Linking Google Merchant Center to Woocommerce
Use this checklist when connecting a Kenyan WooCommerce website to Google Merchant Center and Google Ads.
1. Check the WooCommerce Store
- Confirm the store currency is KES (Kenyan Shilling).
- Install and activate Google for WooCommerce.
- Do not create the Google Ads account through WooCommerce.
The Google Ads account should be created separately first.
2. Create Google Merchant Center
Create or configure your Google Merchant Center account separately.
- Add your business information.
- Add and verify your website.
- Configure the appropriate country/market.
- Confirm your product information and settings.
- KES can be used for Kenyan product listings in Merchant Center.
3. Create the Google Ads Account Separately
Create the Google Ads account directly through Google Ads rather than allowing Google for WooCommerce to create it automatically.
During setup, you will be asked for information such as:
Business Information
Enter your:
- Business name
- Website URL
- Business phone number
- Business description
- Products or services being advertised
Some of the additional setup steps can be skipped and completed later, including:
- Google Analytics
- Connecting other Google products
- Advertising goal
- Campaign type
You can leave campaign creation and return to the account later.
Confirm Your Account Settings
This is the most important step.
Google states that these settings cannot be changed after the account is created, so make sure they are correct before proceeding.
Set them as follows:
| Setting | Select |
|---|---|
| Billing country | Kenya |
| Time zone | (GMT+03:00) Kenya Time |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD $) |
Important
Your WooCommerce store can remain in KES.
The fact that your business is in Kenya does not mean that the Google Ads account must use KES.
For this setup:
WooCommerce → KES
Google Merchant Center → KES
Google Ads → USD
After confirming these settings, continue with the billing and Payments Profile setup.
4. Complete Google Ads Billing
- Create the Payments Profile.
- Select the appropriate profile type for the business.
- Complete the billing information.
- Add the required payment method.
- Confirm that Google Ads billing is successfully set up.
Do this before connecting the Ads account to WooCommerce.
If You Encounter OR_PSDL_01
If the Google Ads account was created with Kenya + KES, you may encounter:
Something went wrong
The selected currency and country of Kenya/KES are incompatible.
[OR_PSDL_01]
Google Ads currency cannot simply be changed after the account has been created.
If the existing account cannot be configured for the required billing arrangement, you may need to create a new Google Ads account with the appropriate settings.
5. Connect the Existing Accounts to WooCommerce
Once both Google Merchant Center and Google Ads are ready:
- Go to WordPress → Marketing → Google for WooCommerce.
- Connect your Google account.
- Select the existing Merchant Center account.
- Select the existing Google Ads account.
- Complete the remaining Google for WooCommerce setup.
Recommended Setup Order
WooCommerce
Store currency: KES
↓
Google Merchant Center
Set up separately
↓
Google Ads
Kenya + Kenya Time + USD
Complete billing
↓
Google for WooCommerce
↓
Connect existing Merchant Center + Google Ads accounts
Remember
Do not let the WooCommerce store’s KES currency determine the currency of your Google Ads account.
For a Kenyan WooCommerce setup, create the Google Ads account separately and verify the billing configuration before connecting it to Google for WooCommerce.
This avoids the KES billing compatibility problem and saves you from having to create the Ads account again.
