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User Help:
Index:
1. Features
(buttons) you will find on our website:
2. How to
Register (create your personal account) (3 steps)
3.
How to
Create an Ad
4.
How to Search for a particular item
using:
5. Some
suggestions for structuring your ad
1.
Features
(buttons you will find on our website)
After logging into your personal account, the following icons are available:
Add to Favorites - This feature will not appear
to viewers, however, a registered user who is logged in will see the words
"Add to Favorites"
in any ad they review. This appears underneath
the "Reply to Ad" feature. It allows a registered user
to
"bookmark" a particular ad. While logged
in, the user has a icon at the top of his/her page (marked "Favorites")
that allows such bookmarked items to be recalled. These ads stay
"bookmarked" until the user click on "Favorites" and places a checkmark in
the "Remove" box for a particular ad.
Alerts
- by clicking this icon, you can enter “key word searches” to
the system. This lets the system alert you to any ad that matches your
search parameters. For example: if you were searching for a Gibson Guitar,
but none are listed, create an alert and as soon as anyone in the world
places an ad matching the search parameter you receive an alert. All
users are allowed up to 4 alerts at any one time.
Edit
(editing your ad) - While logged
in and viewing your ad, you may change the text as many times as you wish.
This feature is available 24 hrs per day, 365 days per year and there is no
additional cost. You cannot change your pictures. To edit, simply click on
the "Edit" icon (the page will change) and scroll down to your text areas
and make your changes. Once completed, click on "Update Ad" and you will see
a countdown 3-2-1 and the ad is updated. Occasionally, revised ads will kick
to the administrator for review and authorization to update. This occurs
daily. Most of the time, once an ad is authorized, it is
not again reviewed. We do reserve the right to review and remove changes
that violate our policies.
Email to a Friend
- Each ad
contains this feature (just below the "Reply to Ad" on the right upper
side). It allows any reader to use this feature to send the ad they are
viewing to another party. For example, if you were reading an ad on a cabin
rental and knew a friend or relative was looking for a rental, you could
forward this ad to their attention with a note from you. A copy of the
referral does not go to the ad owner.
Favorites
- At any time you have an ad open you can select
the “Add to Favorites” (above Reply to Ad” on upper right side). Your favorites
are available by clicking on the “Favorites" in your account.
FAQ - "Frequently Asked
Questions" (top of main page).
The
questions below appear within the FAQ icon at the top of our main page for
your assistance:
1. What
are the costs for different ad options?
2.
I would like to post an ad. How do I start?
3.
I entered my email address when I registered, do I
need to put my email address in the body of my ad?
4.
I have created an account and was asked to
enter a verification code. I have not received an email
with a verification code. What do I do now??
5.
What are "Credits" and how do I use them?
6.
I do not see the appropriate category or
sub-category to post my ad. Can I create my own?
7.
I have posted my ad under the wrong
category by mistake. Can I change the category?
8.
I have attached the wrong picture to my ad. Can
I change it?
9.
I have posted my ad, but I do not see it
listed.
10.
I forgot my password. How can I retrieve it?
11.
Can I change my email address, password or name at
any time?
12.
Will my email address be added to different lists
and used inappropriately for spam?
13.
Can I extend the duration of my listings before
expiration or change my ad content?
14.
I have sold my Item - Can I remove my ad
completely?
15.
My ad has expired and was taken offline. How
can I resubmit it?
16.
I would like to submit a banner to display on
your site. What should I do?
17.
I have my banner displaying on your site. Can
I see the daily statistics?
18.
My question is not listed. Can I contact you?
Log Out
- Used to close a session where the registered
user is logged in.
My Ads
- While logged in, those advertisers with more than one ad can display all
listed ads by clicking on “my ads”. The ads appear in date order (most
recent to oldest). The page displays how many visits the ad has received,
whether it is currently active, and allows you to edit or delete each ad.
Welcome - This is our
first point of information icon providing some details about our website and
directing you to the User Help section of review before creating your ad.
Post Ad
(how to post your ad) -
This is the point where you begin the creation of your ad. You must already
have registered to create an ad. Upon clicking on this area, if you receive
the following message, this simply means you have to log onto the system
before attempting to create an ad.
"You have to create an account before you can
post your ads or create email alerts.
If you have already registered, please
logon, typing your email and password above".
