Temple University, 9/20/2022
Host: Soleil Meade | Founder of Soleil Branding Essentials, PA Grow Digital Coach

Thinking of selling your products online but not sure where to start? Temple University’s SBDC broke down Google’s tips and tricks on how to sell your products online!

Before going into how to set up and start selling your products, why sell online? 60% of customers shop online first for any occasion before going into a store. 45% of shoppers buy online and at pick-up in-store globally as opposed to shopping in person. And, 46% of shoppers look online to confirm inventory prior to going to the store. Turns out, a lot more people are shopping online rather than in person! Now, let’s look into some tools provided by Google.

Using a business profile through Google:

Google provides the option to showcase your products through a business profile. In order to sign up for a Google business profile:

1. Sign into Google
2. Go to “My Business”
3. Click “Products” and then “My Business”

Google’s business profile is FREE! Customers can click on your products which leads directly to your website. This tool can be used if your products are only sold online as well.

Google Merchant Center:

Another tool provided by Google is Google Merchant Center which is another FREE tool to use to help sell your products online. Google Merchant Center is basically an online store that Google will advertise. Products can be shown through users’ desktop or mobile result searches. Google may advertise your product’s price, shipping costs, and if the product is in stock or not. Search results may also be shown on the shopping and image tabs on Google.

How to set up Google Merchant Center:

1. Create an account
2. Add your products and fill in information about the products
3. Show your products (products may be shown through Google searches, Google shopping tab, shopping ads, Google images, and Google Lens)

Google Lens:

Download the Google Lens app onto your smartphone and search for items utilizing your phone’s camera. Google Lens makes it easier to search for items without having to type into the search bar. Google Lens helps find visually similar images and related content by gathering results from all over the internet in which customers can buy products off the internet. For example, trying to find the mug you drank your morning coffee out of that was perfect? Using the Google Lens app, snap a picture of the mug and similar results, and or the same mug will be shown to buy!

Shopify:

What is Shopify? -Shopify is an online tool that makes it easier to market and sell products! Before thinking “I never heard of Shopify, I don’t want to fall for a scam” Shopify is used by 1 million merchants and used in 175 countries! Start first with a free trial by using your email address. On Shopify, merchants can add their products to the websites they create. Not only can merchants add physical products that can be purchased, but Shopify also provides the option for merchants to add digital trades. What’s a digital trade you ask? An example of a digital trade would be a “how to…” tutorial which customers can buy off your website! The last great perk of Shopify is your Shopify account can connect with  Google so your Shopify account info will come up as search results through Google.

Written by Morgan DeSandre, Pennsylvania SBDC Lead Office Marketing Team