Simple Steps to a Great Banner Ad

Everyone is using them now and if you're planning on creating your own banner ad then there are some things that you should know.

Standard Size

I'll admit I made this mistake. I was too caught up in creating a really nice looking design that I made something that was not the standard size. Now it wasn't much off the norm but when I found out I promptly changed the size. Keep to standards. I know that if your ad is slightly larger it may get more attention but if we all start doing this where will it stop? Creating an ad that is larger than standard is not the way to get attention. And in many places they will require you to keep to the industry standard.

Content

This must be short, simple, and very direct. You've really got to simplify this. I know that this is hard but there is not a lot of room on these banner ads and the more information that you try to cram on there the less likely that someone will read, or try to read it. Keep it to a few words, if you can't manage to say what you want in a few words enlist the help of friends and family, ask them to define what it is that you do, or sell in five words or less. You may get a really clever saying to use by doing this.

Color and Animation

Keep colors eye catching but easy to look at and make sure that they match your site. Maybe it's just me that prefers this but I've clicked on banner ads that looked really great and ended up on these hideous web pages. Try to match your ads to the look of your website.

Animation, please, please, please keep this simple and a short download. I don't know how many times I've clicked off a page before the banner ad animation even started. Please make sure that you run your ad several times. Have others watch it, make sure that the download is reasonable. Don't assume that everyone has DSL. Now you also don't have to make allowances for older computers or bad connections but most of the country now has enhanced or accelerated connections. Make sure that your ad downloads quickly on an accelerated connection and you're doing fine.

Call to Action

Apparently we're all still highly suggestible since studies show that call to action words still work. Things like: call now, click here, and buy now. Try to work some call to action words into your content if you can, it won't hurt.

Lastly for those of you working at home, or running your own business. Never underestimate the value of family and friends for critiques. They may not be able to tell you what is wrong with the way your ad looks but if they look at it and only say, "Eh, it's okay." Then don't use it. We all instinctively know what looks right or wrong. If you ask around and don't get positive feedback from family and friends who love you and want your business to succeed then what do you think that a total stranger is going to think? Also before you even start creating your own ad, look around at what everyone else is doing. Decide what you like and don't like about other ads that you see. And then don't make the same mistakes.

About The Author

Copyright 2004 Kelly Paal

Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Recently she started her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com). She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design.

---

You Attract Who You Are On The Internet!

Being online is not only about getting your piece of... Read More

Make Sure That Your Dot-Com Doesnt Become The Next Dot-Bomb!

Late last night I turned on my television and discovered... Read More

The Vital Tools To Marketing Success

Special Article Report: Theses Keys Work!Many times over the past... Read More

3 Steps to Finding More Customers

Step one: Knowing your CustomerTo find your ideal customer, you... Read More

Internet Marketing Tip - Go For The Bronze

Go for the bronze.Repeat...go for the bronze.That's right, DO NOT... Read More

Two Steps to an Investment-Free Online Empire

If you're like most of us, you're not on a... Read More

Im Talking, But is Anyone Listening?

Internet marketing is a wonderful thing, but it has it's... Read More

How You Can Acquire Exclusive Rights To Products; Part 1 of 2

If you have a marketing business, chances are you get... Read More

5 Powerful Tips To Beat The Biggest Problem ALL Marketers Face

I bet you can't tell me... the single biggest problem... Read More

The Essentials of Free Internet Marketing

Given a solid product, a well-developed Web site, and a... Read More

5 Steps to Achieving Success in Marketing

1 Planning:When starting your marketing strategy, it is wise to... Read More

How to Turn Your Articles into a Viral Traffic Stampede

By writing articles you can send targeted traffic to your... Read More

Online Marketing Donts

There are over 200 million people worldwide connected to the... Read More

Secrets of Successful Advertising

Here I will explain precisely how to advertise effectively, including:1.... Read More

Why Have An Internet Marketing Business?

"The Internet Gold Rush is under way" Bill Gates, chairman... Read More

Internet Marketing Basics

Almost all of the articles on Internet marketing lacks coverage... Read More

How To Make A Lot Of Money On The Internet Doing Nothing

"You can make a lot of money on the Internet... Read More

How To Cheaply and Powerfully Reposition Yourself On the Web

It goes without saying that all of us would like... Read More

If It Sounds Too Good To Be True

You've heard that cliché over and over I'm sure, but... Read More

5 Ways to Educate Your Prospects for More Sales

It's impossible to sell a product or service without demand... Read More

Twenty Ways To Profits Online

1. Offer to write exclusive articles (that means you only... Read More

Dont Baffle Me - Talk to Me

Congratulations, all you Internet marketing people you. You now command... Read More

My Dog Ate My Website

I am really fascinated by the world of on-line marketing.... Read More

Content, Content, Content.

Read any Internet marketing article, forum or tutorial these days... Read More

Google Sitemaps ? A New Free Google Tool

Google has released another valuable. The tool, "Sitemaps", allows you... Read More

Keys To Successful and Profitable Niche Marketing

The market world is increasingly becoming specialized. Instead of offering... Read More

Internet Marketing ? A Maze In A Haze?

Internet marketing, website marketing, call it what you will, can... Read More

7 Simple Steps To Web Wealth

A lot of people and companies have websites. They also... Read More

10 Ways To Increase Your Ads Efeectiveness

The current climate on the internet is very unfavourable to... Read More

Forming Profitable Joint Ventures

You won't be involved in Internet marketing long before you... Read More

Year In Review: Top Ten Internet Businesses 2004

The internet boom hit a high mark in 2004. With... Read More

How To Use Database Marketing To Skyrocket Your Online Profits

Database Marketing is the gathering and storing of specific information... Read More

Five Ways to Quadruple a Websites Revenue

Many website owners all too often give up on their... Read More