Listings import interface from third party CMS feeds

[ghost]

It would be nice to have some client-side feature which allow import listings using XML, CSV or JSON feeds from third party eCommerce platforms.

We have OB API methods, but it's not easy to integrate OB with other platforms as lot of them using virtual hosting and local OB node usually protected by firewalls. So this implementation not clear for regular merchants which able to share them listings to the OB network.

In my opinion, by creating simple xml/csv/json feed synchronization feature that built in the OB client, will make it possible to import a lot of listings to the OB network.

[hoffmabc]

Have you spoken to Zokos? https://zokos.com they have implemented integration with lots of third parties.

[ghost]

As I understand, that is cloud platform but what is the way to update listings using self-hosted OB application. Usually, merchants operate with 1000+ listings so it is hard to manage all of them manually.

[hoffmabc]

Understood. I was suggesting speaking with Rod (who runs Zokos) about how he manages the process. Our project currently doesn't support much in the way of doing this, unfortunately. I don't have a lot to offer in the way of existing solutions.

If you have suggestions or problems to file we can take a swing at those but we don't have any comprehensive upgrades to this process on the roadmap right now.

[ghost]

It would be simple timeloop function which parse JSON file from URL provided and make requests to the OB server using native API methods.

I wonder why this feature was not implemented yet as it gain new listings. Feed concept pretty clear and typical for most extension developers who working with aggregators. They will be able to create stable feed modules for different CMS without routing and virtual hosting issues.

[ghost]

I've completed bulk listings import in following patch https://github.com/D4708/openbazaar-desktop/commit/7174ae1d1e561df9312c271ee8b20ed72cb06b6d (lint errors fix)

Not sure about the way to save Import settings as not familiar in the OB Client architecture, seems it using specified format in local storage. So need your advice.

As import feed, used JSON file, which contains the same options as presented in the official Documentation. Just image hashes replaced with URL.

Feed example

I don’t have much Node.js experience. If you are interested in this feature, I will send pull request.