Home eCommerce Success Blog My Adventures Writing My Books
May 14, 2022

My Adventures Writing My Books

By Veronica Jeans, Shopify Queen & Bestselling Author

I am so excited this week. I have finished writing my latest book, and now I am waiting for the editing to happen. My baby is being kicked out the door...it is a scary moment. 

I am waiting with bated breath to wait for my proofreader - my fabulous DIL Amanda Jeans - is going to make sure I make sense of all my ideas and advice in the latest book :). This is a lot more difficult to write than my first few books, which are steps and guides to set up a Shopify store. WAY EASY! 

This book is more about the 'blah blah blah' as I call it...more writing and fewer images which means I had a lot more writing to do. I have learned so much during this adventure and quite a few mistakes, obviously. 

So today, I want to share the tools that I have used in all my writing adventures. I showed my students in my class on Thursday, and I knew this would be a fabulous Saturday Toolbox idea.

Grammarly - is a fantastic piece of software that keeps my English, Afrikaans, Dutch, and German grammar flowing correctly.  And Grammarly helps with my emails, newsletters, or whatever I write online.

WordTune - is a Chrome extension that helps to restructure and improve my paragraphs for a quick check. I use it to get a few different ways to structure my sentences. Again, WordTune is also in my

Copy.ai - I am sure I have mentioned my AI software before, but I use it to create my blogs in ONE hour with the new wizard. But it also helped me to build my ideas and advice in my book because I started with the blogs where I have posted so much information that I could collate into my book.

Using writing software was another trial and error!

I started in Word (my first book) and then bought Atticus, which is amazing. I needed an easier way to write my books and have a quick overview of all the chapters, and be able to flick backward and forwards to the different chapters.

 It is a really easy software to use to write books and download the correct format to upload to KDP - Amazon.

My problem was all my images in my first few books - thousands and Atticus balked at the overload. 

Because I was trying to publish my books, I tried another software, Vellum. The only problem with Vellum is that it only works for Mac (which is not a problem for me), and you cannot download your book in a Word document.

But the great thing is that it will publish all the book formats you need Apple Play, Google Play, Kobo, Nook, and Print in the right trim book size.

The other problem with Vellum is that you can only upload your writing in Word format. Why is that a problem?

Well, this is part of my adventure as a writer. After I finished my first book in 2020 - Shopify Made Easy - my keyboard was sticky, and I took it to Apple to be fixed. I was warned that I needed to back up my hard drive before taking it to Apple. I did, but obviously, some of the files I forgot to back up. I did not have an automatic backup of my computer!! Yep, you guessed it, my hard drive was cleaned, and boom, no more files. Now, I only had a PDF format for my book, which is really not easy to update or edit.

Then somebody mentioned Scrivener, and I am in love. This is a writer's must-have tool. It is all about writing and making it as easy as possible to write.

Scrivener is really not as easy as Vellum or Atticus but has a lot more features that makes life so much easier while writing. So I use Vellum and Scrivener now to write my books.

A great comparison for Vellum and Atticus is on Kindlepreneur.com.

I also have to tell you about my experiences with customer service with both Atticus and Vellum.

Atticus' customer service was amazing. The development team worked hard before Christmas so I could download my book - they were still in the Beta version, and I was testing Atticus for my book. 

Vellum's customer service advice was when Vellum would not save the updates and edits of my book - to crash the software and restart your computer! 

"If you're having trouble quitting Vellum, we'd recommend first checking for any prompts or dialogs that may be open. If there aren't any, and Vellum still is unable to quit, you can use Force Quit, found in the  menu."

Next, I will add a comparison of Vellum and Scrivener and if I can find Scrivener and Atticus.

 

 

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Also in eCommerce Success Blog

What is the difference between Shopify CSV and Matrixify Products import and export?

By Veronica Jeans, Bestselling Author November 16, 2024

Shopify CSV vs Matrixify Excel: A Comprehensive Guide to Product Management

Managing product data in an e-commerce platform can be a complex task, especially when dealing with large inventories. This article compares two prominent methods for handling product data in Shopify: the native CSV system and the Matrixify Excel approach. We'll explore how these tools differ and why choosing the right one can significantly impact your workflow efficiency.

