QuickHelp Center - Frequently Asked Questions

About Datasphere

Why should I advertise with DataSphere?

DataSphere local advertising is designed to bring local businesses more customers. Our service is loaded with innovative and powerful features aimed to generate more traffic to your brand and turn more local residents to paying customers.

By advertising with DataSphere, your business will:

  • Reach local residents and gain brand awareness with highly targeted ads for your neighborhood.
  • Enhance your brand image by associating your business with leading local news station in your community.
  • Attract more customers with direct marketing tactics such as money saving coupons, SEO and mobile optimized business profile page and professional video created by experienced videographers, proven to increase the number of visitors to your site that contact your business.
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How do I find my ad?

At the time your advertising space was reserved, DataSphere sent you an email regarding your ad placement. This email provides you with the station call letters, placement, community, rotation and DataSphere Customer Success Team contact information. If you cannot locate this email or believe that you did not receive it, please contact us through our online form or call our Customer Success Team at 1-866-912-7090.

For Home Page & Article Page Advertisements

  1. Go to the website where you choose to advertise. For example: www.komonews.com
  2. Once you are on the home page of the website you’ve reserved advertising space on, look on the right hand side of the page or in the center and find the “Community News” or “Events” box.
  3. If this is the first time you visit this website, you should see “Choose your community” button. If you’ve been on the site before and have set your community, you will see “Change your community” button.
  4. Click on the button and select the community you have purchased to run your ads on.
  5. Scroll down to find the space your ad is rotating through.

You may need to refresh the page in order to see your ad. Please keep in mind that your ad is rotating for you and every other person clicking on the site at the same time you are so it may appear to be uneven, but it is not.

Other related FAQs about banner advertising:

For Fitness Magazine Customers

  1. Go to Fitness Magazine homepage: www.fitnessmagazine.com
  2. Look on the right hand rail, above the fold. The ad size is 300 X 250 (the size of a sticky note).

Your ad will appear depending on the number of rotations you purchased out of the total rotations for your market. You may need to refresh the page in order to see your ad. Please keep in mind that your ad is rotating for you and every other person clicking on the site at the same time you are so it may appear to be uneven, but it is not.

Don’t see your ad?
  1. It is possible that your computer IP address is not located in the DMA that you purchased. In order to view your ad, please type the following into your address bar: www.fitnessmagazine.com/#zip=yourzip and replace “yourzip” with the zip code of your business address.
  2. Hit ENTER on your keyboard and refresh the page.

Again, if your ad is rotating with other businesses, you may need to refresh the page until your ad appears as other people are viewing the page simultaneously as you. However, you should now be able to see your ad!

Other related FAQs about banner advertising:

For azcentral.com Customers

Your ad will appear in multiple locations.

If you would like to see your ad on the Community Home Page, please follow these steps:

  • Go to the homepage www.azcentral.com
  • In the upper left hand corner of the home page, hover over the news tab and choose your selected community
  • Once on this page, your ad is located on the right hand side, below Featured Videos

If you would like to see your ad on the neighborhood pages, please follow these steps:

  • Go to the homepage of www.azcentral.com
  • In the upper left hand corner of the home page, click on the "News" tab
  • Below the top toolbar, and above the Top News, you will see a list of communities
  • Click on the community in which you are advertising
  • On the next page, directly to the right of your selected community, you will find the list of corresponding neighborhoods within that community
  • Click on the neighborhood in which you are advertising
  • Your ad will be located at the top right of this neighborhood home page. You will also appear in the same location on all of the articles that you click on off of the neighborhood home page.
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How can I get help from a live representative?

We have a dedicated team of Customer Success Representatives available to assist you with any questions/feedback you have. Please fill out our online form or call 1-866-912-7090, and we will get you in touch with the most appropriate team member to help you.

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What is the length of my agreement?

All of our advertising is sold on a subscription basis. Our agreement terms are 6 and 12 months, and go month-to-month at the end of the initial term. Please reference your advertising agreement for length of your initial term. If you are unable to locate your agreement, please contact Customer Success Team through our online form or call us at 1-866-912-7090, and we will be happy to email you a copy.

For more information regarding DataSphere advertising agreement terms, please visit our terms page: http://support.datasphere.com/terms

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How do I change my billing address or payment method?

To change your billing address, payment method, or for any other billing related questions, please contact us through our online form or call our Customer Success Team at 1-866-912-7090. For your protection, please do not send your credit card, bank account, or other personal data through email.

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Refer-a-Friend

What is Refer-a-Friend program?

