Overview
This article will guide you through setting up the ping post delivery method, which handles the ping and post components through two separate tabs within the same delivery method.:
Understanding Ping Post Delivery
Using Ping Post allows you to deliver partial lead data to buyers before the lead is sold. The method comprises two parts: a "ping", which allows clients to preview the lead and bid if they want to buy it, and a "post", which will be sent to clients only if they bid on or accept the initial ping.
Ping: Send partial, basic lead data such as state, loan amount, etc., if accepted by the buyer, then the post is sent
Post: After the bid is accepted, deliver full lead details (including the ones sent in the initial ping).
How to Configure a Ping Post Delivery
Configuring a Ping/Post delivery requires two delivery pathways within a single delivery method: first, the ping, which follows a roughly standard HTTP POST for the initial information delivery, then the post, which will handle the delivery of the remaining data.
Step-by-Step Setup
Create the PING/POST Delivery Method
Go to Delivery Methods → Click Create
From the Advanced delivery methods, select Ping/Post.
Configure the basic settings:
Description → Custom name for your method (e.g., "Mortgage Ping Post").
Lead Type → Select the desired lead type. Note that this cannot be changed once the delivery method is created.
Click Create → Once done, you'll be able to further adjust the settings for both the Ping and the Post part of the delivery process.
Now, let's review the Ping/Post-specific settings below:
General Settings
The general settings control the basic overall behavior of your delivery method:
Description: Modify the delivery method
Environment: Choose if you want to have the delivery method set to Production or Testing status; this will tell the delivery method which endpoint to use (more on that next)
Phone Call Settings: This section controls the behavior of phone calls associated with this delivery method and account.
PING and POST Configuration Tabs
Note: The settings in both tabs are identical, with the POST Configuration offering to set the Content Type to the same value as in the Ping settings.
URL Endpoint
Method: Select which type of HTTP method will be used during the Ping process (POST, GET, PUT, etc.)
Production URL: input the final production URL endpoint for the Ping process
Testing/Sandbox URL: input the testing URL endpoint for the Ping process
Request Settings:
Content Type: Choose which content type the request body for the Ping will be sent in (i.e.: JSON, URL Encoded, XML, etc.)
Timeout: Select the timeout threshold for the Ping request in seconds.
review the settings you created in the General Settings tab, then let's proceed to URL Endpoint tab
Custom Headers: input static-value headers to send with your Ping
Authentication
Select the authentication method required by your client's system to validate the Ping request.
Mappings
You can select the fields you want to make available to map dynamic, static, or calculated values to send in your Ping request.
Request Body
You can enter the format for sending your Ping request to your client's endpoint, and map the previously imported leads in the Mappings tab to make sure that the value delivery is accurate.
Response Settings
Use Regular Expression: toggle to enable use of regular expressions for pattern matching.
Search Pattern: Enter the search pattern that will indicate a successful response for the Ping.
Price: Enter the search pattern to extract the price from the response.
PING reference ID: enter the search pattern to extract the PING ID or equivalent unique indicators from the response.
Redirect URL: enter the search pattern to extract a redirect URL from the response.
Enable Ping During Sort: toggle to enable a ping during sorting to retrieve a real-time bid price
Retry Settings
Select whether you want the system to retry the Ping if it fails.
Best Practices
Naming Convention:
Include client name or any other key identifier + ping/post for easier handling (e.g., "Solar Co - Water Heater Ping/Post")Test Thoroughly:
Validate ping and post responses before going live, and ensure you adhere to your client's posting instructionsMonitor Bids:
Adjust revenue requirements if buyers rarely bid, and ensure the response settings are correct based on your buyers' posting instructions
Troubleshooting
Posts not sending:
Verify the PING/POST method URL endpoint. Note that sometimes the Post URL Endpoint differs from the Ping URL Endpoint.No buyer bids:
Review campaign revenue requirements