Submitting Your Site to Bing Webmaster and Microsoft AdCenter

I recently changed my domain for a website and decided to submit my site to Bing. In the process, I discovered Bing Webmaster Tools as well as got started with a Microsoft AdCenter coupon for free advertising on Bing.

Googling “submit site to Bing” took me to a page that invited me to Sign In to Webmaster Tools or Sign up with Windows LiveID. I see no reason why I shouldn’t have an additional option other than Google Webmaster Tools so I used my existing Live ID to Sign In, clicking the orange button.

Signing up for Bing Webmaster and submitting or adding a site is done in a few clicks and 1 minute.

It didn’t take long and I was in business.

I also added a SiteMap even though I rely on robots.txt to tell search engines where and how to spider my blog.

Invited to Verify the site, I clicked the link.

Given 3 choices, I chose the easiest – in my case, meta (#2) – entered it in my template, then pressed Verify.

I noticed on the Dashboard a message.

The first message promised a gift if I verify the site and after reading and archiving it, I noticed a second one with a gift certificate.

It contained a $50 ad credit for free search advertising:

Claim your $50 ad credit in FREE Search Advertising here!

Date: 28/06/2012
Priority: High
Dear Webmaster,
We’re pleased to offer you $50 in FREE search advertising when you start a new account!*. In just a few simple steps, you can start using your free clicks.*
1. Visit www.microsoftadvertising.com/WebmasterSite
2. Click Start Advertising and then Sign Up Now.
3. Fill out the sign-up form and click Submit.
4. On the pop-up window, click Edit your account.
5. Enter your payment method and Promotion code: ----------
Need help? Call 866-344-7254
*Limited time offer valid in the United States and Washington, D.C.
Offer Details
This offer can only be redeemed once. Offer may continue to display up to 24 hours post redemption while our system confirms redemption.
*Valid only for advertisers opening a new account on the Bing advertising interface, Microsoft Advertising adCenter prior to January 31, 2013 (midnight Pacific Time) and who have a Webmaster Tools verified site. This offer has a spend limit that is not to exceed $50 credit in search ad clicks. Any portion of the $50 ad credit not used within 90 days of redemption will expire. Advertisers will be charged for advertising that exceeds the $50 credit, even if that credit is exceeded during the first 90 days after redemption. It is the sole responsibility of the advertisers to monitor their adCenter accounts. Ads must be stopped after $50 ad credit is used up or within 90 days from redemption, whichever comes first, or your credit card will be charged for advertising clicks. Limit: one promotional offer per new advertiser. Offer valid only to residents of the 50 United States and Washington, D.C. The billing address in order for the coupon to be valid must be in the United States and a form of payment must be entered into your account at the time this coupon is being redeemed and prior to your account going live to take advantage of the credit. This offer may not be combined with any other offer or discount, separated, redeemed for cash, transferred, sold, or bartered. There is a minimum bid requirement of $0.05 per click through. Search listings are subject to editorial review. See Advertisers Term and Conditions for more details at sign-up. Other terms and conditions may apply.
Thanks,
The Bing Webmaster Team

Followed the instructions and signed up.

We then clicked “Edit your account” .

In order to use the $50 coupon, one had to add a payment option. We added PayPal, and then got an error.

Clicking “Live Chat” resulted in a rather futile conversation.

Welcome to Microsoft Advertising live chat, an Ad Specialist will be with you shortly.

Privacy Statement
You are now chatting with 'Carla'.

BlogIdol: hi

Carla: Hello! This is Carla, with Bing Search Advertising I apologize for the wait; How may I help you?

Carla: Hi BlogIdol.

BlogIdol: how do I add a coupon?

BlogIdol: I just opened an account and don't see the option anywhere.

Carla: Congratulations. It would be my pleasure to assist you with your account.

Carla: First, may I please have the Account Number, Email Address and Last 4 or credit card or payment method so I can access your information?

BlogIdol: X11..

Carla: Thank you so much. May I have the email and last 4 of your card on file?

BlogIdol: ..

BlogIdol: I reg'd PayPal

Carla: Thank you. Are you currently logged in?

BlogIdol: yes

Carla: Thank you can you click the "Accounts and Billing" tab for me please?

BlogIdol: I'm getting "Experiencing Problems":

BlogIdol: Microsoft adCenter is experiencing a problem that prevents it from continuing. Information that can help resolve the problem is now being sent to the adCenter site maintenance team. You can return to the Microsoft adCenter sign-in page now, or sign in again later. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience.

BlogIdol: Request ID: f88..d1f

Carla: Ok. I apologize it appears no payment method is on file to verify on the account.

Carla: Do you mind waiting 2-3 minutes with me? we will refresh the page and try again.

BlogIdol: actually, I can't wait much now, I'll try again another time, thank you

Carla: You are very welcome. I apologize.

Your chat transcript will be sent to …a at the end of your chat.

Carla: If there is nothing else, I would like to thank you for using Bing Search Advertising. You can always find additional help files and tutorials at advertising.microsoft.com. If you need us again, just chat or call 800-518-5689. Have a great day!

We tried again, and we were eventually successful:

Needless to say, this entire process is very similar to submitting your site to Google and using AdSense with their gift certificates.

Setting up a campaign is something we’ll address in another article. Microsoft Advertising has only a tiny little piece of the online market compared to Google, but it’s growing and their customer service has always been many steps ahead of Google. It remains to be seen if that is enough to catch up to the online giant.

Sources / More info: bing-submit, bing-wmt, google wmt, dp-sitemap, sm-gen, Privacy Statement, adcenter, ms-adv