[MODULE] Synchronize your Prestashop customers to MailChimp newsletter service

[jeckyl]

Hello everyone,

Here is a new module for synchronizing clients with management software emailing MailChimp.

MailChimp offers a free opportunity to manage mailing lists up to 1,000 members and 6,000 sending monthly professional manner. It is a tool that allows you to clearly measure the quality of your campaigns.

The module allows to permanently keep mailing lists up to date with your shop.

Order the synchronization module between Prestashop and MailChimp

[Pippo3000]

hi, does this also work if I am using not the default prestashop newsletter block module but a third party module? The information in the ps_ database should be the same though...

would be great by the way if you offered also a mailchimp compliant newsletter module directly, would love to use the mailchimp embedded coding for a popup but so far did not come across an easy enough solution for me. or how could I easily create a unique CMS page with the mailchimp code?

phil

[mytheory.]

Hi,

We just started using MailChimp to handle our email marketing campaigns... and I've been searching for a module just like yours. 1 quick question before we commit...

How does your module handle those who decide to unsubscribe?

For those that unsubscribe through the newsletter block it would make sense for the module to just re-sync PS database with mailchimp... but to my knowledge customers are able to unsubscribe through mailchimp's emails directly. In this case are those customers unsubscribed from the PS database also when it re-syncs?

Also I know it's too early to tell... but will your module be compatible with PS v.1.4.x? Will there be free updates for current purchasers... or is it best to wait until 1.4 is released?

Thanks!

[jeckyl]

Hello,

When a recipient unsubscribes from the newsletter by it he will not subscribe again during synchronization.

If it is delisted by its account Prestashop it will not be reinstated by MailChimp.

So you're sure to keep an updated listing.

I'll try to improve the script for that registration to be consistent on both sides.

Normally the module is compatible with 1.4 and will be free for owners of the previous module.

[Pippo3000]

Hello,

When a recipient unsubscribes from the newsletter by it he will not subscribe again during synchronization.

If it is delisted by its account Prestashop it will not be reinstated by MailChimp.

So you're sure to keep an updated listing.

I'll try to improve the script for that registration to be consistent on both sides.

Normally the module is compatible with 1.4 and will be free for owners of the previous module.

salut jeckyl,

I bought your module and we were already in contact as I face some issues. Let's try to get them solved if you are willing to help. My situation is as follows and I need a solution / advise as how to proceed and setup prestashop and mailchimp. maybe someone else has an idea, too:

basic setup
- I have 1 mailchimp (mc) list
- I have per default 2 prestashop (ps) lists: customers who subscribed and visitors (non-customers) who subscribed to my newsletter
- I expected the module to sync and combine all 3 lists, especially merge the 2 ps lists into the mc list.
- module settings: API key set and working, only 1 sync is selected: Customers newsletter subscribers List with my mc list.

current result:
customer list from ps is partly sync'ed and the visitors list from ps is not snyc'ed at all.

examples:

I myself am an existing customer in my shop. newsletter was activated in ps.

a) I then unsubscribed from the list via mailchimp, this was updated of course in mc list but not in the customer database after a sync run.

I then used the newsletter block in PS to unsubscribe. now the ps database was updated correctly but not the mc list: my email is still on it?!

any ideas?

besides these technical issues I am missing a real sync between my (well, not only my, all ps user should have this) two ps lists for customers and visitors. this does not work. only the customers list is taken (if at all), but not the visitors list. maybe a first step to solve this would be to add in the modules settings another field match for not only Customers newsletter subscribers List but also visitors newsletter subscribers list?

phil

[jeckyl]

Hello,

currently a person registers on the module block newsletter or as a client wishing to receive the newsletter then it will be added to the list MailChimp.
If a person unsubscribes directly through a link in a message sent from MailChimp, so it will not be reinstated in MailChimp, but it will not be delisted in PrestaShop.
If a person or a customer unsubscribes from the site Prestashop then their email address will be deleted from the list MailChimp.

As stated on the module, the first synchronization must be done on a blank list, otherwise the previous registered in a list MailChimp will be deleted.

To facilitate the management, I added in the latest list containing all registered persons to the newsletter, visitor or customer.

