Patent Publication Number: US-2009240582-A1

Title: Systems and methods for providing purchasing incentives and advertisements

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/064,648, filed Mar. 18, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Numerous goods and services providers issue coupons for their products. Coupons are often both a form of advertising and a type of purchasing incentive. Other purchasing incentives include rebates and advertisements of products at discounted prices. Generally, advertisements are any notice for calling public attention to the products of providers whether or not they offer a discount or gift. Coupons are issued to entice consumers to purchase goods and services from particular providers whether a provider is a manufacturer, retailer or other type of business. Coupons are typically issued in limited numbers, although the quantity of coupons issued may be quite large, and for a limited duration (e.g., defined by an expiration date). Coupons provide a discount or gift to those consumers that redeem them according to the terms of the coupons. For example, coupons will often reduce the purchase price of one or more products by a fixed or percentage amount, increase the quantity of products sold at a purchasing price, or provide related products at a reduced purchasing price or for no additional charge. Indeed, coupons provide consumers with “more for less.” 
     Product providers issue coupons for numerous promotional reasons. Coupons are also distributed to consumers in a variety of ways. Coupons are issued to entice consumers to try new products, shore up sales, reduce inventory, develop or regain consumer loyalty, and increase or maintain market share, among other reasons. Coupons are delivered via numerous publications, direct mailings, free standing inserts, in-store dispensers, printed store receipts, on-product means and peel-off means, to name a few. Coupons are also now delivered electronically via the Internet. 
     Product providers are interested in designing coupons for and delivering coupons to consumers they desire to obtain as customers while increasing efficiency and reducing the costs associated with coupon design and distribution. In addition, product providers would benefit from obtaining relevant consumer information from interested consumers in order to advance the product providers&#39; marketing strategies and further target their potential customer base. 
     Global, national, regional and local product providers issue coupons for their goods and services. All sizes of product producers issue electronic coupons via the Internet. Nevertheless, small (particularly, local) product providers appear to be underrepresented as issuers of electronic coupons in comparison to overall coupon issuance. This is likely due to less advertising resources and less technical/computer know-how. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a system for providing purchasing incentives or advertisements is disclosed. The system can include one or more servers on a network and one or more data storage devices on the network where the one or more data storage devices are operatively connected to the one or more servers. An application suite can be stored and executable on the one or more servers. The application suite can have more than one module. The more than one module can include a first module for advertisers and a second module for consumers. The first module can include any of purchasing incentive/advertisement design functionality, demographical-targeting functionality, promotional campaign planning functionality and promotional campaign management functionality. The second module can provide any of a plurality of purchasing incentives and a plurality of advertisements via the network in at least one of a demographically-targeted manner, a searchable manner and a hierarchally-arranged manner. The second module can also include registration functionality wherein contact data, demographic data and/or categorical data is solicited from consumers during a registration process. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a method of providing coupons to consumers is disclosed. The method can include providing a plurality of preformatted coupon templates and a plurality of template data entry mechanisms on an advertisers module of a website. The method can also include accepting a template selection and coupon data where the coupon data is entered via the plurality of template data entry mechanisms. The method can further include populating a preformatted coupon template according to the template selection and the coupon data entered. Yet further, the method can include receiving a request to issue coupons on the advertisers module of the website and publishing a plurality of printable coupons on a consumers module of the website. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of sharing consumer data with advertisers is disclosed. The method can include publishing a plurality of coupons, provided by advertisers, on a consumers module of a website. The method can also include limiting the printing of the plurality of coupons to registered consumers, collecting consumer data from consumers during registration, receiving requests to print the plurality of coupons, accepting the requests to print the plurality of coupons, providing the plurality of coupons in printable form, and sharing the consumer data on an advertisers module of the website. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  diagrammatically illustrates an exemplary network connecting advertisers, affiliates, consumers and channel partners with a system provider; 
         FIG. 2  is a website map illustrating a portion of an exemplary website of the system provider; 
         FIG. 3  is a website map illustrating an exemplary advertisers module of the exemplary website; 
         FIG. 4  shows an exemplary GUI portion of the exemplary advertisers module; 
         FIG. 5  shows another exemplary GUI portion of the exemplary advertisers module; 
         FIG. 6  shows yet another exemplary GUI portion of the exemplary advertisers module; 
         FIG. 7  shows still another exemplary GUI portion of the exemplary advertisers module; 
         FIG. 8  shows a further exemplary GUI portion of the exemplary advertisers module; 
         FIG. 9  shows yet a further exemplary GUI portion of the exemplary advertisers module; 
         FIG. 10  is a website map illustrating an exemplary consumers module of the exemplary website; 
         FIGS. 11A &amp; 11B  show an exemplary GUI portion of the exemplary consumers module; 
         FIG. 12  is a website map illustrating an exemplary channel partners module of the exemplary website; 
         FIG. 13  is a website map illustrating an exemplary affiliates module of the exemplary website; 
         FIG. 14  is a website map illustrating an exemplary system provider module of the exemplary website; 
         FIG. 15  shows an exemplary electronic coupon in graphical or printed form; and 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for pooling and providing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements from a global pool on the exemplary system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows. 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the terms “embodiments of the invention,” “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , network  100  can connect advertisers  102  (and any affiliates acting on behalf thereof), consumers  104 , system provider  106  and any channel partners  108 . Network  100 , or at least a portion thereof, can be the Internet. Alternatively, singularly or in conjunction, network  100  (or portions thereof) can be any other network known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     System provider  106  can provide at least one system on network  100  for providing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements from advertisers  102  to consumers  104 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, a system for providing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements can provide coupons issued by advertisers  102  (or affiliates on behalf thereof) to consumers  104  for redemption. The at least one system can provide at least one application suite (or any modules, programs and executable code thereof) on network  100 . The application suite can be predominantly or wholly web-based. Features of the application suite can be accessed via network  100  by advertisers  102 , any affiliates, consumers  104  and any channel providers  108  operating client computing devices running web-browsers and connected to network  100 . As will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art, system provider  106  can have access to the features and underlying code of the application suite locally and/or remotely. 
     The system can include one or more servers on network  100 . The one or more servers can be operatively connected to one or more storage devices (digital repositories), which may be any one or more suitable databases known to one having ordinary skill in the art. The application suite (or the majority of features and functionalities thereof) can be executable on the one or more servers. The application suite can be functionally grouped into one or more modules where the modules provide a variety of features and functionalities to advertisers  102 , any affiliates, consumers  104  and any channel providers  108 . These modules can include any of an advertisers module, an affiliates module, a consumers module, a channel providers module and a system provider module. Each module can have a variety of features and functionalities, which features and functionalities may overlap and/or be substantially similar to features and functionalities of other modules. Also, while most features and functionalities are contemplated to be, but are not so limited, accessed remotely by advertisers  102 , any affiliates, consumers  104  and any channel providers, some features and functionalities may be accessed locally by the same. 
     Advertisers  102  are a type of user of the system for providing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements. The purchasing incentives/advertisements can be published by the system of system provider  106 . Advertisers  102  can be any of local, regional, national or global businesses that provide goods and/or services (i.e. products). Additionally, advertisers  102  can be any other person or organization that advertises. Advertisers  102  can operate client computing devices connected to network  100  for accessing features and functionalities of the system. Advertisers  102  can access the system in order to provide any of purchasing incentives and advertisements to consumers  104 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, advertisers  102  can do so in order to design and/or issue coupons that can be printed and redeemed by authorized consumers  104 . 
     Affiliates acting on behalf of advertisers  102  are another type of user of the system for providing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements. Affiliates can be representatives or agents of advertisers  102 . For example, affiliates can be consultants, consulting firms, advertising agencies and the like. Affiliates can operate client computing devices connected to network  100  for accessing features and functionalities of the system. Affiliates can access the system in order to provide any of purchasing incentives and advertisements to consumers  104  on behalf of advertisers  102 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, affiliates can do so in order to design and/or issue coupons that can be printed and redeemed by authorized consumers  104 . 
     Consumers  104  are another type of user of the system for providing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements. Consumers  104  can be members of the general public and can be potential customers of advertisers  102 . Consumers  104  can operate client computing devices connected to network  100  for accessing features and functionalities of the system. Consumers  104  may be directed to the system via websites of channel providers  108  or may directly access the website of service provider  106 . Consumers  104  can be provided a plurality of purchasing incentives or a plurality of advertisements in at least one of a searchable manner, a hierarchally-arranged manner and a targeted (whether by demographic and/or categorical data) manner. Consumers  104  may thus view purchasing incentives or advertisements provided by advertisers  102  on the system. In at least one exemplary embodiment, consumers  104  can view coupons provided on the system by advertisers  102 . Furthermore, consumers  104  can be authorized and given access to print such coupons for redemption. 
     Also, in at least one exemplary embodiment, registered consumers  104  can be directed to any of purchasing incentives and advertisements by demographic and/or categorical data supplied by such consumers  104  during registration and associated with any of purchasing incentives and advertisements by advertisers  102  in carrying out a promotional (marketing) campaign. Consumers  104  can be directed to any of purchasing incentives and advertisements matching the supplied demographic and/or categorical data (e.g., at a consumers home webpage), but may be able to search or otherwise find purchasing incentives or advertisements associated with other demographic and/or categorical data. Alternatively, consumers  104  can be limited to purchasing incentives or advertisements matching the supplied demographic and/or categorical data. Moreover, unregistered consumers  104  may have to register and supply demographic and/or categorical data in order to access any of purchasing incentives and advertisements published on the system matching such demographic and/or categorical data. Furthermore, registered consumers  104  can have the ability to refer (share) any of purchasing incentives and advertisements with other registered and unregistered consumers  104 , for example, by email. Unregistered consumers  104  may also have to register before viewing and/or printing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements. In at least one exemplary embodiment, consumers  104  may have to be registered and logged-in in order to print coupons. 
