Merchants, Are You Ready For The Google Zebra Update?

After we face Panda and Penguin updates although its still in the fore front. There are something this year that will across to SEO World because there will be more Google Updates to come.

It was said that there will be a new Google Algorithm to come out. The born of Google Zebra is coming its way. During the SXSW in Austin, Texas, and as Search Engine Journal quoted,

“We have a potential launch later this year, maybe a little bit sooner, looking at the quality of  merchants and whether we can do a better job on that, because we don’t want low quality experience merchants to be ranking in the search results.”

- Matt Cutts, Head of Google Webspam Team

Its a Merchant Quality Update or should we say "Zebra Update". So far Google didn't say how they will detect the bad merchants but at least we have an idea on who they will target. To help you figuring out this as a merchant and to avoid the Zebra Penalty, here are the list of how to recognize a true merchants;

- A shopping cart link who stays on the same site.
- A shopping cart that updates when you add items.
- The Website has a return policy and has physical address.
- A working shipping charge calculator.
- A wish list link or a link where you can postpone the purchase of an item.
- A way to track FedEx orders.
- A Forum that works.
- You can register or log in.
- Gift Registry that works.

However, Google says that a merchant doesn't necessarily need to have all those criteria to comply, It's a good idea to have an inventory of the list above and making sure that you follow the quality guidelines.

Google's Trusted Stores Program for their Merchant affiliates must meet a certain criteria like to have at least 500 transactions per month with 90% deliveries on time and provides an excellent quality of customer service.

Also, Merchant location is very important. Online shopping become popular as more and more customers are comfortable having transaction in an online store with physical location. Having a physical location could be a plus points for Google.

Zebra Update is generally for Merchant Websites like e-commerce and other shopping online sites. If you have merchant website, try to start cleaning up and follow the simple list. That way, you will be ready when Google Zebra rolls out.