When you search for a website, you might see different images and links to click. Some websites use static images, while others use animated banners to provide a better user experience during the time they spend on that site.
Animated banners are graphical elements such as images, videos or animations that appear in response to mouse movement, keyboard input, or touch gestures. They use computer animation to make something appear to move on its own, without the need for any external action.
Read this article to know more about animated banner ads and how they work.
What is an animated banner?
An animated banner is an ad that uses graphics and animations to display a message as a user scrolls through the page. This means that the banner ad appears when someone is scrolling through the page, without clicking on any links or buttons.
Animation comes in many forms. It can be any combination of images, videos, and script that appears on the page, moving in response to a user’s scrolling through the page. This can be done with sound as well, which is known as an audio banner.
Animation can be used for two primary reasons. One is to provide a more immersive experience for visitors. If a person is scrolling through a website but does not pause to browse through the page, the experience can feel more like watching a video than reading an article. Using an animated banner can bridge that gap and help create a more immersive experience for the user.
Another reason for using animation is to drive more clicks on ads. If the page is moving in real-time as the user scrolls, there is a chance that they will miss the banner ad altogether. If the ad is an image, it probably won’t even be noticed. But, if there’s any chance that the ad will be noticed, then the goal of using animation will be met.
How does an animated banner work?
Animation happens when the page loads and the ad is displayed next to the page content. This means that the banner does not come from a server somewhere. The banner is in constant communication with the browser and loads only when the user scrolls to its location.
Animation is usually done in two ways. The first is to have the images and video run in a loop. This means that the same piece of content is displayed over and over again. The second is to have the images and videos run in a sequence.
The first type of animation, image loop, is the more common version. It’s used to display images that run continuously, and the user never sees a single new piece of information. The other type of animation, video loop, is also possible. It displays a sequence of images, but with a brief pause at the end of each piece of content. These pauses are often used to display a logo or a message at the end of the sequence. This can create the impression that the video is longer than it actually is, and it may increase the chance of clicks on the ad.
Types of Animated Banners
- Parallax banners: In these banners, the background moves while the foreground stays still. It gives an amazing 3D effect that has to be seen to be believed.
- Slick banners: These are banners that are highly optimized for speed. They load as fast as possible and even respond to mobile device gestures such as swiping, tapping, and pinching.
- Rollover banners: These are used to display images and videos that have interactive elements, like text links or buttons that change depending on the movement of the user’s mouse.
- Sound banners: These display sound-only banners that play short sounds. The user can’t see images but can hear the sounds.
Benefits of using an animated banner ad
- Allowing for the best possible user experience: When a website does not have any animated banner ads, it can be hard for the user to know what the site looks like. With images and text, it’s easy to miss the fine details of the site, like what button to click or what section of the page to focus on.
- Creative possibilities: Banners can be used to display images and videos in a creative and unique way that can’t be done with other types of ads. The banner ad format can be used to display 3D images and animations, or 2D images in the style of retro games.
- A great way to grab attention: People spend at least eight seconds looking at an ad before deciding whether to click on it or not. This means that eight seconds is a great amount of time to be able to grab someone’s attention.
Disadvantages of using animated banner ads
- Difficulty in viewing: Users who are scrolling through the page might not notice the banner ad at all, which can be a problem for click-through rates.
- More computing power needed: The more complex the animation, the more powerful the computer has to be to run it.
- Cost of maintenance: If the animation is done on a high-end computer, it will require more electricity to run it and will have a greater environmental impact.
Example of Animated Banner Ads
https://www.hongkiat.com/ads/banner.html This is an example of a slick banner ad that uses an image of a man walking through a field, but the image flips upside down and plays the song “Sexy and I Know It” without any audio. The man is wearing a crown, which can refer to the fact that the Hongkiat website is a source of amazing content that is relevant to publishers with a high-quality audience. The banner ad is just one of many ways Hongkiat can draw attention to its content. It can also use social media ads and organic search to bring new visitors to its site.
Final Words
Animated banners are a great way for you to promote your brand and increase your online revenue. Try creating an attractive and eye-catching animation to expand your reach and increase your profits.
It can be challenging to create a quality animated banner, but with the right tips and techniques, you can make sure it’s done right.
