Google Search Console has released a new update for merchants and retailers. It introduces more personalization features for retailers to enhance customer’s shopping experience online. Let's find out what it is for and how it helps build more trust and visibility on Google Shopping.
Google Search Console with Merchant Opportunities
Initially, the Search Console provided a Shopping Tab Listings Report to track product performance. It now has a new name: the Google Merchant Opportunities Report, which adds to and renames the former feature because it offers more than just product visibility updates. Google has taken another significant step in making Search Console the platform for everything related to monitoring and growing your online store. The report now provides more clarity and tools for managing the store features like payment options, customer ratings, and shipping policies. These all are essential for purchase decisions and search performance.
What are the New Opportunities in Google Search Console?
Here’s a closer look at the new opportunities available with this report and how each one can help your business grow:
1. Payment Methods Management
With the new report, you can show the payment methods your shop accepts, especially popular e-wallets like Google Wallets, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Amazon Payments.
Why it's important: Today's shoppers appreciate having the flexibility to check out. Offering multiple payment options will increase trust and reduce cart abandonment.
How to set it up:
- Ensure these e-wallet options are part of your checkout process.
- Enable guest checkout (no need to create an account).
- Allow up to 30 days for Google to verify your store.
Once set, this information can appear next to your listings in Google Shopping, allowing people to explore your store's convenience and security.
2. Store Ratings Integration
You can now combine customer reviews and business performance metrics in your listings. These details include total reviews, delivery time, and overall customer satisfaction.
Sources of ratings include:
- Google Customer Reviews.
- Trusted external platforms like Trustpilot and Yotpo.
- Verified reviews of your store domain.
What is the benefit?
According to Google, store ratings would increase ad click-through rates (CTR) by 2% on average, meaning higher traffic and sales.
Note: You must have at least 100 verified reviews in your store.
3. Shipping and Return Policy Management
Transparent and reliable shipping and return policies can impact your consumer's trust in buying. The new update allows you to manage these policies.
Now you can:
- Set delivery timelines based on countries.
- Specify shipping costs. e.g., free, flat rate, or free above a certain amount.
- Outline your return window and any associated costs.
- Directly link to your return policy pages.
The first point in your listings enables customers to make quicker and better buying decisions.
Approval Times:
- Automatic review of shipping info
- Manual review of return policies; 10-13 days' time frame for approval.
Final Thoughts
New Merchant Opportunities Reports make it easier for merchants to enhance their store visibility. By managing payment options, reviews, and shipping information, sellers can offer a better customer experience that means more clicks from Google Search and Shopping listings.
