What are your thoughts on online banner making websites?

[FemmeAnnie]

Has anyone used an online banner making website? I won't drop any url's. But i'm developing a site where users can choose pre-made anmimated flash and gif banners to customize...........
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text messages, fonts, sizes, animation effects etc, upload logo or image. The interface to do so would be a GUI drag and drop interface. Currently there is nothing like this that i have found online.

I've seen so many posts from people looking to make their own banner.

Can anyone out there help me figure out what it is that you are looking for if you were to use a completely browser based application to create flash and gif banner ads?

Annie

[OhMyPixel]

Banner's from what I noticed are becoming less popular. But I would assume that control over the banner dimensions and colors are important. So are the font and other elements (backgrounds, images, borders, etc). You won't be able to accomplish the versatility of a true graphics program. Some people might find the limitations frustrating.

I am curious as to what your target market is.

-OMP

[FemmeAnnie]

Hi,

The target market would be webmasters with little or no design skills and those that don't want to pay a banner designer for a banner ad. You can check out Animation.com which is not my site but you can look to get a general idea.

While surging around forums, i've found that lots of people are looking for online banner makers, or banner software because they just don't know how to make one themselves.

Later on, i hope to expand out of banner ads and move on to allow people to create ebook covers and boxes using only their browser.

[Edouard_H]

The people you're targeting are also likely looking for low cost software or shareware.

[OntheEdge]

Have you thought about a brnded version of Netscape? With the composer included, it could be a great tool for you. You can even make a NN/Opera sidebar/panel to keep your users up to date with new features and special offers.
They can build their banners online and you don't lose them when they leave the site.

[FemmeAnnie]

Edouard H,

Out of curiosity, why do you think that people looking for online banner makers are looking for lowcost software or shareware?

So do you think a web application would not be appealing or do you think that people might want a choice to download a banner maker vs. using an online application?

Annie

[FemmeAnnie]

OntheEdge,

"Have you thought about a brnded version of Netscape?"

Are you saying that I could make brand netscapes browser for my site?

I really like the idea of a sidebar/panel to keep users up to date with new features and special offers.

Where other than opera have you seen sites doing this.

Annie

[rogerd]

Hi, FemmeAnnie, welcome to WebmasterWorld. I agree with Edouard about market overlap with a banner maker and low-cost software.

My logic is that a user of an online banner maker probably isn't the owner of advanced software like Flash, Illustrator, etc. In fact, the user probably doesn't own any suitable software. Since most online tools have some limitations, it's logical to offer the next step for a low price...

[Edouard_H]

I didn't mean they wouldn't be interested - just that they might not be aware of the availability of online tools. Folks starting out need something that doesn't have a steep learning curve and doesn't cost alot and many of them are going to start out looking for software; my point (not well made) is that you would want to be found with search terms that don't necessarily include "online". Also, maybe offer a one time free trial and seek out links on freeware and shareware sites.

Footnote: Banners may not be as popular as they used to be, but plenty of people are still using graphic navigation buttons / menus.

Added: rogerd - you must be quicker on the keyboard than I am! "Overlap" hits the nail on the head.

[FemmeAnnie]

Edward H,

Really good point. I'll have to check with wordtracker to see what keyword combimation if any for "banner, software etc" people are using.

Thanks for the insight. Maybe i shoudl be posting and asking questions directly to the target market. Who knows what else i havn't thought of. Are there any Newbie webmaster forums that anyone can recommend?

Annie

[OntheEdge]

Are you saying that I could make brand netscapes browser for my site?

Check out Netscapes Browser central - they have all the details there, it works similiar to the opera branding.

Where other than opera have you seen sites doing this.

ISP's do it Sympatico is one, but a company or web site can do it as well.