Upload files
To start selling digital content on your Shopify store, you need to link your files to products in Filemonk. The first step in this process is uploading your files. Filemonk offers two main approaches for adding files: uploading directly when configuring products, or uploading to your content library first and linking them to products later.
Method 1 - Upload Files via Content Library
This method involves uploading files to your content library first, then linking them to products when needed. This approach is ideal when you want to organize your files before deciding which products they'll be associated with.
Step 1: Navigate to Content Library
- From your Filemonk dashboard, click Content library in the left navigation menu
- This will take you to your content library page where you can manage all your uploaded files
- You'll see two tabs: "Files uploaded" and "Licence keys" - make sure you're on the "Files uploaded" tab
Step 2: Choose Your Upload Method
Once you're in the content library, you have three options for adding files to Filemonk:
Upload to Filemonk
- Click the Upload files button to upload one or more files directly to Filemonk
- This opens the file upload interface where you can drag and drop files or browse to select them
- Filemonk supports various file formats including PDFs, images, videos, audio files, and documents
Add a Link
- Click Create file from link to add a link to a file uploaded to Google Drive, Dropbox, or any other platform
- Enter the external URL and provide a name for the file
- This method is useful when your files are already hosted elsewhere and you want to keep them in their current location
- External files will redirect customers to the original hosting platform when downloaded
Bulk Import
- If you're switching from another app to Filemonk or setting up files in bulk, click Import and then click on "Filemonk import template" to access the CSV file for import
- Filemonk can use a CSV instruction sheet to upload and link your files to digital products automatically
- This method is perfect for merchants with large catalogs who need to migrate existing digital products
- The CSV import allows you to specify file URLs, product associations, and other metadata in bulk
Step 3: Link Files to Products
After uploading your files using any of the above methods, you need to link them to a product listing on your store to make it a digital product:
- Navigate to Digital products from the left menu
- Select the product you want to configure or create a new digital product
- Use the Select from library button to choose files you've already uploaded
- When a customer purchases the digital product, your uploaded files will be made available to download
Method 2: Upload Files Directly to Products
This method allows you to upload files directly when configuring a specific product, streamlining the process when you know exactly which product the files belong to.
Step 1: Navigate to Digital Products
- From your Filemonk dashboard, click Digital products in the left navigation menu
- This takes you to your digital products overview where you can see all configured products
- Either select an existing product to configure or click Add product to create a new digital product
Step 2: Configure Your Product
- If creating a new product, select your Shopify product from the product picker
- Choose whether to link files to the entire product or specific variants
- Select your delivery method - either downloadable files or custom products requiring manual fulfillment
Step 3: Upload Files Directly
Once your product is configured, you can upload files directly to it:
- In the product configuration area, look for the file management section
- Click the Upload files button to upload files directly to this specific product
- You can also use Select from library to choose files you've previously uploaded
- Additional options include Add licence key for software products and Add external file for hosted content
Step 4: Organize and Manage Files
- Uploaded files will appear in the product's file list with folder organization options
- Each file can be individually managed with options to edit, replace, or remove
- Set custom messages and download instructions specific to each product
Advanced Tips
Here are some advanced techniques for efficient file uploading and management:
- Use the bulk import feature when migrating from other platforms or setting up large catalogs
- Organize files in folders within products to create logical groupings for customers
- Upload files to the content library first if you plan to use the same files across multiple products
- Use external file links for large files hosted on platforms with better bandwidth or storage
- Test your upload process with small files first to ensure everything works correctly
- Monitor your storage usage in your plan settings to avoid hitting upload limits
Troubleshooting
Common issues and solutions when uploading files:
Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
---|---|---|
Upload fails with size error | File exceeds plan limit | Upgrade your plan or compress the file |
External link not working | Invalid URL or permissions | Verify the link is publicly accessible |
Bulk import errors | CSV format issues | Check CSV headers and data formatting |
Files not appearing | Upload still processing | Wait a few minutes and refresh the page |
Cannot select files | Browser compatibility | Try a different browser or clear cache |
FAQs
Q: Which upload method should I use - Content Library or Direct to Products?
A: Use Content Library if you want to organize files first or plan to use files across multiple products. Use Direct to Products if you know exactly which product the files belong to and want a streamlined workflow.
Q: Can I upload the same file to multiple products?
A: Yes, when you upload to Content Library first, you can then link the same file to multiple products using the "Select from library" option.
Q: What file formats does Filemonk support?
A: Filemonk supports most common file formats including PDFs, images (JPG, PNG, GIF), videos (MP4, MOV), audio files (MP3, WAV), and documents (DOC, DOCX, TXT).
Q: Is there a limit to how many files I can upload?
A: File limits depend on your subscription plan. Check your plan details in Settings to see your current storage allowance and file count limits.
Q: Can I replace a file after uploading it?
A: Yes, you can replace files using the "Replace file" option in the file management interface. This updates the file for all associated products and orders.
Q: What happens to uploaded files if I cancel my subscription?
A: Your files remain accessible during any grace period, but you should download important files before your subscription expires to ensure continued access.
Updated on: 25/07/2025
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