Hi Marketer!
A square banner gives you a compact space to introduce one useful offer. SurfAholics TE has a dedicated Square Banners tool, separate from its regular banner screen. Here is a practical routine for preparing the right image, checking the destination, assigning a limited amount of exposure, and reading the results.
To access the Square Banners tool, sign in to SurfAholics TE and navigate to Ads → Square Banners.
1. Prepare a true square image
The My Square Banners screen recommends 125×125 pixels and specifically says that 468×60 banners do not work in this placement. Make a square version of your message instead of squeezing a wide banner into the space.
Use one short benefit, a recognizable visual, and a readable invitation. View the image at its actual display size before using it. If you cannot read it without enlarging it, simplify the wording.
For example, “Plan Your First Ad” with “Get the Checklist” is clearer than a miniature paragraph. Use that wording only if the destination actually provides a campaign checklist.
2. Understand Image and Target
The add row contains two different fields:
- Image: the web address of the banner graphic itself.
- Target: the page you want someone to reach after clicking the banner.
Open both addresses separately before adding them. The Image address should display the intended graphic; the Target should open the correct offer with any referral or tracking information intact. A page address pasted into the Image field is not a substitute for an image address.
Use the Add button in the new-banner row when both fields are ready. Existing rows offer Save for edits. Recheck the displayed banner and destination after saving; the member screen itself asks you to correct banners that do not display properly.
3. Check status and allocation deliberately
Existing rows show the banner’s status, a Pause Ad link for active ads, and a Views Assigned column. The screen also provides separate Assign Credits and Assign Imps columns with Assign buttons. Check which balance you intend to use before entering an amount.
The page states that one credit equals one view. It also has a Quick Assign control labelled to distribute credits evenly among active banners. Read that wording carefully: an even split may not match your priorities when you have several campaigns.
Start with a limited allocation you can review. Do not assume that an account balance alone means a particular banner has exposure assigned, or that an assignment guarantees immediate delivery. Confirm the resulting row and balance after any allocation.
4. Keep views, clicks, and outcomes separate
The Stats column displays Views, Clicks, and CTR. Views indicate recorded displays; clicks indicate recorded responses to the banner. Neither proves that a person requested your resource, became a qualified lead, or made a purchase.
For a review period, record the starting and ending view and click counts. Calculate the period’s click-through rate as clicks divided by views, multiplied by 100. For example, 5 clicks from 1,000 views is 0.5%. The on-screen CTR can be rounded, so use the underlying counts when reviewing small response rates.
Record useful actions on the destination separately when your existing tools support them. Compare similar exposure periods and change one major element at a time. Avoid drawing firm conclusions from a handful of clicks.
5. Preserve your comparison
The screen includes a Reset link beside statistics. Write down your baseline before using it, and leave it alone while you need the existing counts for comparison. You do not have to reset statistics to calculate a period’s change.
If the image is unreadable or the destination is wrong, pause the affected ad while you fix it. After editing, check the banner and the complete destination path again on desktop and a phone-sized screen.
Today’s small task
- Prepare one readable 125×125 banner for one offer.
- Check the Image and Target addresses separately.
- Add or update the banner, then verify its displayed appearance.
- Review status and choose a limited allocation from the intended balance.
- Record starting counts and choose a review date before changing the creative.
For a companion lesson on keeping the visitor’s first impression consistent, see How to Make Traffic Exchange Landing Pages Easier to Read. A clear banner and a useful destination work together.