(See
section 2
below for Registering Instructions and
Section 3
for instructions on creating your ads).
Reply to Ad
- In the right upper corner of each
ad, there is a box "Reply to Ad". When you create your ad, our programming
uses our email server to send the created email through to your registered
email account. The viewer (persons reading your posted ads) cannot see your
email address, however, the "Reply to Ad" email they may use directs that
email to your registered email address through our server. This is to
guarantee security for the registered user. You may elect at that point to
communicate directly with the person who sends you the "Reply" or respond
back through our system.
Terms of Use - a list of the items that cannot be
advertised. We revise this list as we find out about prohibitions. Most of
these items are state and federal governmental
prohibitions. (Please note that you will be prompted to
read this list when you register. You will then be required to acknowledge
that you did. If you bypass the reading of these terms, you are still bound
by them).
Update
Account
(how to update your personal account information)
- allows you
to change your personal information, including phone, city, and even your
password. You must "LOGON" to make these changes. Once logged in, click on
"Update Account".
Keep in mind that only your username, city, state
and zip code carry over when you create your ad. All other information
(telephone and email address for example) is blocked by our programming. In
order for your telephone number, email address, etc. to appear in your ad,
you must re-enter it.
"What's Hot"
Feature
- These are ads that registered owners have marked to be placed in this area
(in addition to their normal ad location). It is a method of allowing
advertisers to gain a more prominent standing and a 2nd opportunity for
their ads to be seen for a fraction of the regular ad cost. The first
location (position) is always taken by the most recently placed or renewed
ad. This also effects placement on the rolling banner at the top.
2.
How to Register
Why Register?
-
First,
Registration is free.
-
The
email address you supply is your unique identifier to our system. It is
how we broadcast updates, newsletters about new features, new services,
confirmations, etc.
Read “Placing an Ad” section below to see how we use
our “Reply to Ad” icon to transfer email messages from readers to
you without exposing your actual email address. Only when you enter
your email address into your created ad area can others see it. By the way,
it is strongly recommended that you register using all lower case
letters (the system is case sensitive). Remember to write down
your registration. The registration is always going to be
your email address and a password.
How to Register
Step 1
-
Click on the word
“Register”, a box opens asking for the information below:
User
Name
–
this is the actual name that others will see on your ad. In most cases, we
do not recommend your real name. However, it can be anything you choose. For example,
one of our users is identified by his trade. There can be no profanity or
sexually explicit terms. We reserve the right to remove such language
without your permission.
City - State – Zip Code – keep in mind
that our search tool (bottom of each page) provides for five (5) different
types of searches, including Zip Code, City,
State and “key word” (see our “How to Search for a Particular Item”
section below). For this reason, you want this information to be accurate.
Someone searching for items only in their city or zip code can easily find
you. On the other hand, they can search the entire system, rather than a
particular zip code. These areas will show on your
created ads automatically .
Phone
number & fax number
– whether selling goods or services,
these two tools are very important to your sale. Keep in mind every ad is
linked to you for the reader with our “Reply to Ad” button (look at
any ad) which allows readers to email a question to you. However, sometimes
your phone number is more important. It’s up to you.
Keep in mind that we do NOT allow this information to
automatically appear on created ads. You will need to type it into the ad
for it appear. Otherwise, it is protected by our system.
Your Web Site
–if you are advertising a
business, rental or the like and have a personal web site, enter the URL
here.
CRITICAL: Your "User Web
Site" information MUST have the following as the lead "http://www"
As an example: if your website is
www.themarketzone.com- then you must enter it as
http://www.themarketzone.com for
the link to your website to work on our board.
Placing
your website as a link is a very effective way to advertise. Keep the text
short and to the point while letting your site provide detail.
Email Address - This is a required
field, but does not publish to viewers. Only the system administrator
maintains this. "Reply to Ad" messages will return to our server, find the
email address and forward those messages to you, however, viewers cannot see
your personal email address. We
do NOT allow this information to automatically appear on created ads. You will
need to type it into the ad for it appear. Otherwise, it is protected by
our system. (Read the information on "Reply to Ad"
above)
Warning: It is strongly suggested that
you enter your email address and password all in
"lower case".
The system is case sensitive. If you
somehow mistakenly put a capital letter in these items, you MUST
re-enter them the same way. Avoid this problem and use lower case
If you
cannot sign back in because you cannot remember your password or email,
you can "Contact Us" and ask us to re-issue your information. You will be
required to validate some information.
