Managing related products in Magento can be a time-consuming task, especially if you’re dealing with a large catalog of products. Many Magento store owners, like you, wonder if there’s an efficient way to add related products in bulk rather than manually assigning them to each individual product. With over 800 products to manage, bulk-assigning related products based on categories or other conditions would be a huge time saver.
In this guide, we’ll explore whether Magento 2 has native options for bulk assigning related products and recommend third-party extensions that can help streamline this process.
Can you bulk add related products in Magento 2?
Magento 2 does not offer a native option to add related products in bulk. However, you can use third-party extensions like Amasty’s Automatic Related Products or Firebear Improved Import/Export to assign related products based on categories, rules, or CSV imports.
Problem Overview:
A common challenge faced by Magento store owners is adding related products in bulk. While Magento allows you to manually add related products on an individual product basis, doing so for hundreds or thousands of products can be inefficient. Many users are looking for ways to assign related products based on categories or other attributes to simplify the process.
Native Options in Magento 2 for Bulk Adding Related Products
Unfortunately, Magento Open Source does not offer built-in bulk options for assigning related products, up-sells, or cross-sells. While there is some functionality available in Adobe Commerce (Magento Enterprise Edition), it is limited, and its usefulness may depend on your theme and implementation. For most store owners using Magento Open Source, extensions are the best solution.
The Difference Between Related Products, Upsell Products, and Cross-Sell Products
Before diving into the solutions, it’s essential to understand the different types of product relations in Magento 2. This knowledge will help you decide which product relationships are best suited to your store’s marketing strategy.
Related Products
These are complementary items that enhance the primary product being viewed. For example, if a customer is purchasing a camera, related products could be a camera bag or memory card.
Upsell Products
These are higher-end alternatives to the product the customer is viewing. For instance, if a customer is looking at a basic camera, an upsell might be a more expensive model with better features.
Cross-Sell Products
Displayed in the shopping cart, these are additional products that a customer might buy impulsively, such as batteries or cleaning kits when purchasing a camera.
Each type of product recommendation serves a specific purpose, from improving the user experience to driving impulse purchases.
Recommended Extensions for Bulk Assigning Related Products
1. Amasty’s Automatic Related Products Extension
Amasty is a popular choice for automating product relationships. Their Automatic Related Products extension allows you to set up related products, cross-sells, and up-sells based on categories, shopping cart conditions, or product attributes. The extension provides flexibility in assigning related products without having to manually select each one.
Key Features:
- Set rules based on product categories, cart contents, or conditions.
- Automatically display related products.
- Create promotions like “Buy X, Get Y” to increase cross-sells.
Downsides:
Some users have expressed dissatisfaction with Amasty’s customer support and subscription model. Additionally, compatibility issues have been reported with newer themes like Hyvä, so be mindful of this if you’re using a modern theme.
2. Firebear Improved Import/Export Extension
If you prefer using CSV files to manage your store, the Firebear Improved Import/Export extension might be the ideal solution. This extension allows you to export product data, including related products, and import bulk changes via CSV. It’s a simple and effective method for assigning related products in bulk.
How to Use Firebear for Related Products:
- Step 1: Export your product catalog as a CSV file.
- Step 2: In one column, list the main product SKU.
- Step 3: In another column, list the related product SKUs, separated by commas.
- Step 4: Re-import the CSV, and the related products will be assigned automatically.
For a detailed guide on using Firebear to manage related products, check out this resource: Firebear Complete Guide to Related Products.
Key Features:
- Bulk import/export of related products, up-sells, and cross-sells.
- CSV management with advanced filtering options like brand and style.
- Works well with large product catalogs.
3. Aheadworks “Who Bought This Also Bought” Extension
Aheadworks offers another useful extension for managing related products. Their Who Bought This Also Bought extension helps automate the process by recommending related products based on past customer purchases. It automatically assigns related products in bulk based on purchase history, helping to cross-sell effectively.
Key Features:
- Automatically assigns related products based on purchase history.
- No need for manual product assignments.
- Customizable rules to fine-tune which products are recommended.
How to Import/Export Related Products in Bulk Using CSV Files
To bulk-assign related products, you can use a CSV import/export process. Tools like Firebear Improved Import/Export allow you to easily export your product catalog, assign related SKUs, and import the changes back into Magento. Here’s how:
- Step 1: Export your product catalog as a CSV file.
- Step 2: In the related_skus column, list the SKUs of the related products for each primary product.
- Step 3: Import the CSV back into Magento using Firebear or similar extensions, and the related products will be applied in bulk.
This practical explanation expands on the import/export capabilities that Magento 2 offers, particularly through third-party extensions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I bulk assign related products in Magento 2 without extensions?
Unfortunately, Magento Open Source doesn’t offer a built-in bulk assignment feature. However, extensions like Firebear and Amasty make it possible to bulk-assign related products.
2. How can I import related products using a CSV file?
Use a tool like Firebear Improved Import/Export to export your product catalog. In the CSV file, add the related SKUs in the relevant column, and import the file back into Magento.
3. Are there any free tools for bulk-adding related products?
While there are no free native solutions, some open-source tools and free versions of extensions might offer basic bulk import/export functionality.
Conclusion
Bulk-adding related products is a powerful way to enhance the customer experience and drive additional sales in Magento 2. While Magento doesn’t offer a native solution for bulk actions, extensions like Amasty and Firebear Improved Import/Export make the process simple and efficient. Whether you’re using CSV imports or automated rules, these tools can help you save time and ensure your product recommendations are optimized for success.