Update existing contacts: If a match is found (e.g., by email address), the system will update the existing contact with information from your file.

Skip duplicates: If a match is found, the system will ignore that row from your file.

Create new contacts: Even if a match is found, the system will create a new contact entry.

Bulk Contact Creation: Quickly add hundreds or thousands of new contact records to your system in a single operation.

Mass Data Updates: Update specific fields for existing contacts, such as addresses, phone numbers, or custom attributes, by matching on unique identifiers like email.

Flexible Field Mapping: Customise the mapping between your source file's column headers and the system's contact fields, including support for custom fields.

Advanced Duplicate Management: Define rules for identifying and handling duplicate records, ensuring data cleanliness and preventing redundant entries.

Import Status Tracking: Monitor the progress of ongoing imports and review a history of all past import operations.

Comprehensive Error Reporting: Generate detailed reports post-import, highlighting any records that failed to process and providing specific reasons for failure, facilitating easy troubleshooting.

Clean Your Data Pre-Import: Before uploading, review and clean your contact list. This involves removing duplicate entries within your file, correcting spelling errors, and standardising data formats (e.g., phone numbers, dates, addresses). Inconsistent data can lead to mapping issues or inaccurate records.

Use CSV Format and UTF-8 Encoding: Always save your file as a Comma Separated Values (CSV) file. Ensure the file is encoded in UTF-8 to correctly handle special characters and avoid data corruption during import.

Clear and Consistent Column Headers: Use descriptive and unique column headers in your CSV file (e.g., "First Name," "Email Address," "Company Name"). This makes the field mapping process more straightforward and reduces the chance of errors.

Include All Required Fields: Identify which fields are mandatory for new contact creation in the Tourism Accelerator system (e.g., Contact Name, Email). Ensure these fields are present and populated for every record in your import file.

Perform a Test Import: For large or complex datasets, perform a small test import with 5-10 rows. This allows you to verify field mapping, duplicate handling, and general system behaviour without impacting your entire database.

Understand Duplicate Handling Rules: Carefully consider your strategy for managing duplicates. If updating existing contacts, ensure your file contains a unique identifier (such as email address) that matches records already in the system.

Backup Your Data: Always create a backup of your original contact file before initiating any import. This provides a safety net should you need to revert or re-import due to unexpected issues.

Segment Large Imports: If your file contains tens of thousands of records, consider breaking it into smaller, more manageable batches. This can simplify troubleshooting if errors occur and may improve system performance during the import process.

Review Post-Import Report: After every import, download and review the system-generated report. This report details which records were successfully imported, updated, or skipped, and identifies any errors, allowing you to address them promptly.

Standardise Data Entry: Establish internal guidelines for data entry to ensure consistency across all contact records, whether imported or manually added. This improves data quality over time and simplifies future imports.