If you’re managing a loyalty program, you’ll eventually need to update multiple customers’ points, VIP tiers, or profile details at once. This can be easily done with a CSV file. In this article, we’ll explain how to use CSV files for bulk updates in Ako Marketing app

What Can I Bulk Update with a CSV?

With Ako Marketing’s bulk import feature, you can:

  • Add, subtract, or set loyalty points for multiple customers

  • Upgrade or assign VIP tiers

  • Edit customer profile details, like birthdays and gender

1. Bulk Update Loyalty Points 

When to Use:

  • Running special promotions (e.g., reward event attendees with points)

  • Moving from another loyalty platform and importing point balances

  • Migrating to Shopify and bringing existing customer data

How to do it:

  1. Go to Ako Marketing > Settings > Customer Import

  1. Select Edit point balance

  1. Choose the point action:

  • Add or subtract: Adjust the current point balance.
     Example: Add 300 points to customers who attended an in-store event.

  • Set specified value: Replace the existing point balance with a new number.
     Example: Set all point balances to 300.

  1. Download the CSV template, fill it in, and upload it

CSV Fields Explained:

  • Customer ID: Unique Shopify ID (e.g., 1234567890)
  • Email:  You can now use customer email addresses to map records if you don't have the Shopify Customer ID handy
    • If the email already exists in your Shopify store, the system will correctly link it to that customer profile.
    • If the email does not yet exist in your Shopify store, you’ll need to first add that customer to Shopify (so a Customer ID is created). After that, you can re-upload your CSV to apply the updates.
  • Points: Number to add or subtract. Use negative numbers to deduct (e.g., -100).
  • Points Expiry Date (optional): Format: yyyy-mm-dd. Leave blank if points never expire or if deducting.


  1. (Optional) Add a Public note (visible to customers) or Internal note (for your team). Click next

  1. If the file is valid, click "Smart Import".

  1. Check progress in Import History

2. Bulk Update VIP Tiers 

When to Use:

  • Upgrade loyal customers to VIP status

  • Import tier data from another platform

  • Assign tiers to existing customers manually

How to do it:

  1. Go to Ako Marketing > Settings > Customer Import

  1. Select “Manage VIP Tiers”

  1. Check the box "Customer will be issued the rewards once the tier is achieved" if you want to send rewards automatically.

  1. Click "Download a CSV template", fill it out, and upload it

CSV Fields Explained:

  • Customer ID: Shopify ID
  • Email:  You can now use customer email addresses to map records if you don't have the Shopify Customer ID handy
  • If the email already exists in your Shopify store, the system will correctly link it to that customer profile.
  • But If the email does not yet exist in your Shopify store, you’ll need to first add that customer to Shopify (so a Customer ID is created). After that, you can re-upload your CSV to apply the updates.
  • Tier Name: Must match the exact tier name under Loyalty Program > VIP > VIP Tier

  1. (Optional) Add a Public note (visible to customers) or Internal note (for your team). Click next

9. "Smart Import" to process the file

After the import is complete, Ako Marketing will automatically notify customers of their new tier.

3. Edit Customer Profile 

When you might need this:

  • You want to bring over birthday information or gender information from another platform/app

How to do it:

  1. Go to Ako Marketing > Settings > Customer Import and choose "Edit customer profile"

  1. Download and fill out the template here: 

This is what our template looks like:

  • Customer ID: Each customer's Shopify number
  • Email:  You can now use customer email addresses to map records if you don't have the Shopify Customer ID handy
  • If the email already exists in your Shopify store, the system will correctly link it to that customer profile.
  • If the email does not yet exist in your Shopify store, you’ll need to first add that customer to Shopify (so a Customer ID is created). After that, you can re-upload your CSV to apply the updates.
  • Birthday: When they were born (yyyy-mm-dd format)
  • Gender: Choose from man, woman, transgender, or prefer No Response

Remember: Make sure the birthday and gender matches exactly how you’ve set it in the app, including the gender options.

4. Edit Store Credit Balance

When You Might Need This: You want to import existing store credit balances for customers from another platform or system (e.g., loyalty program, in-store system, or spreadsheet).

How to Do It 

1. Go to Ako Marketing > Settings > Customer Import, and choose "Edit store credit balance". 

Screenshot showing the process of importing data to adjust store credit balance in a financial application.
2. Choose your store credit action

Credit or debit: This option lets you adjust the current balance by adding (crediting) or subtracting (debiting) a specific amount.

Example:

  • Current balance: $10
  • You import: $5 → New balance becomes $15
  • You import: -3 → New balance becomes $7

Set specified value: This option overwrites the customer’s existing store credit balance with the exact value you specify.

Example:

  • Current balance: $10
  • You import: $20 → New balance becomes exactly $20

 

Digital interface for credit card payment, featuring input areas for card details and a submit button.
3. Download and fill out the import template. 
  • Customer ID: This is the unique Shopify customer number (not their email).
  • Store Credit: Enter the exact amount you want to credit or debit based on your selected store credit action (either adjust or overwrite the balance).
  • Email:  You can now use customer email addresses to map records if you don't have the Shopify Customer ID handy
    •  If the email already exists in your Shopify store, the system will correctly link it to that customer profile.
    • If the email does not yet exist in your Shopify store, you’ll need to first add that customer to Shopify (so a Customer ID is created). After that, you can re-upload your CSV to apply the updates.
  • Store Credit Expiry Date (optional): You can set an expiration date for the store credit. Leave it blank if there’s no expiry.

Step 4: Upload Your CSV File

  1. Once your template is updated, upload the CSV files. You will need to upload each CSV file for each action

 

  1. Optional: Add a note about why you're changing points

  • Public note: A note visible to customers in their points activity record.

  • Internal note: A note for internal use only, not visible to customers.

3. Click Next to validate your file

4. Click Smart Import to make the changes








5. Check Import History to make sure everything worked

💡Common Questions

Q1: What is a Customer ID?
 It’s a unique number Shopify assigns to each customer when they:

  • Create an account

  • Subscribe to emails

  • Checkout as a guest

Q2: How do I find Customer IDs?

  • Manual: Go to Shopify Admin > Customers, open a customer, and copy the number in the URL after /customers/.

  • Export List: In Shopify Admin > Customers, click Export to download your full customer list. You can also filter and export specific segments.

Q3: Can I upload points and VIP tiers at the same time?
 No. Each CSV import should include only one data type (points, tiers, or profiles). Please upload them separately.

Q4: Can I use emails instead of Customer IDs for CSV imports?

Yes! Previously, CSV imports only worked with Shopify Customer IDs. Now you can also use email addresses to map customers when uploading data.

This means you can bulk add or edit:

  • Loyalty points

  • Store credit

  • VIP tiers

  • Customer profiles

Important to note: If the emails you upload are not yet linked to an existing Shopify Customer ID in your store, you’ll need to first create those customers in Shopify (by adding them to your Customers list). Once the customers exist in Shopify, you can re-upload the CSV file and the updates will apply correctly.