How do I set up Protected Assets (Gated Files)?

The Gated Files function in ActiveDEMAND is an easy and simple way to force online users to complete a form before accessing the hosted file. If the person has filled out the form, the file is easily accessible and tracked. Every time a person downloads the file, it shows up on the prospect's timeline, and there are asset reports widgets that show the performance of a given file.


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Note, File Gating is only supported in the Corporate Marketer package (Gating is where a contact is automatically checked to see if they exist in the database. If they don't they are asked to provide name and email address). Small Business Marketer has 'tracked' Files, not Gated Files. You can track all file downloads with both packages, but the gating option is only on Corporate Marketer.

Tip: Set up a registration page before uploading assets

An asset can be a white paper, datasheet, brochure, video or another document. Acquiring contact information is a key element to marketing. Protected Assets help you build your contact list to use for future marketing initiatives. Here is how to use the Gated File functionality in ActiveDEMAND.

From the Assets menu in ActiveDEMAND select "Files" and then click "New File"
Name: The name you give your file. The more descriptive the better. This can be referenced in Landing Pages with the dynamic field %CONTENT_ASSET.ASSET_FILE_NAME%
Description: Provide a description of the asset. For example, "January 2014 Data Sheet for Widget XYZ". This can be referenced in Landing Pages with the dynamic fields %CONTENT_ASSET.DESCRIPTION%
If anonymous, register here: You must provide the full URL (website address) to an ActiveDEMAND form. This is the form that will be presented to the user in the event they have not already registered for a gated file.
File: Click "Select Asset" and upload your asset. Image, video, document, and compressed file types are allowed.
Finally, click "Save Asset"

Using the Gated File link

Once saved, you will be provided with a public access URL. For example:

http://www2.yourdomain.com/submit/download/76

With the provided link you can embed it in an email, on a website, in an online directory, or just about anywhere.

What happens when the Gated File Link is clicked?

When the link is clicked, ActiveDEMAND will check to see if the user is registered in ActiveDEMAND. If not, they will be presented with a registration form. Once they submit the form they will be given access to the asset. The link provided to users expires very quickly thus preventing users from being able to share the link

It is important to note that the domain for the public link needs to be the same as the form submit domain. If your registration page is an ActiveDEMAND landing page, everything will work with no special considerations. If you are using an embedded form on your website as a registration form, you will need to change the URL the form submits to. By default, when you export a form the url for submitting looks like this:

<form action='https://submit.activedemand.com/submit/form/<form ID>
This will need to be changed to be in line with your shared link domain, hence the above line needs to be changed to:

<form action='http://www2.yourdomain.com/submit/form/<form ID>
The above assumes you have the Added your DNS CNAME Records If you are using the WordPress plugin and shortcodes for your AD form, you will not be able to edit the form code, thus your only option will be to create the form in AD and export the HTML and embed the HTML into your web site.

Ensure that your form DOES NOT use an in-place confirmation. The AD form must be set to either redirect to a confirmation page or to 'display the following message' in which the 'system generated' confirmation is created. Note that this page is never displayed as the asset is presented in its place.

Updated on: 20/09/2022