In the early stages of internet advertising, banner ads swiftly rose to prominence. They offered readily available statistics, enabling campaigns to be designed, assessed, and modified within days rather than weeks. This led to the emergence of businesses solely dedicated to managing and distributing these ads. However, as the internet evolved, so did the use and effectiveness of banner ads.
In the infancy of internet advertising, banner ads quickly became a significant player. They provided readily available data, allowing campaigns to be strategized, evaluated, and altered in a matter of days, a stark contrast to the weeks it took traditional advertising methods. This efficiency led to the birth of businesses whose sole purpose was managing and distributing these ads.
As banner ads gained popularity, people began incorporating them into their websites, leading to the development of three primary strategies. The first was a simple exchange system where individuals traded banner ads. However, this method proved challenging to manage and often resulted in minimal traffic.
The second approach involved tracking click-through rates. For every click generated for them, they would display your ad an equivalent number of times. This method eventually evolved into a business model where two clicks were traded for one exposure. Some even monetized the click-throughs, although the income generated was often insignificant.
The third strategy involved using banner ads for affiliate programs or to facilitate navigation on your site. This method is likely to be the enduring legacy of banner ads.
With the maturation of the medium and the novelty wearing off, click-through rates have continued to decline. Trading banner ads has become a thing of the past. People have come to realize that banner ads often detract from their website's primary message.
However, with careful placement, banner ads can still play a valuable role in your advertising campaign. Indiscriminate use of banner ads should be avoided as it can make it difficult for visitors to understand the purpose of your site.
Despite the constant evolution of the internet with new technology and functionality, banner ads will continue to hold value. However, they cannot be the sole advertising vehicle. Overloading sites with animation and music often leads to longer load times, causing visitors to leave. In such cases, a simple banner might be more effective.
While banner ads have a place in advertising, they won't generate traffic to your site unless they are on other websites. In the online arena, ezine advertising remains one of the most potent methods of reaching large numbers. A coordinated program of web ads and ezine ads is likely your best bet.
While banner ads may have passed their prime in terms of traffic generation, proponents argue that they can still drive significant numbers of hits to your site. However, hits do not equate to sales and should not be your primary focus.
One of the most potent uses of banners is to help brand your product and build your company name identification. While traffic to your site is important, the primary goal should be to close the sale once they arrive. Anything that dilutes this focus should be avoided.
In conclusion, while the role and effectiveness of banner ads have evolved over time, they still hold value in the realm of internet advertising. However, their use must be strategic and focused on the ultimate goal of driving sales.
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