Today I am going to share a few tips about Microsoft adCenter (formerly MSN adCenter). I believe that all the information written in this article is true, correct and complete.

I. Microsoft adCenter (formerly MSN adCenter) is Microsoft’s online advertising platform with an estimated audience of 99 million potential customers.

II. According to Microsoft website MSN/Live Search is converting users into buyers at a higher rate than Google or Yahoo and it’s correct too as from my own experience I have found that Microsoft adCenter offers a better conversion rates than Yahoo! Search Marketing or Google AdWords. There were times when my conversions were over 10%.

III. Among Yahoo, Google, and MSN the traffic quality of MSN Search or Live Search is the best. It means you get more Return On your Investment (ROI).

IV. The whole Sign Up process is pretty easy with simple and powerful user interface. I must say that Google AdWord’s interface is the best of all as it’s very simple and easy to use and Yahoo! Search Marketing’s user interface is the worst of all as it’s very complicated with too many features.

V. The customer support is not that great but again it’s far better than Yahoo! Search Marketing. Sometimes it takes a week to get a reply from the customer support at Yahoo! Search Marketing.

VI. Pay less for quality traffic. It’s one of the biggest advantages of MSN adCenter over Google AdWords. adCenter’s bid rates are much lower than that of Google. The Minimum bid required per click is 0.05$. However the number of clicks are significantly lower than that of Google, it’s because of Google’s 60% market share in search market.

VII. The activation fee is just $5. But unlike Google AdWords your Promotional Coupon Credit doesn’t apply to the setup fee of $5 which is required to open a new adCenter account. But I think it’s better than Yahoo’s $30 initial deposit (it’s not setup fee).

VIII. At this point of time Microsoft adCenter accepts only payments via Credit Card. adCenter don’t accept PayPal but they do accept some Virtual Credit Cards and Gift Cards. I have recently tried to create an account using a Virtual Credit Card. The Sign Up process went smoothly but after a couple of hours I got an email message from adCenter team that they were unable to process my credit card. But I have used that same virtual card when I first used adCenter. Now they are not accepting the same I guess they improved their credit card verification process. That’s the reason why they are declining my physical credit card which I have used to sign up for two or three accounts.

IX. I have read in some forum/blog that we can create up to 3 Microsoft adCenter accounts using the same credit card and earn coupon credits. Unfortunately it’s wrong you can’t Sign Up for multiple accounts to get the Promotional Credits. However it may work for you but it’s against Microsoft’s terms. Microsoft’s clearly says that “Promotional credit is valid only for new advertisers opening a new account with Microsoft adCenter”.

X. The Microsoft adCenter Promotional Credits are valid only for individuals from United States. But I’ve heard that people were successful in creating an adCenter account with promo codes using fake US addresses. In fact I have done that myself some time back when MSN adCenter was launched with their $200 Promo Codes, I managed to get over $600 promo credits.

Promotional Credits are valid only for 90 Days. It means that if you didn’t redeemed your credits with in 90 days then it will expire so that they will charge your credit card for any clicks generated. So if you don’t want your credit card to be charged then make sure that you review your campaigns often and pause the campaign once it nears $75 (assuming that as the promotional credit).

Unlike Yahoo Search Marketing the Promotional Credits in adCenter are credited to the account immediately. So that your ads will go live once your account is verified. It takes less than 12 hours if you complete the sign up during day time.

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