What makes a good banner?

I have to design a banner ad (a button, too) for a web hosting company and am not sure what makes a good banner ad.

I know it should stand out, but at the same time should not feature seizure-inducing flashing objects or anything like that.

Here's what I have, but I'm not happy with it:

http://24.112.99.205/sites/sharpweb/lbanner.jpg

My english isn't very good, but "Sharp People" and "Sharp Service" doesn't has some negative connotations?

I like to create a banner around a point of attention, something to attract the surfer. Your banner looks a bit monotonous for my taste

Thanks. I will close this thread and link it to:

http://www.codingforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15793

Thank you :) You've given me an idea ;)

Ok, so users can't close their own topics. Nuts to that.

You can delete your own threads though