Hi, I have just signed up to Google base at www.google.com/base, but don't quite understand how you can get traffic from using it. Do people actually search through google bases content?
Google base is effectively the feed for Froogle. Items listed have to have links to a real site, with prices pictures etc.. Once you have succesfully had your uploaded accepted, Google itself will then index the items - so you get a hit, at the top of the search results!! Try searching for HP 8595E (in Google UK) and you will see a shopping bag hit for Instruments Direct - thats me and it does generate traffic.
But it says you can submit anything, even things that have nothing to do with shopping. I just don't get it. Could I add parts of my site, the whole site or what? I don't sell a thing by the way.
It seems to me that it is more hassle that what it is worth. I am not a small site so the little trickle of traffic will not be worth the hassle.
One challenge I have had is having to upload a new file every 7 days as the expiry seems to automatically be set at 7 days if you're using the Bulk Upload feature. If I am wrong with this and anyone knows how to correct it, I would appreciate the feedback!
I experimented a while ago but found that it just turns into a price war - and obviously price isn't everything in the internet game. I do like the feature where you can appear at the top of the SERPS for certain terms. If you can be bothered, make sure its optimised like any IBL or page on your site would be.
It's a comparison search engine that is free! (It's also actually fairly simple to use). The added exposure on some searches adds to the free clicks.