website is getting minimal traction, I have recently changed the domain and rebranded

[elementitis]

Please help

my shopify store is getting minimal sessions and traffic, even though I have just changed the domain and rebranded, im finding it frustrating. Also all of my products are suffering from the google misrepresentation.

www.element22.store

[heddykhalifa]

Hey there,

I totally get how frustrating this can be. Rebranding can sometimes cause a dip in traffic, but it sounds like the Google misrepresentation issue might be the bigger problem here.

First, I'd recommend double-checking your product listings to make sure everything is accurate and clear. Misrepresentation often happens if Google finds discrepancies or thinks something isn’t quite right in how your products are described.

Next, try reaching out to Google Support to get more details on why your products are flagged. They might be able to give you specific guidance on what needs fixing.

In the meantime, keep pushing out content on social media and other channels to drive some traffic back to your store. It might take a bit of time, but with consistent effort, you’ll start seeing those sessions pick up.

Best of luck!

[TSM_CO]

Clicking your URL leads me to a page saying "access to this website is block" with a little police person figure. Perhaps there is some issue with your domain? It also says the website is not secured. I would start there. Maybe try checking your website from a different device to see is maybe there is an issue from the prospective of a customer. 

[BON_Loyalty]

Hi @elementitis,

Thanks for reaching out to the community. I'm Lindsey from BON: Loyalty Rewards Referrals.

Thanks for sharing your situation—I completely understand how frustrating it can be when you’re putting in the effort but not seeing the results you expected, especially after a rebrand and domain change. I want to assure you that improving your store’s SEO and driving traffic is definitely a long-term process. It requires a combination of strategies to steadily increase visibility and attract visitors over time.

However, from what you’ve described, it sounds like the Google misrepresentation issue might be the bigger obstacle right now. Getting this resolved could make a significant difference, so I’ll focus on that to help you get back on track.

Here are a few strategies that have been effective in dealing with this issue:

1/ Update Your Product Fields:
Make sure that all product fields are fully and accurately completed. Google tends to scrutinize listings that are missing details, so filling out every possible field is crucial. For example, if a product is intended for all genders, make sure to specify 'unisex' in the gender field. This attention to detail can help reduce the chances of being flagged for misrepresentation. You can update these fields by going to your Shopify admin, navigating to Settings > App and Sales Channels, and selecting Google. Then, open the Google Sales Channel, and under the Overview section, choose Manage Products to complete the fields for each product.
Google Channel Product Requirements

2/ Ensure Your Policy Pages Are Linked Correctly:
It’s important that your policy pages are linked from the correct section in your Shopify admin. Google often rejects stores if the policies are linked from the wrong place. Double-check that your policies are updated and correctly linked from Settings > Policies rather than Online Store > Pages. To make these updates, go to Online Store > Navigation, edit your policy links, and ensure they’re pointing to the correct policies.

3/ Write Unique and Accurate Product Descriptions:
Sometimes, Google flags stores if the product descriptions are too vague or generic. Although Google doesn’t always provide specific details, it’s crucial to make sure your product titles and descriptions are unique and accurately reflect what you’re selling. This guide might be helpful: 10 Ways to Write Product Descriptions That Persuade.

4/ Consider Joining the Google Customer Reviews Program:
If this program is available in your area, it can help build trust with both customers and Google, potentially reducing scrutiny. It’s worth checking out: Google's Customer Reviews program.

5/ Review Google's Misrepresentation Guidelines:
Taking the time to review Google’s guidelines on misrepresentation can give you a clearer idea of what they’re looking for and help you make the necessary adjustments: Google Support Docs: Misrepresentation.

6/ Follow Google's Editorial & Professional Requirements:
Adhering to Google’s editorial standards, especially regarding things like pop-ups, can sometimes resolve these issues. You can find more details here: Google Support Docs: Editorial & Professional Requirements.

7/ Use Google’s Grow My Store Tool:
This tool is designed to evaluate the customer experience on your website and provide personalized tips for improvement. It’s a third-party tool, but many merchants find it useful: Grow My Store.

Additionally, many merchants have found this third-party help document from Feedonomics helpful in preparing their websites for Google’s review: Feedonomics Help Doc. It’s not a guaranteed fix, but it’s definitely worth reviewing.

Once you’ve gone through these steps, you can request a manual review in your Google Merchant Center under Diagnostics > Account Issues.

I know it can feel discouraging, but addressing these misrepresentation issues could be a turning point for your store. If you have any other questions or need further guidance, I’m here to help! 

If you find these suggestions helpful for you, please let me know by giving BON Loyalty  a 'LIKE' or marking it as a 'SOLUTION'. 😊

Best regards,

Lindsey

[PageFly-Kate]

Hi @elementitis,

Welcome to the community. 

I understand how frustrating it can be when your store isn’t getting the traction you expect, especially after putting in the effort to rebrand and change your domain.

