How to Add a Listing as a Sponsor

Introduction

Welcome to our detailed guide on adding a listing as a sponsor on the eDirectory platform. eDirectory provides a robust and versatile framework for building online directories, empowering your users to become sponsors and contribute their own listings. This feature offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing sponsors to add and manage their listings according to their specific needs and timelines. This step-by-step tutorial will walk you through the entire process a sponsor will undertake to create a new listing, from initial setup to final activation.

Whether you are a site administrator seeking to understand the user experience or a new sponsor ready to showcase your offerings, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to seamlessly navigate the listing creation process and maximize your visibility on the eDirectory platform. Let's begin and discover how easy it is to add a sponsored listing!

1. Initiate the Listing Process:

• From the site's homepage, your customers will need to click on the prominent call-to-action button, typically labeled "List with us".

2. Select a Listing Level:

• On the subsequent page, sponsors will be presented with various listing levels, each potentially offering different features and visibility options. They should choose the listing level that best suits their needs and budget.

3. Initial Steps:

• If you are already logged in to your sponsor area, you will be directed straight to the Check Out section. If not, you will be directed to the Identification section, where you can log in or register.
• Subsequently, sponsors will complete the initial listing details:
  • Payment Method: They should select their preferred method of payment from the available options.
  • Then, click "Confirm payment" to proceed to the next stage.

5. Order Confirmation:

• Upon reaching the order confirmation page, sponsors have the option to click on "Add listing" to immediately begin uploading their listing details, or alternatively, they can choose to navigate to the dashboard or return to the home page if they prefer to proceed at a later time.

6. Completing the Listing Form:

• This is where sponsors will provide all the detailed information for their listing. Here's a breakdown of the common fields they will encounter:

• Basic Information:
  • Listing Title: As entered previously.
  • Categories: The selected categories will be displayed here. Sponsors can review and add more if needed by clicking "Browse".

• Summary Description: Sponsors should type a concise summary of their listing (maximum 250 characters). This brief description appears in listing previews and on the main listing detail page.
• Description: This field allows for a more detailed and comprehensive description of the listing. There is typically no character limit here, and this full description is displayed on the listing's dedicated detail page.

• Keywords for the search: Sponsors should enter relevant keywords that users might search for to find their listing. These keywords enhance searchability within your eDirectory platform.

• Email: Enter the contact email address for the listing. While the email itself won't be directly displayed, a "Send a message" button will appear on the listing detail page. Clicking this opens a pop-up form for users to contact the sponsor without revealing their email address publicly.

• URL: Sponsors can enter their website link.

• Phone number and additional phone: Enter the primary and any secondary phone numbers for the listing. These numbers are typically displayed prominently in the listing header.

• Photo Gallery: Sponsors can upload multiple images to showcase their listing. They should click "Choose file" to select images from their computer. The first uploaded image often serves as the main thumbnail in search results, while all uploaded images are displayed on the listing detail page.

• Cover image: Sponsors can upload a large banner image to appear at the top of their listing detail page. Click "Choose file" to upload or "Unsplash" to browse and select from the integrated Unsplash library.

• Logo image: Sponsors can upload a logo to represent their business or listing. Click "Choose file" to upload. This logo is typically displayed on the listing detail page.

• Address: Enter the physical address of the listing.
• Address 2: Use this field for additional address details like apartment number, suite, building name, or floor.
• Zip code: Enter the postal or zip code.
• Country: Select the appropriate country from the dropdown menu.
• State: Select the relevant state or province from the dropdown menu.
• City: Select the correct city from the dropdown menu.
• Reference: Sponsors can provide a landmark or point of reference to help users locate the listing.

• Video URL: Sponsors can embed a YouTube video by pasting its link here.
• Video description: Enter a brief description for the embedded video.

• Attach additional file: Sponsors can upload downloadable files such as PDF menus, Word documents, or image brochures by clicking "Choose file". They can also add a description for the file (e.g., "Restaurant Menu").

• Social networks: Enter the links to the listing's social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn are typically supported).

• Features: Sponsors can highlight specific features of their listing by selecting an icon and adding a descriptive label (e.g., Icon: Wi-Fi, Name: Free Wi-Fi). Click the "Add" button to include each feature.

• Hours: Configure the listing's operating hours by clicking "Add hours" or edit existing hours by clicking the pen icon.

Check an example of the abovementioned fields:

• SEO Title: This field is usually auto-populated with the listing title but can be customized for better search engine visibility. This is the title that appears in Google search results.
• Slug URL: This field automatically generates a URL-friendly version of the listing title. It can also be customized if desired. This is the direct link to the listing.
• SEO keywords: Enter relevant keywords for search engine optimization. These keywords help Google and other search engines find the listing. Sponsors can reuse the keywords entered in the "Keywords for the search" field.
• Description: Provide a description for search engines. This snippet often appears in Google search results. Sponsors can reuse the description from the "Description" field if appropriate.

7. Save and Checkout:

• Once the listing form is complete, click the "Save" button.

9. Process Payment and Activation:

• Upon successful payment, the listing status should automatically change to "Active".

Once the listing is active, it will be live on your eDirectory site and visible to users.

Conclusion

Congratulations! By following these straightforward steps, you have successfully added your listing as a sponsor on the eDirectory platform. This process empowers you to take control of your online presence and directly contribute valuable content to the directory. Remember to provide comprehensive and accurate information in your listing to attract the right audience. Regularly review and update your listing to ensure its continued effectiveness. Should you encounter any challenges or have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the site administrators for assistance. We are here to help you make the most of your sponsored listing and connect with your target audience effectively