Refer-a-Friend is a rewards program exclusively for our customers who are our biggest fans. Whenever you refer another business to DataSphere and they sign up within 60 days because of your referral, we will send you a $50 check for first 5 friends that signed up. Oh, and because the business owners you refer are your friends, each friend will get a $50 check as well. Now that's a pretty sweet friendship.

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How can I refer a new business?

After you become a DataSphere customer, login to your DataSphere account and click the “Refer a Business” button underneath the left hand navigation. This will take you to our Refer-a-Friend page where you will enter your friends contact information. One of our sales associates will contact your friends to tell them more about DataSphere services and sign them up. When your friends sign up for any DataSphere advertising services, you will be eligible to receive a $50 check for each friend who signed up, up to five friends total – for a combined reward of $250.

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When will I receive a check for $50?

Be on the lookout for a check in your mailbox within 4-6 weeks after each friend signs up. Keep in mind, to receive $50 referral bonus, you must be a current customer and your account must be in good standing. All checks will be sent to the billing address we have on file for your account.

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How many businesses can I refer?

While there is no limit to how many friends you can refer, the $50 cash reward will only apply to your first 5 businesses who sign up, for a total maximum cash reward of $250. Keep in mind, every friend you refer that signs up will still be eligible to receive $50, even if more than 5 friends sign up. 

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I referred a friend, but I have not received my award. Now what?

To ensure that you receive your $50 reward, be sure to use the email address on file for your DataSphere account when referring friends.  If your friend contacts us before we get a chance to contact them, your friend must sign up with the same information you have provided when referring them or they must let the sales representative know you referred them when signing up. If multiple customers refer the same person, the cash reward will go to the customer whose name friend used when signing up with DataSphere. Keep in mind that existing advertisers are not considered valid referrals.

If you need further assistance with checking the status of your referrals, please contact Customer Success Team through our online form or call us at 1-866-912-7090 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. PST, Monday - Friday).

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What if multiple customers refer the same business?

If multiple customers refer the same person, the cash reward will go to the customer whose name friend used when signing up with DataSphere.

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How can I ensure my friend's privacy will not be infringed upon?

DataSphere undertakes to protect the information of all customers and referrals, and will never share either your or your friend’s account information with any other third party.

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Business Profile

How do I edit my Web Profile page?

Enhance your Web Profile with description about your company, list of services you offer, and high-quality photos that compliment your offering. The more complete your profile, the more likely prospective customers that need your service will contact your business.

Insight:  60% of consumers give more consideration to local search results that have images*.

Tip: Don’t stick to one image; provide customers with alternative views of your product and services.

Here's how to edit your Web Profile page:

  1. Login to your customer portal by going to http://my.datasphere.com/
    (If you forgot your password, please click on “Forgot Password?” and follow instructions to reset your login.)
  2. Once you are logged in, click on the “Enhance Your Profile” link located on the left hand navigation menu
  3. Begin editing information on this page. Change any copy, replace or add more images, update your business location and business hours, method of payment, customer testimonials, etc.
  4. When you are done, scroll down to the very bottom and click Save” button to publish those changes

 

* BrightLocal online survey 2011

 

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What are size/type pictures can I upload to my Web Profile page?

Your logo images should be square, and a minimum of 200 x 200 pixels and less than 64 MB in size. Allowed photo file formats are GIF, JPG, JPEG, and PNG.

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How do I upload pictures?
  1. Log into your account (See "How do I log in and edit my Business Profile?" above)
  2. Scroll down to locate the “images” section
  3. Click the “Select Media” button and find your image file on your computer.
  4. Once your image is selected, click “Submit”.
  5. If you’d like to have more images click the “another item” button and repeat
  6. *Important Note* - Be sure to click “Save” located at the bottom of the page when you are finished, or your updates will not be stored.

 

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What is a Web Profile?

Web profile is a one page landing page full of rich information about your company that we create for you and you can update at any time! This is where potential customers will land on when they click on your ad. It includes your logo, description about your company, list of services you offer, a video, photos, coupons, contact information, and links to your website, Facebook and Twitter page. You have full control of this page and can update it at any time.

Related links:

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What are the benefits of my Web Profile page?

Your Web Profile page is optimized for search engine like Google and Bing, and for smartphone devices like iPhone and Android. Being higher up the search listings will naturally results in more traffic to your page since 75% of web users never scroll past the first page of search results*. It will also improve your brand credibility. Since everyone knows and trusts Google to provide them with relevant results, by showing up on the first page you are gaining trust in the eyes of your customers.

