AI + Ecommerce: Help Products Get Found and Chosen (Week 4)

Why this matters

Shoppers want quick, confident answers: Do you have it? Will it fit? How much does it cost? Is it any good? Search and AI surface products that are easy to understand and easy to trust. And this guide shows you, step-by-step, how to structure ecommerce so your items are meet those criteria to be discoverable - and more buyers complete checkout.

1) Get your product data house in order (what this actually means)

“Key attributes” = the details shoppers use to decide. Think: brand, what it is, size/dimensions, color/finish, material, pack size/quantity, who/what it fits, use case (indoor/outdoor, commercial/home), compatibility (works with ___), and your unique benefit.

How to write a product title (plain English)Brand + What it is + Key attribute(s) + Size/pack

• Example: “Anchor Pro Baking Sheet — Nonstick, 18″×13″, 2-Pack”

Images: size and basics

• Aim for ≥1200 px on the longest side (upload the large original; platforms generate smaller versions).

• Good light, clean background, 3+ angles (front, detail, in-use).

• JPG/PNG is fine; keep files reasonably small (<500 KB where possible).

Per-product checklist

• Clear title

• 3–5 benefits first; specs second (bullets)

• Price + currency (and sale price if used)

• Availability (in stock / out of stock / preorder)

• Identifiers (Brand, GTIN if you have it, MPN/SKU)

• Images (≥1200 px, multiple angles)

• Variants (size/color/material) configured correctly

2) Have a catalog? Connect it to Google Merchant Center (how to)

What it is: Google Merchant Center (GMC) takes your product feed and shows products across Google (free listings + Shopping).

Owner-friendly steps

1. Go to merchants.google.com (use your business Google account).

2. Verify your website (follow the prompt).

3. Add products:

   • With a platform app (easiest):

     • Shopify: “Google & YouTube” app → connect → choose Free product listings.

     • Wix Stores: “Google Merchant Center” integration → connect catalog.

     • BigCommerce/WooCommerce: install Google channel/plugin → follow wizard.

   • No app? Upload a feed: CSV/Google Sheet with: id, title, description, link, image_link, price, availability, brand, gtin (if you have it). In GMC: Products → Feeds → upload.

4. Fix any disapprovals → resubmit.

GBP vs. GMC—what goes where

• Use GBP “Products” to spotlight a few best-sellers.

• Let GMC carry the full catalog. (No need to hand-enter 1,000 SKUs in GBP.)

3) Structure product pages (PDPs) so people buy

Terms decoded:

• Above the fold = what’s visible before you scroll.

• CTA = the button that tells people what to do (“Add to Cart,” “Buy Now”).

• Social proof = ratings/reviews/photos from real customers.

Copy-this layout

1. Above the fold: name, price, availability, main image, primary CTA.

2. Why it’s great: 3–5 benefits (not just specs).

3. Details/specs: organized with tabs or headings.

4. Social proof: star rating, review snippets, customer photos.

   • How to get reviews: ask post-purchase (email/SMS), reminder a week later, and include a simple prompt: “What did you like most? Anything you wish you knew earlier?”

5. FAQ (3–5 questions):

   • Will it fit my [model/space/use]?

   • What’s the return/warranty?

   • How long is shipping and what does it cost?

   • How do I care/maintain it?

   • What’s different vs. other options?(Answers = 2–4 sentences. If it varies, say how to check.)

6. Related products: meaningful complements or alternatives (not random).

4) Use the right schema (why it’s imperative + simple terms)

Why it’s imperative: Search and AI don’t guess; schema is how you tell them exactly what the product is, its price, if it’s in stock, and what customers think. Without it, you’re easy to miss.

Plain-English guidance

• On product pages, add Product schema with Offer (price, availability) and AggregateRating/Review if you have ratings.

• On category/collection pages add ItemList schema (tells Google it’s a list of products).

• Add BreadcrumbList sitewide for context.

• Only add FAQPage schema if you actually show FAQs on the page.

Anchor Watch note: If you’d like experienced marketing pros to handle schema and implementation, we’ll add the right markup to the right pages and validate it. 😉

5) Reviews, Q&A, and UGC (how to ask)

When to ask

• Right after delivery/service (email/SMS).

• Send a friendly reminder a week later if there’s no response.

What to say (copy/paste):“Thanks for your order! Two quick questions help other customers decide: What did you like most? Anything you wish you knew earlier?”

Make it easy

• Link straight to the review form; allow photo uploads.

• Reply to every review, keeping your response short, specific, and human:“Thanks, Maria! Glad the 18″×13″ size fit your rack - great choice.”

• Turn repeated questions into FAQ on the product page.

6) Category pages (what they are + what to include)

What is a category page?A page that lists a group of related products—e.g., Baking Sheets, Roller Grills, Men’s Jackets—so shoppers can browse and narrow to the right item.

What to include

• Short intro (who this category is for / how to choose).

• Filters that match real decisions (size, material, brand, use case).

• Sort options (best-sellers, top-rated, price).

• Clear, consistent product thumbnails.

• ItemList and BreadcrumbList schema.

Tip: Link to a “How to choose” guide or blog at the top if the choice is confusing.

7) Track what matters

Monthly view to check

• Product funnel: views → add-to-cart → checkout → purchase.

• Top on-site searches: add missing terms to titles/descriptions.

• Top exits on PDPs: improve images, benefits, or FAQs where drop-offs happen.

• UTM tags on external links (email, social, GBP “Order/Website”) so revenue is clearly attributed.

  • Example: ?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp&utm_content=order_button

Anchor Watch note: We’ll set up dashboards, UTM standards, and monthly reports with actionable fixes, so you always know what to improve next.

Ecommerce Checklist

Print this checklist out to routinely check your ecommerce website to ensure your products are discoverable to search engines, AI, and customers that will convert.

Mistakes to avoid

• Titles stuffed with keywords but missing real attributes shoppers use

• Missing GTIN/brand—hurts eligibility and trust

• Generic images only; no detail or in-use context

• Endless category grids with no guidance

• Adding schema sitewide but not on product pages where it matters most

Prefer outcomes over upkeep? Anchor Watch Marketing sets up your Merchant Center feed, structures product and category pages, implements product schema, and builds a clean measurement loop - so more views turn into orders.