Display advertising is one of the most effective ways to reach a broad audience online. By leveraging eye-catching visuals and compelling messages, businesses can promote their products and services across various websites, increasing brand awareness and driving conversions. In this blog, we'll explore some top display ads examples, focusing on how you can use these techniques to enhance your marketing campaigns. We'll also touch on related concepts like ad networks, PPC ads, and online ads to provide a comprehensive guide.
What Are Display Ads?
Display ads are a form of online ads that appear on websites, apps, and social media platforms. These ads usually come in the form of banner ads, images, videos, or rich media, aiming to attract users' attention as they browse the internet. Unlike search ads, which appear based on keywords, display ads are shown to users who may have previously visited your website or have shown interest in similar products or services.
Display ads are a key component of a larger PPC ad strategy, where advertisers pay based on clicks or impressions. This method allows businesses to carefully control their ad spend while optimizing for results.
Types of Display Ads
There are various types of display ads that marketers can utilize to boost their campaigns:
Banner ads: These are the most common form of display ads, typically found at the top or sides of web pages.
Interstitial ads: Full-screen ads that appear between pages, usually in apps or on mobile websites.
Rich media ads: Interactive ads that include elements like video, audio, and clickable links.
Video ads: Ads that include a short video, often embedded within web content or social media feeds.
Native ads: Ads that blend seamlessly with the content on the platform, appearing less intrusive to users.
Best Display Ads Examples to Inspire Your Marketing Campaigns
Now, let's dive into some of the top display ads examples that you can draw inspiration from to supercharge your marketing efforts.
Google Display Network – Creative Banner Ads
The Google Display Network is one of the most popular ad networks for serving banner ads. Google provides advertisers with tools to create visually appealing banner ads that appear across millions of websites. An example of a great banner ad might feature a bold headline, a strong call to action (CTA), and high-quality imagery that resonates with the target audience.
Key Takeaway:
Keep your banner ad simple but visually striking.
Include a clear and compelling CTA that encourages immediate action.
Use high-quality images to capture attention quickly.
Nike’s Dynamic Retargeting Ads
Nike is known for using dynamic display ads that retarget users who have previously visited their website or viewed a product. These ads are personalized, showing the exact product a user was interested in, along with relevant offers or promotions. This strategy ensures that the ads remain relevant, increasing the likelihood of a conversion.
Key Takeaway:
Personalize your ads to the user’s interests or previous browsing behavior.
Dynamic ads allow you to stay in front of potential customers with tailored messaging.
Spotify’s Engaging Video Display Ads
Spotify uses video ads to promote their premium service, targeting users with ads that highlight the benefits of ad-free listening and exclusive features. These PPC ads are effective because they combine audio and visual elements to engage users across multiple senses, leading to higher engagement rates.
Key Takeaway:
Video ads can be powerful tools for delivering complex messages.
Ensure that the video is short, engaging, and delivers value quickly.
Airbnb’s Native Ads on Travel Blogs
Airbnb uses native ads that seamlessly integrate into travel blogs and content websites. These ads blend in with the surrounding content, offering relevant suggestions like vacation homes based on the user's browsing habits. Because native ads don't interrupt the user experience, they often achieve higher click-through rates.
Key Takeaway:
Native ads should align with the platform’s content style and tone.
Keep the messaging relevant to the user’s current interests.
Amazon’s Product Recommendations Display Ads
Amazon leverages display ads to recommend products based on a user’s previous browsing and purchase behavior. These PPC ads showcase items a user may have forgotten or left in their cart, encouraging them to complete the purchase. Amazon also uses banner ads within its own ecosystem and other websites to drive traffic back to product pages.
Key Takeaway:
Use product recommendation ads to retarget and encourage repeat customers.
Leverage purchase data to offer users relevant products.
How to Optimize Your Display Ads for Success
To maximize the impact of your display ads, you need to focus on key optimization strategies. Here’s how you can get the best results from your PPC ads and display ad campaigns.
Target the Right Audience
Your ad network plays a crucial role in targeting the right audience. By using data-driven targeting, you can ensure that your display ads are being seen by users who are more likely to engage with them. Utilize factors such as demographics, location, and interests to refine your audience.
Tips:
Use retargeting to reach users who have previously interacted with your brand.
Take advantage of interest-based and contextual targeting options.
A/B Test Your Ads
Testing different versions of your banner ads can help you determine what resonates best with your audience. A/B testing involves creating two or more variations of the same ad with small differences, such as the headline, CTA, or image, to see which performs better.
Tips:
Test variations of copy, imagery, and calls to action.
Analyze the results to see which versions drive more conversions or clicks.
Optimize for Mobile Devices
With the majority of users browsing the web on mobile devices, it's critical that your display ads are optimized for mobile viewing. This means ensuring your ads load quickly and are responsive, adapting to different screen sizes.
Tips:
Use responsive design to ensure your ads look good on all devices.
Compress images and media files to reduce load times.
Conclusion
Display ads remain one of the most versatile tools in a marketer's arsenal, offering endless possibilities for creative expression and targeted messaging. By studying the display ads examples above, you can learn how to craft effective ads that drive engagement, boost conversions, and strengthen your marketing campaigns. Whether you're leveraging ad networks, experimenting with PPC ads, or optimizing your banner ads, the key is to always keep your audience in mind and continuously test and refine your strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are display ads used for?
Display ads are used to promote products or services across a network of websites, apps, and social media platforms. They are designed to capture users' attention as they browse the internet and drive traffic back to the advertiser’s website or landing page.
What is the difference between display ads and search ads?
Search ads appear on search engine results pages based on specific keywords, while display ads are shown across various websites, apps, and social media platforms based on user behavior, demographics, and interests.
How do display ads work in a PPC campaign?
In a PPC ad campaign, advertisers pay for display ads based on clicks (pay-per-click) or impressions (cost-per-thousand impressions). The goal is to get users to engage with the ad by clicking through to the advertiser's website.
What are the advantages of display ads?
Display ads offer a wide reach, strong brand visibility, and the ability to use rich media like video and interactive elements. They are also excellent for retargeting users who have previously shown interest in your brand.
