How advertising with The Cardinal works. Do not see your question? Book a call and we will help.
Getting started
How do I get started?
Pick a package online and check out, or use Find your package to get a recommendation. If you would rather talk it through, book a call and our team will build a plan with you.
What happens after I buy?
You will get a confirmation and a short brief request so we can set up your campaign correctly. If you do not have creative ready, we can design it for you. Most web campaigns go live within a couple of business days of receiving assets.
Do I need my own ad designed already?
No. You can add professional ad design at checkout, and print and travel-guide packages include design assistance. Just let us know at checkout that you would like help.
How web advertising works
What does "industry-targeted" mean?
When you buy a web package you choose your industry. We then show your ads where locals are looking in that category: your directory category page, search results, the homepage, the chatbot, and the events page.
Can I target a specific town or county?
Yes. We can target the whole region, a single county, or a town. Tell us your target area at checkout or on a call.
What is the difference between a package and Category Leader?
Spotlight and Featured place you alongside others in your category. Category Leader makes you the exclusive Title Sponsor of your category, so only your business holds that top spot. One business per category.
Ad specs
What are the web ad sizes?
We follow IAB industry standards: leaderboard 728x90 and billboard 970x250 for banners, medium rectangle 300x250 and half page 300x600 for sidebars, mobile anchor 320x50 and 320x100 for sticky units, and native logo-plus-copy for sponsorships. See the Ad Formats page for the full breakdown by ad type. We will send exact specs and can build the creative for you.
What creative formats can my ad use?
A professionally designed static ad is included with every placement. You can upgrade to a motion graphic, a 15-second commercial, or a 30-second commercial for a one-time production charge. See the Ad Formats page for pricing.
What about print?
Print ads are full color at 300 DPI, CMYK. Sizes range from business-card (eighth page) to full page. We will provide a template and a deadline for each edition.
What file formats do you accept?
For web: PNG, JPG, or SVG plus your copy for static and motion, or MP4 for video. For print: print-ready PDF preferred, or we can design from your logo and details.
Billing & policies
How does billing work?
Monthly packages are recurring subscriptions you can cancel anytime. One-time items, like sponsored articles or travel-guide placements, are charged once. Checkout is handled securely by Stripe.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Monthly packages can be cancelled at any time and will run through the end of the period you have paid for.
Do you offer reporting?
Yes. Web campaigns include an analytics dashboard with impressions, clicks, and click-through rate so you can see exactly what your investment delivers.
Still have questions?
Our advertising team is happy to help you figure out the right fit.