Should I use a text link or Graphic Ad?

chrisinbc · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 12:33 PM

Hello,

On one of my web pages I've been recommending a product for quite some time. I finally decided that I might as well sign up as an affiliate for this product. Anyways, currently I have simply a hyperlink to the affiliate link on the name of the product that I am recommending. I've read in some places that text link ads are more effective than graphic ads. Is this true? The company that I am an affiliate with has many attractive banners in various sizes. I was thinking of placing a small square graphic ad. Do you think this is a good idea. I already have three Google Adsense units on the page, and I dont want my page to look like there is too much advertising. Thanks for any help.

Chris H.

jay144 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 11:48 AM

I think you should test them both out. I would try the graphic banner first. Since you said that they have nice visual banners then put it on your site and see how well it does.

I know what your saying about having to many ads lol. I struggling with that too. You don't want your site looking like one of those parked domains that are full of ads

Jonathan · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 12:56 PM

Yes, definitely test them both out. I suspect the small square ad may work better. Many people (including Lisa!) use them on their site. You may also consider writing a sincere review of the product.

jayorban · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 05:50 AM

text links convert better usually. Just put them in your content... banner ads are good to but text are a litle better. Variety is the key!

Juno · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 08:46 AM

Maybe test them both, but I like work with text links. I suppose that you can operate more with them.

Bill the Builder · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 09:21 AM

Some affiliates have available click through percentages you can view. Not all display ads click through or convert the same. It also depends if you're a website that has a few ads on it or a blog in which you are encouraging people to click through.

Finally, the final decision should be based upon conversions and sales not just the clicks.

sequencehosting · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 01:43 PM

It depends on so much. Your niche, page width, content, audience, position and product.

The best thing you can do is test both. I tried both banner ads and text links for my skateboarding site and even with a younger audience text links where much more effective. But your talking about an affiliate product and your niche is different so it's best to test both. In fact a mix isn't a bad idea either.

West · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sequencehosting

It depends on so much. Your niche, page width, content, audience, position and product.

The best thing you can do is test both. I tried both banner ads and text links for my skateboarding site and even with a younger audience text links where much more effective. But your talking about an affiliate product and your niche is different so it's best to test both. In fact a mix isn't a bad idea either.

I agree. I always hear that text links do much better. But I have better success with banner ads on my site. I think because my niche is related to party planning, people like to see a picture of a product and they are enticed to click on it.

chrisinbc · #9 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 05:37 AM

I've ended up trying both. It sounds like text links work for some and graphic ads work for others. I'll be interested to see which ads convert and which don't.

Chris H.

MooBaa · #10 (**permalink**) 11-12-2009, 07:22 AM

Text links are more effective for seo, but for most people they are just links they see every day and are likely to be ignored. If you can create an attractive piece of artwork which will grab someone's attention on a page that may be full of text, you wont get so much benefit in terms of targeting your site to keywords, but you may get more click throught's, so I agree you need to try both. You may find that you get differing results dependent upon the site you are targeting and where it is placed on a page.

Jenishtte Poo · #11 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 07:07 AM

There's no accurate answer. I think different products will result in different outcomes. I would recommend you to check it. Only put text link for one or two weeks, then only put graphic ad for one or two weeks, than put both for one or two weeks. Compare their sales rate. Use the best one.

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