For businesses in Kenya looking to sell online, visibility is everything. Customers are increasingly starting their shopping journeys on Google, searching for products, comparing prices, and checking reviews before they buy. If your products don’t appear in these searches, you’re missing out.
That’s where Google Merchant Center comes in. It’s a free tool that allows you to upload your products so they appear across Google Search, Shopping, Images, and even YouTube ads. Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a retail outlet with delivery, or even a small shop testing online sales, Merchant Center gives you a way to showcase your products to millions of potential buyers.
Why Google Merchant Center Matters for Kenyan Businesses
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Boosts visibility: Your products appear right when customers are searching for them.
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Drives targeted traffic: Instead of random clicks, you attract buyers ready to purchase.
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Supports multiple platforms: Works with Google Shopping, paid ads, and free product listings.
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Integrates with e-commerce tools: Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and custom stores can sync products directly.
Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Google Merchant Center
Here’s how you can get started:
1. Create a Merchant Center Account
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Go to Google Merchant Center.
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Sign in with your business Gmail account.
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Enter your business name, country (Kenya), and time zone.
Tip: Use the same account you’ll use for Google Ads if you plan to run campaigns later.
2. Verify and Claim Your Website
Google needs to confirm that you own your business website.
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Go to Business Information > Website in Merchant Center.
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Add your site URL.
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Verify ownership via Google Search Console, an HTML tag, or file upload.
3. Add Your Product Data Feed
The product feed is the heart of Merchant Center, it’s how Google knows what you sell.
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You can upload products manually (for small stores).
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For larger catalogs, use Google Sheets, scheduled uploads, or connect via API/e-commerce plugins.
Each product entry should include:
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Product Title
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Description (include relevant keywords)
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Price (in Kenyan Shillings)
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Availability (in stock, out of stock, pre-order)
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Product image (high quality, white background preferred)
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GTIN/MPN (if available, for unique product identification)
4. Optimize Your Product Listings
Don’t just upload, make sure your products are appealing and SEO-friendly:
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Titles: Be specific (brand, size, color, type).
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Descriptions: Use natural, keyword-rich text highlighting benefits.
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Images: Upload multiple clear photos.
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Pricing: Match your website pricing exactly to avoid disapprovals.
5. Enable Free Product Listings
Google Merchant Center offers free product listings in Google Shopping and search results.
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Go to Growth > Manage Programs > Free Listings.
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Activate this feature to reach customers without ad spend.
6. Connect to Google Ads (Optional)
For businesses ready to scale:
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Link your Merchant Center to Google Ads.
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Run Shopping Ads or Performance Max campaigns.
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These ads show product images, titles, and prices directly in search results.
Common Mistakes Kenyan Businesses Should Avoid
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Uploading poor-quality or watermarked images.
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Mismatched product prices between website and Merchant Center.
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Using vague product titles (e.g., “Shoes” instead of “Men’s Running Shoes, Size 42”).
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Forgetting to update stock levels, leading to disapprovals.
How IntelliMinds Technologies Can Help
At IntelliMinds Technologies, we help businesses in Kenya not only set up Google Merchant Center but also optimize product feeds for maximum visibility. We ensure your titles, descriptions, and images meet Google’s best practices and integrate with your e-commerce platform seamlessly.
Want to learn more about boosting online sales? Explore insights on our blog.
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