Where do I Start?

 

• If you have AspDotNetStoreFront but have never used DotFeed before, install the DotFeed Connector first.

   

• If you have an Amazon Discovery Channel, set up your account using these instructions instead.

 

• If you have used DotFeed and you have AspDotNetStoreFront, start here.

Setting up Your Discovery Account

Configuring your new DotFeed account has two main parts:

 

For Every Discovery Channel

• Setting up channel connections

 

• Creating rules to test out your sales ideas

 

One-Time Tasks

• Choosing your payment method(s)

 

• Designing a stand-alone minisite

 

Setting up Channel Connections

1. Log in to your DotFeed Account using the same account information you created in order to purchase DotFeed.

    

2. Select the Feeds tab, click Manage and then select Configuration. You'll need to define THREE fields, which are described below:
   

    

   • Store Endpoint (critical) is your store domain in this format: https://www.mystorename.com/dotfeed.aspx or https://store.mydomain.net/DotFeed.aspx .

     You must include https:// and the extension /dotfeed.aspx (case insensitive)

      

    

   • Access Key should match the value you put in the DotFeed.AccessKey AppConfig in the Admin Console while installing the DotFeed Connector.

    

   • Nickname (optional) identifies this channel and store. Use any range of alphanumeric characters, including spaces.

      

3. Once you have entered values, click Save Configuration.

 

4. Wait 12-24 hours before clicking the Validate Endpoint button to allow DotFeed to access your store and build the first feed. If your feed was successfully setup, you'll receive this message:
   

    

5. Do not Preview Results until you have completed setting up your mapping rules AND designed your minisite.

 

Important:>If you have two feeds going to the same shopping channel selling the same products, you'll probably need to set up a second merchant account at that channel.

 

Creating Mapping Rules

1. Under the Feeds tab, go to Mapping Rules.

 

2. Notice that one rule has already been created for this channel. Do not delete it.

 

3. Create rules to explore selling strategies. For example, how might changing the price, image, or description of a product affect its sales volume?

    

   Example Scenario: We want to sell our remaining Teddy Bears at $19.99, reduced from $30, but only through the channel feeding to Google, not at our storefront. We also want to change the image to a pink bear because we've read that pink bears sell better than white ones and want to test this theory. To do this, we set up these rules:

   

   Perhaps we also want to change the Category to Stuffed Animals because we think this placement will sell better than in Baby Toys. We also change the product title to reflect the new category. Our mapping rules would look like this, assuming a Google Discovery Channel:

   

    

4. To learn more about rules, visit "Using Rules to Optimize Your Channels".

    

 

Choosing a Payment Method

Any payment method displayed on the Payments tab will work with your Discovery Channel.

 

1. Using Paypal

 

2. Using Checkout By Amazon

 

3. Using Google Checkout

 

 

Designing a Minisite

Go to the Account tab to create a stand-alone minisite where customers will buy products from your discovery channel.

 

1. Select Edit Configuration.



 

2. Define a term for My Subdomain with no empty spaces.

 

3. Select a Default Skin that reflects the kind of merchandise you are selling.

   TIP: Visit the Minisite Gallery to see what your skin options are.

 

4. Add text only (no HTML) to the topics that are part of your Minisite: About Us, Warranties & Returns, Privacy Policy, and Contact Us.

   TIP: Shipping and taxes are configured within your payment method. For example, if you use Checkout by Amazon, then go to your CBA account to setup these elements.

 

5. Save your design.

 

6. Go to the Feeds tab, select your Discovery Channel and then go to Manage>Mapping Rules>Preview Results.



 

7. In the pop-up window, find the column entitled Product URL and click on one of the links. Your browser should display your new Minisite configured with your new Mapping Rules, displaying one of your products.

   TIP: Employ Preview Results to test out mapping rules that adjust a product's name, image, description, or price.