Frequently Asked Questions


The Foodspring Network


What is the Foodspring Network?
The Foodspring Network is a marketing community made up of the world’s best specialty food companies, developed to create digital opportunities, efficiency, and synergy for your business as you reach out to an online market of diverse consumers.

The Foodspring Network:
  • Is a qualified network of unique, specialty food websites
  • Will maximize your site traffic and revenue
  • Offers an expanding set of digital marketing tools to help grow your business online
  • Has the unique ability to exchange valuable advertising space with the websites of the NASFT as well as with other network members
  • Is built around an ever-growing specialty food consumer database
  • Shares expert knowledge and best practices among Members in the network
  • Is supported by an expert Customer Service team


How is the Foodspring Network's Ad Network different from other ad networks?
The Foodspring Network is focused on providing a online marketing community for specialty food companies. Because the Foodspring Ad Network is specialized, it puts your company in front of consumers who are interested in the kinds of products and services your brand provides.

Unlike other Ad Networks, that operate on a purchase system only, the Foodspring Ad Network provides you with the opportunity to trade up to 50% of your advertising inventory, in addition to buying inventory - a more cost effective method of marketing your brand. You’ll be getting more out of your investment with Foodspring.

Who can be a Member of the Foodspring Network?
Any NASFT Producer Member can become a Member of the Foodspring Network.

What is the NASFT?
The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) is a not-for-profit business trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry.

The NASFT is an international organization composed of domestic and foreign manufacturers, importers, distributors, brokers, retailers, restaurateurs, caterers and others in the specialty foods business. The organization has more than 2,800 current member companies throughout the U.S. and overseas.

Membership The NASFT is the preeminent trade association providing growth for your business in the vibrant specialty food industry. In addition to the top business-building programs, services and networking opportunities, you’ll find a community of over 2,800 passionate companies that benefit from the NASFT’s leadership, information and representation.

For further information about Membership, click here

customized-web


If I build my site on the network, how long will it take me to set up my site? Will it be easy to update? Creating your unique site is a simple process facilitated by our sophisticated site builder. Immediately after your purchase, you will be guided through the step-by-step process of choosing your theme, design, and layout, in addition to a variety of customizable fonts and colors. Your complete site can be up & running in as little as a one to four weeks. If you choose one of our higher tier site options, our easy-to-use CMS (content management system) program provides a very accessible platform for updating and changing your site content whenever you want.

What do I have to do to join the foodspring network as a Network Only participant? Just have your website manager create two ad spaces on the pages of your existing site. Through your Member Dashboard you will be able to control the ad units that The Foodspring Network will place in these spaces.

Will there be someone to help me set up and manage my site? Once you have made your basic site design selections you will be contacted by your Site Producer who will facilitate your site’s specific needs, including adding your company logo and other brand specific images for use throughout the site. As an ongoing contact, your Site Producer is there to answer any questions you may have throughout the process of building and maintaining your site.

How will my site maintain an appearance unique from others in the network?

You will initially have 108 design options to choose from, though the Foodspring Network will constantly be adding more. In addition, a variety of fonts and colors are available to match your existing look and feel. Further, you will also be able to personalize the site with your company logo and imagery/photography specific to your brand. While you will have access to a full library of stock images, you may choose to upload your own to create a unique flair. You can also select the Custom Tier and work with our designers to build your completely customized site from the ground up.

What is My Dashboard? Once you login to the Foodspring Network you will automatically be taken to your Dashboard where you can access everything FSN has to offer. Here you can access the Site Manager to make changes to your website (if applicable), visit the Knowledge Portal or Cross-Marketing Forum, Utilize the marketing tools (email, ad builder) and access the Foodspring Ad Network. You’ll begin with My Dashboard every time you visit the Foodspring Network.

How do I manage the content on my site? Your site will be centrally hosted and carefully monitored and optimized by our veteran programming team, saving you time and minimizing trouble and downtime. As a part of our service package, you will have regular access to our accountable and knowledgeable customer service support team, available to you by e-mail or phone during daily business hours. If you don’t want to change your website content too often, you can choose a base option site. However, if you want to regularly update you site with new news, products and other information, you can easily do this with an upgraded site, using our very simple Content Management System (CMS).  It is as easy to use as a word processing program, and self-directed and guided training is available to help you on an ongoing basis.

e-commerce


How will my customers make secure payments?
If you have chosen to sell products on your site, you will get a shopping cart application as part of your site build. As on other e-commerce sites, customers select products and pay for them in a secure site environment.

the foodspring ad network


What is the Foodspring Ad Network? The Foodspring Ad Network enables you to create valuable exposure for your brand through contextual ad placements on NASFT and other FSN member sites. You will have the opportunity to exchange online ad space with other Members in the Network. Not only could it become one of your best producing, most cost efficient marketing investments, it could even pay for itself!

How do I get my ad on another site?
You have two ways to market your brand on another site in the network, using either Trade Credits or Purchase Credits.

You can acquire ad impressions on other sites using Trade Credits. These are free credits given to you based on a 12 month rolling period of your previous site activity, and your participation in the Trade Ad Program. Unlike Purchase Credits (see below), they do not accumulate but expire at the end of each month. You have the option of trading up to 50% of the Impressions your site receives from visitors. For example, if you receive 14,000 Impressions per month, you can trade up to 7,000 of those for space on other Member’s sites.

You can also buy impressions on other sites using Purchase Credits. Purchase Credits will never expire and can be bought using your bank or major credit card. Purchase Credits are unlimited, and any additional unused Credits will be kept in your account for future ad placements. In addition, you can bank the money others pay you for impressions on your site, to buy more Purchase Credits. You will have the option of cashing out these credits at any time.