Password
– passwords are single words
with 6-12 characters. Remember, the system is case sensitive.
For this reason, we
recommend entering this information in "lower case" (non-capitalized
letters).
Step 2
-
The system will
now automatically
post this information, sending you a verification code that you must enter
to validate registration.
a) We
recommend that you leave the page open announcing that the verification code
was sent to your email.
b) Open up your email. The email contains a long numerical
verification code. Highlight it and copy it.
c) Now, return to the page announcing the verification code
and paste it into the box there.
Note:
All of the configuration and security steps issue
emails to your registered email address to insure that no other person can
use your email address without your permission.
Step 3 -
Once registered, you do not have to register again unless your
account is dormant for one year and/or is removed. After registration is
validated, TheMarketZone Review Staff will activate your account. This
occurs daily at minimum. Once activated, the system sends you another
email to indicate the process is finalized. You may now place an ad.
3. How to
Create an Ad
1.
After registering, you
LOG ON
by entering your email and password (exactly as you created them) -
remember, case sensitive!
2.
Your active account
page will open, displaying your registered user name as created. The amount
of your credits is always displayed beside the user name (each new user is
automatically assigned $20.00 in "credits" to advertise). This is our gift
to you for trying our site. It will also provide the
"Update Account"
icon (to allow you to update your file information), your
"My
Ads"
icon (showing all your active ads at the moment) and your
"My
Alerts"
icon (showing your active "alerts" - read about this in part #1 above).
"About Credits" - Credits are really
money. For example, 1 credit = $1.00 US. If you create ads totaling more
than the initial $20, you will prompted to go to the payment provider
(PAYPAL) to purchase more credits. See
information below.
3.
Now that your account is open (you signed in),
you may now create an ad
by simply clicking on "Post Ad" to begin the process (this opens
"Post New Ad"
page).
4. There are three (3) decisions you need to make in this area.
a) Length
of Ad / Cost
The base price for all ads begins at $2.00 for a basic 10 day ad. To run
your ad for a longer period, select the additional days. For example: If
you want a 30 day ad, click in the circle to the right of
"additional charge for 30 days ad". This
adds $4.00 to the total shown at the bottom of the page.
Ad Rates
are:
10 days -$ 2.00
Pictures
1 -
.10 cents
additional 10
days + $1.00 (total cost of $3
for 20 days)
2 - .20 cents
additional 20 days +
$4.00 (total cost of $6 for 30 days)
3 - .30 cents
additional 35 days +
$7.00 (total cost of $9 for 45 days)
4 - .40 cents
additional 50 days + $10.00 (total
cost of $12 for 60 days) 5 -
.50 cents
Adding
"What's Hot" +
.50 cents
("What's Hot" links
your ad to the "What's Hot" icon. Almost all viewers look at this
upon entering).
Please Note:
You must have enough credits (dollars) to buy your ad. To obtain additional
"credits", simply go to our PayPal secure link to purchase the amount of
credits needed. Once you complete this transaction, you will be redirected
back to your account. It may be necessary to
log in again to have the new dollar amount appear on your
account. This will be monitored and if you
experience any problems, let us know. We
have the ability to check
with PayPal to see
if your transaction went through. If you use a check to purchase credits
(through PayPal) instead
of a credit or debit card, allow time for your bank to
clear the transaction. We will not post credits pending the bank's clearing
of checks.
b) About pictures: You may place up to 5
pictures on any ad, the first of which will display with your main page. All pictures enlarge when
viewers click on them.
It appears that pictures whose properties are 140 x (up to 150) enlarge best on
our site To check the properties of a picture, right click on the picture and
select "Properties" in the box. Towards the bottom of that box, it will say
something like "Dimensions 140 X ___" .
Note: You must select and pay for
your pictures when creating your ad. You cannot come back later (after the ad is
created) and add pictures. While text can
be edited at any time
after creating your ad - pictures cannot. Additionally, The first
picture you select is the picture that will appear on the main page of your ad. The other pictures appear with small boxes under them.
This main picture is important to your ad. Choose it carefully.
All pictures enlarge when clicked on.
c)
Next – placing your ad on our
“What's Hot”.
