Therefore, the present study is aimed at investigating how banner properties, especially animation speed and format, affect banner effectiveness. Specifically, this study will contribute in understanding the following questions: First, which banner format (horizontal banners on the tops of webpages vs. skyscraper banners at the sides) is more effective? Second, how does animation (static banners vs. animated banners) influence the banners' effectiveness on viewers' attention, recall, and attitude towards the ads? Third, does animation speed matter with regard to banner effectiveness?
Fourth, is there any interaction effect between banner format and animation on banner effectiveness? In order to seek answers to these questions, this study uses eye-tracking technology to measure participants' attention. To date only a couple of studies have used eye trackers to examine the effects of animated banner ads on viewers' attention (cf. Hamborg et al., 2012). Thus, another goal of this study is to assess whether or not we can get consistent results
with the previous research by using eye-tracking technology for online advertisement research.