It is also clear that the email addresses listed in the newsletter block and having a customer account are not synchronized 2 times because their customer account can be considered a priority in their guest account.

I will try again to improve this module, but it takes time and energy to offer a module even better.

[Pippo3000]

To facilitate the management, I added in the latest list containing all registered persons to the newsletter, visitor or customer.

hm, in my v1.3 it still reads under the Customers newsletter subscribers List: 'The list of all your customers who subscribed to the newsletter in their profile'. so would this list actually also contain all non-customers who subscribed to the newsletter?

[jeckyl]

I gave you my version and this screen shot is the same off yours ?

[Pippo3000]

I gave you my version and this screen shot is the same off yours ?

no, mine says v1.3 but the screen looks different. I do not have the newsblock part. which would do the trick I guess.

[jeckyl]

Sorry, but the newsletter block appeared on my module only if you activated the block newsletter module in your backoffice.

[Pippo3000]

Sorry, but the newsletter block appeared on my module only if you activated the block newsletter module in your backoffice.

understood. would it be possible to 'see' the newsletter block in your module even with the original newsletter module disabled (means your newletter block always on) as I would want to either use a third party newsletter module or - preferred solution - the mailchimp embeddded form for a direct subscription to the mailchimp list.

[jeckyl]

ok, if I understand you want to use an external list that shook updated with data from your store but without erasing the data already recorded and that the module only guess at the future data differences as people may be unsubscribes MailChimp is from your store ?????

So you want to manage a single list that is modified by 2 different places and must combine data from three, MailChimp, block newsletter, customer newsletter subscribers.

Ben there, if you find me how I would accomplish this synchronization super happy because it seems impossible.

[Pippo3000]

ok, if I understand you want to use an external list that shook updated with data from your store but without erasing the data already recorded and that the module only guess at the future data differences as people may be unsubscribes MailChimp is from your store ?????

So you want to manage a single list that is modified by 2 different places and must combine data from three, MailChimp, block newsletter, customer newsletter subscribers.

Ben there, if you find me how I would accomplish this synchronization super happy because it seems impossible.

no need to become sarcastic. I was just asking, I am not the expert here.

so what you say is that your module can only be used at this point if and when I use only the prestashop internally available newsletter subscription, right? either via customer account subscription or via the newsletter block? that would mean I cannot use the mailchimp forms, being embedded (as is right now) or standalone, right?

however, what happens if a subscriber clicks the unsubscribe link on the mailchimp newsletter? if a subscriber from the prestashop newsletter block unsubscribes via mailchimp then I would expect that he is also unlisted from the prestashop newsletter block? whereas if a customer unsubscribes using the mailchimp link then after syncing the tick box in his customer account will also be unticked? can your module handle this? I am asking because to my knowledge the unsubscribe links will be mandatorily added by mailchimp and cannot be delete. So there is always the possibility that a customer clicks that link and does not manually untick the box in his prestashop account settings.

what I could do and what I actually tried now is setting up 2 lists in mailchimp, syncing with the 2 databases of prestashop. 1 for visitors subscribing and 1 for customers subscribing to my newsletter. The only issue with this is the slight possibility that a customer uses the vistors list and when he wants to unscribe goes into his prestashop account and wonders why the newsletter box is already unticked and he receives newsletter anyway. that what the reasons why I was asking whether your module can sync and merge the 2 lists into 1.

otherwise, please tell me how your intended setup would look like and how you overcome these issues; I will gladly follow your advise if practical.

merci
phil

[jeckyl]

Well, I do find myself with sarcastic, but I try to relax the atmosphere.

If someone unsubscribes from the newsletter by clicking the link will be delisted in MailChimp MailChimp it and at the next synchronization will remain unregistered in MailChimp but that does not prestashop unsubscribed. Default as I explained to want corrected soon but nothing is blocking the use of the module puique client or visitor does not receive the next newsletter as it is delisted on MailChimp, and that's where you send your newsletter .

I also recall that someone unsubscribes from your PrestaShop store will be erased from your MailChimp list.

Currently my module, as you can read on the screenshot above suggests several scenarios including one that lists all customers who subscribe to the newsletter subscribers and visitors to the newsletter block.

