If you want to create your own feed using a spreadsheet and display images of products or services in your ads, you need to add image URLs for the products in your feed.
Adacado requires direct image links for its image URLs. A direct image link leads directly to the image, rather than a web page. The image URL needs to be publicly accessible so that Adacado can download the image and add it to the product data.
There are many options to choose from when it comes to image hosting. You can use an FTP server, image hosting site or cloud storage platform. Many of these services provide free hosting options, depending on your requirements. You will find many options to choose from by searching the web for “image hosting sites”.
Here we will show how simple it is to create image URLs using Dropbox, an example of one of the options available.
Using Dropbox to Host Images
We will be using the web interface for this process, so as to avoid the differences between Windows and OS desktop applications. However, this can be accomplished through the desktop applications in a similar way.
Creating an Account
If you don’t already have an account, go ahead and create one.
Creating a Folder
In your Dropbox account, select ‘New Folder” from the right hand menu and enter a name.
Uploading Image Files
Click on the folder name to enter the folder. Then click “Upload files” from the right hand menu. Select the images you want to use for your ads and click “Open”. The images will now be displayed in the folder.
Creating URLs for Individual Image Files
The next step is to create a shareable URL for the individual image files. Hover over the image thumbnail for each file, then click the “Copy Link” icon on the right.
You will then see the automatically copied sharable image URL.
Adding Image URLs to Data Feed
Open your data feed and paste the copied URL into the Image Link cell of the corresponding product or service in the feed.
The last step is important to make the image URLs available for download. Change the “dl=0” at the end of the URL string to “dl=1”.
You will need to repeat the above steps for every product image you wish to add to your feed. Because this is a manual process, this approach is best for smaller data feeds.
If you’re still having trouble or have questions, feel free to reach out to us anytime at support@adacado.com
