Overview
Below is an estimated timeline for tasks critical to the onboarding process. These time estimates and tasks are for a standard Freestar integration. Freestar will adjust the timeline during the kick-off call if your site falls outside the standard integration.
Standard Freestar Integration
Freestar defines a standard integration as:
- A publisher using Freestar's GAM
- A publisher using Freestar's AdX
- An integration that does not require customizations such as:
- key-value pairs
- Infinite Scroll integration
- Reusing the same ad units on a page (i.e., dynamic/in-content ads)
- Placement-specific targeting
- SPA
Preparing
During this phase, the Publisher and Freestar will take several steps to ensure a smooth and efficient onboarding process.
Before the Kick-Off Call
Freestar will:
- Email you login details for the Onboarding Dashboard.
- Assign a dedicated Customer Support team and provide their contact information in the Onboarding Dashboard
- Review your site, map your ad layout, and determine recommendations (1 day).
- Request demand approval from our partners (5-7 business days).
The Publisher will:
- Log into the Freestar Onboarding Dashboard and review its contents. Please review the Mutual action plan for Next steps (15 minutes).
- Update your ads.txt file to implement the Dynamic file following the instructions in your Dashboard. Alternatively, you can also update your file to include only the necessary lines to get the Onboarding started and make further updates leading up to your site launch.
During the Kick-Off Call
Freestar will:
- Introduce both teams, establish critical stakeholders, and discuss the communication process.
- Review the proposed onboarding timeline.
- Discuss ad strategy, reviewing current and recommended ad layouts and products.
After the Onboarding Call
Freestar will:
- Create ad tags (1-2 days).
The Publisher will:
- Update your Privacy Policy.
- Complete the Google MCM invite.
- Confirm GDPR compliance
Please note Google MCM approval could take up to 2 weeks after submission (ads.txt must be updated before submission).
Integrating
During this phase, you will install Freestar's tags on your site.
Freestar will:
- Notify the Publisher via Onboarding Dashboard when your tags are ready for download.
The Publisher will:
- Log into the Freestar Dashboard and download your site-specific tag file.
- Install the code (head code, ad tags, Freestar Recovered, etc.) on a testing site.
- Share the site URL and any pertinent login details with Freestar via the Onboarding Dashboard (Typically 1-2 days).
See the Getting Started for more information on the integration process.
Testing
During this phase, you and Freestar will extensively QA your test integration to eliminate all issues before the final push to production.
Freestar will:
- Review the test page and share feedback (approximately 1-2 days).
The Publisher will:
- Make any necessary changes (avg. time varies).
Stuck? See the Troubleshooting section!
Launching
During this phase, you will launch Freestar's integration on your production site at the agreed-upon time.
Freestar will:
- Approve your site for launch once you've made the necessary changes.
The Publisher will:
- Agree upon a launch date/time with Freestar.
Do not push any Freestar code live in your production site before the launch date and time agreed upon with your Freestar Point of Contact.
Post Launch
During this phase, you and Freestar will optimize every aspect of integration to maximize revenue.
Freestar will:
- QA your production site (approximately 1-2 days).
The Publisher will:
- Make any necessary changes (avg. time dependent on changes required).
Ongoing Support
During this phase, Freestar will close your onboarding and pass your account to our outstanding ongoing support team.
Freestar will:
- Provide final site approval.
- Introduce you to your ongoing support team during a scheduled call.
- Discuss any non-critical action items.