Advertising on websites in Sri Lanka
Most Sri Lankan businesses know Facebook and Google. Fewer have tried putting a simple banner on the websites their customers already use. Here is how it works, what it costs and when it makes sense.
Last updated 28 October 2026
The four ways to advertise online in Sri Lanka
- Search ads (Google). Your ad appears when someone searches for what you sell. Strong intent, but you pay for every click and popular words get expensive.
- Social ads (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok). You choose who sees the ad by age, place and interest. Good for awareness and for products people do not search for. You compete with everything else in the feed.
- Website banners. A picture ad placed beside the content of a site your customers use. Priced per thousand views, so the cost is easy to predict. This is what the Ad Console sells on induwara.lk.
- Classifieds and local news sites. Good for vehicles, property and jobs, where people go to browse listings. Rates and rules differ by site; ask for a rate card.
Why a banner beside a useful tool works
People use induwara.lk to get something done: check a number plate, look up a train, work out a tax figure, find a university cut-off. The ad sits beside that task. Someone who has just checked a vehicle’s details is, at that moment, thinking about vehicles. That is the same logic as search ads, without the per-click bidding.
How you are charged
Banner ads are bought by the thousand views (CPM). On induwara.lk you prepay a campaign, and money is used only as your ad is really seen: at least half of it on screen for one second. You see the prices before you pay and the campaign stops by itself when its money is used. Unused money comes back to you.
A realistic first campaign
- Pick one offer, for example a seasonal discount or a free quote.
- Make a 300 x 250 ad in the console’s builder in a few minutes, or upload your own. See the size and file rules.
- Choose the spaces and hours. Daytime is the busiest; evenings lean towards phones.
- Book Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 for 7 to 14 days and pay by card.
- Wait for the review (usually within a working day), then watch the numbers and change one thing at a time.
What to expect, honestly
A banner is seen by many people and clicked by a few; that is normal. It works best for local businesses with a clear offer and a simple next step. It is not a magic switch. Start small, measure, and spend more only when it pays. Read how to write a banner that gets clicks before you design yours.
Questions
Is website advertising better than boosting a Facebook post?
They do different jobs. A boost finds people by interests and is quick to start. A website ad reaches people at the moment they are doing something related to your business, such as checking a vehicle tax. Many small businesses use both and compare the results.
How much money do I need to start?
On induwara.lk the smallest campaign is Rs 2,000. At the posted rates that buys roughly 10,000 to 30,000 views, depending on the space and the time of day you choose.
Do I need a website of my own?
You need a page for the click to land on. It can be a simple page, a Facebook page or a WhatsApp link, as long as it opens over https and matches your ad.
How do I know it worked?
The console shows views, clicks and click rate live. Add a unique phone number or WhatsApp message to your landing page to count customers who came from the ad.