What is a Banner?

In the world of internet advertising, banners are a common and effective marketing tool.

But what exactly is a banner, and how can it be used to promote a business or product online?

What is a Banner?

A banner is the most widely-used advertising format on the internet, which involves incorporating a graphic advertisement within a webpage. They are designed to grab attention, and as such, may not always match the website's visual style. The primary objectives of banners are to generate advertising impressions and to drive traffic to the advertiser's website through clicks.

Banners are typically included on websites through agreements between webmasters, which may involve banner exchanges or financial arrangements. Alternatively, they can be incorporated using platforms such as Google Adsense, which enable monetization.

History of Banner Advertising

Banner advertising first emerged in the early days of the internet, when websites began to offer space for advertising alongside their content. The first banner ad, created by AT&T in 1994, featured a simple message ("Have you ever clicked your mouse right here?") and a clickable image that led to a website promoting AT&T's internet services.

Since then, banner advertising has become a staple of internet marketing, with businesses using banners to promote products, services, events, and more. Today, banner ads can be found on virtually every type of website, from news sites to social media platforms.

Types of Banners

There are many different types of banners that can be used for internet advertising. Some of the most common include:

• Static banners: These banners feature a single image or graphic, along with text and/or a call to action. They can be either horizontal or vertical, and are often used for display ads on websites or social media platforms.
• Animated banners: Animated banners are similar to static banners, but include motion or animation. This can help to capture the viewer's attention and make the ad more engaging.
• Rich media banners: Rich media banners are more interactive and engaging than static or animated banners. They may include video or audio, interactive elements, or other advanced features.
• Pop-up banners: Pop-up banners are displayed in a separate window or tab, rather than on the main page of a website. They are often used for advertising purposes, but can be seen as intrusive or annoying by some users.

Best Practices for Banner Advertising

When creating a banner ad for internet advertising, it's important to keep some best practices in mind. Here are a few tips to help ensure that your banner ad is effective:

• Keep it simple: A banner ad should be clear and easy to understand. Avoid cluttering the ad with too much information, and focus on a single message or call to action.
• Use eye-catching visuals: A banner ad should be visually appealing and attention-grabbing. Use high-quality images or graphics, and consider adding animation or motion to make the ad more engaging.
• Be clear and concise: The message of your banner ad should be clear and easy to understand. Use simple language, and avoid using jargon or technical terms that may be confusing to viewers.
• Target your audience: Consider who your target audience is, and tailor your banner ad to their interests and needs. This can help to ensure that your ad is more effective at reaching and engaging your desired audience.
• Optimize for mobile: With more and more users accessing the internet on mobile devices, it's important to ensure that your banner ad is optimized for mobile viewing. Use a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes, and keep the file size of the ad small to minimize loading times.

Banner Formats

Various banner formats are utilized in display advertising campaigns, including:

• Rectangular banners: These are typically placed at the top or bottom of a page, with dimensions of 468x90 or 728x90 pixels.
• Skyscraper banners: These are usually located in a left or right column, with dimensions of 120x600 or 160x600 pixels.
• Page stealer banners: These are integrated into articles and typically have a width of 300 pixels.
• Expandable banners: With the rise of responsive design, expandable banners are becoming increasingly common. They adjust in size to fit the device type and screen resolution.
• Interstitial banners: These open prior to a page loading and are often viewed as intrusive. However, they are effective in capturing the user's attention.
• Layer banners: These are also viewed as intrusive and place a layer on the final page that must be explicitly closed or waited out for the scheduled exposure time.

The Bottom Line

Banners are a common and effective tool for internet advertising. By using eye-catching visuals, clear messaging, and targeted content, businesses can create banner ads that engage and inform their desired audience. Whether you're using a static banner, animated banner, or rich media banner, keeping best practices in mind can help to ensure that your ad is effective and successful.

Related Articles

Solo Build It

Big companies like Wix spend tons on advertising to make you believe that there's something special about their templates, or...

---

uGain

It also helps entrepreneurs digitize their customer base, get to know their customers and give them what they are looking for, thus reducing advertising costs and...

---

What is Business-to-Consumer (B2C)?

These businesses can utilize a variety of profit models, such as marketing, advertising, and fee-based approaches.

---