The Effectiveness of Internet Advertising Through Memorization and Click On A Banner
The Effectiveness of Internet Advertising Through Memorization and Click On A Banner
The Effectiveness of Internet Advertising Through Memorization and Click On A Banner
2; 2013
ISSN 1918-719X E-ISSN 1918-7203
Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education
Received: September 29, 2012 Accepted: January 28, 2013 Online Published: February 28, 2013
doi:10.5539/ijms.v5n2p93 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijms.v5n2p93
Abstract
The development of the Internet tool was accompanied by a business turnaround which has deep effects on the
rules of marketing and particularly the company-customers relationships. The graphical interface that the Web
can create between the company and its customers promotes its use as a medium of marketing communication.
The advantages of e-communication are endless for companies, including timeliness, cost and interactivity.
However, users are daily confronted with large masses of information which may affect the issue of
effectiveness of this form of communication. It is therefore necessary to know whether the information
transmitted is accessed and if it achieves the objectives associated with it. In other words, to what extent the
internet communication is effective. In this research, efficiency is studied through two indicators: the advertising
memorization and the click on the banner advertising. The empirical study was conducted on a sample of 200
Internet users. The statistical analysis used is descriptive analysis and logistic regression. The main empirical
results show that memory is largely affected by the location in the screen, size and animated banner advertising.
As for the "click", it is related to the colors used in the banner, size and clarity of the message.
Keywords: internet advertising, efficiency, memory, click
1. Introduction
Advertising has long constituted a fertile field of research. Besides the very important technical improvements
made to advertising in its traditional forms, we see a relatively recent phenomenon whose importance is far from
negligible. It is the Internet advertising, which tends increasingly to upset the traditional rules of advertising.
This new tool of communication risk of upsetting the giving of advertising through traditional media (Kammoun,
2008). Indeed, the graphical interface that the Web could create between the company and its customers
enhances its use as a media marketing communication (Sassi, 2001). Therefore, Internet advertising has
increased dramatically, and that since 1994, when the first banner (Chandon et al, 2002). Of course, due to the
remarkable strengths of the Internet in terms of targeting, inclusiveness, unparalleled in richness of information
and above interaction, the Web has become a medium with a high potential (Hoffman and Novak, 1996; Bezjian
et al., 1998; Lendrevie, 2000).
However, debate still exists about the effectiveness of this new form of communication. Moreover, research in
marketing are involved more and more to identify and test indicators of effectiveness of this new form of
communication in order to scientifically prove its credibility and its capacity to persuade (Briggs and Hollis,
1997; Drèze and Zufryden, 1998; Hofacker and Murphy 1998; Lendrevie 2000). It is therefore useful to
determine the necessary elements that leaders must take this into account when inserting a banner ad to increase
its effectiveness.
2. Literature Review
2.1 Theories of Persuasive Advertising
Studies on advertising effectiveness have long favored the primacy of the cognitive aspect (Wright 1973,
Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975). The purely cognitive models assume that consumer preferences are related primarily
to intrinsic attributes of the product contained in the message. Thus, advertising does not change preferences, but
provides information that helps for reducing post purchase cognitive dissonance (Meyers, Levy and Malaviya,
1999; Vakratas and Ambler, 1999). Therefore, the ad effectiveness is assessed from its ability to persuade
(Kammoun, 2008).
93
www.ccsenet.org/ijms International Journal of Marketing Studies Vol. 5, No. 2; 2013
However, such models suffer from a significant limitation in their ignorance and total disregard of the feelings
and emotions of the consumer which can influence his response to a stimulus advertising (Aaker and Douglass,
1989). In this sense, several studies have shown the importance of the mediating role of emotions expressed in
an advertising exposure in the formation of favorable attitudes toward both the message conveyed and to the
brand (Edell and Burke 1987, Holbrook and Batra, 1987). It should be noted here that the total exclusion of the
cognitive dimension in such models remains difficult to demonstrate in the sense that the cognitive necessarily
take place in the measurement phase of efficiency.
The respective boundaries of these two trends have led researchers to identify relationships of interdependence
and interaction between cognitive and emotional aspects and to develop models incorporating both directions
simultaneously while integrating a third dimension of behavioral nature (intentions of purchase, consumption
and experience). To be effective, advertising has to be not only cognitive, or even necessarily verbal. It can
produce the same effects as emotional, visual or auditory.
