API Optimization Tips

Display a minimum of 3 merchant offers.

Presenting users with more options increases the Click Through Rate (CTR) since users are more likely to click on an offer when they have had the opportunity to compare prices from multiple stores. You are also contractually obligated to show at least 3 merchant offers.

When you want to pull in results for a specific product, query the API with the Shopping.com product ID.

The API query is as follows: http://api.shopping.com/scripts/GSIsapiExt.dll/linkin_id-xxxxxxxx/sf-1/pid-40751564. The product ID is available on Shopping.com via the product details page and also within the properties of the product image. To find it, right click on the product image on Shopping.com and you will see the product ID immediately preceding .jpg. Querying the API with the product ID is the only way to guarantee that a type 1 result will be returned.

Make sure the product ads you are displaying are relevant to the content on your page.

Relevancy will increase your CTR as well as improve the quality of the lead. Promote relevant products on content pages. For example, on this Bluetooth article page, bluetooth headsets are promoted: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/bluetooth.htm.

Display pricing information, product images, specifications and ratings.

The more information you present to the user, the better! All of this is available via the API to allow you to enhance the user experience. Include as much information as possible because a better user experience means higher CTR and more qualified leads!

Use the API to include a 'Top Products’ box on your site.

An example, is on the right side of this page: http://www.mysimon.com/. You can create this by using the category BEFID API query to pull in the most relevant products for a particular category http://api.shopping.com/scripts/GSIsapiExt.dll/linkin_id-xxxxxxxx/sf-7/befid-9. BEFID is the Shopping.com category, or form ID. You can find the full list of BEFIDs in taxonomy query (http://api.shopping.com/scripts/GSIsapiExt.dll/linkin_id-xxxxxxx/TY-2) .

Only display merchant links on your site when the specific merchant details and offer information are prominently displayed.

There must be a clear indication that the user needs to leave your site to have the option to purchase the product. By guiding the user through a comparison shopping experience and providing them with relevant information, the quality of your lead increases tremendously!