How to use Google Shopping for WooCommerce

• WooCommerce Google Product Feed: Automated Sync
• Leverage Google Shopping with WooCommerce
• How to set up WooCommerce Google Shopping ads (in 3 steps)
• Use a WooCommerce Extension
• Why is Google Shopping Important for Businesses?
• What challenges can I face when setting up WooCommerce Google Shopping Ads?
• Why Choose RegisTeam for Google Shopping Ads?

The vivid and dynamic product ads appearing atop search results, Google’s Shopping ads offer an attractive and interactive medium for e-commerce retailers to allure potential customers to their digital storefronts through the Google platform.

For online merchants utilizing WooCommerce as their e-commerce platform, these Shopping ads offer a promising opportunity to showcase their wares on this platform. However, to implement Shopping ads, the seller must first supply Google with a comprehensive inventory of their products in the form of a feed, which can be achieved through the integration of extensions like WooCommerce Google Product Feed, which are specially designed for this purpose.

Google Shopping Ads offers an effective method to increase visibility and conversions for online retailers. These ads are displayed ahead of Google’s text-based ads and showcase fundamental product details such as product titles, images, prices, and reviews. Moreover, promotional offers are included within the Shopping Ads, making them a compelling marketing tool for e-commerce businesses looking to increase their online sales.

By utilizing Google Shopping Ads, online retailers have the ability to manage the product information that is displayed to customers, making it simpler for them to locate the exact items they are searching for. As a result, the likelihood of a customer making a purchase increases significantly.

There are several advantages to using Google Shopping Ads over regular text-based ads. Firstly, Shopping Ads include an image, allowing users to quickly determine if the product is relevant to their needs, thereby optimizing the ad spend. Secondly, Shopping Ads display the price of the product, which acts as a strong indicator of the user’s interest in purchasing and increases the likelihood of conversion upon clicking the ad. Additionally, products are displayed in multiple areas on the Search Engine Results Page, resulting in increased exposure and more opportunities for clicks. Finally, the cost per click is comparable to non-brand search campaigns, and the conversion rate is typically higher.

To achieve high visibility and maximize audience reach, it is recommended to run both text and Shopping ads.

In order to create Shopping ads, Google requires a feed of your product information. The feed should be accurate and synced to a Google Merchant Center account as a prerequisite for setting up Shopping Ads.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a feed for your products on Google:

To set up your Shopping Ads on Google, you need to provide a feed of your product information to Google Merchant Center. You can create a Primary and Secondary feed within Merchant Center. Your feed must include certain required categories such as product title, description, image, price, global trade item number, brand, manufacturer part number, and Google product category. For apparel and accessories, additional details like color, material, pattern, size, and gender should be included.

Feeds are supported in two formats: plain text (.txt) and Extensible Markup Language, or XML (.xml). .txt files are simpler and smaller, while .xml files can contain more detailed information such as images, and require instructions on how to display the data.

There are two methods to create your feed file: manual and automatic. You can manually create a feed file using a Google Sheet or a .txt file exported from any spreadsheet editor. Alternatively, you can use a purpose-built WooCommerce extension that automatically creates and syncs a feed to Google.

If you use Google Sheets to create your feed, you can install the Merchant Center add-on from your spreadsheet. This add-on allows you to easily populate and validate your product data, as well as upload your feed to Google.

If you prefer to use an extension to create your feed, there are several options available online. We recommend using the WooCommerce Google Product Feed extension from the official WooCommerce.com marketplace. This extension is regularly updated and includes email support if needed. It supports multiple feeds, including Google, Bing, and Google Product Reviews.

In the next section of this article, we will guide you through setting up a feed using the WooCommerce Google Product Feed extension.

WooCommerce Google Product Feed: Automated Sync

The WooCommerce Google Product Feed add-on affords the option of selecting the desired fields to feature in the output. As a consequence, a fully automated feed ensues, encapsulating all relevant details pertaining to the given product and its variations – this is presented in an appropriate format that satisfies Google’s standards.

Should the desire arise, you have the ability to add supplemental data fields, to further elucidate particularities about your products and their variations. Moreover, you can configure information at the category level, which pertains exclusively to products that fall under that category.

Additionally, it is feasible to set storewide defaults, which will be applicable to all products, rendering the overall procedure more streamlined and efficient.

To initiate Google Shopping ads for your WooCommerce products, you must undertake the following five steps:

Firstly, you must acquire and activate the WooCommerce Google Product Feed extension.

After installation, proceed to wp/admin → WooCommerce → Settings → Product Feed, where you must handpick the attributes of product data that you intend to include in your feed.

To complete the process of running Google Shopping ads for your WooCommerce products, you must proceed with the following steps:

Register for a free Google Merchant Center account. The setup process includes the requirement of pasting some code to your store’s theme file, in order to verify the URL.

Next, you must configure and retrieve your feed. You will have to add the unique feed URL that is displayed in the Product Feed section of wp-admin, to your Google account. This URL will be presented in a format similar to http://www.example.com/?woocommerce_gpf=google. 