2.2 Effectiveness of Advertising on the Web
Unlike traditional media, exposure to advertising on the Web does not occur accidentally but deliberate and
desired by the consumer who determines the duration of his visit and his exposure. Several effectiveness
indicators of advertising on the Internet have been developed specifically to measure the persuasive power of
this form of communication. According to Raman and Leckenby (1998), the degree of the visitor's interaction
with advertising is the best measure of the value and effectiveness of electronic communication. The
effectiveness of interactive media can also be measured in terms of exposure assessment and commitment in
terms of time spent viewing the advertising (Bezjian, Calder and Iacobucci, 1998). Other researchers propose
measures of awareness and memory (Briggs and Hollis, 1997), assessments of emotional responses in terms of
attitude (Raman and Leckenby, 1998; Cho Lee and Tharpe, 2001; Chtourou et Chandon, 2002 ; Shura Abida and
Ben Dahmene Mouelhi, 2003) and behavioral responses measured by direct click-through rate (Briggs and Hollis,
1997; Hofacker and Murphy, 1998; Lendrevie 2000, Broussard, 2000; Cho Lee and Tharpe, 2001) and indirect
in terms of intent and purchase behavior (Briggs and Hollis, 1997, Singh and Dalal, 1999).
However, it should be noted that the click rate is a measure widely adopted by researchers to evaluate the
effectiveness of advertising on the web. That advertising is a tool of attraction through the animation of logos
and attractive colors. However, this measure presents the limit of being an immediate action that does not reflect
a genuine commitment and effectiveness of communications (Briggs and Hollis, 1997; Zufryden and Drèze,
1998; Chtourou et Chandon, 2002). These limitations have led researchers to develop integrative models to
explain the process of persuasive advertising on the Web incorporating other dimensions to assess the
effectiveness of advertising on the Internet (Cho, 1999; Rodgers and Thorson, 2000). In this sense, Kiani (1998)
considers three possible levels of measurement of advertising effectiveness. The first level is tied to the
memorization of the brand and advertising. It is the cognitive level. The second level focuses on changing the
image or fidelity. It is the emotional level. The third level is the most difficult to assess. It is simply the level that
takes the behavioral dimension of intent to purchase or the actual purchase.
In one sense, the main objective of the banners is to attract users who browse other sites. The click rate expresses
the percentage of users who click on it to go to the advertiser's site. This indicator has quickly established itself
as a major indicator and often misconstrued as the exclusive measure of the effectiveness of Internet advertising.
In this research, we adopt the perspective of Hussher (1999) who consider that the effectiveness of Internet
advertising can be measured through the click rate and degree of memorization of the banner advertising. The
first measure refers to the affective component, while the second is cognitive.
2.2.1 The Memorization
Regarding the storage of information, all authors agree in recognizing that the individual has two memories, one
short and one long-term (Dussart, 1983). The first memory is characterized mainly by a limited capacity, and
therefore, a short period of storage. Given its functions, the user should be able to judge the quality and
relevance of information given by the banner advertising. If the judgement is negative, the information will be
rejected. If the judgement is positive, treatment can continue using the secondary memory whose capacity is
virtually unlimited and information is stored permanently. With this last memory, the Internet user will have a
wealth of information enabling him to analyze and interpret information received in full. The Internet user will
be able to remember several banners in which he found information that it deems appropriate in its search for
information.
94
www.ccsenet.org/ijms International Journal of Marketing Studies Vol. 5, No. 2; 2013
The concept of memorization is commonly used for measuring the effectiveness of advertising. According to
Carat (2002), the Internet proves to be the third medium in terms of memorization just after television.
According to him, the calculation of beta memory allows the integration of the Internet in traditional media
plans.
Studies conducted by IAB France and Sofres (1999) also focused on memorization. These studies conclude that
memory improves after exposure and are consistent with those of Briggs and Hollis (1997) and Hussher (1999).
