Best Dimensions for Ad Box

[Patrick Chappelle]

I don't know why, but I've been getting some offers to advertise on both my blogger site, and Ning network. I took care of Blogger last week, but I'm not sure how to proceed with my Ning. Initially, I was hesitant to take any ads (wasn't sure if I could get advertisers with my small membership and traffic), basically because I was concerned with ruining the aesthetics of my network (which I continue to design offline). However, I am considering putting up an ad from a company I have long wished I could advertise on my network. The problem is, I don't know what the proper dimensions are for the ad box. I use a two-column layout, by the way.

Anyone with some advice here, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

[ismail shah]

125 x125 in right side bar :)

[Patrick Chappelle]

Thanks Ismail, but I'm referring to the ad box, not the text box.

[SweetPotato]

To go in the right column or above or below the header?

[Patrick Chappelle]

You can move the ad box? Hmm. Didn't know that. Well, the left (wide) column above the header.

[SweetPotato]

Looks like Radialistas has given a pretty comprehensive answer. Let me know if you need more but I think he's about covered it
SP

[Patrick Chappelle]

Thank you, SP.

[Radialistas Brasileiros]

Just my 2 cents Patrick!

In my actual NING project (not radialist.as) I'm using a 2 columns layout too and use 728x90 graphics and 728x15 text links above the folder (those a the topsellers and most clicked ad spots), 336x238 or 300 x 250 or 160 x 600 graphics on sidebar and text links 468x15 and 336x238 / 300x250 inside the content. The small formats usually did not perform well for me.

[Alex from Bougex.com]

Here is my example : http://Qc.Bougex.com
I use : 

1x 728x90
1x 240x90
2x 300x250 

In all cases, you should use IAB guidelines : http://www.iab.net/guidelines/508676/508767/displayguidelines 

[Patrick Chappelle]

Wow! Thank you Alex! This is great information.

[Patrick Chappelle]

Thank you Badan.

[MyCreationz]

Hi Patrick.. this is sort of off topic but how did you market your network? I'm planning on selling ad space (besides adsense) and dont know where to start.

Also, can you please share how you added the floating tab to the right side of your network?

[Patrick Chappelle]

I 've gotten my answer, so I don't mind going off topic.

I'm not sure marketing my network has anything to do with the offers to place ads on my site. The first offer I received was for my Blogger site which gets more traffic than my Ning site, which is odd since it's nothing more than a lesser reflection of my Ning network. The ad I will be putting up on my Ning network soon came out of nowhere also. Usually, companies aren't interested in taking out ads on sites with little traffic, but it seems all of my networking on Facebook and Twitter are paying off. 

It's a lot of work. Some of the things I've done to promote my network is produce a video for one of my bands, and this funny promo video I did for my network. Unlike other social sites, I genuinely care about my artists as both musicians and as people, and word gets around (I get a lot of free stuff too). 

The floating tab is a rewards program by PunchTab. It's free and a great way to reward your members, check it out.