Subsequently, connect your Google Merchant Center account to your AdWords account. Thereafter, you can initiate the advertising process. Ensure that you monitor your ads and ascertain that they are profitable.

Leverage Google Shopping with WooCommerce

By transmitting a real-time feed of your products to Google, your products become more accessible in Google searches. In conjunction with regular text or display ads, these supercharged eCommerce ads have been established to generate conversions and attract a greater number of suitable shoppers to your store.

How to set up WooCommerce Google Shopping ads (in 3 steps)

In this guide, we will presume that you have an existing WooCommerce store with a product catalog. Since Google will acquire data from your website to generate the ads it exhibits, your products must be published on your site prior to beginning the process.

Step 1: Establish a Google Merchant Center account

To exhibit your products as advertisements across Google, you must use the Merchant Center platform. The initial step is to create an account:

If you already have a Google account, this should only take a few minutes. The Merchant Center simply requires some fundamental details regarding your company:

After that’s completed, you can choose the Shopping ads choice when asked about which programs you want to join:

 

That’s all it takes to set up your Merchant Center account. The next step is to import your WooCommerce products into the platform.

 

To import your WooCommerce products manually, you can create a spreadsheet with links to your product pages. First, go to your WooCommerce dashboard and select the products you want to include in your feed. Then, create a spreadsheet that includes the following columns:

 

• ID
• Title
• Description
• Link
• Image link
• Price
• Brand
• Product type.

 

Make sure to save the file as a CSV (comma-separated values) file. Once you have your CSV file ready, go to the Merchant Center dashboard and click on the Products > Feeds tab. Then, click on the blue plus button to create a new feed. Choose the “Google Sheets” option, and then select the CSV file you created. Merchant Center will import your product data automatically.

Use a plugin to import WooCommerce product data

Alternatively, you can use a plugin to automatically create a feed of your WooCommerce products and import it into Merchant Center. There are several plugins available for this, including the WooCommerce Google Product Feed extension. Once you have the plugin installed and activated, you can customize the feed settings and then submit it to Merchant Center directly from your WooCommerce dashboard. This method is quicker and more efficient than manually creating a feed.

 

To add your products to the platform manually, click on the plus sign in the Feed tab. You will then be prompted to specify the destination country for your products and the language for your ads.

After selecting the option to upload product data through a spreadsheet, you’ll need to download a template file that includes all the required fields. You can use this file to manually enter the product data.

Once you’ve filled out the spreadsheet with your product data, save it as a .csv or .txt file and upload it to Merchant Center. You can do this by clicking the ‘Upload’ button in the ‘Feed’ section of the ‘Products’ tab.

Keep in mind that this method can be time-consuming and error-prone if you have a large product catalog. It’s recommended to use a plugin to automate the process if possible.

On the next page, choose the option to use a template so that you can simply fill out the necessary data that Merchant Center requires.

After you have selected the template, you can access it from the Products > Feed tab. You’ll see an option to download the template:

The product spreadsheet is easy to understand and use. You need to enter unique IDs for your products, their titles, descriptions, links to the products, prices, and a few more pieces of information.

If you prefer not to enter the product data manually, you can use a plugin or purchase the official Product CSV Import Suite plugin to export a CSV of your products. Make sure to refer to Google’s official instructions before uploading the product spreadsheet.

After you have created the product feed, you can fetch the data by going to the Products > Feeds tab, selecting your feed, and accessing it. Then, click on the option to fetch the feed’s data on the next page.

Yes, importing product data manually to Google Merchant Center can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large number of products. However, it’s an important step to ensure that your products are discoverable through Google Shopping ads. That’s why it’s also recommended to use plugins or tools to automate the process and save time.

Use a WooCommerce Extension

If you’d rather not add your product information manually to Merchant Center, you can use a WooCommerce extension to do it for you. One such extension is called Google Ads for WooCommerce, which not only imports your product information to Merchant Center but also allows you to create entire Shopping campaigns directly from your WordPress dashboard.

The plugin itself is free to install and configure, but the service behind it charges a fee for managing your WooCommerce Google Shopping ads. This fee includes both the management fee and the Google Shopping Ads charges.

After installing the Google Ads for WooCommerce plugin, you can use its campaign wizard to create and set up Google Shopping ads for your store. The wizard will guide you through the process of linking your Google and WooCommerce accounts, setting up your Merchant Center, and importing your product data.

You can also use the plugin to manage and optimize your ads, as well as track their performance. The Google Ads for WooCommerce service charges a monthly fee, which covers both the management fee and the Google Shopping Ads charges. The fee varies depending on your store’s ad spend and other factors.

Using a plugin like Google Ads for WooCommerce can be a convenient and time-saving option for managing your Google Shopping ads, especially if you have a large number of products.

During the campaign setup process, you can select the specific product categories that you want to advertise using the plugin.

The plugin will also check if any essential product information is missing from your campaign and prompt you to add it before proceeding. This ensures that your ads contain all the necessary details to appeal to potential customers.