     Channel partners  108  are another type of user of at least one system for providing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements. Channel partners  108  can serve to direct consumers  104  to purchasing incentives or advertisements provided by advertisers  102  on the system. In at least one exemplary embodiment, channel partners  108  can host websites for their businesses/organizations. Channel partners  108  can serve as conduits by directing (e.g., by providing hypertext links on their websites) consumers  104  (and advertisers  102  and any affiliates thereof) to features of the system. System providers  106  can provide a tailored system for each channel partner  108  on behalf thereof, which may be styled to substantially integrate with the website of each channel partner  108 . Channel partners  108  themselves may also provide features and functionalities of the systems. Each channel partner  108  can also operate client computing devices connected to network  100  for accessing features of the system, which system may be provided by system provider  106  on behalf of channel partners  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a portion of an exemplary website of system provider  106  is illustrated. The exemplary website (or portions thereof) can be hosted by system provider  106  on their own behalf, or, alternatively on behalf of channel partner  108 . If the website is hosted by system provider  106  on behalf of channel partner  108 , then the website may appear to integrate with website  202  of channel partner  108  giving the appearance to advertisers  102  and consumers  104  that they are navigating within a single website. The exemplary website (or portions thereof) can thus be the system-provider-powered portion of website  202 . The exemplary website can have any functionality known to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the website can include search functionality. Moreover, drop-down menus and like graphical user interface (“GUI”) widgets can be used to enable a user to filter information and navigate to webpages, as non-limiting examples. 
     Whether directed by hypertext link from channel partner website  202  or not, users can access home webpage  204  of the exemplary website of system provider  106 . Webpage  204  can include top level navigation hypertext links for directing users to associated webpages. The top level navigation hypertext links can appear on all or nearly all webpages of the website. The top level navigation hypertext links and associated webpages can include home link  206 , about link  208 , contact us link  210 , help link  212 , privacy policy link  214 , and terms and conditions link  216 , among other types of navigation links and associated webpages known to one having ordinary skill in the art. In at least one exemplary embodiment, top level navigation hypertext links can allow a user to reach any module or main section of the website within three hypertext link selections (e.g., “clicks”). Other hypertext links can include text only link  226 , email link  228  and the like known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     Other webpages, which hypertext links thereto can be placed on various webpages of the website, can include at least one of webpage  218  for consumers  104 , at least one webpage  220  for advertisers  102 , at least one webpage  222  for affliates and at least one webpage  224  for channel partners  108 . Webpages  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224  can function as specific (secondary) home pages for consumers  104 , advertisers  102 , affiliates and channel partners  108 , respectively. 
     In at least one exemplary embodiment, webpages  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224  can each respectively serve as a gateway for linking to consumers module  230 , advertisers module  232 , affiliates module  234  and channel partners module  236  of the website and application suite. System provider module  238  may reside in a non-public portion of the website where super administrators can have unfettered access and other administrators can be authorized for more limited access to features and functionalities. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary advertisers module  232  is illustrated as a portion of the exemplary website. At advertisers home webpage  220  of advertisers module  232 , hypertext links can be presented to advertisers  102  for registration subportion  302 , logged-in advertisers subportion  304  and de-registration subportion  310 . At advertisers home webpage  220 , any hypertext link known to one having ordinary skill in the art can also be included, such as site map link  306 , lost password link  308  and email link  312  for directing advertisers  102  to associated webpages and features. 
     At registration subportion  302 , advertisers  102  can be presented with terms and conditions webpage  314  and can accept the terms and conditions at decision  316 . Upon accepting the terms and conditions, advertisers  102  can be presented advertisers account information (e.g., business, user and financial information) webpage  318 . At webpage  318  (or, alternatively, at webpage  314 ), each unregistered advertiser  102  can enter an email address and can enter an account password selected by advertiser  102 . At webpage  318 , advertisers  102  can enter a variety of account data, including company (or other organization) information, company (or other organization) member information for individual users and financial information. Webpage  318  can be presented to advertisers  102  in form format with various GUI widgets for entering data. Data entered by advertisers  102  can be validated by the system. Data can also be limited to predetermined lengths and types of alphanumeric characters, and can be requested in particular formats. Data can also be limited to predetermined options. Webpage  318  can be later accessed by registered advertisers  102  for updating and editing information where webpage  318  can be pre-populated with stored account data. 
     Webpage  318  can also be linked to additional webpages for assisting advertisers  102  in entering information or to provide separate webpages for entering types of information. For example, address finder webpage  320  can be linked to for providing advertisers  102  with address identification functionality. Business types webpage  322  can be presented to advertisers  102  for selecting one or more categories of business types which most closely described the businesses of advertisers  102 . In addition, payment webpage  324  can be presented to advertisers  102  for providing information related to effectuating payment and/or for selecting how advertisers  102  will be charged by system provider  106 . Payment webpage  324  may grant advertisers  102  choices in how they are to be charged by system provider  106 , which may include the option to be charged based on coupons printed, where appropriate. Know revenue generating methods may also be included as options. 
     In at least one exemplary embodiment, advertisers  102  can choose to or may be required to be charged a fee by system provider  106  based on coupons printed by consumer  102 . Such a fee may be fixed or subject to auction-style bidding, such as a running auction. For illustrative purposes and in a non-limiting manner, system provider  106  may charge advertisers  102  a fixed fee of a predetermined dollar amount (e.g., one dollar) per each coupon printed by consumer  102 . Coupons printed can also be charged at a bulk rate. Alternatively, advertisers  102  may be charged based on coupons viewed, presumably at a lesser rate than coupons printed. Also, in at least one exemplary embodiment, system provider  106  can share revenue generated from advertisers  102  with any channel partners  108  that directed consumers  104  to coupons provided by advertisers  104 . Revenue sharing between system provider  106  and channel partners  108  can be based on a fixed or percentage amount (e.g., 50 percent) per coupons printed (or viewed), as a non-limiting example. 
     In other embodiments, any method of charging and collecting revenue for publishing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements known to one having ordinary skill in the art can be used by system provider  106  and can be presented to advertisers  102  as optional or required. For example, advertisers  102  can be charged based on click-throughs and can be subjected to running auctions on search keywords. 
     During or upon successful completion of the registration process, advertisers  102  can be assigned unique identifiers (e.g., customer numbers) and channel identifiers. Channel identifiers can be unique to each channel partner  108 . Upon registration, advertisers  102  can be directed to and presented with welcome webpage  326  of logged-in subportion  304 . 
     If any registered advertisers  102  decide that they no longer desire to be registered users of the exemplary system, advertisers  102  can link to de-registration subportion  310 . At de-registration subportion  310 , advertisers  102  can be presented with de-register decision  328 . If advertisers  102  select to de-register, then advertisers  102  can be directed to home webpage  204 . The exemplary system can de-register such advertisers  102  by, for example, suspending or deleting their accounts. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , logged-in advertisers subportion  304  can be for registered and logged-in advertisers  102 . Advertisers  102  can login from one or more webpages, including advertisers home webpage  220  of advertisers module  232 . Advertisers  102  can login by entering an account name or number (e.g., email address, customer number or other unique identifier) and a password that can be validated by the system. Advertisers  102  can also have login data saved and can be automatically logged-in by, for example, enabled identification cookies programmed to do so, as is well known in the art. Once logged-in, registered advertisers  102  can be presented with welcome webpage  326 . Welcome webpage  326  can include hypertext links for directing advertisers  102  to options subportion  330 , promotional (marketing) campaign subportion  332 , other promotional/merchandising materials subportion  334 , bulk email subportion  336 , payment subportion  338  and reports subportion  340 . 
     At option subportion  330 , advertisers  102  can be presented with advertisers account information webpage  318  where advertisers  102  can edit and update account information and link to webpage  324  for selecting different billing and payment methods. As described above, webpage  318  can be pre-populated with stored account data regarding advertiser  102 , which may then be edited. At password webpage  342 , advertisers  102  can change the current password to their account where the original password may have been selected and/or assigned during the registration process. 
     At promotional (marketing) campaign subportion  332 , advertisers  102  can build (design) any of purchasing incentives and advertisements. Advertisers  102  can also plan and manage a promotional campaign. By planning and managing a promotional campaign, advertisers  102  can determine the criteria in which any of purchasing incentives and advertisements are distributed and, thus, provided to consumers  104 . At promotional campaign subportion  332 , at least one webpage  344  can have aspects directed to building/designing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements. At least one webpage  346  can have aspects directed to planning promotional campaigns. At least one webpage  348  can have aspects directed to managing promotional campaigns, which may include features for terminating promotional campaigns, or, alternatively, at least one webpage  350  can have aspects directed to terminating promotional campaigns. As described further below,  FIGS. 4-7  show exemplary GUI portions that may be presented to advertisers  102  by webpages  344 ,  346 ,  348 ,  350  of promotional campaign subportion  332 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , at other promotional/merchandizing materials subportion  334 , one or more webpages  352  can provide advertisers  102  with the ability to design any of leaflets, flyers, business cards and like point-of-sale materials. One or more webpages  352  can include templates for designing such point-of-sale materials. While promotional campaign subportion  332  can be directed, at least in part, to designing any of purchasing incentives and advertisments provided to consumers  104  via the exemplary website, other materials subportion  334  can be directed to providing electronic documents that advertisers  102  can electronically or manually provide to potential customers off-website and without the charges associated therewith. 
     In at least one exemplary embodiment, at other promotional/merchandizing materials subportion  334 , advertisers  102  can be presented a template that allows advertisers  102  to customize and print a business card. Printed business cards can be used at the point-of-sale. In simple form, an exemplary template can have three data entry portions for respectively entering company name, any logo and contact information. Advertisers  102  can be provided options for selecting the size of such printed business cards, which may match with known label sizes provided by popular paper products companies (e.g., AVERY DENNISON). 
     At bulk email subportion  336 , advertisers  102  can be presented at least one webpage  354  directed to managing bulk email promotions. Webpages  356 ,  358 ,  360  can also be included to provide advertisers  102  with the ability to manage folders, view folders and view files, respectively. Bulk email subportion  336  can provide advertisers with the ability to send a plurality of emails to a plurality of consumers  104  while providing each consumer  104  with the ability to opt out of such bulk mailings. Bulk email functionality can provide advertisers  102  with the means to send consumers  104  new purchasing incentives, advertisements, general information and the like by email. 
