The Ultimate Guide to Digital Advertising Design

With the ever-evolving digital landscape, creating an effective digital advertising design has become more challenging than ever before.

Whether you are a marketer, designer, or business owner, this comprehensive guide will provide the essential info and tips to create successful digital advertising campaigns.

But first things first –

What is digital advertising design?

Digital advertising design refers to the process of creating visual content for online advertising campaigns. 

How does digital advertising work? Unlike traditional ads in print, broadcast, or outdoor venues, digital ads are placed on online channels. These channels may include websites, social media platforms, search engines, mobile apps, and emails.

The components of a digital advertisement can vary depending on the specific format and platform. But here are some of the elements to consider when creating an ad:

• Ad copy. The text used in the ad; typically includes a headline, body text, and a call to action.
• Visual elements. Images, branding mockups, graphics, vector designs, or videos used to represent the product or service being advertised visually.
• Landing page. The web page that the user is directed to when they click on the advertisement.
• Tracking pixels. Small pieces of code used to track user behavior, such as clicks, impressions, and conversions.
• Targeting criteria. The specific audience that the ad is intended to reach can be based on factors such as demographics, interests, location, and behavior.
• Ad budget. The amount of money allocated to the ad campaign; determines how often the ad is shown and to whom.

Overall, the components of a digital advertisement are aimed at capturing the viewer’s attention and conveying a message. It also encourages them to take a specific action, such as making a purchase or visiting a website.

What are the different types of digital advertising design?

There are many types of digital ads, depending on goals, platforms, and format. In terms of digital advertising design, here are some common types along with digital advertising examples.  

1. Banner ads

Banner ads appear on websites and are often used to generate brand awareness or promote a specific product or service.

This ad, for example, is a banner ad for Sophia U on The New Yorker website, just below the header. It’s vital to note that banner ads don’t only come in the form of a leaderboard like the one shown in the example.

Banner ads can also be square and vertical banners on one side of the screen. These ads for DraftKings and Macy’s on the image are examples of square banner ads.

Banner ads tips:

• Banner ads can help increase brand awareness by displaying your brand logo, colors, and messaging to a broad audience.
• They can be especially effective if your target audience frequents the websites where the banner ads are placed.

2. Social media ads

Social media ads, on the other hand, are ads that appear on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. They can take various forms, such as image ads, video ads, carousel ads, and more.

The example below shows a Facebook ad for Harvard Online. As seen in the photo, a Facebook ad will be labeled “sponsored” below the name of the account.

Social media ads tips:

• Social media ads allow you to target your audience precisely, which means that your message will reach the right people.
• You can target your audience based on demographics, interests, behavior, and location, making your ads more relevant and effective.

3. Video ads

Video ads appear in video content, such as pre-roll ads on YouTube or sponsored content on social media platforms.

As seen in the example, a video ad for Speechelo plays before the actual content from 60 Minutes Australia.

Many video ad platforms allow advanced targeting based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. This means you can reach the right audience with the right message at the right time.

Video ads tips: 

• Video ads are more engaging than other ads because they can tell a story, showcase a product in action, or provide entertainment. This increased engagement can lead to higher brand awareness and better conversion rates.
• Video ads can be distributed across various platforms, including social media, video-sharing sites, and streaming services. This makes it possible to reach a large and diverse audience.

4. Native ads

Native ads blend in with the content of a website or platform, making them less intrusive and more engaging for the user.

This example is an advertorial for Dove in Cosmopolitan Magazine. For the unacquainted, an advertorial is an ad in the form of editorial content. The image shows an article on CROWN Act – a bill prohibiting discrimination based on hair texture and protective styles associated with race.

At the end of the piece, there’s a list of hair products, and one of them is Dove. The image shows that the article is labeled “presented by Dove.” This helps ensure that readers are informed that the piece is sponsored.

Native ads tips:

• Native ads are designed to blend seamlessly with the content on a website or platform, making them less intrusive and more engaging for users.
• Digital advertising design for native ads should match the look and feel of the platform they are displayed on, making them less likely to interrupt the user experience or cause frustration.

5. Mobile ads

These ads are designed specifically for mobile devices, such as mobile banner ads, interstitial ads, and in-app ads.

Mobile ads can use interactive features like videos, clickable ads, and in-app purchases to boost engagement.

This example shows a mobile ad in Candy Crush. The player needs to watch the video to get a new life in the game.  

Mobile ads tips:

• Mobile devices are personal devices, which means users are more likely to engage with ads on their mobile devices.
• These ads allow you to track the effectiveness of your ads and make changes as needed. 

Whatever ad type you choose, digital advertising design is crucial in catching your target audience’s attention. A consistent visual identity across all ads can help to create a strong and memorable brand image in the minds of your audience.

That said, it’s best to leave the design to professionals so you can rest assured that your visual assets are geared for success.