Internet Marketing Tycoon

**handsome rob** · 08-09-2007, 05:07 PM

I'd like to get a feel for what members' experiences have been like with buying banner advertising. Did it bring you a substantial amount of traffic? Was it worth the money? Was the process of finding the right site easy? I'd love to hear any success or horror stories you may have to share.

I personally have only bought one ad that could be considered a banner ad, and thus far it is a big disappointment. Though it is on a very high traffic site, the site rotates their banners and I'm lucky to receive 1 click per day. None of those clicks have converted either.

Anyone else?

**LeeD** · 08-09-2007, 05:37 PM

I have only had a similar experience to yours. I had purchased banner advertising back in 2006 in a few instances and got very little click through and little to no conversions. I would love to hear from someone that has figured out how to make banner advertising work.

**handsome rob** · 08-10-2007, 10:05 AM

Thanks, Lee. I have a feeling we're going to get a lot of stories like ours. I find it strange, because I normally have better luck with image ads than with text ads on the AdWords content network. Less total impressions, but I higher CTR and usually the same or similar conversion rate.

**Frito Pie** · 08-10-2007, 10:14 AM

I have tried it too, without success.

When I'm selling ads on my site in direct sales, I always tell them that this is about exposure and eyeballs/branding. I know from years displaying speciality products/companies in banners on my site, the CTR is not any better than the google ads (and usually worse because it lacks text/explanation) and the conversions can usually not be tracked to the exposure.

For me its part of the struggle we face as publishers and advertisers.

CPM is about eyeballs and branding
CPC is about clicks
CPA is about action/conversion

There's going to be a struggle between these ad usages on all ends of the spectrum.

**GeorgeB** · 08-10-2007, 01:50 PM

I think part of the problem is that most high traffic sites that are willing to sell you an ad spot are already cluttered with ads. Adding to the ad blindness effect.

I've found, like Rob, that advertising on a site that rotates as is pretty near worthless even for a branding campaign.

If you buy a spot you need to dominate that spot so All the visitors get a chance to see it, repeatedly.

**Exilus** · 08-30-2007, 05:04 AM

The subject AND banner spot are even more important than the traffic; try posting your ads on high-traffic websites where the banner flashes in the visitor's face and where its related to the subject. dont try to sell a book on a sport's website just like you wouldn't be selling cars on a gamer community for the 12-16 years olds.

**JuicyPayCheck** · 08-30-2007, 02:51 PM

Yep... the context in which the banner is seen is very important.

**john546** · 09-02-2007, 02:25 AM

I've never puchased banner advertising, but know that different niches would work better than others. Also when purchasing banner advertising, make sure you get the banner ad in the face of their visitors as it will increase your CTR. If you purchase banner advertising where the ad is shown below the fold or there are alot of other ads also on the site or even links, then you are likely to get less clicks on the banner ad I would think.