Google merchant centre suspension due to setup misrepresentation policy violation

[Ecotrade]

I’ve recently setup a shop, gmc account and  Google ads account. After about 2 weeks my gmc account got suspended due to setup misrepresentation. It’s been this case for 5 months now. I have trolled the internet, watched YouTube vids. I am not sure what to do now, can anyone help because Google support are as useful as a chocolate fire guard at the moment.

 My website: www.ecotradesupplies.co.uk

 In the background I have the Google  and YouTube app settings automatically syncing my shopping, I have my returns policy the same on gmc as the store (returns policy has a green tick on the gmc account), I have bought a new theme, worked on schema, worked on basic seo improvements, registered Google business profile …basically I am at my wits end. 

can anyone see my site and suggest improvements?

[EmmanuelFlossie]

When you show reviews, make sure it is applicable to that specific product, at the moment you are showing all reviews for all products on all product pages.

Only show reviews for that specific product.

Some of your images are very low quality, make sure you have images that are 1300*1300 pixels large.

Make sure to collect about 50 reviews or so to increase your trust signals.

When you are drop shipping, Google already puts you at a lower trust rating, so the only way to demonstrate trust, is by having a lot of real reviews.

I recommend you also have a look at:

https://support.google.com/google-ads/community-guide/304792695
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150127
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6363310/follow-the-merchant-center-guidelines
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/7052112
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/4752265
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/13693865
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6149970
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/9158778
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150244
https://support.google.com/google-ads/community-guide/241068758

[Shanthi_Vutukur]

Hey,

I checked your website, and I found issues in the images and product descriptions. The website has unclear and low-lit images and invalid product description data. Please refer to the screenshots below:

Additionally, please go through the following causes for misrepresentation errors and how to fix them:

• Business Information: Add a detailed "Contact Us" page with your business name, address, phone number, and email.
• Policies: Include clear Shipping, Refund/Return, and Privacy Policies:
• Shipping: Specify costs, delivery times, and regions served.
• Refunds: Outline return/exchange conditions.
• Privacy: Explain data collection and usage.

• Fix Issues: Ensure all links work, the site loads quickly, and is mobile-friendly.

• Align Details: Ensure product titles, descriptions, prices, and availability match between Merchant Center and your website.
• Use Clear Images: Use high-quality images of your actual products.
• Avoid Misleading Claims: Ensure all promotions and guarantees are accurate.
• False Product Claims: Advertising unsupported or exaggerated product benefits.
• Omission of Relevant Information: Failing to include essential product details like size, color, or material.
• Misleading Promotions: Offering deceptive deals, such as "50% off everything," when only select items are discounted.
• Inaccurate Pricing and Availability: Listing products with incorrect prices or availability status that differ from your website.
• Submit a Review Request: Once you've addressed the issues, request a review of your account through Google Merchant Center.

[DaisyVo]

Hi @Ecotrade 

I can feel your frustration—GMC suspensions for misrepresentation can be tough, especially when you’ve already put in a lot of work. Based on your case, here’s what you can do to resolve it:

1. Check Website Transparency

• Contact Information: Make sure your website clearly shows your business address, phone number, and email. These should match your Google Business Profile details.
• About Us & Policies: Ensure your About Us, Privacy Policy, Shipping Policy, and Terms of Service are detailed, easily accessible, and professional.
• Payment Security: Explicitly mention secure payment methods, like SSL certificates and payment gateways, on your site.

2. Ensure Product Accuracy

• Product Listings: Ensure all your products display accurate prices, descriptions, and availability. No hidden fees!
• Sync Issues: Double-check your Google Shopping feed for mismatched or outdated product details. Tools like Google Merchant Center’s Diagnostics can help spot these problems.

3. Fix Schema and SEO Errors

• Your efforts on schema are great—make sure they’re aligned with Google’s structured data guidelines. Run your site through Google’s Rich Results Test to catch errors.

4. Avoid Common Traps

• Avoid “placeholder” products or links that lead to unavailable pages. Google flags these as red flags for misrepresentation.

5. Request GMC Reinstatement

• Submit an appeal through your GMC account. Be clear and factual about the steps you’ve taken to address misrepresentation. Keep it professional and polite.
• Include screenshots of policies, product pages, and proof of transparency on your site.

Suggestions for Your Website

I had a look at www.ecotradesupplies.co.uk, and here are a few tweaks you might consider:

• Homepage: It could benefit from more trust-building elements like customer reviews or certifications.
• Live Chat: Adding a live chat widget can show Google (and customers) that you’re easily accessible.
• UI Design: A clean, fast-loading design is key. Test your site speed with Google PageSpeed Insights to improve performance.
• Consistent Branding: Your design, fonts, and product photos should look cohesive—this boosts trustworthiness.

If you’ve done all this and Google still won’t budge, you might need to consult a professional who specializes in GMC suspensions. Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes can spot details you may have missed.

If you need any other assistance, I am willing to help.
Best regards,
Daisy