Pretty much anybody with a basic understanding of code can learn how to create basic banner ads. It isn’t rocket science. You just need to combine the HTML tag for a link with the HTML tag for an image. If you want to make the graphics, you don’t even need Photoshop anymore. Simple computer art programs like Paint Shop Pro are plenty for the job. You can knock out a few static banners for your site in a single afternoon. Animated GIFs aren’t much harder.
But then you hit the other end of the spectrum.
Rich media ads. These are the ones with elaborate animations or user interactivity. They require extensive programming ability. They demand real skill.
Amateur banners often work fine. They get the job done. But consider the noise. So many ads are competing for viewer attention right now. Many websites need help. They need professional ad designers.
Good advertising agencies and freelance designers bring more than just coding skills to the table. They bring creativity. They bring extensive marketing experience. They work to match a banner ad campaign with the advertiser’s product or service. They aim for innovative, attention-getting graphic content. There are plenty of these pros serving websites today. Their range of experience is wide. Their success rates vary.
And their fees? That varies too.
You can get a professional banner ad for $50. Or you can spend upwards of $1,000. Which one makes sense for your campaign?
“The range [of quality] is even greater with banner ads than with most other forms, however, because it is so easy and inexpensive to create and post banners.”
Then there are the free options. Websites that offer free banner ad creation exist for a reason. Some provide all the components you need to build your own. Backgrounds. Fonts. Templates. Others will actually create the banner for you.
Why do they do it?
Some just make money from the advertising on their own sites. Some offer free creation in exchange for you posting their client’s banner ads on your site. A few designers simply create banners as a hobby.
If you’re looking to try the DIY route without spending a dime, here are some popular spots to start:
- Make Your Banner.com
- ABC Banners
- Atomic Arts
But here’s the reality check. Like most forms of advertising, banner ads vary considerably in quality. Their creators vary in ability and experience. The range is even greater here than in most other advertising forms. It’s just too easy. Too inexpensive. To post them.
