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ReveNews - Sam Harrelson
The design reflects a more modern look that the now antiquated interface login. While not going so far as glossy web2.0 graphics, the look is more aesthetically pleasing and easier on the eyes.
There is a much improved and comprehensive help section that should be a positive for newer affiliates. There's a new search feature and rating feature on the Help page as well.
On the main page of the dashboard, there is a publisher ticker which acts like a cable news ticker giving new updates or messages to publishers. While not ground-breaking, it's a nice litte feature if you spend a good deal of time on the site.
The main page of the Publisher Dashboard is broken into three main columns. The main center column is a quick snapshot of stats and payment information. The stats are broken down into impressions, clicks, EPC, order, sales, etc. Below that are payment charts and a list of your top advertisers. Of all the features, this one is my new favorite since it will be a much better user experience to be able to quickly get an overview of how a specific account is doing for the month.
To the right of the main column is a "To Do List" box and messages box for internal mail. Having them on the main page instead of in a drop down menu on the header will definitely be a time saver for publishers.
The programs page within the Publisher Dashboard is also a great improvement over the existing publisher interface. Along with a cleaner look-and-feel, there's also ability to now search by category, promotional type, status, link type, network or banner size. In the past, Linkshare wasn't known as the easiest interface to navigate when searching for new programs based on categories or link type, so this should be a popular new feature.
The links page also has a number of upgrades and tweaks. Included in the navigation menu on the links page are Web Services and Data Feeds tabs. Separating out the data feeds and web services functions is a nice touch. Also in the links interface is a new option to grab code for more than one creative at a time.
The reports tab also cleans up the stats process by the use of a simpler design and ability to drill down in a much more efficient manner.
The one thing that is lacking (and I hope is included before April 25) is the ability to grab an RSS feed on the reports page, or from any of the pages in general. While not every affiliate relies on RSS or even knows what RSS means, there is a growing subset of geeky and tech savvy geeks whose web life is run from a feed reader. For instance, the ability to grab a secure feed of new advertisers, new updates to existing advertisers' creatives, payment info or new messages would be a killer function for the Publisher Dashboard. ShareASale and Commission Junction have begun to use RSS for publisher information and are beginning to slowly realize that relying on email for publisher contact is no longer the only (or I would argue best) way to stay in touch with publishers or alert them of new information. I know there are a few fellow RSS geeks at Linkshare, so I hope they're reading.
RSS aside, the new Publisher Dashboard is a terrific upgrade from the existing interface.
Publishers can use either the old interface (but why would you want to?) or the new Publisher Dashboard until April 25 while the inevitable bugs are worked out of the new system and to give publishers a period of transition.
More information and the demo is available here.
Linkshare Rolling Out New Publisher Dashboard
February 21, 2008 by Sam Harrelson
Linkshare is taking a big step forward by releasing their new Publisher Dashboard interface. According to the Linkshare team, they've been listening to publisher feedback and wishlists for the interface and added in many of the features that the affiliate community has requested.The design reflects a more modern look that the now antiquated interface login. While not going so far as glossy web2.0 graphics, the look is more aesthetically pleasing and easier on the eyes.There is a much improved and comprehensive help section that should be a positive for newer affiliates. There's a new search feature and rating feature on the Help page as well.
On the main page of the dashboard, there is a publisher ticker which acts like a cable news ticker giving new updates or messages to publishers. While not ground-breaking, it's a nice litte feature if you spend a good deal of time on the site.
The main page of the Publisher Dashboard is broken into three main columns. The main center column is a quick snapshot of stats and payment information. The stats are broken down into impressions, clicks, EPC, order, sales, etc. Below that are payment charts and a list of your top advertisers. Of all the features, this one is my new favorite since it will be a much better user experience to be able to quickly get an overview of how a specific account is doing for the month.
To the right of the main column is a "To Do List" box and messages box for internal mail. Having them on the main page instead of in a drop down menu on the header will definitely be a time saver for publishers.
The programs page within the Publisher Dashboard is also a great improvement over the existing publisher interface. Along with a cleaner look-and-feel, there's also ability to now search by category, promotional type, status, link type, network or banner size. In the past, Linkshare wasn't known as the easiest interface to navigate when searching for new programs based on categories or link type, so this should be a popular new feature.
The links page also has a number of upgrades and tweaks. Included in the navigation menu on the links page are Web Services and Data Feeds tabs. Separating out the data feeds and web services functions is a nice touch. Also in the links interface is a new option to grab code for more than one creative at a time.
The reports tab also cleans up the stats process by the use of a simpler design and ability to drill down in a much more efficient manner.
The one thing that is lacking (and I hope is included before April 25) is the ability to grab an RSS feed on the reports page, or from any of the pages in general. While not every affiliate relies on RSS or even knows what RSS means, there is a growing subset of geeky and tech savvy geeks whose web life is run from a feed reader. For instance, the ability to grab a secure feed of new advertisers, new updates to existing advertisers' creatives, payment info or new messages would be a killer function for the Publisher Dashboard. ShareASale and Commission Junction have begun to use RSS for publisher information and are beginning to slowly realize that relying on email for publisher contact is no longer the only (or I would argue best) way to stay in touch with publishers or alert them of new information. I know there are a few fellow RSS geeks at Linkshare, so I hope they're reading.
RSS aside, the new Publisher Dashboard is a terrific upgrade from the existing interface.
Publishers can use either the old interface (but why would you want to?) or the new Publisher Dashboard until April 25 while the inevitable bugs are worked out of the new system and to give publishers a period of transition.
More information and the demo is available here.
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