Shopify vs Matrixify Comparison

FEATURE SHOPIFY MATRIXIFY
File Type CSV files Excel files
Import/Export Visibility No visibility or control; must wait for email. Full visibility, progress updates, and cancel options.
Export Options Exports full store with all fields, leading to duplicate rows. Granular export filtering, saves time and file size, no duplicate rows.
Multiple Images Requires copying rows and adding each image to a separate row. Allows multiple images in one row, separated by semicolons.
Metafields Cannot export/import Metafields. Exports and imports Metafields as columns in the table.
Product Updates Replaces entire product; no field-specific updates. Allows individual field updates without replacing products.
Template Suffix Cannot update in bulk. Supports bulk Template Suffix updates as a column.
Product IDs Deletes and recreates products with new IDs, losing references. Keeps IDs and references intact, preserving Custom Collections.
File Size Limit 15 MB (~10,000 products). Supports large files (e.g., 600,000+ products).

 

Detailed Comparison between Shopify & Matrixify Product Management & Uploads

File Format and Basic Handling

Shopify CSV

  • File Format: Limited to CSV files only
  • Process Visibility: Upload and wait system
  • User Control: Minimal interaction during process
  • Progress Tracking: None email notification upon completion
  • File Size Limitation: Strict 15MB limit (approximately 10,000 products)

Matrixify Excel

  • File Format: Works with Excel files (.xlsx)
  • Process Visibility: Real-time progress tracking
  • User Control: Full control with cancel option
  • Progress Tracking: Live progress bar with time estimates
  • File Size Limitation: Handles large files (600,000+ products)

Data Management Capabilities

1. Product Export Features

Shopify CSV

  • Exports entire store inventory
  • No filtering options
  • All fields included regardless of need
  • Creates duplicate rows for variants and images
  • Limited customization options

Matrixify Excel

  • Granular export control
  • Custom field selection
  • Filtered exports based on specific criteria
  • Efficient row management
  • Optimized file size through selective exporting

2. Image Handling

Shopify CSV

  • One image per row requirement
  • Multiple images need row duplication
  • Complicated management for product variants
  • Image Alt Text updates require full product reimport

Matrixify Excel

  • Multiple images in single row
  • Semicolon-separated image sources
  • Streamlined variant management
  • Independent Image Alt Text updates

Advanced Features

3. Metafields Management

Shopify CSV

  • No metafield support
  • Cannot export existing metafields
  • No import capabilities for metafields
  • Requires separate solution for metafield management

Matrixify Excel

  • Full metafield support
  • Export metafields as table columns
  • Direct editing and updating
  • Integrated metafield management

4. Product Updates and Maintenance

Shopify CSV

  • Creates new product IDs on import
  • Breaks existing collection references
  • Full product replacement required
  • No partial updates supported

Matrixify Excel

  • Maintains original product IDs
  • Preserves all existing references
  • Supports partial field updates
  • Selective field modification

5. Inventory Management

Shopify CSV

  • Basic inventory tracking
  • Single location focus
  • No adjustment features
  • Limited variant handling

Matrixify Excel

  • Multi-location inventory support
  • Inventory adjustment tracking
  • Delta-based inventory management
  • Advanced variant generation

6. Template Management

Shopify CSV

  • No template suffix support
  • Cannot modify templates in bulk
  • Limited template customization

Matrixify Excel

  • Full template suffix support
  • Bulk template modifications
  • Simple column-based management

Special Features

Matrixify Exclusive Capabilities

1. HTML Code Optimization

  • Automatic fixing of escaped HTML code
  • Converts symbols to proper HTML

2. Variant Management

  • Bulk variant generation
  • Option combination support
  • Semicolon-separated combinations

3. Publishing Control

  • Flexible channel publishing
  • Online and POS integration
  • Custom publishing scope settings

    Best Practices and Recommendations

    When to Use Shopify CSV

    • Small product catalogs 
    • Basic product updates
    • Simple inventory management
    • Standard product configurations

    When to Use Matrixify Excel

    • Large product catalogs
    • Complex product configurations
    • Multi-location inventory
    • Detailed metafield management
    • Bulk template updates
    • Advanced variant management

    While Shopify's native CSV system provides basic functionality for smaller stores, Matrixify Excel offers a more robust, flexible, and efficient solution for managing product data. The choice between the two largely depends on your store's size, complexity, and specific needs. For larger operations or those requiring detailed control over their product data, Matrixify Excel presents clear advantages in terms of functionality, efficiency, and scalability.

