10 questions you should ask when choosing a mobile DSP

26 Aug.,2024

 

10 questions you should ask when choosing a mobile DSP

1. Inventory

How many and which RTB sources are they connected to? Does this include both App and Mobile web inventory? Is Mobile Rich Media included?

Link to VISSONIC

Access to a large amount of potential inventory is key in order for the DSP to have the best chance of seeking out effective impressions. 

2. Forecasting

Does the platform allow the user to forecast available inventory at different CPM levels?

This is helpful for budget flighting and for assessing the scalability of campaigns.

3. Targeting ability

What is the breadth of available targeting criteria? Is Geo-targeting possible?

In addition to standard demographics you&#;d want to be able to target behaviourally by device, operating system, network operator, location etc in order to really hone in on your target audience. 

4. Delivery Controls

What are they?e.g time of day, time of week?

This will allow you to focus budgets on key periods you believe your audience will be active. 

5. Data/Audience

Which third party data integrations are available? Can they generate audience segments within the platform? What are their solutions for tracking unique users given Cookie limitations?

While you would expect to be able to make use of the firsy party data you hold on your customers, not all DSP&#;s will be integrated with third party data suppliers that you currently use or plan to use in the future.

Being able to use a broad range will help you hit niche audiences.

6. Bid Optimisation

How do they optimise a campaign? What is their max query per second? What are the options for setting goal optimization targets?

It is essential to be able to optimise over a large number of data points at any one time to deliver the best performance. Likewise, the platform should be scalable and allow for optimisation against a variety of goals such as CPC, CPA & CTR. 

7. Budget delivery optimisation

Can they integrate/serve on mobile and tablet?

The debate rages about whether tablets are truly mobile but being able to serve appropriate formats across all devices will clearly broaden the possibility of hitting the audience you want.

8. Brand safety

Does your platform have inbuilt brand safety functions?

Some inventory on exchanges won&#;t be suitable for your target audience so the DSP should have content verification processes available such as Adsafe or uKnow to filter out any undesirable sites or apps.

9. Rich media

Can you host third party adserving tags? Which Rich Media providers are you compatible with?

Look for integration with all key third party ad servers and ensure that any mobile Rich Media providers you work with can work alongside the DSP.

10. Reporting

How frequently do reports update? Can they be exported in granular form?

Accessing real time reports and being able to export data in formats suitable for further analysis is key to making the most of your budgets and eliminating wastage.

While this isn&#;t an exhaustive list it should help provide an understanding of the core capabilities of a DSP and allow for side-by-side comparisons.

For more information, please visit what is dsp.

It&#;s also important to understand the personnel involved and the depth of experience the business has in this space. Don&#;t just assume a desktop DSP will understand the nuances of mobile advertising. 

How to Choose a Demand-Side Platform | Emodo

Advertisers need a demand-side platform (DSP) to navigate the digital landscape wisely, as over 83% of digital ad budgets run through DSPs. By leveraging an active, discerning approach, securing a DSP to elevate programmatic advertising endeavors can be easy.

DSPs allow professionals to reach their ideal audience across various digital touchpoints. These platforms are a pivotal tool in programmatic advertising, paving the way to buy ad inventory efficiently, pinpoint specific audiences and optimize campaigns for better results. Its automation, targeting precision and real-time insights and reporting contribute to more effective and impactful digital advertising efforts.

What Is a DSP?

A DSP is a sophisticated digital advertising technology platform that enables advertisers and agencies to efficiently purchase and manage online inventory across multiple publishers, ad exchanges and platforms. This technology plays a pivotal role in programmatic advertising by automating the buying process, allowing advertisers to target specific audiences while precisely optimizing ad campaigns in real-time.

DSPs empower advertisers by enabling them to define their campaign goals and their target audiences&#; demographics, interests and behaviors, then bid on ad impressions that align with these criteria. DSPs allow advertisers to make instant buying decisions through algorithms and data-driven insights, ensuring ads show to the right audience at the right time at the right place. This capability maximizes the assurance of engagement and conversions and provides other benefits:

  • Access to online inventories: DSPs provide access to online inventory, from websites and apps to video and social media platforms.
  • Efficient and effective: The real-time bidding and automated optimization capabilities reduce manual efforts and human slip-ups.
  • Better results: Advertisers can adjust their strategies and refine campaigns based on data-driven insights to achieve better results.
  • Enhanced audience targeting: Ads deliver to specific market segments and individuals, leading to higher engagement rates and a better return on investment.
  • Dynamic budget allocation: The ability to track and measure campaign performance in real-time lets advertisers make informed decisions and allocate budgets wisely.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a DSP

By meticulously evaluating service providers on the necessary criteria, advertisers can select a platform that aligns with their advertising goals, enhances campaign performance and drives better results. Effective DSPs must offer seamless automation, granular audience targeting and comprehensive insights to maximize programmatic advertising success.