 

 

The drawback of using Google Ads for WooCommerce is that it limits you to choose one of the predefined budgets for your campaigns.

Once you have your products uploaded to Merchant Center, you’ll need to create a Shopping campaign to actually start running your ads. Here are the basic steps:

Click on the Campaigns tab in Merchant Center and select the plus sign to create a new campaign.

Choose your desired country of sale and language.

Set your daily budget, which is the amount of money you’re willing to spend on ads each day.

Choose your campaign type. You can either run standard Shopping ads or Smart Shopping ads, which use machine learning to optimize your campaigns.

Choose your bidding strategy. You can opt for automated or manual bidding.

Select your product groups. You can use Google’s predefined product groups, or create your own.

Create your ad groups. These are the groups of ads you’ll be running.

Set your bids. You’ll need to specify how much you’re willing to pay for each click.

Create your ad. You can use Google’s ad builder to create your ad or upload your own.

Launch your campaign.

Once your campaign is live, you’ll be able to track its performance in Merchant Center. You can see how many clicks and impressions your ads are getting, as well as how much you’re spending each day.

Step 3: Configure your shopping campaign

Assuming that your WooCommerce product data is already in Merchant Center, you’re ready to launch a new ad campaign. To get started, return to your Merchant Center dashboard and look under Pending tasks, then hit the Continue button:

Sure, let’s talk about it. Upon proceeding, you shall encounter another screen that necessitates your selection of the specific merchandise to showcase, alongside configuring the tax and shipment details, among other things.

The process of initiating your initial Google Shopping campaign through WooCommerce necessitates meticulous configuration of a multitude of individual settings. To avoid oversight, we highly advise perusing through the recommendations for each setting, as well as thoroughly reviewing Google’s campaign creation guidelines.

Why is Google Shopping Important for Businesses?

Google Shopping is an important tool for businesses because it allows them to reach a larger audience. When someone searches for a product on Google, they are typically in the market to make a purchase. By displaying your products in Google Shopping ads, you are increasing the likelihood that they will click through to your website and make a purchase.

In addition, Google Shopping ads are highly targeted. This means that you can choose which products you want to advertise, and target specific audiences based on demographics, location, and other factors. This ensures that your ads are being seen by people who are most likely to be interested in your products.

What challenges can I face when setting up WooCommerce Google Shopping Ads?

Setting up Google Shopping Ads for your WooCommerce store can be a great way to increase traffic and sales. However, there are several challenges that you may face when setting up these ads. Here are a few examples:

Product Data Feed Errors: Google requires that your product data feed meets certain specifications in order to be eligible for Google Shopping Ads. This can be challenging if your product information is incomplete or inaccurate. Some common errors include missing or incorrect product titles, descriptions, images, and pricing information.

Google Merchant Center Account Suspension: Your Google Merchant Center account can be suspended if it does not meet Google’s policies and guidelines. This can be frustrating and can result in a loss of sales. Some common reasons for suspension include inaccurate product information, selling prohibited items, or having a low-quality website.

Competing with Other Advertisers: Google Shopping Ads can be very competitive, and you may find yourself competing with other advertisers who are selling similar products. This can make it difficult to stand out and attract customers to your website.

Limited Control Over Ad Placement: With Google Shopping Ads, you have limited control over where your ads are placed. This means that your ads may not appear in the most optimal position on the search engine results page, which can affect click-through rates and sales.

Budget Management: Google Shopping Ads can quickly become expensive if you are not careful with your budget. It’s important to set a realistic budget and continually monitor your ad performance to ensure that you are getting the best possible return on investment.

To overcome these challenges, it’s important to have a solid strategy in place and to work with a team of experts who have experience with Google Shopping Ads. They can help you optimize your product data feed, manage your budget, and continually monitor your ad performance to ensure that you are getting the best possible results.

Why Choose RegisTeam for Google Shopping Ads?

There are many companies that offer Google Shopping ad management services, but RegisTeam stands out for several reasons. First and foremost, they have a proven track record of success. Their team of experts has years of experience managing Google Shopping campaigns, and they know what it takes to get results.

In addition, RegisTeam offers a personalized approach to ad management. They take the time to understand your business and your goals, and they tailor their services to meet your specific needs. This ensures that your ads are effective and that you are getting the most out of your advertising budget.

Another advantage of working with RegisTeam is that they use the latest technology and tools to optimize your campaigns. This includes using machine learning algorithms to analyze data and make adjustments in real time. This ensures that your ads are always performing at their best and that you are getting the highest possible return on your investment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting up ads for Google Shopping is an important step for any business that wants to stay competitive in today’s digital landscape. By choosing RegisTeam to manage your Google Shopping campaigns, you can be confident that you are getting the best possible results. Their team of experts will work with you to develop a personalized strategy that meets your specific needs and goals, and they will use the latest technology and tools to ensure that your ads are always performing at their best. Contact RegisTeam today to learn more about their Google Shopping ad management services.