A supplier-file pilot should make transformations visible and stop ambiguous rows before they enter a production catalogue. This checklist defines an acceptance process; it is not a claim that an import has been tested in a real store.
Keep the original file
Work from a copy with a recorded receipt date. Keep identifiers such as 00123 as text. Record encoding, delimiter, column names and the meaning of blank values. Do not assume that an empty cell means delete or zero.
Write a mapping contract
For each destination field, specify its source column, conversion and error rule. Examples include converting decimal commas, joining variant options and mapping units. Preserve a row identifier so every output row can be traced to the original.
Validate before exporting
- Required values are present and identifiers do not collide.
- Prices use a known currency and numeric format.
- Variants belong to the intended product.
- Images and categories are not silently guessed.
- Rejected rows include a reason and a proposed correction.
For Shopify specifically
Check the current Shopify CSV documentation before choosing headers. New products require a title; updates also need a URL handle. Variant updates can depend on option fields. Omitted or incorrect fields can change existing data, so test a small draft sample and inspect the import preview before a larger run.
Acceptance criteria
Agree with the store owner which records are new and which may update existing products. Back up the affected data and use a controlled sample first. Compare product counts, variants, prices and publication state after the import. Obtain explicit acceptance before applying the same transformation to the remainder.
Evaluate the business opportunity
The useful differentiator may be reliable mapping and exception handling rather than another generic CSV converter. Measure how much time a messy real file takes, including communication and corrections. If existing tools solve it with a saved mapping, a standalone subscription may add little value.
Open the supplier-file opportunity, sources and stop condition.