Among all the social networking websites available on the internet, MySpace is the premier social networking website in the US. MySpace is an established social networking platform that was founded in 2006. It has thrived in the dynamic internet landscape and has proven to be more than a mere fad. There are over 100 million MySpace users with hundreds of thousands more joining everyday.



This is a large pool of captive consumers that are just waiting to be tapped into. There are various ways to attract the attention of MySpace users, but one of the most powerful ways of doing so is with a MySpace banner.

Banners are one of the most established forms of online advertising. It has become a mainstay advertising tool in the rapidly changing world of online advertising and should be a staple tool in the arsenal of any website.

Even though banners are still being used in the world of online advertising, ‘banner-skeptics' question its relevancy. These skeptics claim that banners are obsolete advertising tools. They also claim they consumers regard banners as inconsequential noise that is subconsciously filtered out.

Though it may seem self-contradictory for this article to agree with the skeptics, ultimately, the skeptics are correct. However, it should be noted that their beliefs can be applied to all forms of online advertising. Banners should not be the sole victims of a media-wide generalization. All forms of advertising will be regarded as noise by the consumer unless the message is powerful and clear.

And therein lies the advantage of banners. Banners offer a versatile and powerful platform for websites to utilize in broadcasting their message. Advancements in digital technology have allowed banner ads to become more interactive and engaging. Banners can now feature sound, animation and an entire array of interactive tools to engage the consumer and encourage click-through.

The best banners offer more than a message; they offer a brand experience. These banners succinctly epitomize the product or service in question, thus building a lasting impression on the audience.

To create a good banner ad, you should try to utilize interactive elements to engage the consumer. A mini-game or an entertaining animation can draw audience attention away from the main content and towards your advertisement. If you intend to use a mini game in your banner, then you should not penalize the consumer for participation. Some banner mini games will launch the advertised website when clicked, frustrating the player and disconnecting them from the brand experience. When creating banner games, you should focus on creating an enjoyable gaming experience first. ‘Tricking' the consumer into visiting the website is a poor way to generate web traffic and can diminish brand equity. In a worst case scenario, it can even create a consumer disconnect.

MySpace banners are here to stay. For better or worse, banners will remain a staple in any interactive advertising toolbox. Fortunately, if you dislike using banner ads, there are other ways of directing MySpace users to your website. If you are willing to invest the time and money, you can utilize social networking websites to dramatically increase traffic to your website.