If your business doesn’t already have a website – this is PERFECT for you! The Web Profile page will give you a web presence.

* Marketshare.hitslink.com, October 2010
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Why do I need a mobile-friendly page?

Our phones are always with us and we are always connected. Mobile-friendly profile page offer the ability to reach highly engaged users who are actively searching for your products and services. If your website doesn't look good on a smartphone, users will move on to one that does. A mobile website ensures that you - not your competitors - capture visitor attention while you have it.

4 Surprising Mobile Statistics for Local Business Owners:

  • 95% of smartphone users have looked for local information and 77% have contacted a business.1
  • 61% of customers who visit a mobile unfriendly site are likely to go to a competitor’s site.2
  • Mobile coupons get 10 times the redemption rate of traditional coupons.3

Key features for mobile-friendly page:

  • Fast download times
  • Simple user interface
  • Coupon offers
  • Click to call simplicity
  • GPS Mapping
  • 1Google Mobile Movement Study by Google and Ipsos OTX MediaCT, Apr 2011
  • 2Karim Temsamani at IABALM 2012 via IAB
  • 3Mobile Marketer, 2012

 

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What are "cookies"? How does DataSphere use them to target my banner advertising?

Cookies are small information files stored on a user's computer by a website they visited and enable them to collect data about user’s preferences. Cookies are essential for personalizing and customizing content to bring consumers the news, local weather, or other content they want, and to help them find what they are looking for more efficiently. We apply this principle to advertising, believing that relevant ads will be more useful to consumers and deliver better results for your business. Nearly all websites use cookies.

Everybody wins:

  • Consumers get more relevant content and experience
  • Advertisers efficiently reach the right audience with the right message at the right time

To see how cookies work, please follow these steps:

  1. Go to www.kold.com
  2. Scroll down approximately quarter of the page and click on the “Change" button”

     

  3. Click on “South Tucson” to set South Tucson as your neighborhood
  4. You will now see banner ads for local businesses in the South Tucson area throughout the KOLD website

 

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What is IP Targeting? How DataSphere use it to target consumers in your area?

IP Targeting uses a website visitor’s IP Address to determine the location of their computer. If a visitor did not select their community or has deleted their cookies, we use IP Targeting to help approximate the visitor’s location and serve the relevant banner ad.

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What is banner rotation?

Banner rotation means your banner will be rotated and displayed on the page in a predefined or random order with other advertisers. Please refer to your agreement for the number of rotations you have purchased.

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Where can I find the number of rotations I purchased?

Please refer to your agreement for the number of rotations you have purchased. If you are unable to local the agreement, please contact Customer Success Team through our online form or call us at 1-866-912-7090, and we will be happy to email you a copy.

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Coupons

1 Minute Video: How to add coupons?

Instantly add your coupons to over 15 fast-growing coupon sites, aggregators and mobile apps, with a combined reach of 36 million consumers every month! Add 3 or more coupons to appeal to a broad range of consumer needs and increase your sales.

Learn more about coupons:

● 4 ways coupons can instantly increase your sales

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1 Minute Video: 4 ways coupons can instantly increase your sales

Online coupons are proven to drive new business and increase revenue. Research shows online coupon campaigns are more effective than print, with an average redemption rate up to 20% compared to 1.2%*. Watch a video to discover 4 ways coupons can instantly increase your sales and add your first 3 coupons today.

Learn more about coupons:

● How to add coupons

  • *2009 Marketing Sherpa Benchmarking Guide, Marketing Sherpa, 2008
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What makes a good coupon?

Top 8 Tips

  1. New Customers need higher % discount. Example: 15% vs. 10%
  2. Combine or bundles services to increase your average order size by minimum 10%
  3. Offer savings for any product and services vs. one specific product or service, and appeal to a broader range of customers.
  4. Create offers using urgency vs. expiration dates. Example: Clean & dry carpet in 24 hours. Call to book your appointment now.
  5. Make it easy to redeem the coupon.
  6. Tie coupons to holidays and other seasonal occasions.
  7. Use memorable promo codes for viral effect. Example: SAVE15 vs. GGYTX1594
  8. Lead generation – Create special coupons that current customers can send to friends

View personalized coupon recommendations for your business and add 3 coupons today.

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Where will my coupon be available to potential customers?

