In order to have a successful banner ad campaign that incorporates custom flash banners, you should follow some basic design tips.
1) Keep the file size small. We discussed this a little bit last week, but web sites don’t like big files and will charge you more for a flash advertising banner with a bigger file. To cut down on file size, try using a limited number of colors, gradients, and dashed or dotted lines.
2) Increase readability by using the best font. Font has to do with the size and the type. For size, you want to make sure that it is big enough for people to read your banner on the screen. An 18 point font or larger will work well. For the type of font that you use in your ad, make sure that you use a font that is safe for the web and will translate to all programs. Good examples of this are Arial or Verdana. It will also help your readability if you bold your font.
3) Always include a close button. Readers want to feel in control. Therefore, give them some control. If your custom flash banner opens up or expands when the mouse rolls over it, or if your flash banner ad moves across the page, be sure to include a close button so that your potential viewers can control when they see your advertising banner.
4) Limit animation and video time. Your flash banner is an ad, meaning that while you want to get people’s attention, you don’t want to completely pull them away from the page they sought out. You should try to keep your advertising banner animation and videos short and to the point. In general your custom flash banner animation should last about 15 seconds and your videos should last no longer than 30 seconds.
5) Include a pause button. Your purpose here is to grab potential customer’s attention, not to annoy them. Sound will direct their attention to your custom flash banner, but it can also annoy them if they can’t turn it off. Just like with a close button, always give your viewers the control and add a pause button when you include sound in your flash banner ads.
