Digital ad design tips: 5 ways on creating high-converting visuals

This is a list of the 5 best digital ad design tips of all time.

These tips can help your ad campaigns achieve a higher conversion rates:

1. Don't be afraid to get creative

2. Nail your CTA

3. Know your audience

4. Analyse, analyse, analyse

5. Use the power of humor

In this guide, we’ll reveal how to create high-converting visuals for your digital ads...

…and help you boost your ad performance.

Let's jump in.

1. Don't be afraid to get creative

Creativity is your best friend in digital ad design.

Instead of sticking to traditional layouts and concepts, think outside the box. Use bold colours, unique graphics, and unexpected elements to catch the viewer’s eye.

First, brainstorm ideas that resonate with your brand. Sketch out a few rough concepts before diving into actual ad design.

Next, experiment with different design elements. Try various brand fonts, colours, and images until you find a combination that stands out.

Example: Spotify's Wrapped campaign from 2016 till now

Spotify's Wrapped campaign is a perfect example of creativity in digital ads.

Each year, Spotify provides users with personalised data on their listening habits, presented in a visually appealing and engaging format.

Why it works: The campaign uses vibrant colours, unique graphics, and playful language to capture attention and encourage users to share their Wrapped stories on social media.

Our tip: Focus on visual storytelling

Tell a story through your ad visuals. This engages viewers and makes your ad memorable.

Think In Bold bottom line: Creativity can set your ads apart. Don't be afraid to take risks and try new ideas.

2. Nail your CTA

Your Call To Action (CTA) is crucial for conversion.

Rather than blending it into the background, make your CTA bold and prominent. It should be clear, concise, and compelling.

First, decide what action you want your audience to take. Whether it’s signing up, purchasing, or learning more, your CTA should reflect this goal.

Next, design your CTA button. Use contrasting colours to make it stand out and choose action-oriented words like “Get started” or “Buy now.”

Example: Figma's "Watch now" ads in 2024

Figma uses a straightforward and clear design in its ads, featuring a strong CTA button labeled "Watch now" in a contrasting color.

Why it works: The CTA is clear, prominent, and action-oriented, effectively prompting their audience to watch webinars on trending topics.

Our tip: Use urgency

Incorporate urgency in your CTA. Phrases like “Limited time offer” can prompt immediate action.

Think In Bold bottom line: A well-designed CTA can significantly increase conversions. Make it clear and hard to miss.

3. Know your audience

Understanding your audience is key to creating effective ads.

Instead of guessing what might work, use data and research to inform your design choices. Know their preferences, behaviours, and pain points.

First, create audience personas. These are detailed profiles of your ideal customers, including demographics, interests, and online behaviour.

Next, tailor your ad visuals to these personas. Use imagery and language that resonates with them.

Example: Nike's "Find your greatness" ads in 2012

This ad targets everyday fitness enthusiasts, featuring an inspiring image of a person in action.

Why it works: It resonates with the target audience by understanding their desire for motivation in their fitness journey.

Our Tip: A/B Testing

Run A/B tests with different visuals to see which ones perform best with your audience.

Think In Bold bottom line: Knowing your audience allows you to create ads that speak directly to them, increasing engagement and conversions.

4. Analyse, analyse, analyse

Data analysis is essential for refining your ad designs.

Instead of relying on intuition, use analytics to track performance and make informed decisions. This helps you understand what works and what doesn’t.

First, set up tracking on your ads. Use tools like Google Analytics or Facebook Insights to gather data.

Next, regularly review this data. Look at metrics such as click-through rates, conversion rates, and engagement.

Our tip: Conversion tracking

Implement conversion tracking to measure the success of your ads. This allows you to see which ads are driving sales and which ones need improvement.

Think In Bold bottom line: Continuous analysis helps you improve your ad designs. Use data to guide your decisions and optimise performance.

5. Use the power of humour

Humour can be a powerful tool in digital ads.

Instead of playing it safe, incorporate humor to make your ads memorable and shareable. A well-placed joke can leave a lasting impression.

First, understand your brand’s voice. Make sure the humor aligns with your overall messaging and doesn’t alienate your audience.

Next, brainstorm funny ideas that fit your campaign. Think about puns, visual gags, or playful language.

Example: Snickers “You’re not you when you’re hungry” campaign in 2010

The Snickers campaign featured people acting out of character due to hunger until they ate a Snickers bar and returned to normal.

Why it works: The memorable catchphrase and funny scenarios made the ads highly shareable, boosting brand recognition and sales.

Our tip: Relatable humor

Use humour that relates to your audience’s everyday experiences. This creates a connection and makes your ad more engaging.

Think In Bold bottom line: Humour can increase engagement and memorability. Don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your ad designs.

Conclusions

By following these five tips, you can create high-converting digital ad designs and visuals that captivate your audience.

Remember to stay creative, focus on your CTA, know your audience, analyse your data, and use humor to your advantage.

Don’t know how to create an ad design that works? Use a marketing design subscription like Think In Bold.

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Until next time and happy ad designing!