You can import contacts from a Google Sheets document in just a couple of clicks. They will be synchronized periodically, making it a very simple way to load new contacts and update existing ones.
To integrate Google Sheets with Instasent, follow these steps:
1. Create a Project and Connect Google Sheets
When creating a project, you can directly connect Google Sheets, or if you already have a project, go to the Data Sources section and select this connector:
You will see an overview detailing all the information you can import, and you should click on 'Install Google Sheets'.
2. Connect
You will need to connect your Google account. Only permissions to access the file you select will be requested.
Check these points before connecting your spreadsheet:
Only Google Sheets are supported; other formats like .csv or .xls must first be converted.
The first row should contain the field names.
Each column name must have a value.
Column names must be unique and new columns cannot be added or changed.
Avoid using merged cells.
Deleting a row will not delete the contact in Instasent.
If you need to manage the subscription status (adding subscribed and unsubscribed contacts), add the columns ACCEPTS_MARKETING_SMS and ACCEPTS_MARKETING_EMAIL, with true or false values.
3. Map the data
Your contacts have a series of data, fields, or values, which we'll call 'Attributes.' Keep in mind that, in addition to this Sheet, you can connect many more technologies, import data in .CSV format, etc.
Therefore, each attribute must be assigned a specific name (for example, the 'Name' attribute may be called 'First Name' in a Sheet, or 'name' in a .CSV file, but in Instasent, it needs to be a single field,).
By mapping, you ensure that each piece of data is placed in its correct attribute. Although we try to automatically match attributes, variations in names or data structure can cause inconsistencies. That's why it's vital to review the suggested mapping and adjust if necessary.
4. Key field
Used to uniquely identify each row
5. Merge*
*If this is the first data source you are connecting, this step will not appear yet.
Remember that you can connect many data sources (multiple .CSV files, spreadsheets, different technologies like Make, Shopify, Klaviyo, etc.). Instasent unifies and groups all this audience coming from all these sources.
Based on what value will you unify potential duplicate data from among your different data sources? If you choose, for example, the email, all contacts with the same email will be unified and their information will be aggregated. You can find more information in this article.
6. Tags
It involves tagging these contacts. Keep in mind that we import tags from Google Sheets, so this is about adding an additional tag
Once these steps are confirmed, you will have this connector available in the Data Sources section, where you can have an overview and activity. You will also be able to send the first campaign. All contacts will be available in the Audience section, where you can apply filters and create segments.