Introduction
Running an online store? One of the most important steps in managing your BigCommerce site is adding products in a way that supports both user experience and search visibility. A well-structured product catalog not only improves navigation but also plays a crucial role in BigCommerce product listing optimization, making it easier for shoppers to find and purchase what they need.
However, many businesses struggle with this process. Small businesses, in particular, may find bulk uploads time-consuming or challenging to manage, leading to outdated listings and frustrated customers. That’s where product data entry services can help, ensuring your store stays updated without the hassle.
This guide will walk you through the steps to add products to your BigCommerce store, making the process simple and efficient. Whether you handle it yourself or consider expert assistance, you’ll learn how to create product pages that enhance discoverability and drive sales. Let’s get started!
Understanding Product Upload in BigCommerce Store
Product upload in a BigCommerce store refers to adding new products to your online shop. This includes entering details like product name, price, description, images, stock levels, and categories. Whether you are adding a single product or multiple items in bulk, doing it correctly can make a big difference in your store’s performance.
Why Proper Product Upload Matters
Uploading products correctly involves more than just filling out details. It directly affects sales and customer interaction with your store.
- Better Discoverability – When your products are well-organized, customers can easily find them, increasing your chances of making a sale.
- Improved Trust – High-quality images, clear descriptions, and accurate pricing build confidence in your brand.
- Fewer Returns – When customers have complete product details, they make informed decisions, reducing return rates.
Some businesses struggle with product uploads because they find them time-consuming or too technical.
Professional data entry services can be a lifesaver, helping you keep your store updated effortlessly.
How to Add Products to Your BigCommerce Store
Let’s break it down into easy steps to start adding products immediately.
1. Log In to Your BigCommerce Store
- Go to your BigCommerce admin panel and log in.
- On the left-hand menu, find and click “Products.”
- Select “Add” to create a new product.
2. Enter Basic Product Information
To add a product to BigCommerce, fill out the following key details in the “Basic Information” section under “Product Information.”
- Product Name – Keep it clear and descriptive. Use relevant words without special characters for better discoverability.
- Product Identifiers—Shortcodes like MPN, SKU, and UPC help track inventory, list products on marketplaces, and assist customers in searching for specific items.
- Price – Set the correct selling price. You can also add a Retail Price or a Sale Price.
- Category – Place the product in a suitable category like Electronics, Clothing, or Home Decor.
- Brand Name (Optional) – Helps customers who prefer specific brands.
3. Set Shipping Options
While on the Details tab, go to the Shipping and Availability section.
- Shipping Options – Choose how you want to charge for shipping: no shipping, a fixed cost, or free shipping.
- Size & Weight – Add weight and dimensions to ensure correct shipping cost calculations.
Correct shipping details ensure customers receive accurate delivery estimates and help streamline purchasing.
4. Write a Clear and Engaging Description
A good product description should be short, informative, and engaging. Instead of just listing features, highlight benefits.
For example:
❌ “This T-shirt is made of cotton and comes in red.”
✅ “Stay comfortable all day with this breathable cotton T-shirt, available in a stylish red shade.”
5. Upload High-Quality Product Images and Videos
Go to the Images and Videos tab to upload product visuals. Follow these best practices:
- Use high-resolution images that clearly show the product.
- Upload multiple angles to provide a complete view.
- Include lifestyle images when possible (e.g., a person using the product).
- Name image files using dashes (-) instead of spaces or underscores (_).
- After uploading, add descriptions and set the best image as the thumbnail.
Quality visuals enhance customer confidence and increase sales.
6. Set Inventory and Stock Levels
Keeping track of inventory helps prevent overselling.
- Under the “Inventory” section, enter the available stock quantity.
- Enable stock tracking so customers can see if an item is in stock.
7. Add Product Variations (If Needed)
You can add variations if your product comes in different sizes, colors, or styles.
- Under “Variants”, click “Add Variant.”
- Define the variations, like Small/Medium/Large or Red/Blue/Black.
8. Optimize for SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
To improve search rankings, fill in these details:
- SEO Title – A short, catchy title with keywords.
- Meta Description – A summary (about 160 characters) appears in search results.
- URL Structure – Keep it clean.
8. Save and Preview
Once everything is filled out, click “Save” and preview the product page. Check for mistakes and ensure the product looks professional.
9. Publish and Monitor Sales
- If everything looks good, click Publish.
- Monitor how customers interact with the product and update details if needed.
Uploading Bulk Products in BigCommerce Using Import Features
Using BigCommerce’s Import feature can save time if you have multiple products to add. Instead of manually entering each product, you can upload a CSV file with all product details at once. Here’s how:
Prepare Your CSV File
Download the BigCommerce product template from your dashboard. Open it in a spreadsheet program like Excel or Google Sheets and fill in the required fields such as product name, SKU, price, category, description, stock levels, and image URLs.
Go to the Import Section
In your BigCommerce dashboard, navigate to Products > Import. Select your prepared CSV file and upload it. Before proceeding, match the file’s columns to BigCommerce fields so the platform correctly assigns product details.
Start the Import Process
Click on Import to begin the upload. The system will process your file and add all the products in the spreadsheet to your store.
Review & Fix Errors
Once the Import is complete, ensure all products are listed correctly. If there are errors, BigCommerce will highlight them. You may need to correct missing fields or incorrect formatting before re-importing.
Verify Product Listings
Go to the Product List in your dashboard to check if everything looks correct. Make sure product images, descriptions, and pricing are displayed properly. Make any adjustments to ensure product pages look professional and appealing.
What You Need to Know About Importing
Before you begin, here are some important things to keep in mind:
- Only CSV files can be imported (no XML or other formats).
- Your CSV file should be 20MB or smaller and include up to 10,000 products per upload.
- Mandatory Fields – Every product must have mandatory fields such as Item, Type, Name, Price, Weight (for physical products) and Item, Type, Name, and Price (for digital products).
- If you add product variations (sizes, colors, etc.), each must be listed under the main product.
- Use high-quality images (1280 x 1280 pixels recommended) and ensure image URLs are accessible online.
- Only YouTube videos can be imported and cannot be assigned to product variants.
- You can add up to 200 custom fields for each product, but to prevent errors, avoid using special characters.
What You Can’t Do with CSV Imports
- Creating new categories (you can only assign products to existing categories).
- Uploading files from external servers.
- Importing files without headers (column names must be included)
- Assigning shared variant options or modifying existing variants.
CSV imports benefit businesses with large inventories, allowing them to add and update hundreds of products efficiently. Accurate product data entry will enable customers to easily find and purchase items, improving the shopping experience and increasing sales.
Need Help? Consider Abacus Data System’s Product Data Entry Services
Adding products to your BigCommerce store does not have to be overwhelming. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can build a professional, organized catalog that enhances the shopping experience and supports your sales goals.
But if managing a large product catalog or handling frequent updates is taking up too much of your time, Abacus Data System is here to help. Our expert team specializes in eCommerce product data entry services, including bulk product uploads, inventory updates, and listing optimization. We ensure that every product is accurately entered, visually appealing, and aligned with your brand’s goals.
With our support, you can maintain a well-optimized store while focusing on what matters most—growing your business.