WordPress Advertising Plugins

In my search for a good ad plugin, I looked specifically at four. They are ones that others have used and recommended to me.

WP125

• I like how easy WP125 is to set up and use. It is intuitive.
• You can select random images vs normal using a drop down menu.
• You can select one or two column display.
• It would appear that any number of ads can be selected.
• An expiration date can be selected.
• No options in the widget area at all
• What I didn’t like is that it can only be selected once to be put into a widget. I suppose it isn’t necessary since the number of ads appears to be unlimited.
• The borders around the ads are not consistent. It is visible around one column but not the other. In fact, Firefox shows the background instead of the border, which looks even stranger.

AdRotate

• AdRotate was a bit challenging in some regards. It should have been pretty straight forward as well, but there was an issue with the ads being up against each other. This was supposed to be rectified with 3.6.1 but must still have a glitch
• Individual ads are set up, within groups (if more than one ad is used).
• Ads rotate within the group, any number of ads can be placed in a group.
• Any number of groups can be placed in a block.
• When a block is set up, the display is chosen (number of ads and number of columns).
• Many other features (tracking clicks, access rights, etc)

Ad Squares

• The default is 125×125, supposed to be able to use different sizes, but I haven’t found how to do that.
• Looks nice. Evenly spaced, equal border around each ad
• Very simple
• Select widget and enter <img src>
• Number of ads and padding are selected right in the widget
• Only 2, 4, 6, or 8 ads can be selected, but the widget can be dragged over again if more are needed.
• To randomize the ads, simply check yes in the widget
• One major issue is that when the plugin is deactivated (including deactivating to upgrade WordPress), all settings are lost!

Ad Codes

• The default appears to be 300×250, supposed to be able to use different sizes, but I haven’t found how to do that.
• Very simple
• I didn’t spend any more time on Ad Codes. I’m assuming it is nearly identical to Ad Squares since it’s made by the same folks.