Heather Paulson posted an article to her blog just recently called “Affiliate Banners | How PMG increased banner impressions by 600%”.
In the article, Heather discusses the importance of affiliate banners to an affiliate program and the strategies that the PMG (Paulson Management Group) took for a new client to gain a 400% affiliate banner impression increase in one month and a 600% increase in affiliate banner impressions within 4 months.
As you may have already guessed, increasing banner impressions has a lot to do with creating better affiliate banners, because, as Heather says, “Affiliates are savvy online marketers“… “who have advanced knowledge of what works as far as display advertising“.
So, what is it that we savvy affiliate marketers are looking for in an affiliate banner?
- Well, first there is the look or attractiveness. Ugly design doesn’t inspire clicks. No clicks, no sales.
- Secondly, there should be an offer. Nothing gets the click faster than offering your blog readers a deal like 50% off, free shipping, coupons and other offers that save them money.
- Lastly, there has to be a call to action. Click Here, Buy Now and Learn More are good examples of calls to action.
Heather also discusses advanced affiliate banner considerations which you can read in her post about affiliate banners here.
Here’s a test based on what we’ve learned about affiliate banners.
Which of the following has the highest EPC in the Commission Junction Network?
| eHarmony Banner 1 |
eHarmony Banner 2 |
Share your choice in the comments below.
And No cheating! 
Note: comments are now closed and the answer has been posted here.
About Rosalind Gardner
HI,
Hmmm, uh, Banner 1? I can read it without glasses!!!
Just wondering when you will be launching your new program.
Thanks for all the great info
I would have to say the second because it has more keyword phrases in the add itself. That would get it more web immpressions wouldn’t it?
Ok Ros, I’ll bite. I read the PMG info and I like the bigger print on #1 above, but doesn’t really convey much to me, so voting for #2. Are you going to tell us the winner or are we going to have to go to CJ.
Thanks for the posts, always informative.
Rick
Cool, is it best to find a good banner service or make yourself.
I agree with Julie…less clutter and easier to read. Banner #1 would be my pick.
Mark
Definitely banner 1. The color grabbed my attention first then fewer words and bigger font make it easier to read. Plus the button stands out more.
Yikes! This is a tough one. My first impression is that banner #1 (on the left) would get the most clicks because the word FREE is so big. But then, when I look at banner #2, it has a more personal touch in “find true Love” – so now I’m wondering if that personal touch even matters.
Okay…so where do I get the answer? Which banner was better?
Suzanne Lieurance
I think #1 because I can actually read it with one look. I don’t have to read it by going across line by line. #1 is bigger and brighter, more outstanding.
And also the #1 bright green bar looks like its popping out at me urging me to press it. The other bar is drabier in color and seems to be kind of hidden below just barely sticking out from the edge of the page.
I hope you understand what I mean.
Les
Banner 2. It tell you that you can find true love.
M
I would say banner #1… direct and to the point, though from a design view I prefer #2!
I’m going to go with banner #1. Easier to read.
I like the font on the 1st, but I have to say that banner #2 gave me the warm and fuzzies – after all, who DOESN’T want to find True Love? Also, the colours are vibrant, but a bit softer, so esthetically I was drawn to it more…
Is this a trick question? Banner 1 looks better but 2 has the information that folks want…they are looking for “true comptiable love”.
I vote for 2. BTW according to a recent study I read somewhere woman have a higher preception of color than men.
Paul
I pick Banner #1 eHarmony is pretty well known. Finding love is already associated with EHarmony. Why re- educate the reader? #1 has larger print. Jumps off page. Speed is everything in a banner
Banner 1! More attractive, crisper colors, easier to read. It jumps at you…
Certainly #1 I am attracted to it. #2 is too busy my pass it by. Interesting that a few comments above initially liked one, but analysis kicked in and picked #2. That makes me think of “go with your initial impression”, kinda like taking a test
I have to go with #1 because that would be the one I would click – easier to read and draws my attention. The second one kind of fades into the background. That’s my 2 cents worth.
I’m going to go with banner #1. It’s easier to read.
It’s number 1 because the offer free and call to action try it now are what stand out.
I go for banner number two. it has the call to action “Find love”. It tells you what you can do. Then it has the offer “Free to review”.
I just naturally went with 1 because of the big print and the even bigger “free” Of course if I were genuinely interested, maybe I would have taken time to read the smaller print on #2 and then clicked. With said, I don’t know. It comes down to better looking (#1) or more likely to catch the attention of an interested prospect (#2)
Hey Ros!
I’m going with #1 due to it’s simplicity and “unclutteredness” (hey, if Prez Bush could make up words, so can I, heh!), although if Jesse Fisher’s comment about keyword phrases stands true, #2 has better SEO.
I’m stickin’ with #1 but, for the record, I’m one of the few guys in this world that can have a 50/50% chance at stuff and choose 100% wrong every time, so the rest of you should choose #2! LOL!
(I shoulda been a Meteorologist, they’re the only ones who can be wrong 100% of the time and STILL get paid! LOL!)
Love Ya Ros, Take Care!
~(G)Q
Even though #2 has more text, I would probably go with #1 because the FREE part is bigger and catches attention more. The other text from the other banner can be described within the article or review.
p.s. Yer leavin’ money on the table – those banners aren’t live links!
~(G)Q
I would plump for #1 because its more eye-catching and contrasty. As an artist, we learn to attract the eye to the focal point using an area of greater contrast, stronger color etc. I imagine this works on websites too(?)
However, visitors are hit by so much brash imagery online, I’m unsure as to which might work best. The other does offer more; “Find love based on true compatability”… but is otherwise a bit bland and easily overlooked.
Richie.
If I’m not in the market for finding true love I might notice the first banner but I wouldn’t notice the second one at all.
If I am in the market I’m going to want to view matches for free.
Also, I can perceive the first one without consciously reading it unlike the second one.