The Dos and Don’ts of Banner Ads – by Ted Dhanik

Banner ads are one of the most effective marketing tools that businesses can use to promote their products and services.  Banner ads can differ considerably in their messages and appearance.  However, there are a few basic guidelines to follow in order to make the most successful banner ad possible.

Here are a few dos and don’ts when creating or selecting a banner ad:

Do focus on advertising a particular product or service instead of just a website.  Many businesses make the mistake of simply promoting their business through these ads.  Viewers typically respond better if they’re shown a specific product or service instead.

Don’t direct visitors to a homepage once they click on the banner ad.  It can be confusing to viewers when they click on an ad featuring a specific product, and they’re directed to a company’s homepage.  Viewers may get frustrated if they have to navigate a page in order to find the product they were interested in in the first place.

Do place banner ads at the top of the page.  While some ads on the bottom or side of a page still generate interest, they don’t usually get as many clicks as those that are at the very top of the page.

Don’t choose boring, static ads.  In our media obsessed culture, viewers respond better to animated and dynamic ads.  Some businesses even feature videos and audio in their ads for the best possible reaction.

In addition to the tips listed above, research shows that simple messages are always best.  Follow these tips and you’re sure to have an ad that will turn viewers into new clients.

Author bio: Guest post is submitted by Ted Dhanik, the president and co-founder of engage:BDR.  engage: BDR creates engaging advertising that has a reach of over 200 million users.  This top media company is skilled at driving traffic, creating leads, and building brand recognition.  Ted Dhanik has his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from California State University, Hayward.  Ted Dhanik was previously the VP of Strategic Marketing for Myspace for over five years.