     In at least one exemplary embodiment, the system can provide a particular advertiser  102  the ability to email registered consumers  104  who have printed one or more coupons of such advertiser  102 . The system can provide access to such consumers  104  based on contact data (including at least email addresses) entered by consumers  104  during a consumer registration process. Demographic and/or categorical data can also be collected from consumers  104  during the consumer registration process, which can be used in targeting bulk emails based on such demographic and/or categorical data. By collecting contact and demographic (and/or categorical) data, advertisers  102  can have the ability to follow-up with consumers  104  who have showed interest in the products of advertisers  102 . At bulk email subportion  336 , advertisers  102  can also have the ability to access (or unlock) consumer contact data (including at least email addresses) and, optionally, demographic and/or categorical data of consumers  104  already known to advertisers  102 . 
     Also, in at least one exemplary embodiment, advertisers  102  can access contact and demographic data of such consumers  104 . Folders can be created by advertisers  102  for storing consumer data. Files uploaded and located in the folders can be in Excel, Comma Separated Values (“CSV”) and Access formats, as non-limiting examples. As described further below,  FIG. 9  shows an exemplary GUI portion, which may be presented by webpage  356  (or view folder webpage  358 ). View folder webpage  358  can present all folders accessible to advertiser  102 . Folders can also be assigned for each consumer  104  and, within such folders, others subordinate folders can be provided. For example, a coupon redemption folder under a consumer folder can contain files having data regarding number and/or types of coupons printed. A referral folder under a consumer folder can contain files having data regarding coupons shared by each consumer  104  with other registered or unregistered consumers  104 , for example, by email. 
     Moreover, in at least one exemplary embodiment, bulk email subportion  226  can provide functionality enabling advertisers  102  to select demographic criteria that advertisers  102  desire to target by a bulk email campaign. For example, demographic data targeted by bulk email can include any of postal codes, cities/towns, telephone STD/area codes, counties, television regions, states/nations and the like. For the convenience of consumers  104 , every email generated by bulk email subportion  226  can contain an opt out (unsubscribe) link. Accordingly, consumers  104  can opt out of promotional email campaigns of a particular advertiser  102 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, consumers  104  may be automatically opted back in upon printing another coupon of such advertiser  102 . As further described below,  FIG. 8  shows an exemplary GUI portion (of, for example, webpage  354 ) for demographically-targeting consumers  104 . 
     At payment subportion  338 , advertisers  102  can be presented with various webpages directed to payment-related matters. Payment subportion  338  can include at least one webpage  362  directed to online payment, including pre-payment, for advertisers  102 . Online payment webpage  362  can direct advertisers  102  to various webpages catering to one or more payment methods, including, for example, webpages  372 ,  374  directed to credit card and debit card payments, respectively. In other embodiments, credit card and debit card payments can be effectuated from the same one or more webpages. Payment subportion  338 , can include webpages directed to various reports for advertisers  102 . Report webpages can include webpages  364 ,  366 ,  368 ,  370  directed to invoice reports, payment reports, pre-payment reports, viewable (e.g., resembling paper) invoice reports, respectively, and the like known to one having ordinary skill in the art. Each report webpage  364 ,  366 ,  368 ,  370  can further include links to one or more webpages  376 ,  378 ,  380 ,  382  for viewing further details of the respective reports. 
     At reports subportion  340 , advertisers  102  can be presented with at least one campaign chart webpage  384 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, at campaign chart webpage  384 , advertisers  102  can view all consumers  104  that have printed and/or referred (shared) coupons. For example, webpage  324  can include a table showing consumer data, such as names, email addresses, number of coupons printed, number of coupons referred, unique coupon identifiers associated with each coupon and the like. Webpage  384  can link to webpage  386 . Webpage  386  can include a campaign duration chart. The campaign chart can present the dates that a promotional campaign(s) is scheduled to run for. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 4-7 , exemplary GUI portions for webpages of promotional campaign subportion  332  are illustrated. In at least one exemplary embodiment, all or nearly all GUIs of advertisers module  232 , particularly promotional campaign subportion  332 , can be designed to be user-friendly in a simplified and intuitive manner. While it is contemplated that advertisers  102  can be any of global, national, regional and local product (i.e., goods and services) providers (as well as any other person, entity or organization), it is likewise contemplated that a user-friendly system can particularly attract small market (local extending to some regional) product providers who are believed to be presently underrepresented in the online advertising market. Many small market product providers rely on coupons to target their potential customer base and provide such coupons through various conventional methods. Without being bound by belief, it is also believed that small market product providers, as a segment, have a lesser online advertising presence due to the cost and technical complexity of establishing such a presence. Accordingly, in at least one exemplary embodiment, the exemplary website can provide small market product providers the ability to increase their online presence by providing a user-friendly interface for designing and issuing coupons—a form of advertising many small product providers are familiar with and rely on—in a cost-effective manner. Central to a user-friendly interface can be a what-you-see-what-you-get approach having data entry GUI widgets arranged in a simplified and intuitive manner. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , exemplary GUI portion  400  is illustrated. GUI portion  400  can be presented by at least one webpage  344 , as one non-limiting example. GUI portion  400  can include step and title section  402 , channel selection section  404 , advertisement type section  406 , advertisement product category section  408 , template library section  410 , image upload section  412 , header text entry section  414 , secondary (e.g., special offer) text entry section  416 , main text entry section  418 , keyword section  420 , advertisement file name section  422  and preview link  424 . Sections can be modified, rearranged, omitted and new sections added, as will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In step and title section  402 , GUI portion  400  can display information identifying the purpose (e.g., “build your advert”) of portion  400  and the predetermined step (e.g., “step 1”) that portion  400  can be in an exemplary process. In channel selection section  404 , advertisers  102  can select whether a purchasing incentive or advertisement under design is to be provided on one or more channels. For example, advertisers  102  can request that a purchasing incentive or advertisement under design be provided on the present channel or all channels by selecting (e.g., by clicking) the appropriate checkbox (or another selectable widget). In advertisement category section  406 , advertisers  102  can select the type of any of purchasing incentives and advertisements being designed, which may automatically affect the options provided by other sections presented by GUI portion  400 . 
     In at least one exemplary embodiment, advertisers  102  can select between simple, click-through and complex purchasing incentives/advertisements. Advertisers  102  can choose to design simple coupons where consumer data is released (or unlocked) for advertisers  102  once a particular consumer  104  prints (or, alternatively, views) the coupon. Each coupon can be assigned a unique identifier to prevent unauthorized duplications followed by attempted unauthorized redemptions by consumers  104 . Advertisers  102  can be billed based on coupons printed, which may be based on a fixed fee. Advertisers  102  can also choose to design click-through purchasing incentives/advertisements, which purchasing incentives/advertisements can include hypertext links to websites or microsites of advertisers  102  in portions (e.g., text portions) thereof. System provider  106  can charge advertisers  106  different rates and/or rely on different revenue generating methods in providing click-through purchasing incentives/advertisements through the exemplary website. 
     Advertisers  102  can further choose to design complex purchasing incentives/advertisements. Complex purchasing incentives/advertisements can include hypertext links to websites or microsites of advertisers  102  in portions thereof. Once a website or microsite is reached, consumers  104  can be presented an offer that may require acceptance by consumers  104  via data entry and submission. As non-limiting examples, consumers  104  can be presented credit card offers, subscription service offers and the like. For instance, consumers  104  can view the complex purchasing incentives/advertisements via the exemplary system and can link to another website to complete the transaction. The exemplary system can track consumers  104  off-website in this instance to determine if the transaction is completed. These types of transactions are known to one having ordinary skill in the art and often involve advertisers  102  providing a unique offer identifier which the exemplary system can incorporate into the unique identifier for the complex purchasing incentive/advertisement. The unique identifier allows advertisers  102  and system provider  106  to audit each other. Alternatively, singularly or in conjunction, tracking is also achievable via cookies. System provider  106  can charge advertisers  106  different rates and/or rely on different revenue generating methods in providing complex purchasing incentives/advertisements through the exemplary website. 
     In advertisement product category section  408 , advertisers  102  can choose at least one category most closely related to the products forming the subject matter of the purchasing incentive/advertisement under design. For example, advertisement product category section  408  can include a drop down menu or like GUI widgets for allowing advertisers  102  to choose a provided category. In template library section  410 , advertisers  102  can be presented with preformatted purchasing incentive/advertisement templates to choose from. The templates provided by the system can be a function of the type and/or category of purchasing incentives chosen by advertisers  102  in advertisement type section  406  and advertisement product category section  408 . 
     In image upload section  412 , advertisers  102  can upload images for inclusion in the purchasing incentive/advertisement under design. An image or images can be transferred into a selected preformatted template during the design/build process by the system. In at least one exemplary embodiment, uploading images to the system can be simplified. A rule set can be imposed that can define the criteria for accepting images. A process for uploading images can include: advertiser  102  selects link (e.g., button) to upload image; advertiser  102  selects an image stored on the computing device of advertiser  102 ; advertiser  102  enters a caption describing the image; the system saves the caption to a storage device (e.g., database); the system uploads the image; the system resizes the image to a predetermined size; the system converts the image into a predetermined file type (e.g., JPEG), if not already in the predetermined file type; the system renames the image to a unique name; the system saves the image as the full-size image; and the system saves the width and height details of the image to a storage device (e.g., database). Such a process may provide a consistent user experience, which may not depend on individual images sizes and file types. 
     In header text entry section  414 , advertisers  102  can enter a header for a purchasing incentive/advertisement under design. Header text can be transferred to a selected preformatted template by the system. In secondary text entry section  416 , advertisers  102  can enter secondary text, which may add additional descriptive detail not found in the header. Secondary text can be transferred to a selected preformatted template by the system. In main text entry section  418 , advertisers  102  can enter text directed to the body of their purchasing incentive/advertisement under design. Main text can be transferred to a selected preformatted template by the system. Main text can include, for example, hypertext links when entered for click-through and complex purchasing incentives/advertisements. One or more of text entry sections  414 ,  416 ,  418  can include standard formatting tools (e.g., save, paste, bold, italic, underline, left justify, right justify, center justify, number, bullet, indent, style, font, font/point size and the like) 
     In keyword section  420 , advertisers  102  can enter one or more (e.g., three) keywords to associate the purchasing incentive/advertisement with during searches performed on the exemplary website by consumers  104 . In advertisement file name section  422 , advertisers  102  can enter a name for the purchasing incentive/advertisement under design. 
