Importing your contacts is an essential step in setting up Pipeline CRM, enabling you to manage your sales pipeline effectively. Whether you want to add contacts manually or in bulk, Pipeline CRM offers flexible options for importing People, Companies, and Deals.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to import your contacts and provide best practices to ensure a smooth process.

Preparing Your Data for Import

Before importing your data into Pipeline CRM, it’s important to prepare your spreadsheet correctly.

Data Hygiene Tips

1. Check for duplicates: Ensure that your file is free from duplicate entries to prevent clutter in your CRM.
2. Standardize column headers: Use clear and consistent headers that match the fields in Pipeline CRM.
   • For People: Include fields such as First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone Number, and Company.
   • For Companies: Ensure fields like Company Name, Address, and Industry are correctly labeled.
   • For Deals: Include Deal Name, Pipeline Stage, and Expected Close Date.
3. Remove unnecessary data: Clean your spreadsheet by removing any irrelevant columns or incomplete entries.
4. File format: Save your file as a CSV or Excel file (.xlsx) before uploading.

For additional guidance, refer to Pipeline’s CSV Templates.

Importing Contacts Manually

You can add individual contacts one at a time through the interface.

Adding a Person Manually

1. Click the ‘+’ button in the top navigation bar.
2. Select ‘Person’ from the dropdown menu.
3. Fill out the New Person form, including details like email, phone number, and title.
   • Account admins can customize the fields in this form using the Add/Edit Forms feature.
4. Click Save. The system will check for duplicate records based on the email address.
5. You can find the newly added person record using the global search bar or by navigating to the People tab.

Importing Multiple Contacts Using the Import Tool

If you have a large list of contacts, the import tool is the fastest and easiest way to add them to Pipeline CRM.

Steps to Import Contacts in Bulk

1. Go to the People tab.
2. Click the arrow next to the ‘Add New Person’ button and select ‘Import from Excel or CSV’.
3. Upload your file by clicking the ‘Upload file’ button and selecting your prepared CSV or Excel file.
4. Assign attributes (optional):
   • Person Type: Contact or Lead
   • Source
   • Owner
   • Tags
5. Map your fields: Pipeline CRM will attempt to match your file’s columns with its fields automatically. Double-check the mapping and make any necessary adjustments.
6. Enable duplicate checking (optional): This feature checks for duplicate email addresses and skips them during the import.
7. Click ‘Import Now’ to complete the process. You’ll receive an email notification once the import is finished.

If any entries are invalid (e.g., duplicates), Pipeline CRM will send you a link to download a spreadsheet detailing the issues.

Using Third-Party Tools for Pipeline CRM Imports

For advanced users who want to streamline their import process, third-party tools like LinkPipeline can be a valuable addition.

LinkPipeline is designed to simplify data imports for Pipeline CRM users. With this tool, you can:

• Import contacts directly from LinkedIn with a single click.
• Sync data automatically from other platforms without manual file uploads.
• Ensure data accuracy by reducing the chances of errors during import.

If you regularly manage large datasets or need to sync contacts frequently, LinkPipeline can save you significant time and effort.

Best Practices for a Successful Import

1. Test with a small batch: Start by importing a small sample of data to ensure everything is mapped correctly.
2. Use tags for organization: Apply tags to segment your contacts for easier filtering and targeted campaigns.
3. Break large files into smaller chunks: If you have a very large dataset, splitting it into smaller files can improve import performance and reduce errors.
4. Review import results: After importing, check key records to confirm that all data has been imported correctly.

Conclusion

Importing contacts into Pipeline CRM is a straightforward process when you follow the right steps. Whether you’re adding contacts manually, using the import tool, or leveraging third-party solutions like LinkPipeline, keeping your data organized and clean will help you make the most of your CRM.

Happy importing!