Best Display Ad Examples for Performing Brand Campaigns

Display ads are a worthwhile investment for any brand. They reach diverse audiences and have a high return on investment. It is important to understand display advertising, examples, and how they work for a brand’s marketing efforts. This is what we explore in this article. Ready to get started? Please join us. 

What is a Display Ad? 

Display advertising is a form of advertising that helps organizations to showcase their products and services on different platforms visually. Display ads motivate users to take specific actions like visiting a landing page or completing a purchase. Display advertising allows users to integrate images, videos, and text to pass their message. 

Display ads appear online as users browse and show up based on their interests and topics. What are the benefits of display ads?

Benefits of Display Ads

The advantages of display advertising include: 

• Optimized brand visibility: Display ads are strategically placed on websites and social media platforms to optimize audience engagement. 
• Targeted reach: Display ads allow users to target specific demographics, behaviors, and locations. This implies brands can focus on running display ads that are most likely to convert. 
• Display ads are cost-effective: Display advertising has a lower cost per impression. Brands can set their budget and opt for various pricing models based on their needs. 
• Display advertising allows real-time analytics: Through display ads, brands get access to real-time analytics. Through display advertising, metrics like conversions, impressions, and click-through rates can be used for data-driven decisions. 

Where are Display Ads Shown?

Display ads are shown on third-party websites which are relevant to a brand’s products being advertised. Display ads are simply any visual ads that a brand can place on its website, social media platforms, or apps. 

Display advertising can be divided into three categories, as discussed below. 

Categories of Display Advertising

1. Site Placement Display Advertising

Site placement advertising allows brands to select specific websites or platforms where their ads should appear. This type of display ad is common for brands hoping to call to action a specific target market. 

2. Remarketing/Retargeting Display Advertising

Remarketing display ads are shown to users who have visited a brand’s website or social media platform previously but did not convert. After leaving the brand’s website, a remarketing ad appears on your feed. Remarketing display ads nurture a brand’s audience into completing a conversion or making another purchase. 

3. Contextual Display Advertising

Contextual display advertising is made on a website that is relevant to the brand’s content. Contextual advertising operates by matching a website’s content with the content of an ad. In other words, contextual ads display relevant ads based on the content of a page. 

Display Ad Pricing Explained: How It Works and What You Should Know

The most common pricing technique of display ads is based on their CPM (cost per mille) value. As known as cost per thousand impressions, CPM refers to the ad spend for every 1,000 impressions the ad receives. In this pricing model, the advertiser (brand) pays after a target number of users have interacted with the ad and impressions made. 

Therefore, when seeking influencers for display ad collaboration, it is crucial to consider the pricing model. The agreement should be a performance-based system where you pay for successful search ads. 

Elements of the Best Display Ads

The best display ads include animated ads, interactive ads, banner or static ads, video ads, and expanding ads. 

1. Static or Banner Display Ads

One of the examples of display ads is static ads, which appear on the side, top, or bottom of a web page. These ads can be animated, static, and contain images, text, or both. Static display ads are saved as PNG or JPEG files and are easy to create and load. 

An example static display ad is a horizontal banner promoting a brand’s product on an influencer’s platform.  

2. Interactive Display Ads

Another example of display advertising is interactive ads, which engage users through clickable forms, elements, or other interactive features. Interactive ads are built using HTML5 and optimize user participation. Examples of interactive ads include prompting users to complete a survey or enjoy a simple game. 

3. Animated Display Ads

Animated display ads use motion to capture a user’s attention. Animated display ads use between 5 and 10 seconds of looping video or GIF to attract a user’s attention. Animated ads are created as HTML5 or GIF files and display multiple frames, allowing for complex messaging.  

4. Video Display Ads

Video ads are another straightforward example of display ads. Video ads feature longer videos compared to animated display ads. Brands use sound and moving visuals to engage their audience. 

5. Expanding Display Ads

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Expanding display ads grow in size as the audience interacts with them. Expanding display ads appear small and later expand when the user clicks on them or scrolls over them. Expandable display ads include a mobile phone ad on a blog, which expands after a user clicks it, showing a 360-degree interior view. 

Where are Display Ads Found?

Even though online advertising can be implemented on vast networks, display ads is mainly used in the following platforms:

• X (Twitter)
• Facebook 
• Google display network

Display Ad Examples

Understanding advertising examples is crucial for running successful campaigns. Which are the best examples of display ads? Join us as we discuss these examples. 

1. Instapage 

In display advertising, simplicity is a virtue. Instapage makes a great effort to get their audience’s attention in the ad above. Instapage uses bold contrast and clear printing that attracts a viewer’s attention. 