The study of Hop (2001) showed that the memory is very important in the context of online advertising. In
addition, Bergkvitz et al. (2001) showed that exposure to banner advertising improves the visibility, branding
and purchase intent. Similarly, Kompella (2001) showed that exposure and recognition enhance the brand image
significantly. Finally, Lendrevie (2000) considers that users memorize well the structure of the pages they visit
regularly.
2.2.2 The Click
The click rate on banner is considered a key indicator and a measure used to judge the effectiveness of
advertisements on the Web. This axiomatic finding is found by some researchers like Hofacker and Murphy
(1998), Chtourou and Chandon (2002). According to Chtourou and Chandon (2002), the click rate is the number
of times a visitor clicks on a banner over the number of times the support page of the banner is loaded on the
computer screen of the user. This is actually an observable behavioral response to indicate an immediate
interaction with the brand communicated (Briggs and Hollis, 1997).
The measure click-through rate is an operation technically easier to achieve in the sense that we can easily know
the number of times the Web page is loaded and the number of times one has clicked on the banner. But the click
is not an end in itself insofar as it captures only a single action and not a long term commitment. Empirical work,
such as those of Briggs and Hollis (1997) and Drèze and Zurifden (1998) showed that the exclusive use of the
click rate as a determinant of the effectiveness of Internet advertising is not always evident to the extent it does
not reflect the true value of exposure to banner advertising. In addition, the click rate on banner advertising does
not always translate into a buying behavior. Finally, Lenderevie (2000) proposes conditions to verify the banner
to be viewed by the user. Indeed, there is a trend towards less click banners deemed unattractive and lacking
credibility.
3. Conceptual Framework and Research Hypotheses
In this research, the effectiveness of advertising on the Internet is measured through two indicators: the
memorization and the click rate on banner advertising. Regarding memorization, it is evaluated in relation to 7
factors: the position of the banner, animation, size, profession of the visitor, the duration in terms of user
experience, the images used, and colors (see Figure 1).
Figure 2 shows the click model. In this model, the click is explained by the same variables mentioned in the first
model of memorization. Thus we could identify a set of determinants of the effectiveness of Internet advertising
through memorization and click.
95
www.ccsenet.org/ijms International Journal of Marketing Studies Vol. 5, No. 2; 2013
96
www.ccsenet.org/ijms International Journal of Marketing Studies Vol. 5, No. 2; 2013
97
www.ccsenet.org/ijms International Journal of Marketing Studies Vol. 5, No. 2; 2013
• Relation between the animated banner advertising and memorization: According to the Chi square test, we note
that ² calculated is equal to 10.417 above 3 (asymptomatic sig = 0.001 <0.05) where we reject the null
hypothesis H0 of independence. The memorization is stronger when the banner ad is animated.
• Relationship between User occupation and memorization: From the test results of Chi-square, we note that the
² calculated is less than 3 (asymptomatic sig = 0.177> 0.05) where we accept the null hypothesis H0 of
independence. So, there is any relationship between user’s professions and advertising memorization, hence our
hypothesis H4a is reversed. Memorization does not depend on occupation of the Web user.
• Relationship between the duration and memorization of a banner ad: According to the test of Chi-square, we
note that the ² calculated is less than 3 (asymptomatic sig = 0.105> 0.05) where we accept the null hypothesis
H0 of independence. There is an independent relationship between the memorization of a banner ad and duration
in terms of surfer experience with the Web. Therefore, our hypothesis H5 is reversed. Memorization does not
depend on the duration.
• Relation between images of a banner ad and memorization: According to test results of Chi-square, we note
that the ² calculated is less than 3 (asymptomatic sig = 0.546> 0.05) where we accept the null hypothesis H0 of
independence. There is an independent relationship between memorization and the existence of images in a
banner ad. Memorization does not depend on the existence of images in a banner ad.
• Relationship between colors and memorizing a banner: According to the results provided by the test of
Chi-square, we note that the calculated ² equal to 11.448 is greater than 3 (asymptomatic sig = 0.001 <0.05)
where we reject the null hypothesis H0 of the independence. There is a relationship of dependency between the
memory of banner advertising and the nature of color on the web page. The memory is stronger when the color
of a banner is clear.
