Near & Native
Validating demand for a nascent e-commerce brand using Google Shopping while establishing a baselines for future growth.
THE CHALLENGE
Validating Product Discovery in a Regional Market
Near & Native is a Maine-based retail brand known for curated, design-forward candles and gifts. As the brand explored new growth channels, the team wanted to understand whether Google Shopping could drive meaningful product discovery within a regional market.
Without prior Google Ads data, the goal was to establish a clear baseline while testing demand thoughtfully without over-investing or shifting brand positioning.
As a higher-consideration brand in a competitive space, the challenge was not just visibility, but understanding how shoppers would engage with product listings and whether Google Shopping could generate qualified interest.
THE SOLUTION
A Controlled Google Shopping Pilot Focused on Learning
We partnered with Near & Native to execute a focused, three-month Google Shopping pilot designed specifically to generate insight and establish a performance baseline.
The campaign was structured to surface product imagery, pricing, and brand presence directly within search results, while isolating demand through geo-targeting in Maine. Budget controls were maintained to ensure efficient spend, and both purchase and engagement actions were tracked to better understand shopper behavior.
This approach allowed Near & Native to test Google Shopping in a controlled environment and gain meaningful insights without overcommitting resources.
THE APPROACH
How the Strategy Came to Life
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1
Launch a Targeted Shopping Pilot
Activated Google Shopping campaigns designed to prioritize visibility and product discovery.
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2
Isolate Regional Demand
Focused geo-targeting within Maine to ensure data reflected local shopper behavior.
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3
Prioritize Efficient Testing
Maintained controlled budgets to gather clean, actionable data without overspending.
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4
Track Engagement and Purchases
Measured both interaction and conversion signals to understand how users engaged with the brand and products.
Strong, Measurable Results
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THE STORY
From Assumptions to Actionable Insight
Near & Native approached Google Shopping with a clear question: could it drive meaningful product discovery within Maine?
With no historical Google Ads data to guide strategy, we positioned the initiative as a focused pilot centered on learning. Rather than optimizing strictly for purchases from the start, the campaign prioritized visibility and engagement to better understand how shoppers responded to the brand, product catalog, and Shopping environment overall.
Over three months, the campaign generated more than 1 million impressions and nearly 13,000 clicks, confirming there was meaningful demand within the category. Engagement data provided deeper insight into shopper behavior, highlighting which products captured attention, how users interacted with the site, and which items resonated most throughout the discovery process.
The campaign also generated direct purchases, reinforcing that visibility and engagement were translating into action.
More importantly, the pilot gave Near & Native something more valuable than initial performance metrics. Instead of relying on assumptions, the team now has validated demand, meaningful shopper engagement data, and a clearer understanding of how their products perform within a Shopping environment. The result is a stronger foundation for future investment, optimization, and growth.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Moving from assumptions to real data helped Near + Native validate real demand and lay the groundwork for scalable growth.
Want to test into a new opportunity for your brand?