Banner Exchange Advertising

Banner exchange advertising networks on the Internet have existed for some years, though some claim to provide brand new services. Essentially, an individual with a website joins a network and agrees to place HTML code in at least one accessible page of his or her own site. This code displays alternating banners from the network owner or sponsor and other members of the group. In return, the new member earns points that enable his or her own banner to be shown a specific number of times on other sites in the network.

Banner exchange advertising is quite a good way to get the word out there. However, cautions should be exercised when considering this method of advertising. A major one is that you have little control over the type of banners that may end up being displayed on your website. By the same reasoning, you have no control over the type of site where your own banner may be displayed. Most networks reject discriminatory websites for membership, but that's often about all they do turn down.

Even when given the option of not participating in so-called adult material sites, there may be others that are equally offensive in different ways. A known teetotaler would not want to be "trading" with whiskey-oriented ads. A non-smoker would especially not want to have her children's book ad displayed on a tobacco site. Some Singles or Dating Services are religious in sponsorship, but others have websites that are borderline pornographic.

Check with Your Hosting Service

When you signed up with your internet host, you were granted a certain bandwidth for usage, in exchange for the hosting fee you pay each month or annually. If you sign up for banner exchange advertising, it will drive more traffic to your website. Make sure you don't end up paying huge overage charges.