This is best explained by looking at an ad which is
already on our "What's Hot" list. Click on the "What's Hot" icon at the top
of the page to view these ads. The effect
of "What's Hot" is quickly realized. Your ad automatically appears in the
running banner at the top of our page as well.
4. . How to Search for a
particular item
Located at the bottom of every page
is the search tool, which operates as follows:
Keyword
–
keyword is “what you are looking for”. There must always be a keyword
listed to conduct a search. For example, if you are looking for
a car, enter “Ford” or “Ford Expedition”.
Categories -
below the Keyword is a
drop-down box of all the current categories. Select the category you wish to
search to further refine the search. If you
wish to search in every category, select “All Categories”.
City -
if you wish to search in a
particular city, type the name. A word of caution, all searches using “city”
must match exactly (spelling). You may, instead wish to
use the zip code search.
Word Phrase search
- next to the city box is a drop down box that allows you to
search by “Any Word, All words or Exact
Phrase”. If you are not completely certain, we recommend “All
Words”. Keep in mind the system is searching for comparisons to the “keyword(s)" you entered.
Dates -
the
drop-down box will select ads that have been posted
within the last 2-45 days.
Zip Code -
The search by zip code has two pieces.
1. First, enter the specific search
area zip code you are interested in.
2. Second, select the distance from
the zip code to limit your search from 10 to100
5.
Some suggestions
for structuring your ad:
Advertising is the most powerful tool in
our economy. It is estimated that 80% of all sales result from advertising. New
businesses or individuals just starting their own businesses cannot exist
without advertising. For this reason, HOW you advertise is critical to your
success. Here are some suggestions on writing your ad:
A) As you can see
from the search tool, wording of the subject of the ad is critical. The "keyword"
is the title given to
the ad. For example, if you're selling an antique collectible doll, try to think
of words the average person would
search for to find your particular doll, such
as "Barbie Doll or Antique Collectible 1950".
In other words,
use title words the viewer is likely to search for.
B) There is a limit
of 1,000 characters. We recognize the space newspapers and print ads give of
32-33 characters isis
insufficient. However, use them wisely. Most readers are impatient and you have to catch
their eye within the first
1-3 sentences.
Readers visually scan ads, often not reading every word. Make
certain the first 1-3 lines of your
ad “grabs their attention”. Use clear and descriptive language. Leave out the frills, but put the
balance of the
necessary information in the remaining space after your “grabber” sentence.
C) It is always wise
to let someone else read your ad and critique it. If they don’t like it, chances
are others won’t either.
If it is well thought out and structured so it can be found, your chances are much
improved.
D) We provide an
email “Reply to Ad” button on every ad posted allowing the reader to
reply to your listed email.
However, if you want to direct them to your email or phone again at the bottom of the
ad, make this clear in your ad
text and provide the URL at the top as a link. After all, the point is to get the buyer to
contact you – right? Also, if
you have other pictures you can send the potential buyer; communicate this in your ad. Pictures sell!
Our research
(and that of competitors I might add) indicates products sell better and quicker when there are pictures. We are
a
visual society!
E) If your ad is a
continuing advertising campaign, contact us. We will work with high
volume or continuing customers.
Vendors, dealers, etc. will enjoy a discount for repeated business. Also,
we are continuing to examine how we can
improve the success for businesses. We welcome your suggestions to discuss with
our programming staff. We read
all suggestions and comments sent to us and respond as quickly as possible.
F) It is perfectly
acceptable to run an auction with your ad. You can do this by posting a
time-limit where the bidding
ends and select the highest bidder. Be sure to tell the viewers to use "Reply to
Ad". It’s simple and effective.
Two suggestions with this:
1. Be absolutely honest with
the public - keep your word even if you make a mistake.
2. End the bidding
exactly when you said you would.
Footnote: The MarketZone.com
Online Classifieds is not a party to your ad. We are simply renting you
space for your ad. We will not arbitrate the legality of disputes or
issues. Please read our "Terms of Use". If you simply check the "Agree"
box without reading, you are considered to have agreed to those terms.
Some items cannot be advertised due to
state and federal prohibitions. We attempt to keep you up to date on
these matters, however, it will always be your responsibility to
research whether an item may be legally advertised.
Thank you for using TheMarketZone.Com Online
Classifieds. We sincerely hope you enjoy your experiences. If you find other
suggestions for placement in our “user help” – let us know.
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