What does the Weborama proxy server do and how do I benefit from it?
It acts as a gateway between your Google spreadsheet (or any other kind of text file like XML, JSON, CSV or TXT) and your live ad. It is possible to update content in an existing live ad without delivering a new ad. The content will then be updated without the need for a creative agency or us.
Show me an example
There are many ways how to implement this feature. Click here to view an example with a Google spreadheet.
Note: The Google speadsheet is hosted on a secure location, so there is no link, but a screenshot of the structure can be found below.
- Would you like to update the discount? Just change the data in your spreadsheet.
- Would you like to change the product text? Just type new content in your spreadsheet.
- Would you like to change the entire banner? Just insert the new data in your spreadsheet.
However, it is not possible to change the layout of the banner or add more fields without the assistance of a developer. In other words, moving the discount to the left will need the assistance of a developer. Adding a price to this banner also needs the help of a developer.
How does it work?
Our proxy will update the banner with your data every:
- 5 minutes
- 15 minutes
- 1 hour
- 1 day
- Specific day of the week and time
You must choose one of the options above, as well as specify a start and end date for the auto-update. Our server will get the content of your spreadsheet (or other file), downloads any image files and uploads it to the live location, replacing the content in the banner. It is not possible to update at a certain time. In other words: it isn’t possible to update the content in your existing live banner at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Which information should be available in the Google spreadsheet?
The first row contains all the keys that will be used in order to refer to the data in the ad. The rows below should contain the data to be used. Please always use an id (a unique value), the other values can be as you wish. An example can be found below:
It is possible to use text, but also an URL or a link to an image which is hosted on a server.
It is an option to use a complete tab of your spreadsheet. Like Sheet1 in the image above. But it is also an option to use a selection of the tab. For example, use row 1 – 3 with column A to D
Please note that you are fully responsible in making sure that the images and content are available for our systems to access and download. If you are unsure, let us know, and we’ll perform a test.
What do I do if I wish to use a XML or JSON file?
Please create a file according to the right structure. An example of an XML structure could be:
Source: W3 Schools
A JSON example can be found further down below.
Does all my data have to be ready before the developer can start working on the ad?
No, the developer can work with dummy data. In order to create the ad in our previewer the developer has to upload the dummy data as a JSON file. The JSON file belonging to the Google spreadsheet above will look like this:
Depending on your agreement with the developer you will have to convert the dummy data from the Google spreadsheet to a JSON format yourselves or the developer can do this for you. Weborama cannot convert it for you. Please note only the dummy data has to be converted by hand, the Weborama proxy server will convert your live data. If using another file like XML or JSON this data can be used directly (without converting) by the developer.
How do I convert a Google Spreadsheet to a JSON (for development only)?
We recommend installing this extention.
After installing this please reload your Google spreadsheet and you will find an extra button (marked in red below). Click on this JSON button and you will get a JSON file in your download folder which you can use for testing in the previewer.
Do I need to do anything extra when notifying the creative?
Once your creation is ready to go live and you click on "Notify Weborama", simply let us know that you wish data to be mirrored/synchronized with an absolute and public URL path.
For example, "Please mirror live_feed.xml with www.nieuws.nl/live_feed.xml".
Also inform us about the frequency in which we should get you new data to be mirrored.
Developer information
What do I need to work on the ad?
When working on a project you do not need a link to our proxy server. Please upload the dummy data in a JSON file into the previewer and work with this. Please check if the JSON will be delivered to you or you have to convert some dummy data. Weborama cannot convert the dummy data for you. The live data will be converted by the Weborama proxy server. Please check this section for more information: "How do I convert a Google Spreadsheet to a JSON (for development only)?"
An example how to import a JSON file into your HTML file can be found here.
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