A platform accommodating various budget sizes can grow with the organizations&#; needs and adjust expanding campaigns. A trustworthy platform will also have measures to ensure brand safety, minimize ad fraud and create a blocklist of placements that advertisers want to sidestep. While track records and client testimonials allow campaign managers to gauge effectiveness, there are other DSP evaluation criteria to consider during the search for the perfect platform:

Target Audience and Reach

One of the most important factors is the DSP&#;s ability to reach the right target audience. Ensure the platform can access various inventory sources, like websites, apps, CTV, where the target audience will likely spend their time. Also ensure it enables you to bring in your own first-party data. Look for advanced targeting options, such as demographic, geographic, and behavioral, as well as future-proofed options such as predictive, geo-contextual, and contextual targeting, to ensure ads display to the right people at the right time, even when IDs disappear.

Insights & Reporting

Powerful data analytics and insights allow users to track key performance indicators like return on ad spend, conversion rates and click-through rates. Real-time reporting and dashboards that provide a clear view of campaign performance and measurement are equally important, as these insights allow advertisers to make quick data-driven optimizations.

Ad Formats and Creatives

Ensure the DSP can handle the creative assets accompanying the campaign, whether display ads, video ads, CTV ads, native ads or other formats. The DSP should also support responsive and adaptive creatives to optimize for various devices and screens to enhance user experience and increase engagement. Even better? If the DSP offers unique, proprietary or exclusive formats hard to find anywhere else.

Integration and Compatibility

The DSP must seamlessly integrate with the existing ad server data, data management platforms, customer data platforms, measurement partners, and other relevant tools.

Bidding Strategies and Optimization

With real-time bidding taking place in mere milliseconds, it is vital to choose a DSP that provides flexible bidding options, like cost-per-click, cost-per-thousand or cost-per-acquisition. Look for a platform that offers automated optimization features like dynamic creative optimization and algorithmic bidding to improve campaign performance.

Fraud Prevention and Brand Safety

Evaluate the DSP&#;s preventative measures. A robust fraud detection mechanism and brand safety tools will ensure ads display in appropriate and reputable environments. This feature will protect brand reputation and campaign investments.

Customer Support and Training

Strong customer support, a robust help desk with training materials, or a dedicated account manager is essential for quick turnaround time to find solutions that allow advertisers to get the most out of the DSP. Training resources and documentation can prove helpful in navigating the platform adequately. The platform&#;s user interface is equally important to evaluate ad changes to ad optimization may require quick interference.

Ease of Use

Let&#;s face it, ad tech platforms can be difficult to navigate. Working with a DSP that was built for the user is incredibly important. A DSP with an intuitive user interface and user experience, as well as a seamless workflow, will enable teams, especially those with less sophisticated platform and programmatic knowledge, to be able to easily implement successful campaigns.

Price

DSPs are priced in various ways. Some require an onboarding fee, some have monthly minimums, some charge for use of data, some charge a percentage of the media campaign, and some charge for all 4, plus more! It&#;s smart to get an understanding of the pricing model and compare that against the amount of campaigns and campaign dollars you expect to run. Be sure to ask if there are any hidden or unexpected fees that might be applied. It&#;s also important to know if there are any penalties you might incur if you were to end the contract.

Steps to Choosing a DSP

By adhering to these steps, publishers and advertisers can confidently select a DSP with optimal power in a competitive market to amplify advertising impact. Begin by outlining campaign goals and target audience. Research DSPs that are renowned for robust features and data-driven capabilities, and assess their ability to handle real-time bidding and data analysis. Analyze factors like ad formats, targeting options, real-time analytics and integration capabilities with other tools.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a DSP

How to choose a DSP that fits in with existing campaign needs comes down to asking the right questions. Scalability, global reach and support for expansion are among the most important to ensure the DSP can accommodate future growth. Additional questions to ask, which will determine whether the DSP is a good fit, include:

  1. Is the company a recognized innovator?
  2. What sort of audience targeting capabilities does the partner have, especially ID-less targeting?
  3. What ad formats does the partner support? Are there any unique or exclusive to them?
  4. How does bid optimization work?
  5. How will budget optimization work?
  6. How many daily impressions can the client expect to see?
  7. Does the DSP leverage machine learning (ML) and is it developed in-house?
  8. Is there a pilot program or sandbox testing portal you can trial before signing a contract?

Maximize the Value of Your Programmatic Advertising

Selecting a suitable DSP amid fierce competition requires a discerning approach. DSP selection must reflect authority and a keen understanding of campaign details. Prioritize a DSP that offers comprehensive reporting and analytics tools.

At Emodo, we understand that each campaign needs a tailored approach. Emodo Activate is a buying platform that helps advertisers build meaningful connections with an audience by integrating with solutions like Emodo Audiences and unique creative formats, like Emodo Adapt. Emodo&#;s buying platform was purpose-built with streamlined workflows and a simplified UI to make advertisers&#; lives easier. Learn more about how Emodo can help strengthen your campaign&#;s digital reach today.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of video matrix switcher. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.