Yes, you can import images from external sources like Dropbox or Google Drive when importing products into WooCommerce, but there are some important considerations:
1. Use direct download links: For Dropbox or Google Drive images, ensure the URL you provide downloads the image directly rather than just linking to it[2]. Standard sharing links often won't work.
2. URL format matters: WooCommerce expects image URLs to end with a recognized image extension like .jpg, .png, etc. Google Drive and Dropbox don't typically provide links in this format by default[1].
3. Potential solutions:
- Use a service like the Chrome Extension "Drive Explorer" (paid) to generate direct download links for Google Drive images[1].
- For Dropbox, you may need to modify the sharing link to create a direct download URL.
4. Alternative approach: Instead of linking directly to external sources, you could:
- Download the images to your local computer
- Upload them to your WordPress Media Library
- Use the image filenames in your CSV import file[2]
5. CSV formatting: When including multiple images for a product, separate the URLs or filenames with a pipe symbol (|)[2][5].
6. Verify URLs: Before importing, test the image URLs in a browser to ensure they're valid and accessible[2][5].
7. Import process: When mapping columns during import, ensure the "Images" column is properly mapped[5].
While it's possible to import from external sources, it may be more reliable to host the images on your own server or use a dedicated image hosting service that provides direct download links. This avoids potential issues with changing URLs or access restrictions on third-party services.
Citations:[1] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/73844747/how-to-import-images-from-google-drive-to-woocommerce-importer-using-image-urls
[2] https://woocommerce.com/document/import-woocommerce-product-images/
[3] https://comohacerunapagina.es/en/como-importar-imagenes-desde-dropbox-y-google-drive-en-woocommerce/
[4] https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-connect-google-drive-to-your-wordpress-media-library/
[5] https://www.webtoffee.com/woocommerce-import-products-with-images/