How to create a Google Merchant Center account?

Do you own an e-shop and would you like to reach more customers through Google? In that case you need to create a Google Merchant Center account. We have prepared a simple guide for you on how to create it and how to grant access to your agency or anyone else you want.

Creating a Google Merchant Center account

1. The first step is to go to the page for creating a Google Merchant Center - https://www.google.sk/retail/solutions/merchant-center

2. Then in the top right corner click the blue "Sign up for free" button.

To continue you have to press the blue button, which will redirect you to the next steps.

3. If you are logged in in your browser, it will automatically redirect you to the page where you enter basic information about your company. Otherwise you have to fill in your login details.

Google will then ask you two questions you need to answer:

• If you sell products online, click "Yes" and enter your e-shop's website. 
• Then state whether your company also has a bricks-and-mortar shop and continue to the next page. 

To verify Google Merchant Center you have to carry out several steps, without which advertising products will not be possible. We will go through them all one by one.

Filling in company details

First you have to enter accurate information about your company, such as the name, address and the country where you do business. This data matters for your account working properly and for verifying the e-shop.

Verifying the e-shop

Connect your e-shop with Merchant Center. Google has to verify that you are the site's genuine owner. You have several verification methods to choose from and can pick the one that suits you best.

Setting up delivery

The next step is entering details about delivery options - prices, delivery times and the countries you ship to. Transparent delivery raises customers' trust.

Returns information

Define the rules for returning goods. State how many days the customer has to return a product and what the conditions are. Google will show this information in ads.

Adding products

This step in Google Merchant Center is the final step for verifying your e-shop and uploading products.

Choose how you will add products:

1. Add products from a file: upload a file with product details (name, description, price and so on) with the option of automatic updates.
2. Add products using a Google Sheet: the ideal option for those who work with Google Sheets, with the same advantage of automatic updates.
3. Add products one by one: adding products manually, suitable only with a small number of items.

How to share Google Merchant Center with your agency?

Once the account is created, all that remains is giving your agency access to Google Merchant Center. The procedure is very simple and we will describe it in the following steps:

1. Get to your Merchant Center's main page. In the top bar click the cog.

2. Then you have to press "People and access", which will redirect you to the interface for filling in the details needed.

3. Click the "Add person" icon in the People section.

4. Enter your agency's email address (in our case that is analytics@invelity.com) and click "Add user". After that it is up to the agency to accept your invitation. 

In this guide we have gone through how to proceed when setting up Google Merchant Center and how to share access with an agency. We firmly believe creating a Merchant Center will be that bit simpler for you. Should you have any questions or problems, do not hesitate to get in touch — we will be glad to help.