Why Are You Avoiding Google Merchant Center? It’s FREE Traffic!

Are you running paid ads and PPC? While these may have brought your site some traffic, it’s no secret that you have to keep the cash rolling to keep your campaign running.

Or, maybe you’ve tried more organic means like traditional content marketing. Yes, useful content can go a long way in establishing yourself as a reliable authority in your niche, but unfortunately, “authority” isn’t always the same as “high-converting,” meaning your blogs, tutorials, and videos may not deliver the fast results you’re after.

So what do you do?

If you’re struggling to drive traffic to your ecommerce store, Google Merchant Center may just be the missing ingredient in your campaign.

With Google Merchant Center, your products will be front and center as you optimize their information across all Google platforms. From just one place, you’ll improve your product’s visibility, and here’s the best part:

You’ll drive traffic to your ecommerce store for free.

Learn more about Google Merchant Center and how you can optimize your product listings for maximum visibility and free traffic.

Let’s dive in!

What Is Google Merchant Center?

Google Merchant Center is a centralized platform for online retailers. Here, ecommerce store owners like yourself can upload your products complete with detailed descriptions, images, and up-to-date prices. These will be visible across all of Google’s platforms, including YouTube.

Are you managing a local store or business? Among Merchant Center’s features are local optimizations that enable you to place your store’s location on Google Maps.

There are no costs when you sign up for Google Merchant Center. At no added expense, you’re also free to update your product information whenever you choose.

In short, it costs nothing to list your products using Google Merchant Center. Most importantly, because your products can appear on all of Google’s platforms, there may be more traffic to your online store at no added cost.

Getting Started on Google Merchant Center

How do you set up your store on Google Merchant Center? Follow these steps to get started:

1. Set Up Your Google Merchant Center Account

Everything starts with a Google account, so sign up for one first. You’ll also need a Google Business Profile account for your online store.

If you already have these, the next step is to sign up for a Google Merchant Center account.

You’ll receive guidance throughout the account creation process, and as we’ve said, the whole sign-up process is free.

2. Verify Your Business

This is where your Google Business account comes in. When you sign up on Google Merchant Center, you’ll have the option of integrating your Google Business account. Doing this enables you to sync information like your business’s location and contact details to your merchant profile.

3. Upload Your Product Information

With your accounts and business information in place, the next step is to upload product information. Spoiler alert: This is where things can get (just a little bit) tricky and technical.

First, you’ll want to create a TXT or XML for each product you want to list. Be sure to include information like pricing and descriptions.

If you want to list multiple products, it’s possible to do so. To do this, create a Google spreadsheet that contains all your products and their information.

For That Extra “Oomph” for Your Offerings — Google Merchant Center Optimization

After you’ve set up your Google Merchant Center account and filled it with the necessary product and business information, you’ll be ready to go. But, let’s be honest:

You’re choosing Google Merchant Center because of its power to drive free traffic to your store.

With this in mind, you need to take things to the next level with Google Merchant Center optimization. Here are some tips to take your products and online store traffic to the next level — and for free.

1. Optimize Your Product Listings

Listings are fine on Merchant Center, but optimized listings are where it’s at. To make your product listing stand out, add some high-quality images. These will elevate the attractiveness of your listings and nudge customers into checking out your products. The result is free traffic and potential purchases.

Of course, also keep your business and product information up-to-date. After all, there’s nothing worse for customers than clicking on a store or product only to find out that the listed information (like price) is inaccurate.

2. List With Keywords (But Don’t Overdo It)

Another way to optimize your Merchant Center product listings is by strategically using keywords. To ensure that you optimize for the right search terms, you’ll have to conduct keyword research using tools like Google Search Console.

Once you’ve determined the right keywords, use them in your product descriptions and product titles. Doing this can help your store and product’s SEO and drive some organic traffic to your online store.

3. Don’t Sleep on Free Listings

Google Shopping is another platform where you’ll be able to sell your products. However, if free traffic is what you’re after, take advantage of Google Merchant Center’s free product listings feature.

This feature enables you to insert product ads into Google Shopping where many of your likely customers will be. With your products displayed, they can be visible, attracting clicks and free traffic to your online store.

4. Use Local Inventory Ads

Do you operate a physical store or offer services to a more local clientele? If so, use local inventory ads to improve your visibility in local searches. By adding location tags like the city or state you operate in, your store will be more likely to attract not just free online traffic but foot traffic as well.

5. Keep Your Information Fresh and Up-to-Date

Lastly, be sure to keep your store and product information updated. Up-to-date information makes life easier for your customers by delivering a positive shopping experience. Most importantly, updated listings are vital to your business’s image and reputation and can drive more traffic to your store or product pages.

Do You Need Help With Google Merchant Center Optimizations? We’re a Call Away!

Google Merchant Center optimizations are pretty straightforward as long as you already have your product information and the TXT, XML, or DOC files to upload them. However, if you’re already running a business, wouldn’t you rather leave this time-consuming task to someone else?

At Kreidman, we’re your partners in online store optimizations that drive traffic and conversions. Whether you’re getting started on Google Merchant Center or need something extra in your WooCommerce, AmeriCommerce, or Shopify stores, we’ve got you covered.

Experience free traffic and better store visibility with Kreidman. Contact us today for a free consultation.