But yes, I grant you, my module does not work with lists already existing in MailChimp because it will replace all the address does not match those of your lists prestashop. C'st behavior but everything that is most logical and normal and will never be corrected because it is neither a bug nor a mistake.

[Pippo3000]

If someone unsubscribes from the newsletter by clicking the link will be delisted in MailChimp MailChimp it and at the next synchronization will remain unregistered in MailChimp but that does not prestashop unsubscribed. Default as I explained to want corrected soon but nothing is blocking the use of the module puique client or visitor does not receive the next newsletter as it is delisted on MailChimp, and that's where you send your newsletter .

alright, jeckyl. for dummies like me again: yes, I start with an empty mailchimp MC list. and an existing customer list in prestashop PS.

In PS there are say 4 customers ABCD subscribing my newsletter. when I sync via your module the first time these 4 customers ABCD will be listed in MC, right? Fine.

Now customer A unsubscribes in PS: upon next sync A will be delisted from the MC list, right? Fine

But if customer B unsubcribes by clicking on the unsub link on the newsletter, then he will be delisted from the MC list but after a sync not in PS? So the MC list shows customers BCD and the PS list still ABCD? Well, not very obvious for customer A if he checks his PS account settings and still sees the newsletter box ticked, but what interests me more is: what happens during/after the next sync. So you say that A will not added again to the MC list although he is still on the PS list? Is that correct?

I also recall that someone unsubscribes from your PrestaShop store will be erased from your MailChimp list.

Recall is not knowing but I guess I know what you mean and this is indeed a feature I would expect from a syncing module like yours. If C unticks the newsletter box in his account setting he will be delisted from the MC list. Makes perfect sense. And this is also valid for visitors (not customers) who subscribed to the newsletter via PS newsletter block?

But yes, I grant you, my module does not work with lists already existing in MailChimp because it will replace all the address does not match those of your lists prestashop. C'st behavior but everything that is most logical and normal and will never be corrected because it is neither a bug nor a mistake.

See, here is another thing I have problems with to understand. Yes, it is understood that we start with an empty MC list. That is what I did also. But why do you say that your module does not work with lists already existing in MC? I mean, there is some point in time where I hit the sync button in your module, right? but then the MC list is NOT empty anymore. Next time I hit sync, the MC list is then simply overwritten by the PS list again? and again and again every time I hit sync? Where is the sync part then if all addresses on the MC list are replaced which do not match the PS list? That would mean that your module is in fact an export module and I cannot use the mailchimp subscribe/unsubscribe forms directly because whoever is added to the MC list via these forms/links will be deleted the next time I 'sync' with PS? But I know no possibility to delete these un/subscribe links from the MC forms and templates as they are added automatically by MC. This would surely mislead recipients if they unsubscribe using the link and then receive another newsletter because they did not also unsubscribe via the PS user account (which overwrites the MC list when I sync next time.

Wow, long story, sorry if this is boring for some. But again, I would like to understand your module as the functionality seems pretty difficult to explain and nail down. Maybe someone else has already some experience and can help me here to understand. But if the only feature is to export PS data and overwrite MC data with every sync then - with all due respect - I see no real benefit as I can do this myself with 3 to 4 mouse clicks.

Jeckyl, please please just tell me or explain to me (step by step) your setup as I expect you use your own module. which steps are needed to really unfold the capabilities of your module?

sincerely
phil

[jeckyl]

Hello,

I'll even explain what is happening with this module.

You create your account at MailChimp.
You save your API key on my module.
You create your MailChimp list each corresponding to a scenario of my module.
You combine your lists to scenarios of my module.
You do the sync and so the lists are filled with data from your PrestaShop store.

Later such a person unsubscribes from your newsletter from the link created by MailChimp. So it nothing happens in PrestaShop, ie that his account is not changed in PrestaShop but it will not be registered again on the next sync to MailChimp.

In the case of a client or a visitor unsubscribes through its account or block the newsletter, it will be deleted from the list on this MailChimp automatically next synchronization.

This module allows for automatic synchronization by cronjob on your server or if you have access to the configuration of cron jobs or using this module CRONTAB Prestashop free addon.

[Pippo3000]

Later such a person unsubscribes from your newsletter from the link created by MailChimp. So it nothing happens in PrestaShop, ie that his account is not changed in PrestaShop but it will not be registered again on the next sync to MailChimp.

