Google Shopping is here! And all members who registered for our 2019 group digital campaigns are eligible to participate, but there are some important steps you must take to ensure your web site is compliant. Here is the What, Why and How of the upcoming FREE Google Shopping Test Campaign. If you have any questions whatsoever, please contact AVB Marketing using the contact information listed below. They want to help!
What is Google Shopping?
Google Shopping is the best way to deliver product ads directly to a consumer as they prepare to buy. The ads are pay-per-click advertisements that show on the top and right-hand side of a browser window when specific product related words are typed in to the browser bar, and they route a consumer directly to the specific advertised product’s page on your website. Google Shopping ads display an image of a product, accompanied by the product name, price and the name of the company it’s available from, which presents a huge opportunity for those selling things online.
Why Participate in this Program?
Each of you will receive a predetermined amount of funding from your top-selected Whirlpool brand, which will be used to deliver Google Shopping ads during a 10-week period, Feb. 1st to April 5th. (Participating Whirlpool Corps brands include Whirlpool, Maytag and KitchenAid.)
What do I Need to Qualify for this program?
To participate in the Google Shopping Campaign, there is some set up required. All requirements below are mandated by Google. Here is the compliance checklist you must complete in order to participate:
Shopping Cart Enabled Ecommerce Website
Why? Google requires an Ecommerce equipped site, meaning you must have a Shopping cart to run Google Shopping. All RWS Webfronts websites have Ecommerce Shopping carts, however this must be activated. No “Call Store for Pricing” will be accepted. Members who do not use RWS must have an equivalently featured site from another provider.
How do I know ensure I am compliant? Check the “Confirm My Shopping Cart is Enabled” box on the attached RWS Site Authorization Form.
If you don’t have an RWS Web site, please reach out to Niki Fay Palmer at AVB Marketing to discuss if your web site is compliant.
SSL Certificate (https)
Why? In order to be e-commerce enabled, you must have a secure site.
How do I know if I am compliant? You probably already have a secure site! The easiest way to check is by looking for https in the browser bar when on your website. The “s” after http means it’s secure. If you have any Level WebFront site from RWS, your site includes an SSL certificate at no extra cost, and with no extra setup work for you.
Payment Gateway Enabled
Why? Having a payment gateway allows you to take a credit card online. Don’t worry! It will show as a pending payment, allowing you to contact the customer before any charges or product is authorized for purchase
How do I know if I am compliant? All WebFronts Levels from RWS include a shopping cart at no extra fee that is automatically on by default for all items you have priced.
If you would like confirmation you have not previously requested the cart to be disabled, please make sure you have checked the “Confirm My Shopping Cart is Enabled” box on the attached RWS Site Authorization Form
If you don’t have an RWS Web site, please reach out to Niki Fay Palmer at AVB Marketing to discuss if your web site has a payment gateway enabled.
Compliant Pricing
Why? Google Shopping is primarily used by consumers to compare pricing on the products they are getting ready to purchase. Compliant pricing ensures that you are competitive with the Big Box Stores and other online retailers when your ads show up next to them. For this campaign, we are requiring your prices are set to MAP – 10% for participating brands
How do I know my prices are set this way? Request RWS to confirm or change your prices to MAP-10% for select brands by checking the “Please Change the Sale Price Formula” box(es) on the attached RWS Site Authorization form.
If you don’t have an RWS Web site, please reach out to Niki Fay Palmer at AVB Marketing to work through how to ensure your site has compliant pricing.
Returns & Refunds/Shipping Policy Terms and Conditions
Why? Google wants all of their vendors to be transparent with consumers. This is to ensure all parties participating in the purchase are on the same page when it comes to shopping with you.
How do I add my specific Return & Refunds Policy and Shipping Policy to my site? First, check the “Add a Refund & Return Policy” box on the attached RWS Site Authorization Form.
We have supplied you with a templated Returns & Refunds Policy (in Word format so it may be edited) which is used on all AVB Marketing hosted websites, and you may use on your RWS hosted site. Please read it carefully and make sure all templated information applies to your specific store, if it does not, please make edits as needed or supply your own store specific Returns & Refunds policy.
If you don’t have an RWS Web site, please reach out to Niki Fay Palmer at AVB Marketing to discuss this policy.
Google My Business Owner Access enabled for AVB Marketing
Why? To take you out of the middle when it comes to the verification of the ads. This is an extremely cumbersome process and granting AVB access will take it off your plate.
IMPORTANT: We are not asking for Primary Owner Access, just Owner Access. Doing this ensures that you still have full control over your business listing, and you can remove our permissions at any time.
How do I know if I am compliant? Here is a “How To Guide” which will walk you through granting AVB Marketing Ownership Access to Google My Business. If you need assistance, please contact Niki Fay Palmer at AVB Marketing.
In order to participate in Google Shopping you must complete the compliance check list by January 18th.
In order to participate in Google Shopping you must complete the compliance check list by January 18th.
NOTE: If you are currently running Google Shopping with an agency other than AVB Marketing, Please contact Niki Fay Palmer at 916-548-0525 or niki.fay@avb.net. We have specific instructions for members who will be running two Google Shopping campaign concurrently.
VERY IMPORTANT: In an effort to streamline the compliance process, we have created an RWS Compliance Authorization Form. This will make it possible for RWS to get your website fully compliant in one step, and with minimal effort on your part.
TO COMPLETE THE COMPLIANCE PROCESS FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS:
Complete the RWS Site Compliance Authorization Form
Choose a Return Policy. Use either the templated version provided, or provide your own store specific version
Send your RWS Site Compliance Form and Return Policy to memberservices@NEAEG.com by Wednesday, January 16th so we can provide to RWS
Enable “Google My Business Owner Access” for AVB Marketing
If you have ANY questions regarding the Google Shopping Vendor Funded Test Program, please contact AVB Marketing right away. Your team is here to help, so please don’t hesitate to ask!
Danielle Hollister, Account Coordinator: danielle.hollister@avb.net or 916-473-8396
Niki Fay Palmer, Marketing Manager: niki.fay@avb.net or 916-548-0525