     By selecting preview link  424 , advertisers  102  can link to a preview of the purchasing incentive/advertisement under design. The preview may be provided in pop-up form. The preview can populate a selected preformatted template with the data entered by advertisers  102  in GUI portion  400 . After viewing the preview, advertisers  102  can return to sections of GUI portion  400  to edit the purchasing incentive/advertisement under design. 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 5 , exemplary GUI portion  500  is illustrated. GUI portion  500  can be presented by at least one of webpage  344  and webpage  346 , as non-limiting examples. GUI portion  500  can include step and title section  502  and consumer demographics section  504 . Sections can be modified, rearranged, omitted and new sections added, as will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In step and title section  502 , GUI portion  500  can display information identifying the purpose (e.g., “customer demographics”) of portion  500  and the predetermined step (e.g., “step 2”) that portion  500  can be in an exemplary process. In consumers demographics section  504 , demographic data for targeting consumers  104  can be entered by advertisers  102 . As shown in a non-limiting manner, advertisers can enter data directed to one or more postal codes, town/city, one telephone STD/area codes, county, one or more TV regions, and states/nations. Other demographic data can include gender, age and the like. On the exemplary website, it is contemplated that consumers  104  can be-directed to any of purchasing incentives and advertisements based on demographic data (e.g., supplied during registration and may be editable thereafter). It is likewise contemplated that consumers  104  can search or otherwise find any of purchasing incentives and advertisements based on demographic data. Accordingly, GUI portion  500  can provide advertisers  102  with the ability to associate any of purchasing incentives and advertisements under design (or newly designed) with such demographic data, which can serve to target the potential customer base of advertisers  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , exemplary GUI portion  600  is illustrated. GUI portion  600  can be presented by at least one of webpage  344 , webpage  346  and webpage  348 , as non-limiting examples. GUI portion can include step section  602 , campaign management section  604 , interactive calendar section  606  and submit link  608 . Sections can be modified, rearranged, omitted and new sections added, as will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In step section  602 , GUI portion  600  can display the predetermined step (e.g., “step 3”) that portion  602  can be in an exemplary process. In campaign management section  604 , advertisers  102  can be provided various GUI widgets for planning a promotional campaign. As shown in a non-limiting manner, advertisers  102  can be provided a checkbox (or another selectable widget) that can indicate that advertisers  102  are ready to select the calendar period in which the purchasing incentive/advertisement is to be provided via the exemplary system (i.e. published on the exemplary website). Advertisers  102  can also be provided a data entry field for limiting the number of coupons that can be printed by consumers  104 . In interactive calendar section  606 , advertisers can manipulate the interactive calendar to select a calendar period in which the purchasing incentive/advertisement is to be provided to consumers  104  via the system. 
     Submit link  608  (shown as a button) can be selected by advertisers  102  to complete the design of the purchasing incentive/advertisement and the setting of the promotional campaign parameters offered by exemplary GUI portions  400 ,  500 ,  600 . Upon submission, the promotional campaign can be saved by the system and effectuated by the system on the start data selected via the interactive calendar. The promotional campaign and the purchasing incentive/advertisement thereof can be subjected to editing by advertisers  102  via the advertisers module  232  of the exemplary system. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , exemplary GUI portion  700  is illustrated. GUI portion  700  can be presented by webpage  348  for managing, at least in part, promotional campaigns, as one non-limiting example. GUI portion can include title section  702 , promotional campaign table section  704  and update/edit link  706 . Sections can be modified, rearranged, omitted and new sections added, as will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In title section  702 , GUI portion  700  can display information for identifying the purpose (e.g., “view”, “view your advert marketing campaign . . . ,” etc.) of portion  702 . In promotional campaign table section  704 , a table identifying promotional campaigns of advertiser  102  can be provided. The table can have columns and/or rows. As shown, an exemplary table can have columns directed to campaign status (e.g., live, draft, embargo and deleted), type of purchasing incentive/advertisement (e.g., simple, click-through and complex), name of purchasing incentive/advertisement (also name of promotional campaign), number of clicks, number of referrals, number of coupons printed, creation date of campaign, expiration date of campaign and deletion status. Rows and columns can be modified, rearranged, omitted and new rows and columns added, as will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. Appropriate data can populate the table for each reviewable promotional campaign of advertisers  102 . Advertisers  102  can view predetermined information about each promotional campaign, which may aid advertisers  102  in making business decisions about particular promotional campaigns. Data populating the table can be updated in near real-time (and automatically or manually refreshable), which can allow advertisers  102  to track predetermined information about each promotional campaign. 
     In at least one exemplary embodiment, the promotional campaigns referenced by the table (indicia thereof) can be selectable by advertisers  102  within the table. Upon selection of a promotional campaign, advertisers  102  can further select update/edit link  706  (shown as a button) to be directed to one or more webpages for editing the promotional campaign. Promotional campaigns may also have their status changed to “deleted” by advertisers  102 . The system may periodically and permanently delete campaigns designated as such. The one or more webpages can be or can be similar to webpages  344 ,  346 ,  350  of advertisers module  232 . Also, the webpages can include GUI portions of  FIGS. 4-6  (or GUI portions similar thereto) that can conjunctively provide advertisers  102  the ability to design, issue and edit promotional campaigns. For example, GUI portions can be pre-populated with data stored on the system for a promotional campaign. In another exemplary embodiment, update link  706  can simply act to refresh the table. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 8-9 , exemplary GUI portions for webpages at bulk email subportion  336  are illustrated. Referring to  FIG. 8 , exemplary GUI portion  800  can be presented by bulk email management webpage  354 , as one non-limiting example. GUI portion  800  can include upload section  802 , demographic selection section  804  and demographic data entry section  806 . Sections can be modified, rearranged, omitted and new sections added, as will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In upload section  802 , advertisers  102  can add new files and folders regarding accessible consumers  104  (e.g., those consumers  104  who have printed coupons). The new files and folders can be added to consumer file and folders that have previously been uploaded by advertisers  102 . From these files and folders, advertisers  102  can select to send emails to consumers  104  based on demographic data in demographic selection section  804 . For example, advertisers  102  can select the checkboxes (or, alternatively, other GUI widgets) for sending email and for selecting demographics. In demographic data entry section  806 , advertisers  102  can enter demographic data for targeting consumers  104  who have provided matching demographic data to the system. As shown, demographic data targeted by bulk email can include postal codes, cities/towns, telephone STD/area codes, counties, television regions and states/nations. Demographic data entry section  806  can also provide other types of demographic data entry, including gender, age and the like. Entry of demographic data can be by simple data entry into data entry boxes. Alternatively, drop down menus and like GUI widgets can be disposed on GUI portion  800 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , exemplary GUI portion  900  can be presented by any one of folder management webpage  356  and view folder webpage  358 , as non-limiting examples. GUI portion  900  can include title section  902 , folder addition section  904 , file upload section  906  and folder viewer section  908 . Sections can be modified, rearranged, omitted and new sections added, as will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In title section  902 , GUI portion  900  can display information for identifying the purpose (e.g., “view customer folders &amp; upload from file”) of portion  900 . In folder addition section  904 , advertisers  102  can select to add a new folder and name the new folder. In file upload section  906 , advertisers  102  can upload email files of accessible consumers  104 , which can be provided by and on the exemplary system. Files can thus be uploaded to the accounts of registered advertisers  102 . Files uploaded and located in the folders can be in Excel, Comma Separated Values (“CSV”) and Access formats, as non-limiting examples. Folders can also be assigned for each consumer  104  and, within such folders, others subordinate folders can be provided. For example, a coupon redemption folder under a consumer folder can contain files having data regarding number and/or types of coupons printed. A referral folder under a consumer folder can contain files having data regarding coupons shared by each consumer  104  with other registered or unregistered consumers  104 , for example, by email. In folder viewer section  908 , folders can be presented to advertisers  102 . Advertisers  102  can also choose to view or delete folders in folder viewer section  908  by selecting the appropriate hypertext link. In at least one exemplary embodiment, in folder viewer section  908 , advertisers  102  can determine accessible consumers  104  who have printed or referred coupons by linking to webpages presenting such information. Folder viewer section  908  can be styled as a table for referencing consumer names, email addresses, number of referrals, number of coupons printed and the unique identifiers for coupons printed, as non-limiting examples. 
     In at least one exemplary embodiment, the exemplary system can periodically send emails to advertisers  102  regarding one or more promotional campaigns, particularly, active promotional campaigns. Emails can include any type of information in various formats about the one or more promotional campaigns and can contain hypertext links to any webpages of advertisers module  232 . GUI portions of advertiser module  232  can also be embedded in emails. As one non-limiting example, GUI portion  900  (or sections thereof) can be embedded in an email to advertisers  102  for allowing the advertiser to view folders, files and associated information about accessible consumers  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , exemplary consumers module  230  is illustrated as a portion of the exemplary website. At consumers home webpage  218  of consumers module  230 , hypertext links can be presented to consumers  104  for registration subportion  1002 , logged-in consumers subportion  1004  and de-registration (opt out) subportion  1006 . At consumers home webpage  218 , any hypertext link known to one having ordinary skill in the art can be included, such as lost password link  1008  and email link  1010  for directing consumers  104  to associated webpages and features. External email registration link  1012  can also be included, which can direct consumers  104  to the website of a popular email account provider (e.g., MICROSOFT HOTMAIL, GOOGLE GMAIL, YAHOO! MAIL, etc.). 
