Advertising and paid memberships

[Leigh]

Be gentle with me, I am new.

I apologize if this has been addressed before. I am searching and learning so much about vbulletin and websites and am trying to absorb it all in, but it is an overwhelming process because I have little experience and am used to being on the other side of forums.

I have taken over a website that I have been an Administrator on for many years. Though I know how to do many simple things (create forums, give awards, etc) I am just learning how to attempt to gain the knowledge to become a webmaster. It is daunting, but I am plodding along.

So I have a few questions. Again, be gentle as I am learning.

The site has a few paid sponsors and I want to know where on earth I go to place the ads from them? Google is running and I need to take that over at some point, but I really wish to get the advertisers up and running again. How do I do this? Cpanel? In the back of vbulletin? We are presently running 3.6.1. I just bought the new software and plan on moving to 4.2, but so far all upgrades have failed miserably. The old webmaster is not available to call on for help.

If I wish to re-implement the paid memberships, can I offer 'ad free' to members by creating a skin that does not have ads on it? How does this work? I do not plan on blanketing the site with ads, but I know some members would probably like to have the option if they are buying a paid membership.

Thanks in advance for your time. I know there is a ton of experience on this site and although I have lurked for years I am now in need of your advice.