Here are a few things you might want to consider to improve your store’s performance:

1. Google Misrepresentation Issue:

• Google Merchant Center: Ensure your products meet Google's policies. Misrepresentation issues often stem from incomplete product information, pricing inconsistencies, or violating Google’s advertising policies.
• Fixing Errors: Log in to your Google Merchant Center account and check for any flagged issues. Address any errors related to product data, like missing details, pricing discrepancies, or unclear policies.
• Re-apply for Review: Once you've corrected the issues, request a review in Google Merchant Center to lift any suspensions.

2. SEO and Domain Change:

Update Your Backlinks: If you've changed your domain, ensure that all backlinks pointing to your old domain are updated to the new one. This helps retain your SEO value.

Set Up 301 Redirects: Use 301 redirects to guide traffic from your old URLs to the new ones. This will help maintain your search rankings and ensure that any visitors to the old domain are redirected to the new one.

Submit a New Sitemap: If you haven’t already, submit a new sitemap to Google Search Console. This will help Google reindex your site faster.

Indexing with Google Search Console:

• Verify Your New Domain: First, make sure your new domain is verified in Google Search Console.
• Request Indexing: After submitting your sitemap, go to the URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console. Enter the URLs of your most important pages and click "Request Indexing." This prompts Google to crawl and index those pages more quickly.
• Monitor Indexing Status: Keep an eye on the Index Coverage report in Google Search Console to ensure that your pages are being indexed properly.

3. Optimize for Conversion:

• Speed and Performance: Ensure your site is fast and mobile-friendly. Slow-loading pages can significantly impact user experience and conversion rates.
• On-Site SEO: Make sure your site’s meta titles, descriptions, and content are optimized for your target keywords. Focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with your audience.
• UX Improvements: Consider using tools like PageFly to enhance your store’s design and user experience. This can improve engagement and ultimately boost conversions.

4. Leverage Analytics:

• Monitor Traffic Sources: Use tools like Google Analytics to see where your traffic is coming from and identify any potential issues or opportunities.
• A/B Testing: If you’re getting some traffic but not converting, try A/B testing different elements of your site, such as headlines, images, and CTAs, to see what resonates best with your audience.

Feel free to reach out if you need more personalized advice. The Shopify community is here to support you!

I hope these suggestions are helpful. Best of luck with your store, and keep striving for improvement!

Cheers,

Kate | PageFly team

[DaisyVo]

Hi @elementitis 

I noticed your concerns about minimal traffic after changing your domain and rebranding, and I get why that’s frustrating. I checked your site, and there are a couple of key things that could be causing the issue. Let’s break it down and get you back on track.

1. Domain Change & SEO Impact

When you change your domain, Google essentially sees it as a new website. Your previous SEO rankings, backlinks, and trust signals don’t automatically carry over unless you handle the transition correctly.

Solution:

• Set Up 301 Redirects Properly: If your old domain had backlinks or rankings, make sure you’ve redirected all old URLs to their corresponding new URLs. You can check if this is done correctly using tools like Google Search Console.
• Update Google Search Console & Analytics: Submit your new domain in Google Search Console (GSC) and update it in Google Analytics so Google knows about the change.
• Resubmit Your Sitemap: Go to Shopify Admin > Online Store > Preferences > Search Engine Listing and generate a new sitemap, then submit it to Google Search Console.

2. Google Ads & Merchant Center Misrepresentation Issue

Google is flagging your products under “Misrepresentation,” meaning they don’t fully trust your store. This is a common issue, especially after rebranding.

Fix It By Doing This:

• Ensure Transparency: Google looks for clear business info. Add a well-structured About Us page, clear shipping & refund policies, and customer support details.
• Check Your Contact Info: Have a professional email linked to your domain (not a Gmail or Yahoo email). Example: support@element22.store
• Product Details & Pricing: If any products seem misleading, unclear, or have sudden price changes, Google flags them. Make sure product descriptions are detailed and prices are consistent.
• Google Merchant Center Settings: Go to your Google Merchant Center account > Diagnostics > View the specific issues. Sometimes, Google requires verification like a business license, proof of stock, or website ownership.

3. Driving Traffic Back to Your Store

Since you’ve lost momentum from the domain change, you need to push fresh traffic to let Google know your site is active.

• Run Brand Awareness Ads: If you’re using Google or Meta Ads, focus on campaigns targeting warm audiences (previous visitors or social media followers).
• Leverage Social Proof: Encourage customer reviews and testimonials on your product pages.
• Content Marketing & SEO: Create blog posts related to your niche, optimize product descriptions, and get backlinks from related websites.
• Email Marketing: If you had customers before, send them a rebranding email with an exclusive offer to re-engage them.

I know this process can be overwhelming, but tackling these steps methodically will help. If you need any other assistance, feel free to ask, and I will try my best to support you.

Best regards,
Daisy.