Google Aims To Be the Anti-Amazon of Ecommerce. It Has a Long Way To Go. (nytimes.com) 32
Google tried to copy Amazon's playbook to become the shopping hub of the internet, with little success. Now it is trying something different: the anti-Amazon strategy. From a report: Google is trying to present itself as a cheaper and less restrictive option for independent sellers. And it is focused on driving traffic to sellers' sites, not selling its own version of products, as Amazon does. In the last year, Google eliminated fees for merchants and allowed sellers to list their wares in its search results for free. It is also trying to make it easier for small, independent shops to upload their inventory of products to appear in search results and buy ads on Google by teaming up with Shopify, which powers online stores for 1.7 million merchants who sell directly to consumers. But like Google's many attempts during its two-decade quest to compete with Amazon, this one shows little sign of working. Google has nothing as alluring as the $295 billion that passed through Amazon's third-party marketplace in 2020. The amount of goods people buy on Google is "very small" by comparison -- probably around $1 billion, said Juozas Kaziukenas, the founder of Marketplace Pulse, a research company.
Amazon is a fixture in the lives of many Americans. It has usurped Google as the starting point for shoppers and has become equally essential for marketers. Amazon's global advertising business grew 30 percent to $17.6 billion in 2020, trailing only Google and Facebook in the United States. But as the pandemic has forced many stores to go online, it has created a new opening for Google to woo sellers who feel uneasy about building their businesses on Amazon. [...] Sellers often complain about Amazon's fees, which can account for a quarter of every sale, not including the cost of advertising, and the pressure to spend more to succeed. Merchants on Amazon do not have a direct relationship with their customers, limiting their ability to communicate with them and to generate future business. And because everything is contained within the Amazon world, it is harder to create a unique look and feel that express a brand's identity the way companies can on their own websites. High-profile Venture Capitalist Bill Gurley added said the article misses a key point, that is, "Amazon benefits from 20 years of supply chain investment. Even if you own the leading search engine, you cannot emulate 1-click 1.5 day shipping with high certainty (for consumer)."
Amazon is a fixture in the lives of many Americans. It has usurped Google as the starting point for shoppers and has become equally essential for marketers. Amazon's global advertising business grew 30 percent to $17.6 billion in 2020, trailing only Google and Facebook in the United States. But as the pandemic has forced many stores to go online, it has created a new opening for Google to woo sellers who feel uneasy about building their businesses on Amazon. [...] Sellers often complain about Amazon's fees, which can account for a quarter of every sale, not including the cost of advertising, and the pressure to spend more to succeed. Merchants on Amazon do not have a direct relationship with their customers, limiting their ability to communicate with them and to generate future business. And because everything is contained within the Amazon world, it is harder to create a unique look and feel that express a brand's identity the way companies can on their own websites. High-profile Venture Capitalist Bill Gurley added said the article misses a key point, that is, "Amazon benefits from 20 years of supply chain investment. Even if you own the leading search engine, you cannot emulate 1-click 1.5 day shipping with high certainty (for consumer)."
Hmmm. (Score:5, Insightful)
Do a search for a graphics card on the google shopping tab. Notice anything strange with your results?
Google is going to have to give way more shits than they currently do to even be considered. I rate google as possibly the least reliable place for shopping for computer parts and that's the only thing I've ever tried to use the shopping search for. I'm sure it's better for other things but ffs, it's been a year of wfh for many folks and google still doesn't have their shit together.
And then there's the bigger issue... Google has no customer support. At all. Ever tried to contact a human at Youtube? Good luck. Google has no chance to compete in an arena which requires customer support. None.
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I rate google as possibly the least reliable place for shopping for computer parts and that's the only thing I've ever tried to use the shopping search for.
Google has a shopping search?
Huh.
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I rate google as possibly the least reliable place for shopping for computer parts and that's the only thing I've ever tried to use the shopping search for.
Google has a shopping search?
Huh.
News to me too, but there it is. Bloody hell! DDG has one too. How long has this been going on?
What CAN they be relied on for? (Score:3, Interesting)
I rate google as possibly the least reliable place...
... for everything Google does. Literally everything.
Google has shat all over any semblance of of their original "do no evil" mantra for so long, that it's impossible to even tell where it used to reside. Not that I see Amazon as any better, but Google is the last organization I'd turn to for anything. I use DuckDuckGo before them for searching, and their results come from Bing (ie Microsoft) of all places. In the Microsoft vs Google dichotomy, I find that I would actually rather pick Microsoft. And af
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In the Microsoft vs Google dichotomy, I find that I would actually rather pick Microsoft.
That is frankly bananas. Microsoft and Google are both hoovering up your data, but Google actually places some restrictions on their use of same. Microsoft does no such thing. They give themselves the rights to all of your data, and to share it with anyone they want, and you can't even turn off their collection if you run their OS.
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GoogleExpress (Score:2)
So basically they want AliExpress but with Google characteristics?
I don't think that's something I want, but if that's what Google wants, I'd be happy to consult on ripping off aliexpress for a few mil/year.
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It's all in the logistics (Score:3)
What google needs is their own version of Prime shipping. Negotiate bulk rates on shipping so transfer those savings to the merchants and customers and keep transit times down. The fast shipping is what makes Amazon the selling powerhouse. eBay does this to a degree so what is Google going to offer that eBay doesn't besides lack of fees?
If Google is serious they need their own version of "Prime" membership for customers that gets them free shipping and eat the costs for the merchants for a few years to get a foothold. When small shops can compete on price but have to add $10-20 in shipping charges for small orders below their "Free ship price limit" people will go to Amazon because Amazon can leverage their drivers, planes and cargo system.
