When people get to your web site, or ask for further information, it is because they are interested. This is case where "more is better". The more information you can give them, greater chances you have of making a sale.

A very common mistake is to confuse "tease" with "education stage". If web site gives little or no information, it is in effect just another "tease". You can't expect people to buy if you do this. You must provide solid information on how they will benefit from your offer. Others mix up "education" stage with "tease", and try to give too much information in their ad. Neither approach will produce good results.

The final stage in this process is referred to as "close", or "call for action". This is where you give person a reason for becoming your customer. This can take various forms, but every good ad campaign has one.

All of these elements from "tease" to "close" must be in place if you hope to be successful in your internet marketing. Miss anyone one of them and you will join ranks of "also rans".

If your ad doesn't produce, examine each of three stages to see if it would get you to buy. Have a disinterested person look at your sales effort. Sometimes you might get so close to process, you can't honestly evaluate what you're trying to accomplish.

You must of course get ad space that is reasonably targeted to your potential market. The ad for your product should appear in places that your target market will visit. Don't forget that it might take 5 to 7 exposures to your ad before someone bites. Don't be discouraged if immediate results are not forthcoming.

Above all, don't blame messenger - that is simply a copout. They did their part by making space available and disseminating it to their subscribers - did you do yours?

The Internet is constantly evolving with new technology and functionality, but banner will continue to have value. One tool however, cannot be only advertising vehicle. A lot of people are loading their sites with animation and music. Many times it takes so long to load, that people simply click away. This is a case where a simple banner might be more effective. Any advertising program cannot stand on merits of only one method.

While banner ads have their place, unless they are on other web sites they won't generate any traffic to your web site. In online arena, ezine advertising continues to be one of strongest methods of reaching large numbers. A coordinated program of web ads and ezine ads is still probably your best bet.

Are banner ads passe'? As far as building traffic, I feel they have passed their prime. Proponents of banner ads however will claim you will get large numbers of hits to your site, and this is true. But hits are not sales and should not be your primary concern.

Everything you do in your advertising program should be geared toward doing business. If you think about it, even with an aggressive banner ad campaign that points people to your web site, other than banner ads which then point them someplace else, what will they see when they get there? Most people today are not willing to place them on their home page as they distract from primary purpose of site.

One of strongest use of banners is to help brand your product, and build your company name identification. While it is true that traffic to your web site is important, when they get there sole purpose at that point should be to close sale. Anything that dilutes that should be avoided.