Static vs Animated

[Nosfer]

I'm surfing the internet everyday... and on on various web-sites i see static banners, but lately, animated graphics gain and day-by-day new sites appear like this.
What do you preffer?

I preffer animated banners... BUT they should be done in .gif format. if you use .swf there are many internet users that don't have flash player installed, and your website will be loaded slower than others.

[simismy]

Hmmm

I don't mind if there's a few animated images on the page, but sometimes there's so many it makes the page load slow. Also, like you said, not everyone has flash installed on their computer so thats a problem too sometimes. I remember a few sites I went to have those flashing banners that quickly change colour and they are an eyesore.

[surfville]

animated banner tend to attract more people. The color and the animation they do will get attention and that in turns much more effective advertisement.

[kimi]

I am mad about cartoons.so thats why i like mostly animated stuff.And also animated stuff is most difficult to build.

[darkAngel]

Animated make the site move alive. Static is fine as long as the design is cool. But it's better to stick to animated banner if you're advertising something.

[wkhaiaun]

Sometimes having animated banners are very annoying. Depends on individuals, certain people prefer simplicity and would therefore like static banners. Myself, I'm somewhere in between.

[abiji]

I prefer animated banners. They make the site more lively and they also get people attention and people do click them . So one should netter stick to animated graphics. Also if they are optimized well they wont take much time to load

[petite]

In my opinion, it will depend on the type of site you will be designing. If it is a forum site or a game site, then a banner would be perfect. But if it is a blog or an informational site, then a static banner would be the suitable one.

[vrutant7287]

animated banner is attract more people.they give us effective advertisement.
lots people attract by animated banner

[keepyourbook]

Animated banner draws visitors' attention inevitably.

[Captain Tycoon]

If the website has too many animations then its bad because it takes the user's eye off everything! If its just one area then Yeah, It's a good idea