Is there any point in banner ads?

[toopie28]

I am a newbie to this site so please move this post if not in the correct place.

I realise that the best way to get your online store attention is either social media, guest blogging and getting others to talk about your site/product.

My question is - is advertising on other sites completely dead? Most sites will not accept text links but will accept banner ads - do you find that banner ads generate traffic/conversions?

[engine]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld toopie28

There are so many different things which affect how a banner ad works, not least the site or service displaying the banner ad. Of course, there's the ad itself, and whatever the banner is advertising. Add to that the clicks and the landing page quality and performance, making a whole range of things that have an effect on the performance of a banner ad.

In simple terms, it depends upon what you're trying to achieve. Some banner ads are purely for corporate branding, and others are service or product related.

Does it work? It must be working to an extent or the industry would not spend so much money on it.

[toopie28]

I suppose that's true - I must be one of the very few that don't click on banners.

In trying to promote the store, we are finding that you pay for "guest blogging" which allows one link. Pay for product reviews. Finding more and more sites offering banners only instead of links.

Ok, thanks - lots of good threads on here on promoting sites. I'll keep reading...

[engine]

You're not the only one that doesn't click banners. In part don't click because I know it's going to cost someone, somewhere. However, I do look at banners to see what they are.

Please be careful if you decide to use guest blogging. See this thread Matt Cutts: Guest Blogging for SEO is Over [webmasterworld.com]

[tangor]

A properly focused, and placed, banner ad can produce results. Will they be great results? Depends. The net with ads has been round long enough that folks have developed a blind eye in that regard.

However, in a full court ad campaign you leave nothing on the table, so do use banner ads in addition to every thing else possible.