In the case of a client or a visitor unsubscribes through its account or block the newsletter, it will be deleted from the list on this MailChimp automatically next synchronization.

here I am again, Jeckyl. sent the last newsletter yesterday and all fine. I had added myself as customer to the list and can confirm that when I unsubscribe using the link on the newsletter via mailchimp that even after a sync I do remain unsubscribed, although in my PS account I still have the newsletter ticked. This is basically what you confirmed above: the account is NOT changed. Well, ok that upon sync I am not added again to the list. However, isn't this confusing. I mean, if I were a real customer, unsubscribe via mailchimp and then go into my account and still see the newsletter box checked? Is there any possibility to also uncheck the newsletter tickbox in the PS account in order to really keep both databases updated and sync'ed?

Merci
Phil

[jeckyl]

Hello,

So for the umpteenth time since the beginning of our exchange by mail or in this forum, I'll repeat the procedure that you can totally read 3 times in the previous message if you have any doubt about my answer this time.

The accounts are not changed on Prestashop after unsubscribing from MailChimp, but it s not be reinstated at the next synchronization.

Similarly, when I find time, I'll try to put in place after delisting in PrestaShop to unsubscribe by MailChimp, but it takes time like everything else and therefore we must wait to know, but I assure you this will be an update free update for owners of this module as all modules sold on my site elsewhere.

[babyewok]

I must say that from reading this thread, I agree with Pippo3000. For a paid for module, it really should be more sophisticated. I too think it is not a 'true' synchronization if all the data seems to come from Prestashop. I think it is no good to allow a member to unsubscribe from the MailChimp newsletter and leave their Prestashop account still saying that they are subscribed (yes, even though they technically are not - they don't know that!).

Additionally, it is no good that this cannot work with existing MailChimp lists. This of course also means that if I were to manually add some subscribers to the Mail Chimp list directly, they would be deleted. This is no good, as there is often need to add members manually, and especially if you have set up (like I have) the MailChimp API to create a simple (non-customer) email signup form. With this module, it seems that any person signed up in this way would be removed from the MailChimp list on the next sync!

Personally, I think a better module would be to override the Prestashop newsletter facility all together and link it all to MailChimp. That way, whenever the member subscribes/unsubscribes at checkout or via their account settings, then the MailChimp list is directly updated. And we could continue to use the simple API for the non-customer subscriptions. Now that would be a far more flexible solution...and one that WOULD be worth paying for.

[jeckyl]

I understanding all what you said.

For the problems to really sync the unscribe both in mailchimp and prestashop, i'll work on this.

To use an existing mailchimp list with subscribers is an other porblem, because it's to understand to create unsers in prestashop during the first sync but it's not very legal because we don't if this new subscriber want to receive this newsletter.

I'm gonig to make and evlotion on this module to manage new subscriber directly when people subscribe on the site but you always have a cron to make a really sync with mailchimp.

To manage another mailcchimp mailform i think it's better to have another module.

[babyewok]

To use an existing mailchimp list with subscribers is an other porblem, because it's to understand to create unsers in prestashop during the first sync but it's not very legal because we don't if this new subscriber want to receive this newsletter.

Not entirely accurate as we have been exporting the newsletter csv from Prestashop to MailChimp, so yes, they have opted in to the newsletter.

[jeckyl]

To use an existing mailchimp list with subscribers is an other porblem, because it's to understand to create unsers in prestashop during the first sync but it's not very legal because we don't if this new subscriber want to receive this newsletter.

Not entirely accurate as we have been exporting the newsletter csv from Prestashop to MailChimp, so yes, they have opted in to the newsletter.

If you have the same users in your malchimp list and in your newsletter you can sync it.

The problem it's when you don't have same people because the module delete all mailchimp users are not in prestashop (newsletter or customers)

this module is for Prestashop and not for Mailchimp either this module can delete mailchimp user when this user unsubscribe directly in prestashop.

[Kt]

Is it possible to synchronize not only buyers, but also their order history?

[jeckyl]

Is it possible to synchronize not only buyers, but also their order history?

Hi,

 

not now

[Kt]

Hi,

 

not now

And when about to expect?