     At registration subportion  1002 , consumers  104  can be presented with terms and conditions webpage  1014  and can accept the terms and conditions at decision  1016 . At webpages  1018 ,  1020 , consumers  104  can enter a variety of required and optional data, including contact data (e.g., names and email addresses), demographic data, categorical data and the like. Webpages  1018 ,  1020  can be combined into a single webpage or expanded to more than two webpages, as will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. Webpages  1018 ,  1020  can be presented to consumers  104  in form format with various GUI widgets for entering data. As described further below,  FIGS. 11A and 11B  jointly show an exemplary GUI portion that may be presented to consumers  102  by webpages  1018 ,  1020  (or a combination thereof) of registration subportion  1002 . Data entered by consumers  104  can be validated by the system. Data can also be limited to predetermined lengths and types of alphanumeric characters, and can be requested in particular formats. Webpages  1018 ,  1020  can be later accessed by registered consumers  104  for updating and editing account information where webpages  1018 ,  1020  can be pre-populated with stored data. 
     Webpages  1018 ,  1020  can also be linked to additional webpages for assisting consumers  104  in entering information or can provide separate webpages for entering types of information. For example, address finder webpage  1022  can be linked to account information webpage  1018  for providing consumers  104  with address identification functionality. Upon registration, consumers  104  can be directed to and presented with welcome webpage  1024  of logged-in subportion  1004 . 
     In any of weppages  1018 ,  1020 , consumers  104  can be presented with preformatted forms for entering contact data and demographic data, as well as, selecting categories/areas of interest from the predetermined options. After registration and at logged-in subportion  1004 , logged-in consumers  104  can be automatically presented any of purchasing incentives and advertisements (e.g., coupons) associated with the demographic and/or categorical data matching such data entered by consumers  104  during registration. Thus, consumers  104  can be demographically- and/or categorically-targeted. Consumers  104  may be able to search for or otherwise find other non-matching or matching purchasing incentives/advertisements in at least one exemplary embodiment. 
     If any registered consumers  104  decide they no longer desire to be registered users of the exemplary system, consumers  104  can link to de-registration (opt out) subportion  1006 . At de-registration subportion  1006 , consumers  104  can be presented with opt out decision  1026 . If consumers  104  select to opt out, then consumers  104  can be directed to home webpage  204 . The exemplary system can de-register such consumers  104  by, for example, suspending or deleting their accounts. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 10 , logged-in consumers portion  1004  can be for registered and logged-in consumers  104 . Consumers  104  can login from one or more webpages, including consumers home webpage  218  of consumers module  230 . Consumers  104  can login by entering an account name or number (e.g., email address or other unique identifier) and a password that can be validated by the system. Consumers  104  can also have login data saved and can be automatically logged-in by, for example, enabled identification cookies programmed to do so, as is well known in the art. Once logged-in, registered consumers  104  can be presented with a webpage. The webpage, which may be webpage  1024  or similar thereto, can include hypertext links for directing consumers  104  to profile subportion  1028 , purchasing incentive/advertisement display subportion  1030 , downloads subportion  1032  and search subportion  1034 . At logged-in subportion  1004 , consumers  104  can also be provided the ability to track coupons printed in at least one exemplary embodiment. At profile subportion  1028 , consumers  104  can be presented with or link to any of consumers account information webpages  1018 ,  1020  where consumers  104  can edit and update account information. As described above, any of webpages  1018 ,  1020  can be pre-populated with stored account data regarding consumers  104 , which may then be edited. At password webpage  1034 , which may be provided in profile subportion  1028  or elsewhere (as shown), consumers  104  can change the current password to their account where the original password may have been selected and/or assigned during the registration process. 
     At purchasing incentive/advertisement display subportion  1030 , one or more webpages including, or including hypertext links to, any of a plurality of purchasing incentives or a plurality of advertisements can be provided to consumers  104  from advertisers  102  via the exemplary website. In at least one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of coupons or hypertext links thereto can be published and listed on the one or more webpages viewable by consumers  104  operating client computing devices. Also, in at least one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of purchasing incentives/advertisements (or hypertext links thereto) can be published by the exemplary system based on whether demographic and/or categorical data associated with the purchasing incentives/advertisements matches the current demographic and categorical data stored for the accounts of consumers  104 . Moreover, in at least one exemplary embodiment, consumers  104  can select a hypertext link (which may be in the form of a single line description) for a coupon and can be directed to webpage  1038  showing the selected coupon in a viewable manner. 
     At purchasing incentive/advertisement display subportion  1030  (e.g., via webpage  1038 ), a particular consumer  104  can print a selected purchasing incentive, such as a coupon. Accordingly, the status of consumer  104  can be flagged by the exemplary system so that contact and demographic (and/or categorical) data for consumer  104  can be made accessible (or unlocked) to a particular advertiser  102  who provided the coupon printed. Consumer  104  can be flagged as a “customer” of advertiser  102 . 
     At search subportion  1034 , consumers  104  can be provided search functionality for returning a plurality of any of purchasing incentives and advertisements on one or more results webpages  1040 . Search subportion  1034  may also be linked to from purchasing incentive/advertisement display subportion  1030 . Search functionality can rely on keyword searching or, alternatively, singularly or in conjunction, searching can be performed by demographic, categorical and like data. In at least one exemplary embodiment, consumers  104  can view (or link to viewable) coupons listed on one or more webpages  1040 . Consumers  104  can print a selected purchasing incentive, such as a coupon. Accordingly, the status of consumer  104  can be flagged by the exemplary system so that contact and demographic (and/or categorical) data for consumer  104  can be made accessible (or unlocked) to a particular advertiser  102  who provided the coupon printed. Consumer  104  can be flagged as a “customer” of advertiser  102 . 
     At either or both of purchasing incentive/advertisement display subportion  1030  and search subportion  1034 , any of purchasing incentives and advertisements can be hierarchally-arranged on webpages. Consumers  104  can find any of purchasing incentives and advertisements by linking within the hierarchy. Any of purchasing incentives and advertisements can be placed within categories and subcategories of the hierarchy. The categories and subcategories can be the same as those provided to advertisers  102  for associating any of purchasing incentives and advertisements with. Alternatively, singularly or in conjunction, categories and subcategories for consumers  104  can be more generalized and purchasing incentives/advertisements associated with categories and subcategories by advertisers  102  can be automatically sorted and placed within the more generalized hierarchy by the exemplary system. 
     At downloads subportion  1032 , consumers  102  can download files for installing various locally stored tools for interacting with the exemplary system. As a few non-limiting examples, consumers  102  can download and install files  1042 ,  1044 ,  1046 ,  1048  for a screen saver tool, a desktop toolbar, a desktop icon and browser toolbar, respectively. Webpage  1050  can provide instructions and information in regard to downloading and installing such tools. 
     The screen saver tool can serve as a screen saver for when the computing devices of consumers  104  are idle. The screen saver tool can display any of purchasing incentives and advertisements, which may be provided based on the current demographic and/or categorical data stored for accounts of consumers  104 . Any of purchasing incentives and advertisements can be updated when the computing devices of consumers  104  are connected to network  100 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, consumers  104  can select coupons for viewing and/or printing by selecting a coupon (or hypertext link thereto) displayed by the screen saver tool. Accordingly, consumers  104  can select coupons and be directed to screen saver tool landing  1052 . If consumers  104  are not connected to network  100 , then consumers  104  can be prompted to connect to network  100 . Once connected, it can be determined whether the selected coupon remains valid before allowing consumers  104  to print the coupon. As with the exemplary system as a whole, the screen saver tool can prevent consumers  104  from capturing the display coupons as an image file, which could later be printed and duplicated without authorization. 
     The desktop toolbar can be provided on the desktop of computing devices operated by consumers  104 . For example, the desktop toolbar can minimize to the taskbar of an operating system (e.g., MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating systems). Any of purchasing incentives and advertisements can be displayed in reduced size within the desktop toolbar. In at least one exemplary embodiment, any of purchasing incentives and advertisements can be displayed in a scrolling manner within the desktop toolbar. Also, in at least one exemplary embodiment, consumers  104  can select a displayed coupon (or hypertext link thereto) for viewing and/or printing the coupon. Accordingly, consumers  104  can select coupons and be directed to desktop landing  1054 . The status of the consumers  104  connection to network  100  can be determined and connection can be prompted for when needed. The status of the coupon can also be determined if consumers  104  are newly connected to network  100 . Coupons can be protected against unauthorized printing and reproduction. 
     The desktop icon can be a selectable icon that resides on the desktop of computing devices operating by consumers  104 . By selecting (e.g., clicking on) the desktop icon, consumers  104  can access any of home webpage  204 , consumers home webpage  218 , logged-in subportion  1004  of consumers module  230  and the like. Consumers  104  can also be directed to desktop landing  1054 . Consumers  104  can login to the system by entering an account name or number (e.g., email address or other unique identifier) and a password that can be validated by the system. Consumers  104  can also have login data saved and can be automatically logged-in by, for example, enabled identification cookies programmed to do so, as is well known in the art. 
     The web browser toolbar can be a toolbar embedded within a web browser for carry out searches. The browser toolbar can allow consumers  104  to carry out searches based on keywords, demographic and/or categorical data with or without being first logged-in to the exemplary system. Upon entering a search, consumers  104  can be directed to browser toolbar landing  1056  and can be presented one or more results webpages  1040 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, before viewing and/or printing coupons, consumers  104  can be required to be registered and logged-in. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , exemplary GUI portion  1100  for one or more webpages at registration subportion  1002  is illustrated. GUI portion  1100  can be presented by any of webpages  1018 ,  1020  (or, for example, as a single webpage containing elements thereof) to consumers  104 , as non-limiting examples. GUI portion  1100  can include contact data section  1102 , demographic data section  1104  and categorical data section  1106 . Some data entered in sections  1102 ,  1104 ,  1106  can serve as more than one of contact, demographic and categorical data. Sections of GUI portion  1100  can be modified, rearranged, omitted and new sections added, as will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In contact data section  1102 , consumers  104  can enter various types of contact information using GUI widgets. As shown, consumers  104  can enter first and last names and an email address into the presented data entry boxes. In demographic data section  1104 , consumers  104  can enter various types of demographics using GUI widgets. As shown, consumers  104  can enter town/city, postal/zip code, county/state, telephone area code, year of birth and gender, as non-limiting examples, using both data entry boxes and drop down menus having predetermined options. In categorical data section  1106 , consumers  104  can enter various types of information regarding categories/areas of interest. As shown, consumers  104  can accomplish this by selecting checkboxes (or other selectable widgets) for categories/areas of interest among predetermined options. The categories/areas of interest options may be presented under sections pertaining to a more generalized category that the selectable categories/areas of interest are grouped under. 
