Importing an XLSX of your CRM contact data into Kulea, mapping column headings to existing fields, adding new fields, and fixing issues that have been detected during the import.
Step by step guide is below the films
Pt 1: Mapping Fields
Pt 2: Issues and Problems
Check out this step by step guide to importing your contacts:
Step 1. Analysing your data.
Firstly, double check you have an excel spreadsheet (saved as an XLSX file) with your subscriber information in it. The more information you have on your customers the better, so don’t delete any irrelevant columns just yet. Make sure your columns are formatted in the correct format I.e. text columns are formatted as text, numbers as numbers, dates as dates etc.
You should also clearly name all your columns in the top row. So, for instance, the top cell of the column with all your customer's forenames in it should have the title “Forename” at the top. You’ll be able to change these titles later on in the upload process should you wish, but it’s good to get your ducks in a row.
We try our hardest not to dictate your column naming conventions, after all, it’s your customer data, but we do ask that as a minimum requirement you have at least one column titled ‘Email’. It’s also wise to separate your columns, so rather than having one column called “Name”, e.g.
Name = Mr Eric Wimp
We’d recommend you have three columns, all independently titled, e.g.
Salutation = Mr
Forename = Eric
Surname = Wimp
Likewise, for addresses, rather than than having one column called “Address”, e.g.
Address = 29 Acacia Road, Nuttytown, UK
We’d recommend you have three columns, all independently titled, e.g.
House name/number = 29
Street = Acacia Road
Town/City = Nuttytown
Country = UK
This might seem like creating work for yourself, but trust us, when you’re segmenting and targeting your campaigns in a few day’s (hour’s?) time, it’ll come in really handy!
Tip. To get around Excel dropping the '0' from the front of your phone numbers simply change the format of the cell/column to 'Text'.
Step 2. CRM Import
Log into Kulea.ma (if you aren’t already) and navigate to ‘CRM’ > ‘import’
Confirm that you’ll abide by our Acceptable Use Policy (no bought or rented lists - opted in records only please) and upload your xlsx file.
Step 3. Data mapping
Once your data has been imported we’ll need you to map the column headings you actually want. This isn’t anywhere near as painful as it sounds, and is just a process of confirming you’re happy with all your column titles. It’s an opportunity to rename them (if you wish) and remove any superfluous titles/columns.
Be sure to use clear, consistent titles and try to avoid jargon.
Why it’s your data, right?
Because next time you or one of your team does a data import, they’ll need to map the new data to the titles you’re creating now. If you use vague unintelligible titles, they might end up mis-mapping their columns to the wrong titles, or even worse, creating a new title because they didn’t realise that title X was meant to describe column Y.