--- title: Using Google Shopping and Paid Search for Your Online Business description: Find out how Google Shopping works and how to use it effectively for your online business. Read about the benefits of using paid search | Firefly NZ image: https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/hubfs/google%20shopping.jpg --- July 20, 2022 ## Using Google Shopping and Paid Search for Your Online Business **by** [** Laura Reid**](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/author/laura-reid) | **Category:** [Google Ads](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/google-ads) In today’s internet age, anything can be done online, and many customers prefer the convenience of online shopping. There’s no need to drive to different shops, brave the crowds, or stand in queues. However, shopping online can also become a complex situation, as you need to hop from one e-commerce website to another if you want to browse the different brands. That’s why Google released a new online platform called Google Shopping. It’s, in a nutshell, a paid search ads platform that allows businesses to advertise their products. You can even list your shopping campaigns on [Google Ads](https://www.fireflydigital.co.nz/google-adwords) through this platform. ## **How It Works** Businesses can use this platform by setting up a Google Merchant account if they don’t have one already. You can add your products by clicking on the “Surfaces Across Google” button and then the “Add Product Data” button to list your products. This means when customers search for a specific product, Google will place Google Ads shopping links to that product at the top of the page, and it’ll also be listed on their shopping page. This allows people to access many different products. If they click on your product, it leads them back to the origin website, meaning it also generates more web traffic. Initially, this platform ranked the products depending on advertiser bids and relevance, but they’ve brought back the free version, so you don’t need to use the paid version. ## **Functions and Appearance** Google has a tab at the top called Shopping when you search for something. By clicking on it, it automatically lists the related products and where you can buy them online, along with images of the products. On a computer, you’ll see filters on the left-hand side where customers can adjust their price range, colour, brand, and other factors. The mobile version looks almost the same, except the filters can be opened by clicking on the filters icon in the top left corner of the page. ## **Myths of Paid Search** Some of the hesitance in using Google Shopping comes from several myths about paid ads. One of the most common thoughts is that people never actually click on shopping ads; they just scroll past them. However, studies have shown around 83% of clicks on PPC channels are brought by customers clicking on shopping ads. Another myth is that Amazon is the better option. While Amazon is a massive e-commerce platform, it’s only available in 10 countries. Google Shopping is available in more than 35 countries, allowing you to reach a larger client base. ## **Benefits of Paid Search** There are several benefits to using Google Shopping, especially if you use the paid search option. While this might be more expensive, it allows your products better visibility and generates more web traffic as customers click on the product link. When they’re looking for a product, customers’ first instinct is to google it. Thus it’s a way to gain new customers with little effort—particularly when campaigns are managed effectively through platforms like Google Ads. For businesses targeting competitive local markets, working with [specialists in google ads auckland](https://www.fireflydigital.co.nz/google-ads-auckland) can help maximise visibility and ensure your campaigns are aligned with high-intent searches. ## **Firefly** Firefly is a [digital marketing agency specialising in online marketing](https://www.fireflydigital.co.nz/), from paid media to social media and [SEO](https://www.fireflydigital.co.nz/seo-services). If you’re unsure how to best market and list your products on Google Shopping, Firefly is the best option to help you get started; contact us today! Learn more about Firefly Digital   - Share via - [![](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/hubfs/Firefly%20-%20August%202020/Images/Blog%20Images/3f4bf9f15f160518c12a130b2dd391ed37027198.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/using-google-shopping-and-paid-search-for-your-online-business) - [![](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/hubfs/Firefly%20-%20August%202020/Images/Blog%20Images/7ec1aa6b3696a0f0c180a67f3e9b94f3e103963a.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/using-google-shopping-and-paid-search-for-your-online-business) ###### Subscribe to our Blog Keep up to date with the latest industry news and insights from Firefly. ###### Recent Posts [The Google Ads Mistake Costing NZ Small Businesses](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/common-google-ads-mistake) [Google Ads vs. Facebook Ads: What’s Best for Business](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/google-ads-vs-facebook-ads-nz/) [Google Ads Trends to Watch: What's Changing in Digital Advertising](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/google-ads-trends-to-watch-whats-changing-in-digital-advertising) [The Power of Meta Retargeting: Don’t Let Potential Customers Slip Away](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/the-power-of-meta-retargeting) [Adapting to Consumer Demand: How Direct Brand Engagement is Shaping SEO Strategies in New Zealand](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/adapting-to-consumer-demand-how-direct-brand-engagement-is-shaping-seo-strategies-in-new-zealand) ### Categories - [Digital marketing (62)](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/digital-marketing) - [SEO (10)](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/seo) - [Social media (8)](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/social-media) - [Websites (7)](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/websites) - [Google Ads (5)](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/google-ads) - [B2B (3)](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/b2b) - [E-commerce (3)](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/e-commerce) - [News (3)](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/news) - [B2C (2)](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/b2c) - [Blog (1)](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/blog) - [digital digest (1)](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/tag/digital-digest) [See all](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/using-google-shopping-and-paid-search-for-your-online-business#) #### Related Posts January 6, 2026 #### [The Google Ads Mistake Costing NZ Small Businesses](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/common-google-ads-mistake) Google Ads remains one of the strongest lead-generation channels for small businesses in New Zealand who want steady... September 2, 2025 #### [Google Ads vs. Facebook Ads: What’s Best for Business](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/google-ads-vs-facebook-ads-nz/) For many startups and mid-size businesses in New Zealand, growth begins with word of mouth and organic sales. But once... February 28, 2025 #### [Google Ads Trends to Watch: What's Changing in Digital Advertising](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/en/firefly_blog/google-ads-trends-to-watch-whats-changing-in-digital-advertising) Have you noticed your Google Ads costs creeping up while lead quality seems to be going down? Are you getting more... ## Subscribe to our Blog Keep up to date with the latest industry news and insights from Firefly. ![test-ill-2](https://blog.fireflydigital.co.nz/hubfs/test-ill-2.png) X