     At logged-in portion  1004 , GUI portion  1100  can also be presented and can be pre-populated with saved data for the accounts of consumers  104 , which may be edited and updated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , exemplary channel partners module  236  is illustrated as a portion of the exemplary website. At channel partners home webpage  224  of channel partners module  236 , a hypertext link can be presented to channel partners  108  for logged-in channel partners subportion  1202 . At channel partners home webpage  224 , any hypertext link known to one having ordinary skill in the art can be presented, such as site map link  1204 , email link  1206  and lost password link  1208  for directing channel partners  108  to associated webpages and features. Although not shown, channel partners  108  can register with the system in a manner similar to the registration processes for advertisers  102  and consumers  104 . Alternatively, channel partners  106  can be registered by system providers  106  at system provider module  238 . 
     Logged-in channel partners subportion  1202  can be for registered and logged-in channel partners  108 . Channel partners  108  can login from one or more webpages, including channel partners home webpage  224  of channel partners module  236 . Channel partners  108  can login by entering an account name or number (e.g., email address, customer number or other unique identifier) and a password that can be validated by the system. Channel partners  108  can also have login data saved and can be automatically logged-in by, for example, enabled identification cookies programmed to do so, as is well known in the art. Once logged-in, registered channel partners  108  can be presented with welcome webpage  1210 . Welcome webpage  1210  can include hypertext links for directing channel partners  108  to options subportion  1212 , promotional (marketing) campaign subportion  1214 , bulk email subportion  1216 , reports subportion  1218 , payment subportion  1220  and administrative (search and maintenance) subportion  1222 . 
     At option subportion  1212 , channel partners  108  can be presented with update registration information webpage  1224  and password webpage  1226  where channel partners  108  can edit and update account information and can change the current password to their account, respectively. Webpage  1224  can be pre-populated with stored account data regarding channel partners  108 , which may then be edited. Address finder webpage  1228  can also be linked to update registration information webpage  1224 , among others, for providing channel partners  108  with address identification functionality. 
     At promotional (marketing) campaign subportion  1214 , channel partners  108  can build (design) any of purchasing incentives and advertisements with the same or similar functionality as subportion  332  of advertisers module  232 . Channel partners  108  can also plan and manage a promotional campaign. By planning and managing a promotional campaign, channel partners  108  can determine the criteria in which any of purchasing incentives and advertisements are distributed and, thus, provided to consumers  104 . At promotional campaign subportion  1214 , at least one webpage  1230  can have aspects directed to building/designing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements. At least one webpage  1232  can have aspects directed to planning promotional campaigns. At least one webpage  1234  can have aspects directed to managing promotional campaigns, which may include features for terminating promotional campaigns, or, alternatively, at least one webpage  1236  can have aspects directed to terminating promotional campaigns. As described above,  FIGS. 4-7  show exemplary GUI portions that may be presented to channel partners  108  by webpages  1230 ,  1232 ,  1234 ,  1236  of promotional campaign subportion  1214 . 
     At bulk email subportion  1216 , channel partners  108  can be presented at least one webpage  1238  directed to email templates. The email templates can be preformatted and selectable by channel partners  108 . Upon template selection, channel partners  108  can be directed to at least one webpage  1240  for populating the template with data supplied and entered by channel partners  108 . Other webpages can also be included to provide channel partners  108  with the ability to manage folders, view folders and view files. Bulk email subportion  1216  can provide channel partners  108  with the ability to send a plurality of emails to a plurality of consumers  104  while providing each consumer  104  with the ability to opt out of such bulk mailings. Bulk email functionality can provide channel partners  108  with the means to send consumers  104  new purchasing incentives, advertisements, general information and the like by email. 
     In at least one exemplary embodiment, the system can provide a particular channel partner  108  the ability to email registered consumers  104  who have printed one or more coupons of such channel partner  108  (or advertisers  102  associated with channel partner  108 ). The system can provide access to such consumers  104  based on contact data (including at least email addresses) entered by consumers  104  during a consumer registration process. Demographic and/or categorical data can also be collected from consumers  104  during the consumer registration process, which can be used in targeting bulk emails based on such demographic and/or categorical data. By collecting contact and demographic (and/or categorical) data, channel partners  108  can have the ability to follow-up with consumers  104  who have showed interest in the products of channel partners  108  (or their advertisers  102 ). At bulk email subportion  1216 , channel partners  108  can also have the ability to access (or unlock) consumer contact data (including at least email addresses) and, optionally, known demographic and/or categorical data of consumers  104  already known to channel partners  108 . 
     At reports subportion  1218 , channel partners  108  can be presented with at least one campaign chart webpage  1242 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, at campaign chart webpage  1242 , channel partners  108  can view all consumers  104  that have printed and/or referred (shared) coupons. For example, webpage  1242  can include a table showing consumer data, such as names, email addresses, number of coupons printed, number of coupons referred, unique coupon identifiers associated with each coupon and the like. Webpage  1242  can link to webpage  1244 . Webpage  1244  can include a campaign duration chart. The campaign chart can present the dates that a promotional campaign(s) is scheduled to run for. Reports subportion  1218  can include webpages  1246 ,  1248  directed to summary reports and ranking reports, respectively, and the like known to one having ordinary skill in the art. Each report webpage  1246 ,  1248  can further include links to one or more webpages  1250 ,  1252  for viewing further details of the respective reports. 
     At payment subportion  1220 , channel partners  108  can be presented with payment report webpage  1254  directed to at least one payment report. Payment report webpage  1254  can further include hypertext links to one or more webpages  1256  for viewing further details of the at least one payment report. Payment subportion  1220  can also include one or more webpages directed to payment matters if system provider  106  determines that channel providers  108  should be charged for self-created purchasing incentives/advertisements. 
     At administrative (search and maintenance) subportion  1222 , channel partners  108  can be presented administrator creation webpage  1258  for authorizing user (administrative) accounts for employees and others. User accounts may have different levels of access to features and functionalities of channel partners module  236 . Account information, such as company (or other organization) and personal data, can be entered on one or more webpages, including webpage  1260 . Also, at administration subportion  1222 , channel partners  108  can be provided administrative search functionality, which may query at least one local or remote storage device (e.g., database) in returning results. Channel partners  108  can be presented any of advertisers search webpage  1262 , administrator search webpage  1264 , promotional campaigns search webpage  1266  and consumer (customer) search webpage  1268 . Search results can be returned on webpages  1270 ,  1272 ,  1274 ,  1276 . Further details of search results can be linked to and presented on webpages  1278 ,  1280 ,  1282 ,  1284 . Modify promotional campaign webpage  1286  can also be linked to by channel partners  108  for editing and updating promotional campaigns. Promotional campaigns can also be viewed, searched, further details found and modified at webpages  1288 ,  1290 ,  1292 ,  1294 , respectively, which may be the same or similar to webpages  1266 ,  1274 ,  1282 ,  1286 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , exemplary affiliates module  234  is illustrated as a portion of the exemplary website. At affiliates home webpage  222  of affiliates module  234 , hypertext links can be presented to affiliates for registration subportion  1302 , logged-in affiliates subportion  1304  and de-registration subportion  1306 . At affiliates home webpage  222 , any hypertext link known to one having ordinary skill in the art can also be included, such as site map link  1308 , email link  1310  and lost password link  1312  directing affiliates to associated webpages and features. 
     At registration subportion  1302 , affiliates can be presented with terms and conditions webpage  1314  and can accept the terms and conditions at decision  1316 . Upon accepting the terms and conditions, affiliates can be presented affiliates account information (e.g., business, user and financial information) webpage  1318 . At webpage  1318  (or, alternatively, at webpage  314 ), each unregistered affiliate can enter an email address and can enter an account password selected by the affiliate. At webpage  1318 , affiliates can enter a variety of account data, including company (or other organization) information and company (or other organization) member information for individual users. Webpage  1318  can be presented to affiliates in form format with various GUI widgets for entering data. Data entered by affiliates can be validated by the system. Data can also be limited to predetermined lengths and types of alphanumeric characters, and can be requested in particular formats. Data can also be limited to predetermined options. Webpage  1318  can be later accessed by registered affiliates for updating and editing information where webpage  1318  can be pre-populated with stored account data. 
     Webpage  1318  can also be linked to additional webpages for assisting affiliates in entering information or to provide separate webpages for entering types of information. For example, address finder webpage  1320  can be linked to for providing affiliates with address identification functionality. 
     If any registered affiliates decide that they no longer desire to be registered users of the exemplary system, affiliates can link to de-registration subportion  1306 . At de-registration subportion  1306 , affiliates can be presented with de-register decision  1322 . If affiliates select to de-register, then affiliates can be directed to home webpage  204 . The exemplary system can de-register such affiliates by, for example, suspending or deleting their accounts. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 13 , logged-in affiliates subportion  1304  can be for registered and logged-in affiliates. Affiliates can login from one or more webpages, including affiliates home webpage  222  of affiliates module  234 . Affiliates can login by entering an account name or number (e.g., email address, customer number or other unique identifier) and a password that can be validated by the system. Affiliates can also have login data saved and can be automatically logged-in by, for example, enabled identification cookies programmed to do so, as is well known in the art. Once logged-in, registered affiliates can be presented with welcome webpage  1324 . Welcome webpage  1324  can include hypertext links for directing affiliates to options subportion  1326 , promotional (marketing) campaign subportion  1328 , bulk email subportion  1330 , reports subportion  1332 , payment subportion  1334 , other promotional/merchadizing material subportion  1336  and administrative (search and maintenance) subportion  1338 . 
