Having spent a good number of years in the electronics OEM business, the announcement of Google Shopping for Suppliers got my attention. Google appears to be building a search version of the print product tabloid for engineers and purchasing agents, that, like all Google products, can become a game changer for marketers.
Right now, many companies are listed on, but not integrated into, Google Shopping for Suppliers. Rather, Google scraped data from their Web sites and uses it to fill out the system as it’s built. For the full benefit, you need to be a “Google Verified” supplier.
Once verified, your products get detail pages with “Inquire” buttons that are, essentially, electronic bingo cards. At this point, verification cost $1,000 per year, but there are no charges other than the verification fee.
Google does allow that the model could change to “cost per action,” but those of you familiar with Google Shopping (aka Merchant, aka Froogle) know that even if that’s the plan, it could be some time before it happens.
For now, $1,000 a year is a very inexpensive and highly effective way to get in front of prospects searching Google. And as when Google Shopping went to a paid model, getting in early can reap benefits when the inevitable occurs.
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