Digital ad: web metrics vs. impressions and click-through

Media companies like to monetize special areas of their websites by co-branding them with their advertisers.  It wouldn't be fair to hold these sponsorships to the same performance standards as one would expect with banner campaigns.  Nevertheless, advertisers come along after the campaign and demand metrics.

Web page metrics are not calculated in the same way an ad server would measure impressions and click-through rates for banner campaign.

The best way to manage this post-campaign misery is to spell out the standards up front, in writing and in conversation.  It must be made clear, provably, that simple web page sponsor graphics aren't for everyone, that impression and click-through data cannot be tracked or reported.  If the advertiser recognizes the value of associating a particular web page and do not require performance metrics, only then should they consider placing an order for these areas.

Knowing and fully understanding this, g ahead and ask for pageviews for a given page.  If it's not possible for the target web server to obtain referrer data, then you'll have to guess what a possible click-through range might be.

Where do you start when it comes to estimating click-through rates?  A Michigan State University study reported the national average click-through rate is between .2% and .3%, but are largely affected by the quality and relevance of the ad, value of the offer or promise and other subjective factors.

iMedia's Andrew Stern gives great advice to AEs and advertisers in his article 8 ways to improve your click-through rate.