Setting up the "Automated Discounts" feature in Google Merchant Center

Project Meta

Connect and fully configure the "Automatic Price Reduction" feature in Google Merchant Center for the online store on OpenCart, according to Google's official requirements, so that prices are automatically optimized to increase profitability, conversions, and advertising efficiency.

Scope of Work

1. Analysis of Current State

   • Check the settings of Google Merchant Center.

   • Evaluate the quality and structure of the product feed.

   • Check the integration of Google Ads and Google Analytics.

2. Setting Up Conversion Tracking with Cart Data

   • Implement tracking of purchase events with the transmission of:

     • Product ID (item_id / g:id).

     • Product names.

     • Quantities.

     • Prices.

     • Total order value.

   • Check the correctness of data submission to Google Ads and Google Merchant Center.

3. Adding Required Attributes to the Feed

   • [auto_pricing_min_price] — minimum price for automatic reduction.

   • [cost_of_goods_sold] — cost of goods sold.

   • Ensure that these attributes are added for at least 20 % of products with the highest impressions.

   • Perform compliance checks:

     • auto_pricing_min_price ≤ 95% of [price/sale_price]

     • auto_pricing_min_price ≥ 95% of [cost_of_goods_sold]

     • cost_of_goods_sold < auto_pricing_min_price and is within the range of 5–95 % of the price.

4. Integration with the Website (OpenCart)

   • Configure the site to receive and apply new prices via JSON web tokens from Google.

   • Ensure that new prices are automatically displayed on the product card and in the cart.

   • Test the operation of discounts in real-time.

5. Passing Google Verification

   • Prepare the Merchant Center account for moderation.

   • Submit a request for verification.

   • Make corrections in case of rejection.

6. Final Testing

   • Check the functionality for 10 % of products (initial stage).

   • Wait for automatic expansion to 90 % of products.

   • Provide instructions for managing and pausing the feature.

Technical Requirements

• Experience with Google Merchant Center, Google Ads, Google Tag Manager.

• Experience in setting up feeds and custom attributes.

• Understanding of how OpenCart works and making changes to its templates and modules.

• Ability to work with the Google Merchant API (Products sub-API).

• Compliance with Google requirements and local legislation regarding the display of discounts.

What We Will Provide

• Access to Google Merchant Center, Google Ads, Google Tag Manager.

• Access to OpenCart admin panel and FTP.

• Current XML/CSV product feed.

• A list of products that will fall under the feature.

Work Result

• The "Automatic Price Reduction" feature is activated and works on 90 % of products.

• New prices automatically appear in advertising and on the website.

• Performance statistics are available in Merchant Center.

• A short instruction for managing the feature is prepared.

Submission Format

• A report on completed work with a description of the settings.

• A link to a working example of price change in product advertising and on the website.

• Export of test data Cart Data for confirmation of submission.