csv file formats are supported at this time. Ensure that the file uses commas as delimiters between values.

Note: If you need help publishing a Google Drive CSV product catalog as a URL before uploading it to Tolstoy, here's a detailed guide.

Need help?

You can reach out to our friendly support team in two ways:

via email at support@gotolstoy.com
using our live chat option, which can be found by clicking on the chat icon on any Tolstoy page in the lower right corner