Google Base Feeder Support Thread [OLD]

RescoCCC:

Another question occured to me, and this is probably a simple one for those with more experience. I use calculated shipping, connecting to both USPS and UPS. I've never been able to figure out which shipping method to select in the feed configuration to get this to work correctly. Some options cause it to show up as free shipping, some as no shipping.

I can use the shipping options directly in Google, but they don't offer First Class and many of the items I sell are lightweight. This makes the items show in the results with a total cost that is much higher than reality.

Does anybody know how to set this up correctly in the feed?

I'm still wondering how to solve this one.

RescoCCC:

I'm still wondering how to solve this one.

I have another customer complaining that her products are showing up as free shipping when they are not. She does have UPS set up as her default shipping. But I think that was caused by a mismatch between the feeder set up and her default.

There is more information at http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/answer.py?answer=188494

This is not just a mod question as so many questions in the thread - it is also a google question. There really is a lot of information at google but it is hard to find it.

spawnie69:

Looks like I need to have a Manufacturer name for each product listing for the new google feed change requirements too. Does anyone know if there is a quicker way to add a manufacturer name to all the products? Or do i need to enter every single product , select the manufacturer names and update? Is there an easier way to do this editing in My PHP

I created a test feed and the only error I received was "Missing recommended attribute: mpn". Where can i fix this?
thanks everyone for help

Free mass updating mod - apsona.com. Not uploaded to contributions section, you must get the files from them.

I have version 1.8.2 on an installation of Zen Cart 1.3.8a
Database Patch Level: 1.3.8.

What do I need to do to make sure google continues to accept my updates?

delia:

I have another customer complaining that her products are showing up as free shipping when they are not. She does have UPS set up as her default shipping. But I think that was caused by a mismatch between the feeder set up and her default.

There is more information at http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/answer.py?answer=188494

This is not just a mod question as so many questions in the thread - it is also a google question. There really is a lot of information at google but it is hard to find it.

I read through all the Google information. The problem is that none of the shipping options in the merchant center feed configuration work correctly when using calculated shipping. At least I haven't been able to find one that does, and I've pretty much tried them all.

I can set the calculated shipping directly in the Google merchant center, but the options are limited. For example, there is no first class mail option and many of the items I sell are lightweight.

TecBrat:

I have version 1.8.2 on an installation of Zen Cart 1.3.8a
Database Patch Level: 1.3.8.

What do I need to do to make sure google continues to accept my updates?

Update to version 1.10.2.

RescoCCC:

Update to version 1.10.2.

Where can I find it? The version at zen-cart.com (Free Software Add Ons) says 1.9.1 by Delia on 5/23/2011

I'm waiting for them to update that but here's the site:
http://www.numinix.com/zen-cart-modules/marketing/google-merchant-center-feeder

Thanks,
I downloaded it. I'll install it later.

Very nice work and a big thanks to Numinix and the contributors on this thread. :clap: Also the apsona gang! Very nice mod.

So I believe he's taken care of all of the upcoming requirement changes at this point. The only thing that may be lacking is the requirement for apparel variants of ###### and age group. If you have those variants for your products now, they may be available in the feed and satisfy that requirement but **I don't have anyone that I'm working with who has apparel so really don't know. **

Are you interested in assisting me with an apparel store? We have her GMCF at 1.10.2 and the feed is processing fine. The only warnings now are for color, gender, age group, and size attirbutes. I read a recomendation to use the Attributes Controller and make “read only” attributes for these specific items. I can successfully create the read only attributes, and the associated options for each of them. Good instructions at this url:

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=57

But I could use assistance to get through this successfully. Not quite sure how to be in compliance by the 22nd?

Exactly what assistance do you need? With adding attributes? That's not in the scope of this thread. One hint though: set up the attributes on one product. Copy attributes to a category and or products and then edit if necessary.

Downloaded version 1.10.2 today and installed it with Zen 1.3.9h.
Everything's perfect. Thanks to Numinix for the timely contribution. Else Google would have issued warnings in thousands.
Just a few observations.
I was using 1.8.2 of Google Base feeder earler.
So while updating the databases, I ran update 1.8.3 first and it was OK.
When I tried to run 1.9.0, it gave an error and said that some fields already exist.
When I ran 1.9.2, it removed all data from the fields which could earlier be seen in Configuration--Google Merchant feed center
Further 1.10.0 and 1.10.2 were OK.
IS THIS NORMAL, I mean the things that sql updates 1.9.0 and 1.9.2 did?
Can I take the liberty of running 1.10.2 directly after 1.8.3 for another website?

No, just help to see if we could link them up with the GMCF configuration. Creating the attributes and linking them is not a problem. These four attributes will be required in the feed for apparel sellers and I thought we could discuss it here, since this is the Google Feed thread. Thanks for the tips.

raunharman:

Downloaded version 1.10.2 today and installed it with Zen 1.3.9h.
Everything's perfect. Thanks to Numinix for the timely contribution. Else Google would have issued warnings in thousands.
Just a few observations.
I was using 1.8.2 of Google Base feeder earler.
So while updating the databases, I ran update 1.8.3 first and it was OK.
When I tried to run 1.9.0, it gave an error and said that some fields already exist.
When I ran 1.9.2, it removed all data from the fields which could earlier be seen in Configuration--Google Merchant feed center
Further 1.10.0 and 1.10.2 were OK.
IS THIS NORMAL, I mean the things that sql updates 1.9.0 and 1.9.2 did?
Can I take the liberty of running 1.10.2 directly after 1.8.3 for another website?

I would uninstall if you are trying to upgrade that old a version.

cuysan:

No, just help to see if we could link them up with the GMCF configuration. Creating the attributes and linking them is not a problem. These four attributes will be required in the feed for apparel sellers and I thought we could discuss it here, since this is the Google Feed thread. Thanks for the tips.

I truly don't know how this works. My understanding is that after you create the feed, those variants should be there. I could be totally wrong but there would be no way to "match up" anything otherwise. Just be sure to name the variants exactly as Google spells them.

OK, thank you deliah. I'll post if I find a solution. Running some tests with the added attributes. Everything has gone well. Now to just figure out how to add them to the feed.

It's an odd situation because this website does not offer "variations". They are single items. I'll look into creating stock ID's and see what happens. Thanks again.

raunharman
If you're installing 1.10.2 in a store that had Google Base prior, you'll have to run the GB uninstall sql, as deliah suggested. Then run the 1.10.2 install.sql.

Can I take the liberty of running 1.10.2 directly after 1.8.3 for another website?

I was running 1.7.4 on one of my sites and I updated directly. Worked fine.

Dumb question of the day ??

what does this Google Base Feeder add-on actually do? I am interested in any SEO advantage I can get so hence looking at this add-on (the word Google was like a flybait to a Trout :smile: but the page for the add-on doesn't quite explain, in laymans terms that is, what it does and why I should consider using it? :D

cheers,
Mike

Google has a link to shopping on its search engine where it lists various products. Sort of product listings and comparisons.
So, if you want to get customers through Google, you need to list your products there.
But how do you get your products listed there.
This is where Google Base feeder (earlier Froogle) and now Google Merchant feeder comes in.
Using Google Base feeder or Google Merchant Feeder, you can prepare a file in xml format (which is the standard accepted by Google) and upload to the Google Merchant centre.
Useful module as it gets your products into Google listings. Sort of better than SEO.

delia:

I would uninstall if you are trying to upgrade that old a version.

Thanks for your help!
I'll try that and revert.