Check that your store can take an order
Review your product pages on desktop and mobile. Customers should be able to see clear prices, availability and product information, then complete a working checkout.
Make customer information easy to find
Check that delivery, returns, contact information and business identity are clear on the website. Write down anything that needs attention before you connect the store.
Plan the account and product source
Use accurate business details, prepare access to the website and choose one dependable way to add products. Test a small set first, then review their status before expanding the catalogue.
Confirm the store URL in Merchant Center and follow the verification and claiming steps offered. Verification proves control of the website; claiming associates it with the Merchant Center account. If another account already holds the claim, resolve ownership rather than creating duplicate accounts. See Google’s website verification guidance.
Check applicable Shopping ads and listings policies before uploading. Completing setup does not guarantee approval, impressions or sales.
Record your setup choices
The Merchant Center Workbook has a store readiness planner and account setup worksheets so your decisions stay in one place.
A simple store-readiness example
Take one product that a customer can actually buy. Open its product page on a phone and note the title, price, availability, delivery and return information. Then compare those details with the source you plan to send to Merchant Center. If the store shows a different price or the product cannot be purchased, resolve that at the store or product source before expanding to the whole catalogue.
Record who owns the store data, which source updates Merchant Center and how often it changes. That makes later issue checks more manageable. Google’s product data specification describes current requirements; check the relevant attributes for your products and country rather than guessing.
Next, use the product data checklist to review a small sample.
Reviewed 10 October 2026. This practical guide accompanies independent PBC Courses training. Google interfaces and policies may change; review current account guidance when you take action.