Banners

Introduction

Welcome to eDirectory—the platform that brings your online directory to life with dynamic, visually engaging banners. Banners not only add an aesthetic boost but also act as powerful advertising tools to promote various aspects of your directory. If you’re using eDirectory version 13.6 or later, you now have access to two exciting new banner formats: the Billboard Banner and the Half Page Banner. For a detailed overview of these new options, please refer to our dedicated article Introducing Two New Banner Formats in eDirectory 13.6.

In this guide, we’ll explore where banners can be displayed on your website, the widgets that manage them, and how to make the most of these features.

Client's View When Adding a Banner

  1. Navigate to "LIST WITH US": From your directory’s front end, click the "LIST WITH US" option in the navigation bar.
  2. Access Banner Options: Once in the section, select the "Banner Options" tab to view the different placement choices.
  3. Preview Banners: Use the "VIEW SAMPLE" buttons located beneath the pricing details to see how each banner type appears on your site.

Your eDirectory site supports several banner types, each displayed in a unique way. Here’s an overview of each option:

Leaderboard (728px x 90px)

A bold, central banner designed to grab visitors’ attention.

  • Widget: Displayed using the "Leaderboard ad bar."
  • Placement: Add it via Design → Page Editor by selecting the widget from the "insert widget" list.

Note: The widget only displays the banner; for instructions on how to add a banner image, see the article How to Add a Banner.

Large Mobile Banner (320px x 100px)

Ideal for mobile users, this banner is part of a cluster of three widgets and is also available on your app and web versions.

  • Widget: Managed by the "3 rectangle ad bar."

Note: The widget is solely for display purposes. For banner image upload details, refer to How to Add a Banner.

Square Banner (250px x 250px)

This versatile banner integrates seamlessly into various widgets like Horizontal Cards, Browse by Category, or Browse by Location.

  • Configuration: Set up within the widgets via Design → Page Editor.

    Widgets That Support It:

    • Horizontal Cards
    • Browse by Category
    • Browse by Location
    • Featured Categories, and more.

Note: The widget displays the banner; for image upload instructions, see How to Add a Banner.

Wide Skyscraper (160px x 600px)

A vertical banner that fits perfectly on the right side of certain widgets, offering flexible placement options.

  • Configuration: Configured within widgets such as Recent Reviews, Horizontal Cards, and Browse by Category.

    Widgets That Support It:

    • Browse by Locations
    • Featured Categories (with or without images)
    • Recent Reviews
    • Horizontal and Vertical Cards
    • Results Widget (only on the results page via the page editor)

Note: For guidance on uploading banner images, please refer to How to Add a Banner.

A text-based banner that doesn’t require an image upload. Instead, you can customize it with a title, two descriptions, and a link for redirecting visitors.

  • Widget: Displayed by the "Sponsored Links" widget.

Note: The widget only shows the banner; to learn how to add banner content, see How to Add a Banner.

New for eDirectory Version 13.6 and Above

If you’re running eDirectory version 13.6 or later, you can now take advantage of two new banner formats:

  • Billboard Banner

  • Half Page Banner

For a comprehensive breakdown of these new options, please review our detailed article on the subject: Introducing Two New Banner Formats in eDirectory 13.6


Banner rotation is not time-based. There is no automatic time interval between different banners displayed within the same banner placement.

Whenever a page is loaded or refreshed, eDirectory randomly selects an active banner that matches the dimensions of the available banner placement and is still within its configured validity period. The selected banner remains displayed while the visitor stays on the same page.

A new banner is only selected when the page is loaded or refreshed again. Therefore, banners do not automatically rotate while the visitor remains on the same page.


How can I make sure my banner will be displayed?

Banner display cannot be guaranteed for every page view, as banners are selected randomly from the pool of eligible active banners for that placement. This means that different visitors, devices, or page loads may see different banners.

Not seeing a specific banner during a particular visit does not mean that the banner is not being displayed to other visitors. As eligible banners are selected randomly on each page load or refresh, a banner may be displayed at different times to different visitors.

Banner owners can monitor the performance of their banners through their Sponsor Dashboard, where they can view the number of impressions (views) their banner has received. This provides a reliable way to verify that the banner is being displayed over time.


Conclusion

By following these steps and utilizing the appropriate widgets, you can seamlessly configure and display banners across your eDirectory website. Whether you're showcasing classic formats like the Leaderboard or leveraging the new Billboard and Half Page banners (for version 13.6+), these tools are designed to enhance your site’s visual appeal and advertising potential.

Happy advertising! 🎉

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