     At option subportion  1326 , affiliates can be presented with affiliates account information webpage  1318  where affiliates can edit and update account information. As described above, webpage  1318  can be pre-populated with stored account data regarding an affiliate, which may then be edited. At password webpage  1340 , affiliates can change the current password to their account where the original password may have been selected and/or assigned during the registration process. 
     At promotional (marketing) campaign subportion  1328 , affiliates can build (design) any of purchasing incentives and advertisements with the same or similar functionality as subportion  332  of advertisers module  232 . Affiliates may be provided additional features and functionalities as affiliate users may be expected to have greater technical savvy than advertisers  102 . Affiliates can also plan and manage a promotional campaign. By planning and managing a promotional campaign, affiliates can determine the criteria in which any of purchasing incentives and advertisements are distributed and, thus, provided to consumers  104 . At promotional campaign subportion  1328 , at least one webpage  1342  can have aspects directed to building/designing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements. At least one webpage  1344  can have aspects directed to planning promotional campaigns. At least one webpage  1346  can have aspects directed to managing promotional campaigns, which may include features for terminating promotional campaigns, or, alternatively, at least one webpage  1348  can have aspects directed to terminating promotional campaigns. As described above,  FIGS. 4-7  show exemplary GUI portions that may be presented to affiliates by webpages  1342 ,  1344 ,  1346 ,  1348  of promotional campaign subportion  1328 . 
     At bulk email subportion  1330 , affiliates can be presented at least one webpage  1350  directed to managing bulk email promotions. Webpages  1352 ,  1354 ,  1356  can also be included to provide affiliates with the ability to manage folders, view folders and view files, respectively. Bulk email subportion  1330  can provide affiliates with the ability to send a plurality of emails to a plurality of consumers  104  while providing each consumer  104  with the ability to opt out of such bulk mailings. Bulk email functionality can provide affiliates with the means to send consumers  104  new purchasing incentives, advertisements, general information and the like on behalf of advertisers  102  by email. Webpage  1358  can also be provided for managing more than one bulk email campaign. 
     In at least one exemplary embodiment, the system can provide an affiliate the ability to email registered consumers  104  who have printed one or more coupons of a particular advertiser  102 . The system can provide access to such consumers  104  based on contact data (including at least email addresses) entered by consumers  104  during a consumer registration process. Demographic and/or categorical data can also be collected from consumers  104  during the consumer registration process, which can be used in targeting bulk emails based on such demographic and/or categorical data. By collecting contact and demographic (and/or categorical) data, affiliates can have the ability to follow-up with consumers  104  on behalf of advertisers  102 . 
     Also, in at least one exemplary embodiment, affiliates can access contact and demographic (and/or categorical) data of such consumers  104 . Folders can be created by affiliates for storing consumer data. Files uploaded and located in the folders can be in Excel, Comma Separated Values (“CSV”) and Access formats, as non-limiting examples. As described above,  FIG. 9  shows an exemplary GUI portion, which may be presented by webpage  1352  (or view folder webpage  1354 ). View folder webpage  1354  can present all folders accessible to the affiliate. Folders can also be assigned for each consumer  104  and, within such folders, others subordinate folders can be provided. For example, a coupon redemption folder under a consumer folder can contain files having data regarding number and/or types of coupons printed. A referral folder under a consumer folder can contain files having data regarding coupons shared by each consumer  104  with other registered or unregistered consumers  104 , for example, by email. 
     Moreover, in at least one exemplary embodiment, bulk email subportion  1330  can provide functionality enabling affiliates to select demographic (and/or categorical) criteria that affiliates/advertisers  102  desire to target by a bulk email campaign. For example, demographic data targeted by bulk email can include any of postal codes, cities/towns, telephone STD/area codes, counties, television regions, states/nations and the like. For the convenience of consumers  104 , every email generated by bulk email subportion  1330  can contain an opt out (unsubscribe) link. Accordingly, consumers  104  can opt out of promotional email campaigns of a particular advertiser  102 . As further described below,  FIG. 8  shows an exemplary GUI portion (of, for example, webpage  354 ) for demographically-targeting consumers  104 . 
     At reports subportion  1332 , affiliates can be presented with at least one campaign chart webpage  1360 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, at campaign chart webpage  1360 , affiliates can view all consumers  104  that have printed and/or referred (shared) coupons of advertisers  102 . For example, webpage  1360  can include a table for each advertiser  102  showing consumer data, such as names, email addresses, number of coupons printed, number of coupons referred, unique coupon identifiers associated with each coupon and the like. Webpage  1360  can link to webpage  1362 . Webpage  1362  can include a campaign duration chart for a particular campaign of a particular advertiser  102 . The campaign chart can present the dates that a promotional campaign(s) is scheduled to run for. Reports subportion  1332  can include webpage  1364  directed to summary reports, as well as other webpages directed to like reports known to one having ordinary skill in the art. Summary report webpage  1364  can further include a link to one or more webpages  1366  for viewing further details of the summary reports. 
     At payment subportion  1334 , affiliates can be presented with payment report webpage  1368  directed to at least one payment report. Payment report webpage  1368  can further include links to one or more webpages  1370  for viewing further details of the at least one payment report. Payment subportion  1220  can also include one or more webpages directed to payment matters if affiliates are making payments on behalf of advertisers  102 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 13 , at other promotional/merchandizing materials subportion  1336 , one or more webpages  1372  can provide affiliates with the ability to design any of leaflets, flyers, business cards and like point-of-sale materials on behalf of advertisers  102 . One or more webpages  1372  can include templates for designing such point-of-sale materials. While promotional campaign subportion  1328  can be directed, at least in part, to designing any of purchasing incentives and advertisments provided to consumers  104  via the exemplary website, other materials subportion  1336  can be directed to providing electronic documents that affiliates can create for advertisers  102  or themselves for off-website uses. 
     At administrative (search and maintenance) subportion  1338 , affiliates can be presented advertisers creation webpage  1374  for registering and/or adding advertisers  102  that affiliates are acting on behalf of. Account information, such as company (or other organization) and personal data, can be entered on one or more webpages, including webpage  1376 . Webpage  1376  can also be linked to additional webpages for assisting affiliates in entering information or to provide separate webpages for entering types of information. For example, address finder webpage  1378  can be linked to for providing affiliates with address identification functionality. Business types webpage  1380  can be presented to affiliates for selecting one or more categories of business types which most closely described the businesses of advertisers  102 . 
     At administrative subportion  1338 , affiliates can be presented affiliate users creation webpage  1382  for authorizing user accounts for employees and others. User accounts may have different levels of access to features and functionalities of affiliates module  234 . Account information, such as personal data, can be entered on one or more webpages, including webpage  1384 . Also, at administration subportion  1338 , affiliates can be provided administrative search functionality, which may query at least one remote storage device (e.g., database) of system provider  106  in returning results. Affiliates can be presented any of advertisers search webpage  1386 , affiliate search webpage  1388  and promotional campaigns search webpage  1390 . Search results can be returned on webpages  1392 ,  1394 ,  1396 . Further details of search results can be linked to and presented on webpages  1393 ,  1395 ,  1397 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , exemplary system provider module  238  is illustrated as a portion of the exemplary website, which may reside on a non-public and secured portion of the exemplary website. Alternatively, system provider module  238  may be accessible like modules  230 ,  232 ,  234 ,  236 . Modules  230 ,  232 ,  234 ,  236  can also be secured portions upon login as is known to one having ordinary skill in the art. At system provider module  238 , a hypertext link can be presented to system administrators for logged-in system provider subportion  1401 . Any hypertext link known to one having ordinary skill in the art can also be included, such as site map link  1402 , email link  1403  and lost password link  1404  directing system administrators to associated webpages and features. For example, email link  1403  can link to a user&#39;s default email program for sending a new message to a predetermined email address of system provider  106 . 
     Logged-in system provider subportion  1401  can be for registered and logged-in system administrators. System administrators can have differing levels of authorized access with some super administrators having access to all features and functionalities of logged-in subportion  1401  and other administrators having access to predetermined features and functionalities. System administrators can login by entering an account name or number (e.g., email address, administrator number or other unique identifier) and a password that can be validated by the system. System administrators can also have login data saved and can be automatically logged-in by, for example, enabled identification cookies programmed to do so, as is well known in the art. Once logged-in, system administrators can be presented with welcome webpage  1405 . Welcome webpage  1405  can include hypertext links for directing administrators to options subportion  1406 , bulk email subportion  1407 , administrative (search and maintenance) subportion  1408 , channel partners payment subportion  1409 , affiliates payment subportion  1410 , advertisers payment reports subportion  1411  and reports subportion  1412 . 
     At option subportion  1406 , administrators can be presented with update registration information webpage  1413  and password webpage  1414  where administrators can edit and update account information and can change the current password to their account, respectively. Webpage  1413  can be pre-populated with stored account data regarding administrators, which may then be edited. 
     At bulk email subportion  1407 , administrators can be presented at least one webpage  1415  directed to system provider email templates. The email templates can be preformatted and selectable by administrators. Upon template selection, administrators can be directed to at least one webpage  1416  for editing/populating the template with data supplied and entered by administrators. Administrators can also be presented at least one webpage  1417  directed to advertisers (or channel partners or affiliates) email templates. Upon template selection, administrators can be directed to at least one webpage  1418  for editing the templates that will later be supplied to any of advertisers  102 , channel partners  108  and affiliates. Other webpages can also be included to provide administrators with the ability to manage folders, view folders and view files. Bulk email subportion  1407  can provide administrators with the ability to send a plurality of emails to a plurality of advertisers  102 , consumers  104 , channel partners  108 , affiliates and any other parties. Bulk email functionality can provide administrators with the means to send users any type of information desired. 
     At administrative (search and maintenance) subportion  1408 , authorized administrators can be presented administrators creation webpage  1419  for adding administrators with, optionally, differing access authorizations. Account information, such as company (or other organization) and personal data, can be entered on one or more webpages, including webpage  1420 . 