• Relationship between the position of a banner ad and click: According to the test of Chi-square, we note that
the calculated ² equal to 4.273 is greater than 3 (asymptomatic sig = 0.039 <0.05) where we reject the null
hypothesis H0 of independence. There is a relationship of dependency between the click on a banner ad and its
position on the webpage.
• Relationship between the size of a banner ad and click: From Chi-two, we note that the calculated ² equal to
6.250 is greater than 3 (asymptomatic sig = 0.012 <0.05) where we reject the null hypothesis H0 of
independence. There is a relationship of dependency between the click on a banner ad and its size on the
webpage.
• Relation between the animated banner ad and click: According to the test of Chi-square, we note that the
calculated ² equal to 9.091 is greater than 3 (asymptomatic sig = 0.003 <0.05) where we reject the null
hypothesis H0 of independence. There is a very significant relationship of dependence between the click on a
banner advertisement and animation.
• Relationship between clicking on a banner ad and occupation of the Internet user: From the test results of
Chi-square, we note that the calculated ² equal to 0.653 is less than 3 (asymptomatic sig = 0.419> 0.05) where
we accept the null hypothesis H0 of independence. There exists an independent relationship between the
profession of the Internet user and click on banner advertising. Click on a banner ad does not depend on the
profession of Web user.
• Relationship between duration and click on a banner ad: According to the test of Chi-square, we note that the
calculated ² equal to 0.945 is less than 3 (asymptomatic sig = 0.331 <0.05) where we accept the null hypothesis
H0 of independence. There exists an independent relationship between the banner advertising click and duration
in terms of experience with the Web surfer. The click does not depend on the duration.
• Relationship between the click of an ad banner and colors: According to the results provided by the test of
Chi-square, we note that the calculated ² equal to 8.319 is greater than 3 (asymptomatic sig = 0.004 <0.05)
where we reject the null hypothesis H0 of the independence. There is a relationship of dependency between click
on a banner ad and the nature of colors on the web page.
98
www.ccsenet.org/ijms International Journal of Marketing Studies Vol. 5, No. 2; 2013
According to results of binary logistic regression, we note that the model has a goodness of fit close to 94%.
According to the chi square test can be seen that the calculated chi-square equal to 32.314 is greater than 3
(significance = 0 <0.05) where our model is globally significant. The R ² = 53.1% tells us that memorizing can
explain 53.1% of the variance of our explanatory variables. Arguably therefore the following expression for our
model:
(x) = Probability of Memorization/ Probability of non Memorization = P(Y=1)/P(Y=0).
Y= 1 Memorization
Y= 0 Non Memorization
(x) = P(Y=1)/P(Y=0)
(x) = exp. (11,822 – 2,647 size – 2,148 profession + 2,470 Duration –+3,216 Colors).
According to results of binary logistic regression, we note that the model has a goodness of fit close to 89%.
According to the test of Chi-two is noted that the calculated Chi-square equal to 20.519 is greater than 3
(significance = 0.001 <0.05) where our model is globally significant. The R ² = 38.8% informed us that the click
can explain 38.8% of the variance of our explanatory variables. Arguably therefore the following expression for
our model :
(x) = Probabilité de clic / Probabilité de non clic = P(Y=1)/P(Y=0).
Y= 1 clic
Y= 0 no clic
(x) = P(Y=1)/P(Y=0) = exp. (12,683 – 1,808 colors – 2,335 animation).
6. Conclusion
Through our research we are interested in studying the effectiveness of Internet advertising through clicking on
an ad banner or through memorization. In this research two steps have been taken. We first conducted a literature
review on the effectiveness of Internet advertising. In this first step we tried to demonstrate the importance of
interactive advertising in the marketing mix. We have also highlighted the relationship between advertising
effectiveness and web tool as a new dynamic and interactive media. We also verified the existence of several
elements of quantitative and qualitative measures of the effectiveness of Internet advertising. These measures
have enabled us to identify a certain set of determinants that may explain the effectiveness of advertising across
the Internet tool. In a second step, we tried to verify all theoretical findings on the Tunisian context. a survey
experiment was conducted to achieve this goal. The analysis and interpretation of data from this survey has
yielded the following results:
On a descriptive level we note that:
The memorization is stronger when the banner is at the top of the screen compared to below position, but it is not
quite strong when the banner ad is animated. The memory is stronger when the banner is large. It does not
depend on occupation of the user's web nor the existence of images in a banner ad.