DataSphere has partnered with leading online coupon resources to provide multi-outlet coverage for your coupons and special offers. Your coupon will be syndicated on the nation’s leading coupon websites at no additional cost. This free benefit is not available to individual advertisers and is only possible through your DataSphere advertising placement.  Customers will see your coupons on the following sites and mobile apps:

  • Coupons.com
  • Yowza!!
  • Couponsgalaxy.com
  • GeoQpons
  • AOL
  • The Coupon Project
  • Coupon Map
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • CouponBug.com
  • Bing
  • 8coupons
  • Ask.com
  • Milan Marketplace
  • CouponSuzy.com
  • The Coupons App
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What are DataSphere Coupon Codes?

DataSphere Coupon Codes help you track the business you’re generating from your coupon program.  Each coupon has an ID that starts with the word DataSphere, followed by a hyphen and a string of numbers and letters like this:  DataSphere-12345ABC (more examples below).  The combination of letters and numbers is unique for every printout and mobile coupon.  Mobile coupons also have a clearly displayed number where you can easily contact us with any questions or issues.

 

 

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What do I do with DataSphere Coupon Codes?

With DataSphere Coupon Codes you can now see the success of your coupons.  Here are some tips for using them:

  • Print and share these instructions with your staff who process payment so you can record all activity
  • Use a folder to track paper coupons and a blank sheet to track mobile codes so you can count the customers you’ve brought in
  • Track the amount each coupon customer spends so you know how much revenue the coupon program generates

Mobile coupons will all have a clearly displayed number where you can easily contact us with any questions or issues.

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What if I don’t use the DataSphere Coupon Codes?

These codes are completely optional for you – you can participate fully in the program without using them.

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What makes a good coupon?

Top 6 Tips for Creating Coupons that Increase Sales

  1. New Customers need higher % discount. Example: 15% vs. 10%
  2. Combine or bundle services to increase your average order size by minimum 10%
  3. Offer savings for any product and services vs. one specific product or service, and appeal to a broader range of customers
  4. Create offers using urgency vs. expiration dates
  5. Make it easy to redeem the coupon
  6. Lead generation – Create special coupons that current customers can send to friends
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On-Site Video

1 Minute Video: How to add a video to your company website?

Video is an effective way to capture an audience’s attention and sell your product and services. Once your video has been made, it’s automatically added to your Web Profile page and YouTube, but it can also help maximize your company website performance. Watch this video to learn how easy it is to add your DataSphere produced video to your company website.

Learn more about videos:

● 3 Ways local business use videos to boost sales

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Video Montage

Where do I send my pictures?

You can send all the pictures for your video directly to your Ad Creation Manager. The contact information for your Ad Creation Manager can be found at the bottom of the left navigation menu, in “My Support” section.

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How do I make changes to my video?

The Ad Creation Manager assigned to your account will coordinate your video production needs with videographers and scriptwriters seamlessly and efficiently. He or she will email you a proposed script before we begin production, and you will have 5 days to approve the script or request any changes. This is also the time to provide any photos you would like to include in your video.

Please note: If we do not hear back from you with 5 days, we will produce your video using the proposed script and images that fit your industry from our professional high-quality stock photo library.

Changes to the script after we have begun production, may result in additional fees. If you would like any revisions after your video has been produced, you may request them through your Ad Creation Manager.

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What if I don't have any pictures?

If you do not have your own pictures you would like to use, we can provide high-quality photos for you that fit your industry from our professional photo library. Just talk to your Ad Creation Manager, and let him or her know what type of images you would like to have used.

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1 Minute Video: 3 ways local business use videos to boost sales

Yellow Pages & Internet Retailer reports that website visitors who view videos are 85% more likely to buy than visitors who do not1. Watch this video to discover 3 ways videos are helping local businesses drive sales and increase customer engagement.

Learn more about videos:

● How to add DataSphere produced video to your website

  • 1 Internet Retailer, April 2010
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How many pictures will you need for my video?

In general, it takes 10-12 photos for a 60-second video. If you do not have that many, we can easily supplement what you have with high-quality photos that fit your industry from our professional photo library.

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What size do the photos need to be?

While the actual dimension of the images in inches is not important, the pixel count is important to produce the best quality video for your business. Images should be at least 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels high, and preferably have a resolution of at least 72 ppi.

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Can I use images found on the internet?

No, we cannot use any picture that you do not hold a copyright or license to use, or have explicit permission from the creator of the images. This would include photos you found by doing an internet search. The best photos to use are ones that you took personally, or photos you had taken for you and you have permission to use in this video. If you purchased stock images from an online source, we may or may not be able to use those depending on the license you purchased. Generally it licenses require that you purchase the photos for specific use in this video. Your Ad Creation Manager can also help guide you through what we are legally allowed to use.

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