COVID-19 has undoubtedly changed how consumers shop — possibly for good. Between lockdown measures and social distancing, shoppers are doing a lot more research online to plan ahead before heading to retail shops. In many cases, this means looking up inventory information online.
Retailers who want to stay competitive need to adapt to this new behavior by making sure that their store info and catalog are available whenever (and wherever) customers need them.
That’s why we’re excited to announce that Vend has joined forces with Pointy from Google to help you get your inventory online.
What is Pointy from Google?
Pointy is a Vend add-on that allows you to display your in-store products on Google without manually re-entering your inventory data. Once you’ve created a Google My Business account and verified your business, all you have to do is connect Vend and Pointy, and your stock will automatically be displayed on your Business Profile on Google Search and Maps when consumers search for your business name or, potentially, for a product that you have in stock.
According to Google, 90% of shoppers do a web search for a product before heading in-store, so getting your products in front of online shoppers puts your business on their radar and encourages them to swing by.
Vend Tip
Getting started with Pointy is easy and free if you’re a Vend customer. Just connect your Vend account, follow the prompts, and you’re good to go.
How does it work?
Setting up is super easy. If you’re a Vend user, just follow these steps below:
1. Connect Pointy to your Vend account here.
2. Once you’ve connected, your products will appear automatically, as long as you’re using universal product codes (UPCs) — no data entry needed. Not already using UPCs? Click here.
3. Once you’re set up, shoppers in your area will be able to see your products on your Business Profile on Google.
4. Oh, and you also get $100 USD worth of Google Ads credit to get your products in front of the right people with the premium Local Inventory Ads feature, boosting awareness around your store and products even further!
How much does it cost?
Pointy from Google is free for Vend customers. The solution can include a one-time fee of $899 USD, but if you integrate Pointy with Vend, you’ll get the functionality free of charge and you can immediately bring your in-store catalog online.
Retail success stories with Pointy and Vend
Many retailers around the world from America to Australia have already started using Pointy and Vend, and they’re seeing tremendous results. Check out some of their stories:
Maxwell’s of Chelmsford has 3,200 products online and continuously drives in-store visits
Maxwell’s of Chelmsford is a retailer in Massachusetts that sells lawn and garden supplies, animal feed, and pet food. Maxwell’s has been in business for over 10 years, but the store’s owners, Lisa and Manny Bougoulas, recognize the importance of online marketing.
Maxwell’s of Chelmsford has been using Pointy for two years, though they’ve gotten more value out of it when COVID-19 hit. Because of the pandemic, many more shoppers are browsing retail inventories online before making it to the store. Thanks to Pointy, Maxwell’s products are visible to shoppers in the area.
During the pandemic, Maxwell’s Pointy page was getting so much traffic that Lisa linked it to her current store website. Maxwell’s doesn’t have an ecommerce site, but thanks to Pointy, customers can still explore the store’s products online.
The best part? Maxwell’s online catalog reflects what they have in-store without any manual effort.
“It’s somewhere that people can see what our products are,” says Lisa. “And it gets the feed from Vend so I don’t have to do any extra work.”
Dingo’s Diner and Spa continues to attract customers even during a pandemic
Dingo’s Diner and Spa is a Colorado-based business that sells dog services and pet food. When the pandemic hit, Dingo was able to remain open because pet food is considered an essential product.
Still, the company had to make a lot of changes in order to adapt. For starters, they implemented an online system for delivery. “When you’re dealing with a six-week quarantine, it doesn’t give you a lot of time. And now we have it, we’re prepared if something else happens,” explains Cashe Pawilk, the co-owner of the business.
But they still had in-store shoppers coming in, and Pointy was a huge help because it allowed Dingo’s to showcase their inventory online, where people can check what they have in stock.
This has helped them drive more footfall to their store.
“Pointy really helps shoppers to find us locally,” says Cashe. “Unless you have Pointy or are paying an astronomical amount of money, customers will find it hard to find you. For example, a customer recently told us they searched for doggy PJs and they saw we had them so came in!”
Get started with Vend and Pointy!
Pointy and Vend are a match made in retail heaven. Vend helps you manage your in-store inventory, while Pointy brings your products online. Check out the integration today and start putting your products in front of online shoppers who are ready to buy!
Vend Tip
Getting started with Pointy is easy and free if you’re a Vend customer. Just connect your Vend account, follow the prompts, and you’re good to go.
About Francesca Nicasio
Francesca Nicasio is Vend's Retail Expert and Content Strategist. She writes about trends, tips, and other cool things that enable retailers to increase sales, serve customers better, and be more awesome overall. She's also the author of Retail Survival of the Fittest, a free eBook to help retailers future-proof their stores. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Google+.