You might know it better as Google Shopping. Next time you go to the Google search page at google.com, let your eyes wander to the top of the page, where Google Images, and Google Maps, and other sections hang out. Never noticed the Shopping section before? You'll just have to trust us that millions of other people are using it every day.
Why should I feed Google for its shopping engine? What's in it for me?
We're betting that if someone asked "why should I try to work on my SEO? why do I want to be on the first page of Google?" . .. you probably wouldn't need any help knowing the importance of Google search.
If you haven't been watching our Google webinars then you may have missed our Springtime predictions (all of which, we proudly claim, have so far been completely right) that Google is totally committed to moving ecommerce into its Shopping discovery engine. If you want to see a quick example, try this - go to google.com and search on "cheap black umbrellas". Notice where your eye goes - straight to the picture? The link above that picture takes you to Google Shopping (try it with long tail search words for just about any product and you'll see this time after time).
You might remember how, not so long ago, a Google search would mix images in with websites. Slowly, but very surely, Google taught the world to go to Google Images to find images. Now Google is teaching the world to go to Google Shopping if we want to go shopping. The only way to make your products part of this successful phenomenon is to feed Google Product Search/Shopping.
How much does it cost?
The DotFeed Integrated Platform costs $250, and the Google Product Feed Channel is $120 annually. It is free to feed your product set to Google, under their guidelines, however starting October 1, 2012 Google will be charging (CPC/CPA pricing model) to have your products appear within their commercial shopping site.
If I don't buy a feed from AspDotNetStorefront, how can I just feed my products to Google by myself?
Please feel free to read the specifications here. You might also find the information you are seeking at our overview page.
Does DotFeed meet the new requirements Google implemented throughout 2011?
Yes. One of the leading requirements when we engineered DotFeed was to make sure that it comprehensively meets the needs of the declared changes to Google Product Search . By giving you a new console, we can help you to feed 100% of Google's requirements , including some data that has never been part of your ecommerce data before (like "age group" and "material").
I know that I must start mapping my products to Google's category structure, as well as to my own categories. Can DotFeed help me with that?
Yes, we have worked hard to create a good solution. You'll be able to use the new console to create a rule set that will map your items against a selection of Google categories. We suggest that you map the bulk of your catalog quickly and easily that way, and then you can make refinements at a product level.
What else can the DotFeed console do to help me?
The console will make it really easy for you to add or edit your data. You might not always want your products to look just exactly the same on Google Shopping as they do on your own web store. You might, for example, want to change the description to emphasize a certain angle - always remember, though, that you are finding shoppers on the Google Shopping engine and "bringing them back" to your product page. There must be enough similarity to avoid confusion. Tips like this - helping you to get it just right - are available in a library of articles and hints on the console. Also, DotFeed will let you decide (filter) which products you feed to Google on any one day - if you're running low on stocks, you may want to refrain from telling Google Shopping about a particular item for a day or two, until you re-stock.
Will Google make any more changes? What will happen if they do?
We love this question, because it gives us chance to show off. The very reason we have built a console, is so that you are completely protected from future changes. We can respond quickly and easily to any and all Google changes and it won't cost you a dime - that's why we're building an annual subscription into the cost - so that we can maintain our console and save you from worry and hassle.
I am just a small business. Does this apply to me?
Please believe that it is extremely relevant to you. We are deeply convinced that this is a vein of gold for you. This is Google at its best - helping shoppers to find what they need, and giving merchants a fabulous and free shop window.
How urgent is this?
As of September 22nd 2011, Google will only accept feeds that meet the new set of standards. From break of dawn on that day, our DotFeed console has been powering millions of products to Google. You can join at any time, of course - but holiday shopping is just round the corner and we suggest you don't delay.
I want to get going straight away, really. Can I log in today and begin my new feeds?
Yes - subscribe today and you can be submitting your feed to Google Shopping within minutes.
Which versions of AspDotNetStorefront will talk to the DotFeed console, and therefore feed Google?
For those people who are licensed to use ML8 or MultiStore, the link to the Dot Feed console will be effortless. Those people, when they subscribe to the Google feed, will be given a file and some instructions and never have to think about it again.
I already bought the Vortx/AspDotNetStorefront Smart Google Product Feed. Am I able to use the console?
Yes, as long as you bought the Upgrade Protection.
It looks as though this new console enables me to feed much more data, but does that mean that there is more work for me to do every day? I am used to being able to just set up my data feed and then not think about it very much.
Yes, the same is true here. Essentially, DotFeed lets you set up a number of "rules" about what you want to feed, and when, and how you want the data to look. Once you have set up your own rules, you will only need to return to the console when something changes - perhaps you might want to sign up for another feed or increase the frequency. Perhaps you will add new categories of products . . . but unless something changes, you are free to concentrate on other areas of your business.
After the initial $330.00 investment, I'll be part of this Shopping Channel, and it'll just cost me $80 a year to be more successful. Isn't that a no-brainer?