When buying impressions with Purchase Credits you can choose to use the impressions across the Foodspring Network, specific Member categories or even specific sites.

Can I specify where my ads appear?
Yes. After designing your ad, you will choose whether it appears throughout the ad network or in select locations. If you are using Trade Credits, you’ll pick the category of site you’d like it to appear on (confectionery, beverages, baked goods, etc.). If you are using Purchase Credits, you can choose your ad’s location down to the site level.

How long will my ads run?

You choose the length of your purchased ad impressions. For example, you could use your purchase credits to secure 100K ad impressions to be viewed over a 3 month period. You can also choose start and end dates for your trade ad impressions, however, these dates must be within the current month. For example, you can start your traded ad campaign on June 15th and end it on June 25th.

What happens when a visitor clicks on an ad?
You have control over where your ad directs its viewers, whether to your homepage, a specific product page, etc. - it’s all up to you.

If I opt to let other Members place ads on my site, how does that work?

If you want, other Members can use both Traded and Purchased credits to buy impressions for ads placed on your site. You will have the opportunity to select the categories of ads you do not want to appear on your site, ensuring that only ads that align with your own brand appear there.

Who will be able to place ads on my site?
Currently, only other Foodspring Ad Network Members can put ads on your site, and only if you choose to allow them to. You will choose which categories of brands you don’t want to have advertise on your site, so that totally unrelated brands won’t detract from the space you built.

Can I opt not to have other Members’ ads appear on my site?
Yes. You can use your space for ads for the NASFT's websites and services, for your own ads or have it remain blank, you can also opt to accept purchased ads only (or any percentage up to 50% of your inventory.)
If you choose not to accept any outside advertising on your site, you can still purchase ads to place on other FSN member sites.

For more information about the Foodspring Ad Network, click here

e-marketing tools


e-Newsletter

Why should I send e-Newsletters to my customers?
An e-Newsletter is a valuable asset and proven business builder for companies who use them efficiently; it allows you to market to new customers and keep current ones updated. You can make announcements, notify about promotions and easily help consumers keep you on their radar.

How do I build an e-Newsletter within the Foodspring Network? Is it customizable?
The Foodspring Network provides an e-Newsletter builder, created to match the look of your website. You can add as much content and as many images as you want customers to see. Or, keep it minimal for a quick-to-read monthly update. It works with the same CMS system that you may use for your website.

Who do I send my e-Newlsetter to?
Your e-Newsletter will go out to your e-mail database of customers, which you will easily upload and have the opportunity to manage in your dashboard area. Sending out mass e-mails is quick and seamless, and possible right from your e-newsletter builder area off your Dashboard. You can also work with other members to exchange e-mail databases, accessed through inquiries on the cross-marketing forum.

Database

Where does my database come from?
You build your database and can add to it as your site and company grows. While visitors to your site will be able to provide you with their contact information to receive your e-Newsletter, you can also upload your own list. Additionally, as a Member of the Foodspring Network you can exchange database information with other Members through inquiries on the cross-market forum.

How do I upload a database?
You can upload either a .xls file or a .csv file to your database and map the document to match the standard fields we provide (Name, Address, Phone, etc.). You can also create your own custom fields to fit your needs.

Can I upload individual records?
Yes. When viewing your database you will be able to edit or add individual records.

Can I edit or delete individual records?
Yes. You can search your database by fields, word match, or simply browse it all. This allows you to individually edit records in a manner that works for you.

Ad Builder


How do I create advertisements to use in the Foodspring Ad Network?
The Ad Builder is a simple tool for you to design banner ads that can look and feel like your online brand. You will be able to ad images and text in the builder, and then save them to your personal FSN extranet file where they will be accessible to you in the Ad Network. Using an IAB standard template you will design a square (180 x 150) and horizontal banner (468 x 60) sized ad that will fit in all sites throughout the Foodspring Network.

Can I use my existing ads within the Foodspring Ad Network?
Yes. Because you can upload your own images - either alone or accompanied by text - you have full control over the ads for your brand, whether seen for the first time or previously established

cross-marketing


What is the cross-marketing forum?
Through the FoodSpring Network cross-marketing forum area, you will have the ability to post, receive and review a wide range of marketing opportunities with other members-- everything from cross-advertising and promoting on your websites, to providing selling space in mutual e-commerce areas, to physical cross-promotional opportunities you can discover and arrange.

Who will have access to the forum?
You and your fellow Foodspring Network Members have full access to the cross-marketing forum.

How can I create or post a Cross-Marketing opportunity?
Using the forum tool, it is easy to view, create and post comments and communications to other members looking for cross-marketing opportunities

What are the requirements for a cross-marketing partnership? In order to enter into a cross-marketing selling partnership, all potential partner Members must have e-Commerce on their sites (consumer product purchasing capability). All potential partners must also be part of the Foodspring Network in its FULL capacity, either as and Full Ad Network or a full FSN site member (i.e. a Member cannot only be a Basic Foodspring Ad Network member).  If you are unsure of a potential partners status please contact us.

pricing


Are there any fees associated with being an FSN Member?
For FSN Members who are purchasing a site build, there are two types of fees:
  1. One Time Setup Fees: cover the costs of your site build and support during the build process
  2. Annual Network Membership Fees: cover the costs of hosting, access to cross-marketing resources, monthly site support and participation in the Ad Network.


Click here for pricing information

How do I submit payment for my site build?
You can submit payment for your Initiation cost with any major credit card. You can also use this card to pay for any incremental spending you do within the FSN, such as for ads in the FSN Ad Network.

For additional questions regarding pricing, please click here.

FOR MORE QUESTIONS
If you have additional questions not covered here, please contact us.