Welcome to the next step in unlocking a significant and sustainable revenue stream for your digital property. This guide is designed to walk you through the entire process, from downloading and installing our advertising revenue application to its initial configuration and optimization. By following these steps meticulously, you will be well on your way to generating income by seamlessly integrating high-quality, relevant advertisements into your app or website, creating a win-win scenario for you, your users, and advertisers. **Section 1: Pre-Installation Prerequisites** Before you initiate the download, it is crucial to ensure your environment is properly prepared. This foresight will prevent common installation errors and ensure a smooth, successful setup. 1. **System Compatibility Check:** Our software is built to be robust and versatile. Please verify that your server or hosting environment meets the following minimum requirements: * **Operating System:** Linux (various distributions including Ubuntu, CentOS), Windows Server 2012+, or macOS. * **Web Server:** Apache 2.4+ or Nginx 1.18+. * **Programming Language:** PHP 8.0+ or Node.js 16+. For mobile SDKs, ensure your project supports iOS 13+ or Android API level 21+. * **Database:** MySQL 8.0+, MariaDB 10.5+, or PostgreSQL 13+. * **SSL Certificate:** A valid SSL certificate (HTTPS) is mandatory for all data transmission to ensure security and compliance with ad network policies. 2. **Account Registration and Verification:** You must have an active publisher account with our platform. If you have not already done so, please visit our main website and complete the registration process. This will involve providing details about your digital property (e.g., app name, website URL, content category) and agreeing to our publisher terms. Keep your login credentials (email and password) secure and readily available. 3. **Gathering Necessary Information:** Have the following information on hand: * Your unique Publisher ID (provided after registration). * The URLs or bundle identifiers of the apps/websites you wish to monetize. * Access to your server's admin panel (e.g., cPanel, Plesk) or your mobile app's development environment (Android Studio, Xcode). **Section 2: Download and Installation Process** This section provides a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough for acquiring and installing the application. **Step 1: Accessing the Download Portal** 1. Log in to your publisher dashboard on our main website. 2. Navigate to the "Downloads" or "Get Started" section. This is typically found in the main navigation menu or on your account homepage. 3. You will be presented with several download options. Select the one that matches your platform: * **Web/WordPress Plugin:** A direct `.zip` file download. * **Mobile SDKs:** Links to repository instructions (e.g., CocoaPods for iOS, Maven/Gradle for Android) or direct SDK `.aar`/`.framework` files. * **Server-Side Software:** Direct download links for different operating systems. **Step 2: Installing on Your Platform** * **For Web (via Plugin, e.g., WordPress):** 1. In your WordPress admin panel, go to `Plugins > Add New`. 2. Click `Upload Plugin` and choose the downloaded `.zip` file. 3. Click `Install Now` and then `Activate Plugin` once the installation is complete. 4. The plugin should now appear in your menu. Proceed to configuration. * **For Mobile Apps (Android):** 1. Add our Maven repository URL to your project-level `build.gradle` file. 2. Add the dependency for our SDK to your app-level `build.gradle` file (e.g., `implementation 'com.company.ads:sdk:latest-version'`). 3. Sync your Gradle project. The SDK will be downloaded and integrated automatically. 4. Update your `AndroidManifest.xml` to include the necessary permissions (e.g., `INTERNET`, `ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`). * **For Mobile Apps (iOS):** 1. Add our spec repository to your CocoaPods file by running the appropriate `pod repo-add` command in your terminal. 2. In your `Podfile`, add the pod (e.g., `pod 'CompanyAdsSDK'`). 3. Run `pod install` in your terminal from the directory containing your `Podfile`. 4. Open the newly created `.xcworkspace` file to continue development. * **For Direct Server Installation:** 1. Upload the downloaded package to your server via SFTP/SSH or using your hosting provider's file manager. 2. Extract the package contents into your desired directory (e.g., `public_html/adsmanager`). 3. Ensure the file permissions are correctly set (typically 755 for directories and 644 for files). **Section 3: Initial Configuration and Setup** With the software installed, the next critical phase is configuration. This is where you define how and where ads will appear. 1. **Linking Your Account:** * Locate the configuration section within your newly installed plugin, app code, or server software. * You will be prompted to enter your unique **Publisher ID**. This key links your installation directly to your account and is essential for tracking revenue. * Some setups may require an initial authentication step where you log in via a pop-up window to grant necessary permissions. 2. **Defining Ad Units (Ad Placements):** An ad unit is a placeholder in your app or website where an ad will be displayed. Creating these is fundamental. * In your dashboard, navigate to "Ad Units" or "Placements." * Click "Create New Ad Unit." * **Select Ad Format:** Choose from the available formats: * **Banner:** Rectangular ads typically at the top or bottom of a screen. * **Interstitial:** Full-screen ads that appear at natural transition points (e.g., between game levels). * **Rewarded Video:** Users opt-in to watch a video ad in exchange for an in-app reward (e.g., coins, extra lives). * **Native:** Ads that match the look and feel of your app's content for a non-disruptive experience. * **Configure Settings:** Give the ad unit a descriptive name (e.g., "Homepage_Banner_Top"). Set the ad size (e.g., 320x50, 300x250), frequency capping (how often a user sees an ad), and any other specific parameters. 3. **Generating and Implementing the Code/Snippet:** Once your ad unit is created, the platform will generate a unique code snippet. * **For Websites/Plugins:** Copy the provided JavaScript or HTML code and paste it into the source code of your web pages where you want the ad to appear. * **For Mobile Apps:** The SDK will provide classes and methods. You will need to write a few lines of code to load the ad unit into the corresponding View or Activity in your app. Our documentation provides extensive code examples for this step. **Section 4: Verification and Testing** Never skip this step. Testing ensures everything is working correctly before your users see it. 1. **Check Integration Status:** In your publisher dashboard, the status of your ad units should change from "Inactive" to "Active" or "Ready" once they are correctly integrated and begin receiving ad requests. 2. **Use Test Mode:** Our SDK and platform include a dedicated test mode. Enable this in your configuration to serve test ads instead of live ones. This allows you to check placement, appearance, and functionality without generating invalid clicks or impressions. 3. **Preview on Target Devices:** Physically test your app or website on different devices and browsers. Check how the ads load, their impact on page load times, and the overall user experience. Ensure ads do not obscure critical content or functionality. **Section 5: Best Practices for Maximizing Revenue** Installation is just the beginning. Optimization is the key to maximizing your earnings. 1. **Strategic Ad Placement:** Place ads where they are highly visible but do not disrupt the natural user flow. For example, rewarded video works best after a completed action, while interstitials are ideal during pauses. 2. **Ad Format Diversification:** Don't rely on a single format. A mix of banner, interstitial, and rewarded video ads can cater to different user behaviors and maximize fill rates. 3. **Focus on User Experience (UX):** Aggressive advertising drives users away. Balance revenue with UX. Avoid too many pop-ups or ads that auto-play sound. A happy user is a returning user, which leads to more ad impressions in the long run. 4. **Leverage Mediation:** If available, use our built-in ad mediation. This feature allows you to connect multiple ad networks, ensuring our platform serves the highest-paying ad available for every single impression, thereby boosting your eCPM (effective Cost Per Mille). 5. **Analyze and Iterate:** Regularly review your dashboard analytics. Pay attention to metrics like Impressions, eCPM, Click-Through Rate (CTR