Archive for October 5th, 2009

How do you know if your display ads are worth your marketing dollars? The standard metric for measuring this media has been click-through rates but according to a recent study by ComScore and Starcom, clicks are a poor way to measure what’s really going on. In fact, the number of people who actually click on display ads has dropped 50% in less than two years and 85% of all clicks are by 8% of internet users. Only 16% of U.S. internet users can be categorized as clickers. In July 2007, it was 32%. 

Are internet users ignoring display ads altogether or just becoming savvier viewers?

The study also found that although clicks are down, brand-site visitation and trademark search are up. Internet users may not click on the ad but within one week of viewing, they are 65% more likely to visit the advertiser’s site than someone who’s never been exposed to the ad. Even after four weeks, they are still 45% more likely to visit the advertiser’s site.

Search and display are more effective together than apart. If you relate your display ads to television spots, it is about creating awareness in the prospective buyer’s mind. It’s about building brand awareness verses measuring display ad success through clicks.

Marion Display Ad Example

Some key points to consider when analyzing display ads are:
- How do they fit into the big marketing plan picture?
- How are display ads and search working together?
- How have results improved in brand-awareness studies, purchase-intent increases and engagement rates?
- How are display view-through rates panning out?
- And, if you really want to measure clicks, is your creative message strong enough to demand a click?

If you are considering an online marketing campaign, let Marion guide you in the right direction. We create search engine optimized websites and strategies for your search engine marketing.