Blog Layout
Christmas Shopping on Google
Dec 21, 2016
Mat Durham
You may have noticed already that Google is shaping up to be the next big thing in online retail with the advent of Google Shopping (formerly piloted as ‘Froogle’ – a pun on ‘Frugal’). Adding the customer review feature now puts the search engine in competition with eBay and Amazon for online shopping. And just in time for Christmas, too…
Now when you put in a search on Google Shopping (or on regular old Google if your search sounds like it could be for a consumer product), the results that pop up will come with 5-star scale reviews aggregated from third party retail sites and merchants. Ratings such as these are widely believed to increase conversions and click-throughs, driving quality traffic through Product Listing Ads. In October all retailers using Google Shopping were automatically opted-in to the public review function, but from November businesses had to make the choice opt-in or out. Some might say this is a double-edged sword: do merchants now selling on Google Shopping without published reviews have something to hide?
And since Google+ is the backbone to all Google products, reviewing purchases has gone social in the same way that you can see reviews from friends and those in your social media networks first when you look up hotel reviews on TripAdvisor. Whose opinions could you rely on better, after all, than those of your nearest and dearest? Clever old Google knows that you’re more likely to spend money if you know someone else has tried the product already and loved it. If that’s someone you know, all the better.
Certain cities in the US now enjoy the added benefits of Google Shopping Express, which launched last year in Silicon Valley. Presenting a real threat to Amazon et al, this function offers same-day deliveries from local suppliers and retailers. Could this be next for the UK, and could the likes of Amazon Prime compete?
Some might say that Google is a little late to the party on is one, give that recent studies show that 90% of online shoppers use online reviews before making purchases. Do you shop through Google, or is your e-commerce signed up to it yet?
"The team are extremely creative and dynamic. They took the time to understand our target market. Our new website is professional and I'm very pleased with the overall end result. I have recommended them and will gladly do so again."
Jim Panton / Chief Executive / Panton McLeod
"Green Nineteen have breathed new life in to our website. It now looks fresh and professional, is easy to update with new copy and news. Most importantly, it is delivering new business opportunities and providing us with an excellent return on investment."
Rob Jenkins / Director / International Trade Solutions
"Green Nineteen have been integral in placing our company on the web. Their interpretation of our image and subsequent building and customising of our website has been first class. They are committed to ensuring our web presence is reviewed, updated and maintained."
Karen Cram / Director / Thru The Mill
Find out how we'd approach your
project.
