GuyFromChicago
Nov 8th 2005, 8:40 am
A couple things I think would really helpful for people using the MSN AdCenter:
1) A better import process. I followed the instructions provided to the letter and they didn't work. I ended up downloading one of the sample templates and just copying and pasting my info to get it to work. At least let us cut and past keywords. if you don't import you have to type them in one at a time...
2) More frequently updated stats on the "main page" you see when you log in. The first set of stats you see appears to be the ones updated the least. You really have to dig into the account to see what's happening real time.
3) Billing options - customers spending more than $x,xxx should be presented with an option (with approved credit of course) to be billed.
4) Account information (keywords, performance, etc) export features.
5) Better support. I know everything is new and support reps are just being trained but being put on hold for 5 minutes to wait for answer - that turns out to be wrong - will scare people away faster than it will bring them in. I've received better support in various webmaster forums than I have from calling MSN Adcenter support.
6) Clarification on, or, more accurate reports. I set up about 500 keywords yesterday. They all still show a status of "pending", meaning they haven't been approved or denied, but according to the report I'm looking at they generated 300 something impressions since I imported them yesterday.
7) An improved FAQ. Here's an example from the currect FAQ:
Question:
If I already advertise on other search advertising programs, is there a manner in which I can migrate my keyword lists and advertisements to MSN Keywords?
Answer:
MSN Keywords allows you to import your ads and keyword lists from Google AdWords and Yahoo! Search Solutions Export/import instructions are available to assist you in migrating your ads to MSN Keywords. If you would like assistance, you can also register to participate in the adCenter QuickLaunch service and a QuickLaunch Marketing Analyst will assist you with the migration.
How about a link in that answer to the location where the import info is? That's pretty common, the FAQ says yes or no but doesn't provide any links to the info you need to act on the answer you've received.
Overall the FAQ is just hard to navigate and get answers from. It took me forever to find the import instructions - that's because the link/page they are on is called "Friends of Google & Yahoo".
1) A better import process. I followed the instructions provided to the letter and they didn't work. I ended up downloading one of the sample templates and just copying and pasting my info to get it to work. At least let us cut and past keywords. if you don't import you have to type them in one at a time...
2) More frequently updated stats on the "main page" you see when you log in. The first set of stats you see appears to be the ones updated the least. You really have to dig into the account to see what's happening real time.
3) Billing options - customers spending more than $x,xxx should be presented with an option (with approved credit of course) to be billed.
4) Account information (keywords, performance, etc) export features.
5) Better support. I know everything is new and support reps are just being trained but being put on hold for 5 minutes to wait for answer - that turns out to be wrong - will scare people away faster than it will bring them in. I've received better support in various webmaster forums than I have from calling MSN Adcenter support.
6) Clarification on, or, more accurate reports. I set up about 500 keywords yesterday. They all still show a status of "pending", meaning they haven't been approved or denied, but according to the report I'm looking at they generated 300 something impressions since I imported them yesterday.
7) An improved FAQ. Here's an example from the currect FAQ:
Question:
If I already advertise on other search advertising programs, is there a manner in which I can migrate my keyword lists and advertisements to MSN Keywords?
Answer:
MSN Keywords allows you to import your ads and keyword lists from Google AdWords and Yahoo! Search Solutions Export/import instructions are available to assist you in migrating your ads to MSN Keywords. If you would like assistance, you can also register to participate in the adCenter QuickLaunch service and a QuickLaunch Marketing Analyst will assist you with the migration.
How about a link in that answer to the location where the import info is? That's pretty common, the FAQ says yes or no but doesn't provide any links to the info you need to act on the answer you've received.
Overall the FAQ is just hard to navigate and get answers from. It took me forever to find the import instructions - that's because the link/page they are on is called "Friends of Google & Yahoo".