How to Add Products to Google Shopping

We have recently published a blog about How to create a Google Shopping Feed. You can refer to that using this link: Click here.

Google Shopping is one of the greatest services provided by Google. It facilitates people to search, compare, and purchase products from retailers who paid to promote their products. Basically, it is like an agent who helps retailers to advertise products and help customers to discover products.

After reading our blog about how to set up Google Shopping Feed, most business owners have asked how to add products to Google Shopping. If you have been thinking, “How to add my products to Google Shopping?” this blog is the perfect answer. We will walk you through 5 steps on how to add products to Google Shopping.

Benefits of Adding Your Products to Google Shopping

Adding products to Google Shopping offers several advantages for eCommerce businesses:

1.Offers a free product listing opportunity

Google Shopping enables retailers to list their products on the platform at no cost. These listings are Google Shopping free listings. Having a place in the Google Shopping feed helps to reach potential customers for free.

2.Drive quality traffic to your website

Showcasing your products on Google Shopping helps to attract users who are actively searching for the items you offer. This focused traffic is likely to lead to conversions since it aligns with users’ search intentions.

3.Generates Better Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)

Compared to traditional advertising methods, Google Shopping often yields a higher return on investment. Because it targets users who are already interested in purchasing products similar to yours.

4.It offers an Ads Automation option

Google Shopping offers automation features that streamline managing and optimizing your product listings. It helps to save you time and effort while ensuring your ads perform effectively.

5.Lower Cost Per Click (CPC)

Google Shopping typically has a lower cost per click compared to other advertising channels. That means you can drive traffic to your website at a more affordable rate, maximizing your advertising budget’s efficiency.

6.Easier Remarketing

Google Shopping simplifies remarketing to users who have previously interacted with your products or website. That allows you to re-engage with potential customers who are interested in your offerings.

7.Improves Overall SEO Performance

Google Shopping helps to increase the visibility of your website and enhance your SEO performance. It can increase organic traffic and better rankings in Google’s search results, further boosting your online presence.

In summary, adding products to Google Shopping provides numerous benefits.

How to Add Products to Google Shopping: 5 Easy Steps 

From here onwards, I will explain how to add products to Google Shopping easily.

In brief, the steps are,

• Setting up a Google Merchant Center Account
• Optimizing the product images and videos
• Uploading product data on GMC
• Link Google Ads with GMC (Bonus Step)
• Create a Google Shopping campaign (Bonus Step)

Step-1: Setting up a Google Merchant Center account

The first step of our guide on how to add your products to Google Shopping is setting up a Google merchant center account.

To sign up for a Google Merchant Center account, you will need a Google Account. Below is a tutorial on how to create a Google account for your business.

First, click this link to create your Google Merchant Center account for free.

Now, click the ‘Get Started’ button if you’re new, or sign in if you’re an existing user.

Next, Google will inquire about your business, asking whether it operates online or sells products physically. Then input basic business details.

Follow Google’s instructions carefully to include all required information, such as business name, address, website URL, and contact information. Additionally, you’ll need to provide a phone number for verification purposes.

After completing the necessary steps, agree to the Terms of Service provided by Google Merchant Center. Once done, the “Create account” button will become active. Click on it, and your account will be ready to use.

After activation, the next step is to verify ownership of your website, which involves two simple steps:

1. Verify the ownership of your website.
2. Claim your website on Google Merchant Center.

You can use any method that is easier for you.

Step 2: Optimizing the Product Images and Videos

In Google Shopping, the visuals of your products hold significant sway. Your product photos stand out as the most crucial aspect of your listing, as they often determine which product shoppers ultimately decide to purchase.

Given that Google Shopping is primarily a visual platform, your product photos play a vital role in attracting clicks and driving purchases.

To ensure your products get featured on Google Shopping, it’s essential to stick to Google’s image guidelines. These guidelines provide specific instructions for product images in the Google Shopping feed.

(a) Make sure your image meets these size requirements:

– For non-apparel images: minimum 100 x 100 pixels

– For apparel images: minimum 250 x 250 pixels

– Maximum image size: 64 megapixels

– Maximum file size: 16MB

Following these guidelines will result in a high-quality image showcasing your product at its best.

(b) Avoid using generic images.

Steer clear of generic images, graphics, or illustrations that do not accurately represent the actual product. However, you may use a generic image, graphic, or illustration for products in the following categories:

– Hardware

– Vehicles & Parts

– Computer Software

(c) Do not use logos or icons.

Avoid using a logo or icon instead of an actual product image, unless you are representing a software product. In such cases, software logos or icons can be used to represent your software product in the specified Google product category.

(d) Avoid using single-color images.

