What is a Skyscraper?

If you go to your own search portal and search for any keyword, when the search results appear look to the right side of the page. You will see a tall banner. This is a Skyscraper. It's a graphic you can use to advertise your web site(s) or an affiliate program. If you submit a Skyscraper for a specific keyword or phrase and it is approved, it will appear on every search results page when that keyword or phrase is searched for.

Here are some examples of what Skyscraper's look like.

Skyscrapers are ONLY available for Keyword Sponsors (you get three) and Keyword Managers (you get six.)

If the TOP Keyword Position (the IFRAME at the top of the search results when you do any search) is already taken by another affiliate then the Skyscraper is a great alternative way to capture the interest of any visitor searching for your keywords.

Here are some tips about Skyscrapers:

  1. They are graphics and should be about 120 pixels wide x 600 pixels high.

    Here is a great place to see most common banner sizes:

    http://www.bannercreator.nu/banner-size.html

  2. When designing them you should use ad copy, pictures or other graphics that compel the searcher to click your skyscraper to visit your site. When looking at it, the searcher should see the answer to their question or problem that they are searching for.

  3. If you are promoting an affiliate program look to see if they offer pre-designed graphics. Many do. If they do, you can save them to your hard drive and then upload them to your back office and provide the affiliate link to the product or service you want to promote.

  4. You can design them yourself using just about any graphics program. Here are two free ones to try. NOTE: They look great but I have never used them and know nothing about them so be sure you read all terms of service and information about them first. You might do a web search on them to see if there is anyone talking about them in forums and such.

    http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PhotoPlus/default.asp

    http://www.gimp.org/

  5. Here is an online banner creator site:

    http://www.bannercreator.nu/banner-maker.html - Simple banner creator BUT NOT Skyscraper size. You could create smaller graphics to place ON the skyscraper though.

    Here is another banner/logo creator that is just cool.

    http://cooltext.com

  6. You can hire a local graphic designer or someone on the web to design your skyscrapers for you. Here are a couple of choices.

    1. http://www.elance.com - similar to ebay.com in that you place a project on the site and designers bid on the work. (Usually a little more expensive than some places, but great designers.)

    2. http://www.scriptlance.com - similar to elance but usually less expensive.

      Whenever hiring a designer ALWAYS check out their portfolio to make sure you like what they do and see that they really can design graphics.

    3. If you are a member of any forum and you regularly participate in... do not be afraid to ask an off topic questions (if that is allowed) and find out if anyone on the forum is a graphic designer that is willing to swap services or products with you to create your skyscrapers for you. IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK.

    4. http://www.gotlogos.com - Any logo for $25. I've used him and he does a great job. I have never asked about skyscrapers but he might do them instead of a logo graphic.

    5. Some alternate places you might find local designers: (Disclaimer. I have never used these so am not sure what the process, price or requirements are. Be sure to do your due diligence before hiring someone.)

      http://www.freelancedesigners.com/

      http://graphicdesign.freelancedesigners.com/ - same as above just a list of their graphic designers

  7. Here are some really nice backgrounds but you must read and obey the terms of service.

    http://www.nuthinbutnet.net/resources/backgrounds.aspx

Finally, once you get your skyscraper designed you can upload them through the back office. Just follow the instructions in the My Account - My Skyscraper area.