Re:It's all in the logistics (Score:4, Insightful)
How hard could it be? (Score:3)
Just copy them except get rid of the scammers, fake products and astroturf reviews and I'll move on over tomorrow.
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Just copy them except get rid of the scammers, fake products and astroturf reviews and I'll move on over tomorrow.
Yeah, that would be fucking awesome. Also, make it super obvious when you're buying shit from China, unless you're including that with scammers, etc.
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Amazon is not Big in Australia (Score:2)
The major retailers have their sites, plus many independent stores. My wife (who does all the shopping) very rarely goes near Amazon.
Yet in the USA the dominate.
What about other countries? Europe, Canada?
One reason is that Amazon came to Australia late. So the bricks and mortar stores had a chance to get established on line. But maybe go with the most fashionable is a more USA thing? Or that their retailers are even more incompetent then ours?
The USA is more decentralized than Australia, and a lot more
Google can't even (Score:2, Insightful)
How long will it be until people start noticing that Google/Alphabet has become lame and incompetent? They only seem capable of self sabotage at this point. The pitch is literally, "we don't do anything to compete with Amazon" Somehow they think giving other businesses screen time is going to help individuals compete with Amazon? It's to the point where Google doesn't even headline anymore.
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How long will it be until people start noticing that Google/Alphabet has become lame and incompetent? They only seem capable of self sabotage at this point. The pitch is literally, "we don't do anything to compete with Amazon" Somehow they think giving other businesses screen time is going to help individuals compete with Amazon? It's to the point where Google doesn't even headline anymore.
Even if they did come up with some new amazing shopping thing, they'd cancel it in a couple of years.
WTF is this? (Score:3)
Should we side with 'the little guy'?
Google Search Beats Amazon Search on Amazon! (Score:4, Interesting)
I've become totally frustrated with the intentionally broken the Amazon search box.
For example, if I search for "CR1620" batteries for my car key fob, the results will also include "CR2016" batteries, as well a several other sizes for which I have absolutely no interest. Being intent on getting the purchase completed, of course I selected the CR2016 batteries by mistake.
Doing the same search on Google Shopping and filtering for Amazon, I see the specific results I seek without all the unwanted crap!
So now I shop via Google Shopping, but unfiltered, and always visit other sellers, selecting Amazon only when they offer the best overall deal.
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I've become totally frustrated with the intentionally broken the Amazon search box.
For example, if I search for "CR1620" batteries for my car key fob, the results will also include "CR2016" batteries, as well a several other sizes for which I have absolutely no interest. Being intent on getting the purchase completed, of course I selected the CR2016 batteries by mistake.
Doing the same search on Google Shopping and filtering for Amazon, I see the specific results I seek without all the unwanted crap!
So now I shop via Google Shopping, but unfiltered, and always visit other sellers, selecting Amazon only when they offer the best overall deal.
I bought the wrong lightbulbs once that same way. I specified the base size (because they are these little things for my kitchen cabinets) and it showed three or four of those, and then one slightly different. Fuckers.
Focus on Amazon's problems and copy their success (Score:3)
To compete with Amazon you need to copy their:
1) A distributed network of warehouses
2) An effective shipping system
3) Great Customer Support
4) Huge catalog of products.
To beat Amazon you need:
1) To under NO circumstances compete with them. A major complaint from small companies is that Amazon looks at their best sellers and copies their product. Sometimes even if it is patented. You should NOT do this, not even if it is legal. (i.e. no patent).
2) Effect anti-counterfeit programs. The second biggest major complaint from small companies is that even if Amazon does not compete with them, other people copy their best sellers and do it.
3) Better rating system. The third biggest complaint is that their rating system is crap. Basically it is bought and paid for. Want a 5 star average? Just pay a third party to flood your account with good reviews. Or take over their pre-built high reveiwed listing to get their 5 stars, even if the pre-built was selling bacon and you are selling wedding dresses.
This will just make Amazon better. (Score:2)
The vast overwhelming majority of the problems I've ever had on Amazon with defective products, counterfeit products, products that don't match the description, products that don't arrive on Prime's 2-day schedule, products that ship on the 4-6 week slow boat from China, and difficulties getting these issues resolved or refunded, have been when I've been inattentive enough to accidentally order from these very same fly-by-night "independent sellers" versus Amazon themselves. Good riddance, I say. It will
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Yes, now when you try to cancel an overseas order, they make you write a letter to the seller, like they're going to actually read it in English. I didn't accept that so I called up Amazon's 888 number until I got a hold of a sells manager and he can write the letter for me! :) I understand that moving some of the operations of ordering on to the customer will keep prices low, but some how I feel like Amazon is responsible for this part of the process.
I turns out, I was at fault, as they explained it. I
no one wants anti-amazon (Score:1)
They claim a lot. Google is kinda cute that way. (Score:2)
They also claimed to redo gaming. With big fanfare. Barely 18 months ago. Now it's canned. ... Daydreamers.
Stop being silly Google.
LOL!
The Anti-Amazon (Score:2)
Does that mean they're going to start paying a proper amount of tax in the locations they make lots of money?
No? Oh, in that case, just Amazon by another (less good) name - at least Amazon can actually do shopping, and most importantly - can do shipping.
Good luck Google - I fear killedbygoogle's going to be busy in the next couple of years. We're going to have to go through "Google Shopping" -> "Google Store" -> "Google High/Main Street" -> "Google Flibble", and then finally... crickets.
Google activity suppresses products it doesn't lik (Score:2)
I sell merch via various print in demand sites. Google quite noticeably suppresses my designs if they poke fun at Google even in a light hearted way. Should it be allowed to do this? Sure. Will this heavy handed behavior endear them to sellers and buys? Nope.