# Advertise on Builders.to 5 min read 8 Limited Slots 30 Days Duration Dynamic Pricing Real-time Analytics ## In this guide ## Overview Builders.to offers a simple, affordable way to get your product, service, or project in front of thousands of active builders. Your ad will be displayed in the Builder Feed sidebar and banner areas, reaching developers, indie hackers, and startup founders who are actively engaged in the community. ### What You Get - **Limited to 8 slots** platform-wide for premium exposure - **Dynamic pricing** — price doubles when slots fill up, ensuring quality - **30 days duration** with real-time analytics (views, clicks, CTR) - **Instant activation** — no review process, goes live immediately after payment ## Getting Started 1. Sign In You need a Builders.to account to create ads. Go to [builders.to/signin](/content/signin/index.html) and sign in with your preferred method (email magic link, GitHub, etc.). 2. Navigate to the Ads Dashboard Go to [builders.to/ads](/content/ads/index.html) — this is your "My Ads" dashboard where you can manage all your advertisements. 3. Create a New Ad Click the "Create Ad" button to start designing your advertisement. ## Creating Your Ad ### Required Fields #### Headline *Required* This is the main attention-grabbing text for your ad (max 100 characters). Make it compelling and action-oriented. Examples: "Ship faster with our AI code assistant", "The database built for builders" #### Destination URL *Required* The link where users will be directed when they click your ad. Must be a valid URL. https://your-product.com?utm_source=builders.to&utm_medium=ad Tip: Use UTM parameters to track traffic from your Builders.to ads. ### Optional Fields #### Description Brief text explaining your product or service (max 200 characters). Use this to add context to your headline. #### Ad Image Upload an eye-catching image for your ad. Recommended size: 600x300px (2:1 aspect ratio). Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, WebP. High-quality, relevant images significantly improve ad performance. #### Button Text (CTA) Customizable call-to-action button text (max 30 characters). Default: "Learn More" Examples: "Get Started", "Try Free", "Shop Now", "Sign Up" **Live Preview:** As you fill in the form, you'll see a real-time preview of how your ad will appear in the sidebar. This helps you fine-tune the design before submission. ## Ad Statuses Explained Your ad can have one of these statuses: #### Draft Ad created but not yet paid. You can edit freely. #### Pending Payment Checkout started but payment not completed. #### Active Paid and currently running on the feed. Your ad is live! #### Expired The 30-day period has ended. Create a new ad to continue advertising. #### Cancelled Payment was refunded or cancelled. ## Paying for Your Ad ### Dynamic Pricing System #### How It Works - Only **8 ad slots** are available platform-wide - Price **doubles** each time all slots fill up - Current price shown on the [create ad page](/content/ads/new/index.html) Example: Starting at $5/mo → $10/mo → $20/mo as demand increases ### Payment: Tokens Only #### Pay with Tokens Sidebar ads are activated using tokens (10 tokens = $1). The token cost matches the current tier price. Earn tokens by posting, referrals, streak milestones, and Pro membership. ### Activation Process 1. After creating your ad draft, click "Activate with X tokens" 2. Tokens are deducted from your balance (ensure you have enough; earn more via referrals, streaks, engagement, or Pro) 3. Your ad becomes active immediately for 30 days #### Limited Availability With only 8 slots available, ads sell out quickly. When all slots are filled, you'll need to wait for an existing ad to expire before purchasing. ## Managing Your Ads ### Viewing Ad Details Click on any ad in your dashboard to see: - Ad preview showing how it appears to visitors - Current status and days remaining - Start and end dates - Analytics data (for active/expired ads) ### Editing Ads You can edit ads while they're in Draft or Pending Payment status. Simply click the ad, then click "Edit", make your changes, and save. Note: Active ads cannot be edited. To change an active ad, you'll need to create a new one. ### Deleting Ads You can delete ads that are in Draft, Pending Payment, Expired, or Cancelled status. Active ads cannot be deleted — they will naturally expire after 30 days. ## Analytics & Tracking Once your ad is active, you'll have access to detailed analytics: - Total Views: Times your ad was displayed - Unique Visitors: Individual users who saw your ad - Total Clicks: Times users clicked your ad - CTR: Click-through rate percentage - Today's Stats: Views and clicks today - Daily Chart: 14-day performance trend ## Best Practices ### Headlines That Work - Be specific about what you offer - Lead with the benefit to the builder - Use action words Good "Cut your deployment time by 80%" Not as good "Our deployment tool" ### Images That Convert - Use product screenshots or clean graphics - Ensure text is readable at small sizes - Maintain the 2:1 aspect ratio (600x300px) - Avoid cluttered or busy images ### CTA Button Tips - "Try Free" — great for freemium products - "Get Started" — perfect for SaaS tools - "Learn More" — best for informational content - "Shop Now" — ideal for e-commerce ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How long until my ad goes live? Immediately after successful payment. There's no review process. ### Can I renew my ad? Yes! Simply create a new ad (you can use the same content) and pay for another 30-day period. There's no automatic renewal. ### What's the refund policy? Ads are non-refundable once active. Make sure to preview your ad carefully before payment. ### Can I run multiple ads at once? Yes, as long as slots are available. The platform has 8 total ad slots shared among all advertisers. You can have multiple ads if you secure slots before they fill up. ### How are ads rotated? If multiple ads are active, they're randomly selected to display to each visitor, giving fair exposure to all advertisers. ### Can I target specific audiences? Currently, ads are shown to all Builders.to feed visitors. There's no targeting based on user attributes. ### What content is not allowed? No misleading or deceptive content, no adult or inappropriate material, no malware or harmful links. ### Ready to reach thousands of builders? Create your first ad and get in front of active developers, indie hackers, and startup founders. Only 8 slots available!