Creating an xml file for Google Base UK

[johnl]

Sorry if this has been covered before but I couldn't find anything precise about it.

I want to import an xml file into Google Base UK in relation to the products in my Actinic site.

What's the best way of correctly creating an 'xml' file from the 'txt' file that Actinic exports from 'Marketing' > 'Export Froogle Data Feed'.

Many thanks if anyone could assist and Merry Christmas!!

Kind Regards




John

[RuralWeb]

There is a feed already built into V8 - you just export and upload. Jan at moleend also does one so there is plenty about without having to create it yourself.

[johnl]

Thanks for the reply Mal.

Google Base seems to need an 'xml' upload - how do I export products data from Actinic as an 'xml' file?

Cheers




John

[RuralWeb]

Google Base seems to need an 'xml' upload

The feed direct from Actinic works as it is - I use it every week with no problems.

Jans feed at moleend gives you more control as well as offering feeds for others.

[johnl]

Hi Mal

So you use the 'Marketing' > 'Export Froogle Data Feed' Route and export to your hard drive as a 'txt' file.

Then do you upload the 'txt' file to Google Base? I guess this where I am getting a little confused as doesn't Google Base request an 'xml' file?

Cheers




John

[RuralWeb]

Then do you upload the 'txt' file to Google Base

I certainly do - as you say GB does ask for an xml file and others use one but Ive never bothered and my feed is processed ok and I get good results so Im happy. Just try it and see what happens - remember if its a new feed then it can take a while to be processed. If it fails then GB will tell you why

[RuralWeb]

Here is jans stuff http://www.mole-end.biz/acatalog/Froogle_Mash.html

[johnl]

Thanks for your help Mal.

I've uploaded the 'txt' feed from Actinic to GoogleBase via the GoogleBase choice in the Product Mash software from Mole End.

It seemed to upload OK so I'll hang on now to see whether the products appear successfully in my Google Base account.

Cheers.

[Jan]

Google base can accept either a tab delimited file or an xml file, Google will process a file ending in .xml as an xml file and anything else as tab delimited.

Actinic generates a tab delimted file, which should work in 8.5.2.

Regards,

[johnl]

OK, I have all my products (quantity 434) listed in Google Base as 'published and searchable'.

Should I now be able to enter any of my product titles into Google Shopping and see them listed - I ask because not one seems to be appearing?

Even though Google Base states 'published and searchable', does it take some time before the products appear in Google Shopping (i.e. Google Product Search).

Has anyone had a similar experience to this?

Regards




John

[Jan]

It often takes a while for them to appear and you will probably find that they appear in batches or that Google puts an upper limit on the number that are listed.

Keep an eye on it as well because Google may be checking your listing still as this is the first time you have listed, they have an unpleasant habit of marking everything as valid and then a day or two later changing there mind.

Regards,

[johnl]

Thanks Jan - I'll keep a check on this as suggested.

[RuralWeb]

Sorry if this has been covered before

It has - so a forum search and a read of the GB help files will answer your questions.

[johnl]

I'm kinda stumped now - all my 434 products are appearing in Google Base fine and are searchable and successfully reported and if I do a search in Base the product in question appears - also, the item type is 'products'.

The upload feed is of the structure:

link title description price image_link id

I have looked at loads of help sites and forums re: why Google Base items are not appearing in Google Product Search but still have not found a solution?

Was just wondering whether anyone else had experienced this and managed to solve it?

Cheers




John

[RuralWeb]

Google Base items are not appearing in Google Product Search but still have not found a solution?

Are you sure you have you uploaded to the UK GB