Banner Advertising

A banner ad or a web banner is a form of online advertising where an advertisement is embedded on a web page. By clicking on the ad, a web visitor is automatically led to the advertiser’s website. Banner advertisements are usually embedded images usually JPEG, GIF or PNG. They are also made with JavaScript programs or other multimedia technologies such as flash, shockwave or java in order to include animations, video and audio for purposes of maximizing the presence of the advertisement. Images usually utilize the high aspect ration by being either narrow and lengthy or short and wide. A typical web banner has 468 x 60 pixels. Affiliates to such banners usually earn revenue based on the cost-per-click (CPC) payment model.

On loading a website that has a banner reference, the banner automatically appears, thus creating an “impression.” If the user clicks on the banner, he is re-directed to the main website where detailed information regarding the product or service advertised on the banner is offered. Usually, the banners are delivered to the host site by a central advert server, and all one needs to do is click to be redirected. This action is referred as “a click through.”

The advertiser is able to detect traffic redirected from other sites by scanning his log-files. When such is the case, he is obligated to pay the owner of the website through a payback system. Usually, the amount of money is small but can amount to huge amounts if a lot of traffic is being re-directed from a single site. The money paid to the providers enables them to pay for internet access among other things. A revenue share system however is more appealing to providers and beneficial to advertisers due to the quality of placement given to their banners when such is the case. 

Web banners work in the same manner traditional advertisements do. They notify consumers or a service or product and convince them about the functions and qualities of the same. In web banners, the advertisement campaigns are monitored in real time and are more focused on the interests of the web visitors. The behaviors of web visitors are tracked via a click tag on the website.