8 Pros + Cons of the WP All Import & Export WordPress Plugin

Spreadsheets are absolutely, beautifully, amazing tools. If you don’t agree, this post is not for you. Actually, it could be for you if you run a WordPress site with more than 100 posts / pages. If you do, and you don’t love spreadsheets, you will.

But if you love spreadsheets and you run websites with WordPress. OMG. You’re my kind of reader. Here’s the TL;DR – WP All Import + Export is the best plugin I’ve ever paid for. And I’ve paid for a lot of plugins. Here are a few notes though on using the plugin.

Pros

Seamless, Reliable Way To Bulk Update WordPress Database & Fields

Managing content for hundreds or thousands of pages with WordPress is tedious and dumb. Managing it in a spreadsheet is smart. The trouble is reliably getting spreadsheet data into WordPress.

I’ve found the plugin’s bulk update capabilities to be exceptionally reliable. During my recent migration of 5000+ products I didn’t encounter a single failed import (now, that also has a lot to do with the hosting & PHP settings). The plugin handles large datasets with impressive efficiency working through complex spreadsheets in minutes rather than hours.

The automatic scheduling feature has been a game-changer for my clients who need regular inventory updates. The plugin also maintains detailed logs of every import making it easy to track changes and troubleshoot if needed.

Intermediate User-friendly with Lots of Documentation

While the interface has a slight learning curve it’s far more intuitive than similar tools I’ve used. The step-by-step import wizard walked me through the entire process and the visual drag-and-drop mapper made field matching straightforward. The documentation is comprehensive with video tutorials practical examples and detailed guides for specific use cases.

Incredibly Versatile

I’ve used this plugin for numerous content types beyond standard posts and products (the RankMath integration is especially useful). It handles custom post types, custom fields, ACF fields, and even user data with equal efficiency. Recently I imported a complex events calendar with multiple date fields and recurring event patterns – something I couldn’t achieve with other import tools.

The ability to create custom import templates has streamlined my workflow significantly. I can save and reuse import configurations across different sites saving hours of setup time for similar projects.

Compatible with Nearly Every WordPress Plugin & Extension

The plugin’s compatibility has exceeded my expectations. I’ve successfully used it with major ecommerce platforms like WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads. It seamlessly integrates with popular affiliate management software, SEO plugins, membership systems, and multi-language solutions.

Cons

Everybody has tradeoffs, including WP All Import & Export.

Pricey Upfront

The initial investment for WP All Import & Export can be substantial for small businesses and freelancers. The Import + Export package is $399/yr. The WooCommerce add-on costs an additional $169 which is necessary if you’re working with product imports. Now – it can easily save 10s or 100s of manhours. So, I think it’s still an absolute steal. But you need to be familiar with working WordPress to get past the sticker shock.

Requires Understanding of WordPress Database & Fields

I’ve noticed this plugin has a steeper learning curve than advertised particularly when dealing with custom fields and complex data structures. To effectively use the plugin you need to:

• Understand WordPress post types and taxonomies
• Know how custom fields are stored in the database
• Recognize field naming conventions
• Map data correctly to ACF or other custom field plugins

During my first few imports I spent considerable time troubleshooting because I wasn’t familiar with how certain fields needed to be mapped. While the interface is user-friendly the underlying complexity requires solid WordPress knowledge to avoid common pitfalls.

Also – you must have accessible backups before running a test import. And only after running a test import can you run a real import.

Tips & Best Use Cases

After using WP All Import & Export extensively I’ve learned several tricks to maximize its potential. Here are my tested strategies for getting the most out of this powerful plugin:

Data Preparation

I always clean and format my data files before importing by:

• Using Excel to remove duplicate entries
• Standardizing date formats to YYYY-MM-DD
• Converting special characters to plain text
• Keeping column headers simple and consistent
• Saving CSV files in UTF-8 encoding

Performance Optimization

To maintain optimal import speeds I recommend:

• Setting batch size to 500-1000 records
• Running imports during off-peak hours
• Using a staging site for large migrations
• Disabling unnecessary plugins during import
• Increasing PHP memory limit to as much as your host will allow

Next Steps

WP All Import & Export Plugin is the plugin that I wish had existed 15 years ago in its current form. It’s a powerful tool that’s worth the investment for serious WordPress developers and businesses managing large datasets. While the learning curve and pricing might seem steep at first the long-term benefits far outweigh these initial hurdles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is WP All Import & Export Plugin?

It’s a powerful WordPress plugin designed for data migration and content management. It allows users to import and export various types of content, including WooCommerce products, custom post types, and user data, with features like automatic scheduling and detailed logging capabilities.

Is the plugin easy to use for beginners?

While the plugin offers a user-friendly interface with a step-by-step import wizard, it requires a solid understanding of WordPress database and fields. You should be familiar with post types, taxonomies, and custom fields to effectively use the plugin.

What types of content can be imported using this plugin?

The plugin supports importing various content types including WooCommerce products, custom post types, user data, and regular posts. It’s compatible with major eCommerce platforms, SEO plugins, membership systems, etc.

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