     At administrative subportion  1408 , administrators can be provided search functionality, which may query at least one local or remote storage device (e.g., database) of system provider  106  in returning results. Administrators can be presented any of advertisers search webpage  1421 , administrators search webpage  1422 , promotional campaigns search webpage  1423 , channel partners search webpage  1424 , affiliates search webpage  1425  and consumers search webpage  1426 . Search results can be returned on webpages  1427 ,  1428 ,  1429 ,  1430 ,  1431 ,  1432 . 
     From search result webpages  1427 , administrators can link to webpage  1433  for viewing further details of advertisers  102 . Hypertext link  1434  can be linked to for emailing advertisers  102 . From search results webpages  1428 , authorized administrators can link to webpages  1435 ,  1436  for viewing further details of other administrators and modifying details of other administrators, respectively. Hypertext link  1437  can be linked to for emailing administrators. From search results webpages  1429 , administrators can link to webpages  1438 ,  1439  for viewing further details of promotional campaigns and modifying details of promotional campaigns. Hypertext link  1440  can be linked to for emailing campaign creators (whether advertisers  102 , channel partners  106  or any affiliates), respectively. From search results webpages  1430 , administrators can link to webpages  1441 ,  1442 ,  1443 ,  1444 ,  1445  for viewing further details of channel partners  106 , modifying details of channel partners  106 , viewing details of users for channel partners  106 , modifying details of users for channel partners  106  and address finder functionality, respectively. Hypertext link  1447  can be linked to for emailing channel partners. Webpage  1446  can be on the websites (hosted and unhosted portions) of channel partners  106 . From search results webpages  1431 , administrators can link to webpages  1448 ,  1449 ,  1450 ,  1451  for viewing further details of affiliates, viewing yet further details of affiliates, viewing users for affiliates and viewing further details of such users, respectively, Hypertext links  1452 ,  1453  can be linked to for emailing affiliates and users for affiliates, respectively. From search results webpages  1432 , administrators can link to one or more webpages  1454  for viewing further details of consumers  104 . Hypertext links  1455  can be linked to for emailing consumers  104 . At administrative subportion  1408 , other webpages can be provided, such as webpages  1456 ,  1457  for setting global variables and creating channel partners accounts, respectively. Channel partners account creation webpage  1457  can link to webpage  1458  for providing address finder functionality. 
     At channel partners payment subportion  1409 , administrators can be presented with payment report webpage  1459  directed to at least one payment report. Webpages  1460 ,  1461 ,  1462  can be directed to viewing further details of such reports by advertisers, by promotional campaigns and by consumers, respectively. 
     At affiliates payment subportion  1410 , administrators can be presented with payment report webpage  1463  directed to at least one payment report. Webpages  1464 ,  1465 ,  1466  can be directed to viewing further details of such reports by advertisers (or affiliates), by promotional campaigns and by consumers, respectively. 
     At advertisers payment subportion  1411 , administrators can be presented with various webpages directed to payment-related reports and matters. Advertisers payment subportion  1411  can include webpages  1467 ,  1468 ,  1469 ,  1470 ,  1471 ,  1481  directed to online pre-payment details, offline payment details, invoice report, payment received reports, pre-payment reports and viewable invoice reports. Webpages  1469 ,  1470 ,  1471  can have search functionality and search results can be respectively returned on webpages  1473 ,  1474 ,  1475 . Further details of information presented on webpages  1472 ,  1473 ,  1474 ,  1475  can be found at webpages  1476 ,  1477 ,  1478 ,  1479 . From search results webpage  1472 , administrators can link (directly or indirectly) to webpages  1480 ,  1481 ,  1482 ,  1483 ,  1484  for viewing further invoice details, pay now functionality, credit card payment functionality, debit card payment functionality and viewing further details of promotional campaigns. 
     At reports subportion  1412 , administrators can be presented with at least one campaign chart webpage  1485 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, at campaign chart webpages  1485 , administrators can view all consumers  104  that have printed and/or referred (shared) coupons of particular advertisers  102 . For example, webpages  1485  can include a table for each advertiser  102  showing consumer data, such as names, email addresses, number of coupons printed, number of coupons referred, unique coupon identifiers associated with each coupon and the like. Webpage  1485  can link to webpage  1486 . Webpage  1486  can include a campaign duration chart for a particular campaign of a particular advertiser  102 . The campaign chart can present the dates that a promotional campaign(s) is scheduled to run for. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , an exemplary coupon in graphical (electronic) or printed form is illustrated. Exemplary coupon  1500  can include expiration date  1502 , bar code  1504 , unique identifier  1506 , uploaded or stock image  1508 , header text section  1510 , secondary text section  1512  and main text section  1514 . Expiration date  1502  can be supplied by the system in response to users selecting an end data for a promotional campaign via, for example, a campaign duration chart. Bar code  1504  can match the product codes of advertisers  102 . In at least one exemplary embodiment, advertisers  102  can supply the bar code, for example, as an image file. Unique identifier can uniquely identify each coupon and can also contain a portion uniquely identifying a particular channel partner  106 . Image  1508  can be uploaded by advertisers  102  while coupon is under design. Alternatively, advertisers  102  can select an image already saved on the system. As described above, any header text, secondary text and main text can be entered in the system and populate header text section  1510 , second text section  1512  and main text section  1514 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary process for pooling and providing any of purchasing incentives and advertisements, such as coupons, from a global pool on the exemplary system. In at least one other exemplary embodiment, more than one global pool can be available and each global pool can be organized by a predetermined market, region, class of products, groups of channel partners  108  and the like. At step  1602 , advertiser  102  is registered through first channel partner  108  or an affiliate. As described above, advertisers  102  can be registered at registration subportion  302  of advertisers module  232  of an exemplary website, which may be hosted by system provider  106  on behalf of first channel partner  108 . Alternatively, as described above, advertisers  102  can be registered by affiliates at, for example, administrative subportion  1338  of affiliates module  234 . 
     At step  1604 , during or upon completion of registration at step  1602 , advertiser  104  can be associated with first channel partner  108  or the affiliate. As described above, each channel partner  108  can be assigned a unique channel identifier. In addition, each affiliate can be assigned a unique affiliate identifier. At step  1604 , the account of advertiser  104 , which itself may have or contain a unique advertiser identifier, can be associated with the channel identifier or affiliate identifier. 
     At step  1606 , registered advertiser  102  (or the affiliate acting on behalf thereof) can build one or more purchasing incentives or advertisements via the exemplary system. Any of purchasing incentives and advertisements, such as coupons, can be designed at, for example, promotional campaign subportion  332  of advertisers module  232  or promotional campaign subportion  1328  of affiliates module  234 , as described above. Each purchasing incentive or advertisement can be assigned a unique identifier, which can be unique to the promotional campaign. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the unique identifier can be a unique number, which may be encoded in a barcode or other machine readable medium of a coupon (e.g., unique identifier  1506 ). 
     At step  1608 , the purchasing incentive or advertisement can be associated with first channel partner  108  or the affiliate during or upon design at step  1606 . The purchasing incentive or advertisement, and the first channel partner  108  or affiliate can be associated using respective unique identifiers. The unique identifiers can be used by the exemplary system (and users thereof) to track the purchasing incentive or advertisement by any of the promotional campaign, advertiser  104 , first channel partner  108  and the affiliate. For instance, a channel identifier can be used by the exemplary system to track any of purchasing incentives and advertisements designed by advertisers  104  associated with a first channel partner  108  when the purchasing incentives or advertisements are provided on behalf of one or more second channel partners  108  to consumers  104  by system provider  106 . 
     At step  1610 , the purchasing incentive or advertisement can be grouped into the global pool of purchasing incentives/advertisements (e.g., if authorization has been provided by first channel partner  108  or affiliate). The global pool can be composed of any of purchasing incentives and advertisements, such as coupons, authorized to be pooled by a plurality of channel partners  108  or affiliates on one or more exemplary systems. In at least one exemplary embodiment, channel partners  108  having websites hosted by system provider  106  can be provided the option to permit pooling and shared access to any of purchasing incentives and advertisements designed by advertisers  102  (or affiliates acting on behalf thereof) and provided to consumers  104 . 
     In at least one exemplary embodiment, first channel partner  108  can have the option of whether to permit any of purchasing incentives and advertisements, such as coupons, of associated advertisers  102  to enter a global pool. For instance, first channel partner  108  may opt to permit any of purchasing incentives and advertisements to enter the global pool and, in return, can present any of purchasing incentives and advertisements composing the global pool to consumers  104  via the exemplary website hosted by system provider  106  on behalf of first channel partner  108 . By opting into the global pool, consumers  104  of first channel partner  108  can be provided access to any of purchasing incentives and advertisements, such as coupons, from advertisers  102  that are unassociated with first channel partner  108 . First channel partner  108  can still maintain the ability to affirmatively select or veto which purchasing incentives or advertisements are provided on behalf of first channel partner  108 . Such control can provide first channel partner  108  the flexibility to manage its brand and the needs of its consumers  104 . 
     At step  1612 , consumers  104  can be provided the purchasing incentive or advertisement via one or more websites hosted on behalf of one or more second channel providers  108 . Second channel partners  108  can likewise authorize or not opt out from the purchasing incentive or advertisement being provided to their consumers  104  via their hosted websites. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the purchasing incentive or advertisement can be a coupon. Furthermore, advertisers  104  can be charged a fee based on coupons printed (or, alternatively, viewed) and revenue can be generated therefrom. The channel identifier for channel partner  108  can be used by the exemplary system to track the coupon when the coupon is provided to consumers  104  on websites hosted on behalf of second channel partners  108  by system provider  106 . 
     At step  1614 , the generated revenue can be shared with the first channel partner  108  or the affiliate of which advertiser  104  and the purchasing incentive or advertisement designed thereby is associated with. Revenue sharing between system provider  106  and first channel partners  108  or the affiliate can be based on a fixed or percentage amount (e.g., 50 percent) per coupons printed (or viewed), as a non-limiting example. In at least one exemplary embodiment, revenue can be shared differently based on whether a channel partner commission or an affiliate commission is to be paid. In addition, an affiliate commission may be paid to first channel provider  108  or vice versa as selected by system provider  106 . 
     The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.