    Remember that investing time in learning the more powerful tool can save significant time and reduce errors in the long run, especially as your store grows and your product management needs become more complex.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    General Questions

    What's the main difference between Shopify CSV and Matrixify Excel?

    The main difference is that Shopify CSV is a basic file format with limited functionality, while Matrixify Excel offers advanced features like real-time tracking, multiple sheets, and partial updates. Matrixify also allows you to work with pure Excel files instead of CSV format.

    Which option is better for my store?

    It depends on your store size and needs:

    Use Shopify CSV if:

    •   You have under 10,000 products
    •   You need basic import/export features
    •   You're doing simple updates

    Use Matrixify if:

    •   You have over 10,000 products
    •   You need advanced features
    •   You want better control over updates
    •   You work with multiple locations
    •   You need to manage metafields

    File Size & Limitations

    What are the file size limitations?

    Shopify CSV: 15MB maximum

    Matrixify: Can handle gigabytes of data (600,000+ products)

    How many products can each handle?

    Shopify CSV: small catalog

    Matrixify: 600,000+ products in one import

    Features & Functionality

    Can I update specific fields without replacing entire products?

    Shopify CSV: No, you must replace the entire product

    Matrixify: Yes, you can update individual fields

    How do multiple images work in each system?

    Shopify CSV: Requires separate rows for each image

    Matrixify: All images can be in one row, separated by semicolons

    Can I manage metafields?

    Shopify CSV: No metafield support

    Matrixify: Full metafield support with column-based management

    Import/Export Process

    How do I track the progress of my import?

    Shopify CSV: No tracking wait for email notification

    Matrixify: Real-time progress bar with estimated completion time

    Can I cancel an import once it's started?

    Shopify CSV: No

    Matrixify: Yes, at any time during the import

    Data Management

    What happens to product IDs during import?

    Shopify CSV: Creates new IDs, breaking collection references

    Matrixify: Maintains existing IDs and references

    How are variants handled?

    Shopify CSV: Each variant requires a separate row

    Matrixify: Can generate variants from combinations using semicolon separation

    Technical Questions

    How does each handle HTML in descriptions?

    Shopify CSV: Leaves escaped HTML code as is

    Matrixify: Automatically fixes escaped HTML code to normal HTML

    Can I manage inventory across multiple locations?

    Shopify CSV: Limited location support

    Matrixify: Full multi-location inventory management

    Best Practices

    What's the recommended way to update product prices?

    Shopify CSV: Must upload full product data

    Matrixify: Can update prices alone using a simple price column

    How should I handle large product catalogs?

    Shopify CSV: Split into multiple files under 15MB

    Matrixify: Can handle in single file with filtering options

    Troubleshooting

    What if my import fails?

    Shopify CSV: Check email for basic error message

    Matrixify: Detailed error reporting with specific row/column information

    How do I fix broken product references?

    Shopify CSV: Manually rebuild collections and references

    Matrixify: No action needed references are maintained

    Integration & Compatibility

    Do these work with all Shopify plans?

    Both work with all Shopify plans, but Matrixify requires a separate subscription.

    Can I use these with other e-commerce platforms?

    Shopify CSV: Shopify-specific format

    Matrixify: Designed for Shopify but Excel format is more universal

    Support & Resources

    Where can I find documentation?

    Shopify CSV: Shopify Help Center

    Matrixify: Comprehensive documentation with tutorials and examples

    Is there technical support available?

    Shopify CSV: General Shopify support

    Matrixify: Dedicated support team with Excel/import expertise

    Cost & Efficiency

    Which option is more time-efficient?

    Matrixify is generally more time-efficient due to:

    Faster processing of large files

    • Ability to make partial updates
    • Better error handling
    • Real-time progress tracking

    How do they compare in terms of cost?

    Shopify CSV: Free with Shopify subscription

    Matrixify: Requires separate subscription but offers more features and efficiency

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