Banners Should be Interactive

MOUSE OVER THE TABS

Above is a simple banner I designed to demonstrate to a client some of the potential of using interactive technologies in ads.

Format: Flash 4 File size: 15k

NOTE: This banner is for demonstration purposes only and is not associated or linked to Canada Post.

Billboards have location. Magazines have image quality. Television has audio and video. The web has interactivity. The same reason we would not waste our money publishing a low resolution black and white ad in Wired, is the same reason we should not publish virtually inert ads on the web. Use the medium for what it is best at.

Similar to Bluestreak's "ebanners" and Enliven's "effect", web ads should use the dynamic quality of the Internet to take the user's interaction with an ad beyond those of other media.

The interaction should be of value. Cool tricks and games may get attention while the trend lasts, but gimmicks are short lived and not a solid foundation for an economic model. I suggest giving the user useful information or entertainment related to the host page.

For more discussion, please contact me: mail@jasondiceman.com

Copyleft Jason Diceman August 2000