99
www.ccsenet.org/ijms International Journal of Marketing Studies Vol. 5, No. 2; 2013
The memory is stronger when the colors of the banner are clear. It does not depend on the experience of the user
with the web. The individual is more likely to click on a banner ad placed at the top that when placed in the
bottom of the page.
The individual clicks on an ad banner large. He does not necessarily click on an animated banner ad. The click
does not depend on occupation of the web. Click on a banner ad does not depend on the duration in terms of user
experience with the World Wide Web. The user is more likely to click on the banners whose colors used are
clear.
On the explanatory level we note that:
The profession of the visitor, the duration in terms of user experience with the Web, color and size are variables
that explain the behavior of the cyber consumer clicking or storing a banner advertisement. Through this study
based on an experiment, we tried to test the relationship between banner memorization and click on the one hand
and the size, position, animated images, color, occupation the Internet and the duration of the other. Both
descriptive and explanatory analysis showed that all determinants except "images" are likely to explain either the
memory or click banner advertising and therefore the effectiveness of Internet advertising. We can therefore say
that the size, position, animation, color, occupation of the user and the duration in terms of user experience of the
Web, are determinants of advertising effectiveness Internet. Therefore, any company that uses the Internet must
necessarily take into account these dimensions in order to succeed at best tools for customer relationship and
increase their Internet advertising effectiveness.
References
Aaker, D. A., & Douglas M. Stayman. (1989). What Mediates Emotional Responses to Advertising?: The Case
of Warmth. In Patricia Cafferata & Alice Tybout (Eds.), Cognitive and Affective Responses to Advertising.
Lexington, MA: Heath and Company.
Barrox et al. (1998). Comment Internet change la France. Revue l’Expansion, Mars, P50.
Bergkvitz, L., Fristrom, M., & Melander, J. (2001). Measuring the Brand Effects of Banner Advertising
Campaigns. Worldwide Online Measurement ESOMAR Athens 6-2001.
Bezjian, A. A., Calder B., & Iacobucci, D. (1998). New media interactive advertising vs. traditional advertising.
Journal of Advertising Research, 38(4), 23-32.
Briggs, R., & Hollis. (1997). Advertising on the web: is there response before a click through? Journal of
Markerting Research, 2(37), 33-46.
Burke, M. C., & Edell, J. A. (1989). The impact of feelings on ad based affect and cognition. Journal of
Marketing Research, 26(1), 69-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3172670
Carat. (2002). l’e-pub s’installe dans les médiaplannings. Le Journal du Net (Bench group). Retrieved from
www.journaldunet.com/dossiers/grp/021011epub2.shtml
Caumont, D. (1988). Les niveaux de contrôle en publicité: essai de clarification. Recherche et Applications en
Marketing, 3(4), 1-22.
Cho, C. H., Lee, J. G., & Tharp, M. (2001). Different forced- exposure levels to banner advertisements. Journal
of Advertising Research, 41(4), 45-56.
Cho, C. H. (1999). How advertising works on the www: Modified Elaboration likelihood model. Journal of
Current research in Advertising, 27(1), 33-50.
Chtourou, M. S., & Chandon, J. L. (2002). Influence de la répétition sur l’efficacité des bannières publicitaires
sur Internet. Congrès Tendances du Marketing en Europe Ecole Supérieure de Commerce, 1-21.
Dreze, X., & Zufryden, F. (1997). Testing Web Site Design and Promotional Content. Journal of Advertising
Research, 37(2), 77-91.
Dussuart, C. (1983). Comportement du consommateur et stratégie marketing (p. 556). Mc Graw Hill.
Edell, J. A., & Burke, M. C. (1987). The power of feelings in understanding advertising effects. Journal of
Consumer Research, 14, 421-433. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/209124
Engel, J. F., Blackwell, R. D., & Miniard, P. W. (1995). Consumer Behaviour (8th ed.). The Dryden Press.
Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, A. (1975). Beliefs, attitudes, intention and behavior: An introduction to theory and
research. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
100
www.ccsenet.org/ijms International Journal of Marketing Studies Vol. 5, No. 2; 2013
Hofacker, C. F., & Murphy, J. (1998). World Wide Web banner advertisement copy testing. Europpeen Journal
of Marketing, 32(7/8), 703-712. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03090569810224092
Holbrook, M. B., & Batra, R. (1987). Assessing the Role of Emotions as Mediators of Consumer Responses to
Advertising. Journal of Consumer Research, 14, 404-420. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/209123
Hop. (2001). Measurement of brand effectiveness of online advertising word wide online measurement.
ESOMAR Athens 6- 2001.
Hussher, F., & Drèze. (1999). Internet advertising: is any body watching? Working paper; Marshal School of
Business, university of southern California. Retrieved from http://sbaxdm.usc.edu/publications/eye.html
IAB France/ Sofres. (1999). Retrieved from www.iabfrance.com
Kammoun, M. (2008). Efficacité de la publicité : un état de l'art. La Revue des Sciences de Gestion, Direction et
Gestion n 229, p. 111.
Kelly, K. J., & Hoel, R. F. (1991). The Impact of Size, Color, and Copy Quantity on Yellow Pages Advertising
Effectiveness. Journal of Small Business Management, 29(4), 64-72.
Kiani, G. R. (1998). Marketing opportunities in the digitial world. Internet research: Electronic Net Working
Applications and policy, 8(2), 185-194.
King, C., Pereira, S., & Houston, C. (1998). Do It on the Web: an Evaluation of Web Site Design. Australia-New
Zealand Marketing Academy Proceedings, Otago 1155-1169.
Kompella, K. (2001). Evaluating the Use of Banner Advertising in Strengthening the Brand Relationship.
Worldwide Online Measurement ESOMAR Athens 6-2001.
Lavidge, R. J., & Gary, A. S. (1961). A Model predictive measurements of advertising effectiveness. Journal of
Marketing, 25(octobre), 176-182.
Lendrevie, J. (2000). Internet est il doué pour la publicité. Revue Française du Marketing, 176, 102-118.
Lucas, D., & Britt, B. (1963). Measuring advertising effectiveness. New York: Mac Graw Hill.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/13112-000
Merunka, D. R. (1986). Publicité: les nouvelles mesures de l’efficacité. Revue Française de Gestion Juin / Juillet
/ Août 19-28.
Meyers-Levy, J., & Malaviya, P. (1999). Consumers’ processing of persuasive advertisements: An integrative
framework of persuasion theories. Journal of Marketing, 64, spécial, 45-60.
Naccarato, J. L., & Neuendorf, K. A. (1998). Content Analysis as a Predictive Methodology: Recall, Readership,
and Evaluations of Business-To-Business Print Advertising. Journal of Advertising Research, 38(3), 19.
Novak & Hoffman. (1996). Marketing in hypermedia computer-mediated environment conceptual foundations.
Journal of Marketing Research, 60, July.
Raman, N. V., & Leckenby, J. D. (1998). Factors affecting consumers’ Web ad visits. Europeen Journal of
Marketing, 32(7/8), 737-748. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03090569810224128
Rodgers, S., & Thorson, E. (2000). The interactive advertising model: How users perceive and process on line
ads. Journal of Interactive Advertising, 1(1).
Sassi, Y. (2001). Communication sur Internet. Retrieved from www.Observatoiredelafranchise.fr
Singh, S. N., & Dalal, N. P. (1999). Web home pages as advertisements, Association for Computing Machinery.
Communications of the ACM, 42(8), 91-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/310930.310978
Singh, S. N., & Rothschild, M. L. (1983). Recognition as a measure of leasing from TV commercial. Journal of
Marketing Research, 20(Août), 235-248. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3151827
Stern, J. (1997). Marketing sur Internet. les éditions de Reynolds Goulet, P38.
Vakratas, D., & Ambler, T. (1999). How advertising works: What do we really know? Journal of Marketing, 63,
26-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1251999
Valdez, P. (1993). Emotion Responses to Colour. PhD Dissertation, University of California. Los Angeles.
Wright, P. L. (1973). The Cognitive Processes Mediating Acceptance of Advertising. Journal of Marketing
Research, 10(1), 53-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3149409
101