Up until about a week ago, I didn't even really know what a "feed" was. I have found that I wasn't alone. Thanks to Suzzie (What and Angel) I am now Google Basing with the best of them! LOL

Here is a step by step break down for those that are having issues like I did!

Creating the feed:

podToolbox (formerly Cafetool box) seems to be the easiest for those that aren't as "computer gifted".
So, for simplicity, I will use it.

Go to
http://www.podtoolbox.com/

Sign up for an account.

Go to "my cafepress shops" on the left hand side.

Click on "add a shop"

Insert Shop ID ( shop name) and click "add shop"

Go to "CP feeder" on left hand side

Select your store ID
Set the store type for Premium
Set the request date (Usually the soonest you can get)

Click "submit"

Now you wait. It will email you as soon as your "feed" is done.

When it's done, follow the link and download your "feed" on to your computer. It will be a "txt" file.

Creating the Google Base:

Go to
http://www.google.com/base

Sign up for an account.

At the bottom of the main page there is a link that says something about data feeds, like "Have lots of stuff to add to Google Base? Do it fast with a data feed. Learn more or get started. "

Click on Get Started

If it takes you to an About Me page, fill it out and click next

Now, on the Register Your Data Feed page...
country - US
item type - Products
type of data feed is googlebase
Specific data feed filename – YourShopID.txt (it needs to match the file name you downloaded from podToolbox)
and click "register data feed"

After it processes you should be taken to a page that lists YourShopID.txt with the headers File, Uploads, Last upload date & status, and Item Status

Click on "Manual:upload file" and upload the file you saved on your computer from podToolbox.

Y'all should be golden. You just gotta wait for it to process.

(edited to fix funky characters - Teesed)
(edited to update site name and URL - Lorilei)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lorilei363,

(moved to third-party tools)

thank you Bambi.

I'll add that there are several products/services that offer the feed text file creation.

Just click on Third-Party Resource Guide and do a page search for "feed".

Bambi -

Thanks so much for laying this out for all us "tech-challenged" types... I had taken a shot at it but ran into hurdles that kept me from completely figuring it out. I kept thinking "one day I'll figure it out" and never went back.

Can't wait to try it out tonight after the day-job... may good karma bless you with many holiday sales (and all the rest of us too!)

miles57
http://www.cafepress.com/spikemandesigns

Great post, Bambi. Thanks for taking the time to write it up and post it!

I'll add that I use the Instant Cafe feed generator and it has never let me down.

sticky, anyone?

kiwi

quote:

sticky, anyone?

woops, got sidetracked, Thanks!

Thank you very much Bambi! I was using another feeder and kept getting errors. This one came back with NO errors. Uploaded with no problems. I really appreciate your time in posting this! It will help many.

Someone was asking about multiple shops. It looks like you have to get a Multi-client account to do multiple shops. Does anyone know if this is true?

quote:

Originally posted by Meliasmom:
Someone was asking about multiple shops. It looks like you have to get a Multi-client account to do multiple shops. Does anyone know if this is true?

No....you can do it with one account. In Google base, on the page where you uploaded that txt file, at the top left, there is a button for "new data feed". That will allow you to add another shop

I did the E-Commerce add on to GA. How many days does it take before it shows anything? I have had nothing so far and have had at least one sale since adding it.

How many days should I wait until the E-Commerce will start working after adding it? I added it right away when it was offered. Have had a couple of sales since then, but nothing is showing.

My e-commerce info is showing. It took me a while to find where, though.

quote:

Originally posted by AkJeff:
My e-commerce info is showing. It took me a while to find where, though.

Oops! I just thought you clicked on E-Commerce. No? Did I miss something?????

i have 3 squidoos which walk thru it...

http://www.squidoo.com/googlebase-froogle - how to load a feed into froogle/google base (froogle is the old name google base is the new) see below for 2 ways to make feeds

http://www.squidoo.com/cpinstantcafe - great for larger shops allows you to break down by product - does not work on MAC's - must be downloaded & may need some fixes which are included on this lens - can also be used to make a site map of your cafepress shop

http://www.squidoo.com/ilovecafetoolbox - free - no download - great for smaller shops - your request for a feed will be placed in a queue and you will be emailed when your feed is complete

Another question. If I add more products to my store, Should I do another upload?

Thank You,

Erica

This is my question too! Someone?