Refrain from using a single-color image that is merely a square of color, unless your product falls into one of the following Google product categories:

– Vehicle Paint

– Craft Paint, Ink & Glaze

– Painting Consumables

Step 3: Uploading Product Data on GMC

This stage of the process is crucial. You can add products to Google Merchant Center (GMC) in two ways:

1. Individually (one by one).
2. Upload a product feed containing all items in a single file.

Once you have set up your Google Merchant Center account, there are several methods to add products to Google Shopping. However, if you’re using WordPress and WooCommerce, the simplest approach is to use a plugin.

Elex WooCommerce is one of the popular plugins. It helps to generate a Google Shopping feed easily. This means you will be able to automatically add products to Google Shopping as you create them.

Once you have installed and activated the plugin, you should notice a new tab labeled “Elex Google Shopping Feed” in the left-hand menu of your WordPress dashboard. Click on this tab and navigate to “Create Feed.”

The plugin is very straightforward to use. Just follow the steps outlined in the setup wizard.

Please remember that the free version of Elex WooCommerce Google Shopping only accommodates simple products. If you have complex products with variations, you’ll need the premium plugin.

Once you’ve finished mapping your categories and attributes, and configured filtering options, you can generate your feed. It’s as simple as that!

Step 4: Upload the product feed to the Google Merchant Center

Next, it’s time to upload the product feed to the Google Merchant Center. You have three options to choose from:

1. Upload via Google Sheets.
2. Upload products from a file.
3. Upload Products Using API.

Uploading the feed via Google Sheets

You can start by uploading the feed via Google Sheets, which is a popular choice due to its simplicity. This option enables you to submit your products to Google Shopping quickly. 

To proceed, choose the Google Sheets template option as the feed input method.

After clicking the Continue button, select your preferred Google account to register a Google spreadsheet file. 

You can create a new Google spreadsheet from a template or choose an existing one. If you opt for the Template option, click the ‘Template’ button. Once you’re in the template, set up your product information such as ID, Title, Description, Price, etc.

After setting your template, return to the page and click on Continue. Your products will be generated within a couple of seconds.

Uploading Products From a File

For a hassle-free method of adding products to Google Shopping, choose the URL upload method. To proceed, you can add a link to your file, which can be in spreadsheet or XML format. 

However, ensure that the file format is in one of the following ways: .gz, .txt, .xml, .zip, or .bz2. 

You can also upload your products using sFTP, keeping in mind that the file size must always be under 4 GB.

Another option is to upload the file from your computer. However, there are a couple of requirements here as well:

– The format must be in text, XML, or tv.

– The file size must be less than 4 GB.

Files uploaded in this manner will automatically update themselves every 24 hours.

Upload Products Using API

If you make frequent changes or deal with large datasets, the Content API is the preferred method.

The Content API automatically generates a feed file in the Google Merchant Center. You can customize feed rules to efficiently handle these feeds.

These are the primary methods for uploading product data to the Google Merchant Center.

Once completed, your products will appear on the Google Shopping tab for relevant searches. However, to effectively promote your products on Google, consider running a shopping campaign. Follow steps 4 and 5 to generate a Google shopping campaign.

Step-4: Link Google Ads with GMC 

The next step is to link your Google Ads account with Google Merchant Center.

First, navigate to Google Merchant Center. From the top left side, go to ‘Ad Campaigns’.

Then, you’ll find an option ‘Link to Google Ads’ on your right. Click on the ‘Link’ Button. 

This action will take you to the following page. Simply add your Google Ads account. Finally, your account will be linked with Google Ads.

Step 5: Create a Google Shopping Campaign 

A Google Shopping Campaign can significantly boost the promotion of your products on the Google Shopping platform. Additionally, it allows you to monitor your product’s performance during the campaign.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a Google Shopping campaign:

1. Log in to your Google Ads account.
2. Click on “Campaigns” in the left menu.
3. Select “+New campaign.”
4. Choose “Shopping” as the Campaign type.
5. Click “Next.”
6. Specify your advertising preferences.
7. Click “Save and continue.”
8. Build an Ad group.
9. Set your bid.
10. Click “Save.”

Remember, for a successful campaign, proper optimization of the Google product feed is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adding Products to Google Shopping:

1.How do I manually add products to Google Shopping?

To manually add products, log in to your Merchant Center account, navigate to the Products section, select All products, and click the “Add products” button. Choose the option to Add products individually.

2.What are the requirements for the Google Shopping feed?

Ensure your Google Shopping feed includes fields such as ID, title, description, link, image_link, price, condition, availability, brand, etc. Utilizing a reliable shopping feed plugin can assist in meeting these requirements.

3.How long does it take for products to appear on Google Shopping?

The time for products to appear varies based on their status. If a product is pending, it undergoes processing by Google and won’t be visible in ads or free listings until it’s processed.

In conclusion, I trust you now have a clear understanding of how to add products to Google Shopping. The outlined steps are beginner-friendly, so feel free to review them once more. With these instructions at hand, I’m confident you’ll be able to navigate the process smoothly in one go. Happy selling on Google Shopping!