How to Set Up Google Shopping Ads for Shopify & WooCommerce
If you run an online store using Shopify or WooCommerce, you have probably seen those eye-catching product ads on Google that show pictures, prices, and store names. These are called Google Shopping Ads, and they can bring a large number of ready-to-buy customers to your store.
At first, setting up Google Shopping Ads may sound confusing, but once you learn the process, it becomes simple. With some practice and the help of an experienced e-commerce Google Ads agency, you can start generating consistent sales from your product listings.
In this guide, we will explain step by step how to create a Google Shopping campaign for Shopify and WooCommerce stores in a clear and easy way.
What Are Google Shopping Campaigns?
Google Shopping campaigns help online stores show their products directly in Google Search and in the Shopping section. These ads display actual product details like photos, prices, and store names.
They are different from regular text ads because they give shoppers a complete look at what you are selling, even before they click.
Benefits of using Google Shopping Ads:
They show your product image and price before customers visit your site.
They attract users who are already planning to buy something.
They work perfectly with Shopify and WooCommerce stores.
This type of advertising can help your business get more clicks and reach shoppers who are truly interested in your products.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Google Shopping Ads
Both Shopify and WooCommerce allow you to set up Google Shopping Ads easily. Follow these steps to get started.
Step 1: Create a Google Merchant Center Account
The Google Merchant Center is where all your product data is stored before your ads appear on Google.
Here’s how to set it up:
Go to the Google Merchant Center website and sign in with your Google business account.
Enter your store name, country, and time zone.
Verify and claim your store’s website link.
Fill out your shipping and tax information so customers can see accurate prices.
Tip: Keep your store name the same across your website, Google Merchant Center, and Google Ads. This helps build Google’s trust in your business.
Step 2: Connect Your Store to Google
For Shopify users:
Open the Shopify App Store and install the Google & YouTube App.
Connect your Google Ads and Google Merchant Center accounts.
Allow your product details to sync automatically with Google Merchant Center.
For WooCommerce users:
Install the Google Listings and Ads plugin.
Sign in using your Google account.
Link your Google Ads and Merchant Center accounts.
Approve the product sync process so your items appear automatically.
Once these steps are complete, Google will start receiving your product data directly from your online store.
Step 3: Optimize Your Product Feed
Your product feed contains all the information about your products, such as titles, images, prices, and descriptions. This feed helps Google understand what you are selling.
To make sure your products perform well, you should:
Write clear and descriptive product titles that include main keywords.
Use short and natural descriptions that tell people what makes your product useful.
Add high-quality images with clean backgrounds.
Include correct product identifiers such as GTIN or MPN if available.
Select the most suitable product category from Google’s list.
Check that your product prices and stock match what is shown on your website.
If Google finds incorrect or mismatched data, it may stop showing your products, so accuracy is important.
Step 4: Link Merchant Center with Google Ads
Once your product feed is ready, you need to connect Google Merchant Center to Google Ads so your data can be used for campaigns.
To link them:
Open your Google Merchant Center account.
Click on Settings and then go to Linked Accounts.
Select Google Ads and confirm the connection.
After linking, your Google Ads account can access all your product information and show it in Shopping Ads.
If you find this process difficult, you can reach out to a professional Google Shopping Ads agency that can handle setup, linking, and campaign management for you.
Step 5: Create a Shopping Campaign in Google Ads
Now it’s time to create your first campaign.
Log in to your Google Ads account.
Click on the option to create a new campaign.
Choose Sales as your main goal.
Select Shopping as the campaign type.
Pick your linked Merchant Center account and choose your target country.
Select your campaign type:
Smart Shopping (Performance Max), which automates bidding and placements.
Standard Shopping, which gives you more manual control.
For beginners, the Smart Shopping or Performance Max campaign is a great choice since it automates most of the process and shows your products across multiple Google channels like YouTube, Display Network, and Gmail.
Step 6: Set a Budget and Choose a Bidding Strategy
Your daily budget decides how much you want to spend every day on your ads, while bidding tells Google how to spend that budget.
Here’s a simple starting point:
Begin with a daily budget of between 20 to 50 dollars.
Select the Maximize Conversion Value bidding strategy if you have tracking set up.
Increase your budget gradually once you start seeing consistent results.
A skilled e-commerce Google Ads agency can monitor your Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) and adjust bids based on performance to make sure your money is used wisely.
Step 7: Add Conversion Tracking
To understand whether your ads are working, you need to track your sales and actions.
Add the Google Ads conversion tracking code to your website.
Shopify automatically installs this when you connect your account.
WooCommerce users can install Google Site Kit or a conversion tracking plugin.
Tracking data helps Google learn which ads are leading to real sales and allows its system to improve campaign performance over time.
Step 8: Monitor and Improve Campaign Performance
After your campaign starts running, let it collect data for a few days before making any changes. Then keep an eye on the key metrics.
Impressions and clicks show whether people are seeing your products.
Click-through rate shows if users are interested in what they see.
Conversion rate measures how many clicks turn into sales.
Return on ad spend shows whether your ads are profitable.
Keep improving your campaigns by:
Creating separate campaigns for different product types or brands.
Removing items that are not performing well.
Adding negative keywords to stop unwanted clicks.
Updating your feed regularly to reflect new prices and images.
Extra Tips for Shopify and WooCommerce Store Owners
Follow these helpful suggestions to make your ads perform even better:
Add custom labels like “best seller” or “new arrival” to highlight products.
Use lifestyle photos that show your products in real-life situations.
Check your Merchant Center account every week to fix any errors.
Create remarketing audiences to reach people who have already visited your site.
Add promotions for holidays or seasonal offers to attract buyers.
“Successful Google Shopping campaigns are built on constant monitoring and small improvements over time.”
Why Work With an E-commerce Google Ads Agency?
Running Google Shopping campaigns can be time-consuming, especially if you are new to it. It involves product data, testing, and budget management.
Working with a trusted Google Ads agency can save time and deliver better results. They can help you with:
Complete campaign setup and feed management
A/B testing for better ad results
Accurate tracking and reporting
Budget optimization
Regular campaign updates
A good Google Shopping Ads agency can handle the technical work so you can focus on managing your store and serving your customers.
Conclusion
Setting up Google Shopping campaigns for Shopify or WooCommerce stores can be one of the best decisions for any online business. When managed properly, these ads can attract more potential customers and grow your sales faster.
If you want professional support, Strategic Web Designs offers affordable PPC services in Miami that are perfect for small and medium-sized eCommerce businesses. Their team has years of experience and is known as a reliable e-commerce Google Ads agency that delivers results and helps local businesses in Florida grow online.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a Google Merchant Center account to run Shopping Ads?
Yes, this account stores and manages your product data before your ads are approved.
2. Can I run Shopping Ads without using Shopify or WooCommerce?
Yes, but these platforms make it easier to connect your store with Google tools.
3. Which campaign type should I choose, Smart Shopping or Standard Shopping?
Smart Shopping or Performance Max is simpler and great for beginners. Standard Shopping gives you more control when you have more experience.
4. How long does it take to see results?
It usually takes around two to three weeks for your campaign to collect enough data and show stable results.
5. Why should I work with an e-commerce Google Ads agency?
An experienced agency helps you avoid mistakes, improves performance faster, and saves your time so you can focus on other business tasks.
