How many people are actually using banners for promotions?

[Dexx]

Just curious how many of you are actually using banners in your software to promote either CPA / Affiliates offers, or promote your own software...

How do you find the click through rates?


Has anyone split tested to compare using the static text vs banner for click through rates?

[MikeM]

I use banners in my software I give away. I won't use banners in software that I sell, however, I may have an update browser where I put some advertising. Not sure yet.

I feel that if the customer paid good money for my product, then they don't need me ticking them off by pushing advertising at them. I know I hate using software that is full of affiliate links, etc. Maybe I'll offer a free version with advertising and then charge for a version that is ad free.

[jonathon]

I use banners in my software I give away. I won't use banners in software that I sell, however, I may have an update browser where I put some advertising. Not sure yet.

I feel that if the customer paid good money for my product, then they don't need me ticking them off by pushing advertising at them. I know I hate using software that is full of affiliate links, etc. Maybe I'll offer a free version with advertising and then charge for a version that is ad free.

RE: I know I hate using software that is full of affiliate links, etc.
I completely agree, however, I do have a few of my LARGER PAID apps which have VERY related banners. I think of it more as a helpful resource rather than an ad... (this also helps in cases where people are giving my software away to their friends... I found one case where one of my apps was shared with 4 other people and 2 of those ended up purchasing the product from the banner which netted me more than the price of the software, so it worked out well... (not saying it always works that way, but in this case, it did))

RE: Maybe I'll offer a free version with advertising and then charge for a version that is ad free.
That is exactly what I do and I was pleasantly surprised my paid app sales outweigh my free apps by maybe 2.5 to 1

@Dexx: If you are using the built in banner module, it is very difficult to find out the click through rates as you have no idea how many times the banners are being shown or seen... When building a FREE app, I try to create apps which could/should/would be used on an almost daily basis so the amount of impressions should be greater... BUT, again, if using the built in banner module, there realy is no way of knowing or calculating the CTR...

On the other hand, if you are using a web-based banner ad, you WOULD be able to determine that, BUT, if you are using tabs, the number could be off... This is because when your software loads, it loads each webpage as if it were actually being veiwed, even if the page is in a tab which is NOT being displayed at the moment, so this can definitely offset your CTR...

As for which type of ads convert better, in my cases, my text links seem to be outdoing my banner ads. I strongly think this is because the text link are always unobtrusive, leaving more room for the user to concentrate on the functions of the app itself...

[Dexx]

I also think, as it has been brought up many times in various discussions, that society is becoming more and "immune" to advertisements such as banners, commercials etc.

Many people have said that the "text adsense links" will typically outperform the "image" versions due to the way the text flows with a website...

perhaps the same could be said of using text hyperlinks instead of banners in the program...

Maybe make the text link seem like the natural next step.

1) Enter Name, Date of Birth Etc

2) Click Here for Top 10 Tips to Lose Weight Fast

3) Enter Your Weight Loss Results in the Records Below


etc. instead of, for example, having a banner showing a weight loss product.


Thoughts?


Also...for those using banners...where do you prefer to PLACE your banners? Top, Bottom, Sides? etc.