Shopping Local Now Easier With Google's New Search Engine Features
Online shopping, in the last six months, has observed a huge surge in the number of consumers like never before, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, the sellers too are taking to the virtual world alike. Google, like always, decided to throw in a set of new features and updates to make the process easier. The shopping category on Google has been refined to make shopping from the locals much easier. A hike in searches for “curbside-pickup” and “safe shopping” is what motivated Google.
India, which has especially been rooting for the locals through its “Vocal for Local” campaign, is likely to welcome the updates warmly.
Filters For Local Availability
Users can now specifically search for products available in nearby stores. They can either search for the product by adding “near me” or “nearby” in the search bar or can alternatively select “near me” filter in the shopping tab, which narrows down the retail range to neighbouring stores. The opening hours, distance, and an all comprehensive list of items available in a particular store along with their price tags, reviews and other relevant information will be available. Users can also check if the store provides the facility for curbside pickup, delivery and/or in-store pickup.
Customers will now be able to compare respective stores easily, by previewing the in-stock items that the user is searching for.
Additionally, the updated shopping section will now also provide customers with a link to call the business for the required item. This feature might come handy in case the item may sell-out soon and the customer wants to book the same. A navigation link to quickly reach the store, too, is on the platter. It'll open directly in Google Maps.
Google has invited businesses to update their Google My Business profile or create a new one if they haven't already and verify or add the relevant information regarding the store as well as its products. Sellers can also upload their local product feed through Google Merchant Centre.
A multi-media journalist and writer, Vaibhavi views the world as one big piece of poetry. Time and again she tries to capture this poetry through words, as well as, the lens. She loves to explore the depth of human psyche, philosophy, cultures, and oceans! Carrying forward this quest for exploration she reports on various beats ranging from tourism, culture, art, social issues, business, market trends, science and environment to technology. For her, the life mantra can be summarised with the catchphrases, “Hakuna Matata” and “Carpe Diem”.
