📌 This article answers the following questions:
- How do I import a contact file (CSV, Excel) into my elloha customer database?
- What file formats are accepted for importing contacts into elloha?
- Are imported contacts linked to their existing bookings?
- What should I do if my contact import contains errors or duplicates?
Why is this important?
Centralising your customer database gives you the means to get to know your travellers better and boost your direct bookings. A well-structured file allows you to:
Save valuable time when creating manual bookings (the fields fill in automatically!).
To increase your revenue by sending personalised offers to your previous customers.
To provide a more professional service by instantly accessing each traveller’s history.
Follow the step-by-step guide
Step 1: Access the contact import function
To import your customer database into elloha, follow these steps:
In your account’s main menu, click on the Marketing section.
Select the ‘Customer Database’ tab.
Click on the ‘Actions’ button at the top right of the page.
Select the ‘Import contacts’ option.
Step 2: Download the import template
To prepare your data for import, you must use the sample file provided by the platform.
Download the import template provided.
Fill in this file, ensuring you retain the column structure.
❗️Important: This file is essential. It contains the technical structure required to ensure your contacts are correctly integrated into your customer database.
Step 3: Complete your contact file
Open the template file you have just downloaded onto your computer.
Enter your customers’ contact details in the corresponding columns.
❗️ Important: To ensure the process is successful, please make sure you strictly adhere to the order of the columns and the original file format. Do not delete the first row (header) of the document.
Remember to delete the sample row included in the template before saving your file, otherwise it will be created as a real customer in your database!
Step 4: Import your contact file
Once your file is complete, import it directly into your dashboard:
Click the import button.
Select your file from your computer.
Confirm the upload to start the import.
The system will then analyse your data and automatically add these new contacts to your customer database.
Step 5: Check your contacts
Once the import is complete, manage your data directly from your customer database:
Access your customer file to view the imported contacts.
Check that the information recorded is correct.
Edit or add to the customer records as required.
Confirm the import
Your centralised customer database enables you to carry out targeted marketing campaigns for your hosting services.
Tips for a successful import
To ensure your file is processed without errors by the system, bear in mind these two technical points:
Country code: You must use the international ISO format (e.g. FR for France, BE for Belgium, CH for Switzerland).
Telephone numbers: To enable the sending of welcome text messages, ensure that numbers follow a standard format (e.g. +336...).
Key points
Importing is the quickest way to migrate your booking history to elloha.
A high-quality customer database is your best asset for filling your holiday home during the low season through targeted email campaigns.
Take the time to carefully check your field mappings in step 6 to avoid duplicates.