What is a multi-client account, who needs one and how do you get one?

First things first! You only need a multi-client account if you wish to control more than one store under your Google Base account.

This is not your only option, you can do the following

Setting up a base account for each store -

Each Google Base account is tied to an individual Google Account (email, base, adwords etc) so if you were looking to have two or three separate store names e.g Example1, Example 2, Example 3, etc then you would have to set up a different Google Account to manage each.

*IMPORTANT*

Having different Google Base accounts and listing the same items with different URL’s is a policy violation and can see one, if not all accounts disapproved. If this is your intention for a multi-client account or multiple individual accounts, then stop reading and back away from the computer.

If however, you are wishing to control two or three unique stores such as, Pet Food, Clothing, Furniture, etc then a multi-client in my opinion if the best way to go.

Benefits

All accounts can be managed, under one sign in and password (great for the forgetful few).

From the dashboard you can see a snap shot of all accounts and there status, ACTIVE etc.

Downfalls

In my experience, new features can be delayed in being pushed to multi-client accounts but in the end they do appear, so it isn’t such a big thing when compared to the ease of using one account for all.

HOW?

The much needed instructions :

http://base.google.com/support/bin/request.py?contact_type=account2&ctx=direct

Firstly, using the above URL, request an account. ( You need to have a Google Account before they can do this, so if you dont already have one, create a google account.

Once you have been granted the account, you need to login to Google Base (base.google.com) with the login that you requested the multi-client account be created under.

This will open your dashboard and you will see a link that says “create another account to manage”
Simply register your account(s) like you would in a single user account.

Once you have added the appropriate details you will then be taken back to the “My Client Center”. Click the registered display name and register your new data feed.

Once you have completed this, upload your feed and allow to process. You can then add more stores in the same way. Checking under each display name will allow you to check the status of each feed.

If however, you wished for management of your feed to be controlled by an external source, why not take a look at TomTheDevelopers Google Base Feed Management Service.