So why is Instapage’s ad an excellent display ad example? 

• Expanding display ad, which expands once the viewer clicks or scrolls over it.
• Bold colors and print. 

2. Apple TV 

Another of the best display ad examples is the Apple TV, which produces static display ads that grab a viewer’s attention. Apple TV’s ads are easily recognizable, stylish, and contain a clear message. 

Why are Apple TV’s ads great display ad examples? 

• Apple’s ads are eye-catching and colorful.
• The ads contain simple yet easy-to-comprehend messages. 

3. Disney+

Disney makes brilliant display ads that focus on their target audience. In the ad above, Disney’s images are large, colorful, and bold, which makes kids love them. Comparatively, Disney uses minimal text so that users can understand the ad without reading it. 

4. Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports

Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports runs some of the best display ad examples. The ad above displays the product in the setting it is meant to. Further, the company’s display ads are effective because:

• The colors are eye-catching and bold
• The image makes the target audience want to explore the brand’s products
• Clear print with a straightforward message

5. Nintendo Switch 

Another great display ad example created by brands is that of Nintendo Switch. In the ad above, the brand launches campaigns with clear images, bright colors, and short messages. This makes the ads exciting and compelling. 

6. Samsung 

The banner ad above is one of the best display ad examples from Samsung. In the ad, Samsung showcased the mobile phone’s waterproof capability by including the imagery of the ocean. Undoubtedly, this appeals to water lovers. 

Why is this banner ad a great digital ad example?

• Gorgeous imagery 
• Clear and bold print
• The ad illustrates the phone’s capabilities

6. Ralph Lauren

The ad above by Ralph Lauren presents the more outdoorsy brand Polo is introducing under their Road Trip fall collection. The ad is an excellent display ad example. 

In the ad, models are fancified and dressed well as they wander along the edge of a beach. This is a throwback to when people would visit the beach to socialize, not to swim or sunbathe. 

7. Geico

In the display ad above, Geico uses contrast and color to highlight its new offering. While everyone knows Geico for their car insurance, most of us do not know about their home insurance. The display ad uses the brand’s awareness as a car insurance firm to push for a cheaper and better policy for a car and home. 

The color contrast and icon also depict the concept of mixing different worlds. From the display, the target audience can understand that the brand is “more than just a car insurance company.”

How Do You Find the Best Display Ad Strategy for Your Brand?

From the best display ad examples above, it is apparent that what works for a certain brand might not work for another. The following are the best display advertising strategies for your brand:

• The brand name should be printed and visually clear 
• The product should be presented in a positive way
• The landing page should be linked
• Any call to action or promotions features should be clear
• The logo should be placed in a good spot. 

Further, it is important to understand that display ads work differently on various brands. For instance, a new streaming device might be successful with a contextual ad or a static banner. 

Summing It Up!

The above examples of display ads support different marketing intentions and goals for various brands. For optimal success of your brand’s advertising campaign, strategies like appealing to current trends are key. Moreover, use vibrant colors and high contrast to grab attention and stick to one point. It is also important to communicate your value proposition effectively and understand your audience well. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the key elements of the best display ad examples?

There are five basic elements of the best display ads. These elements include:

• Imagery: Depending on your goal, you can feature a lifestyle image or a product image. For instance, if you want to increase consideration, then product image is effective. 
• Call to action (CTA): CTAs guide the client through their journey with your display. For instance, CTAs like “learn more” allow customers understand they will acquire more details after clicking the display ad. 
• Brand logo: The logo on display ad creatives should be clear for optimal brand exposure and product credibility. 
• Headline: The headline should communicate a strong statement in the headline since its probably the first thing customers see. 
• Body copy: The ad should use simple and concise language to present unique and specific features of your brand’s product. 

2. What are the key takeaways from great examples of display ads?

The key strategies you can employ in your display ads include: 

• Appeal to current trends
• Use high-contrast or vibrant colors to grab attention
• Keep it simple
• Stick to one point of focus in every ad
• Replace letters or words with emojis
• Understand your target audience 
• Personalize your click-to-action (CTAs) to resonate with your audience 
• Communicate your value proposition effectively 
• Advertising an experience, not a product 

3. How do display ads work?

Display ads are videos, gifs, or images shown to a brand’s clients or potential customers. Display advertising uses a bidding system where the brand bids on ad placement. This depends on criteria like browsing behavior, demographics, and interests. 

4. What is the difference between display ads and search ads? 

Display ads appear on apps, social media, and websites, whereas search ads appear on SERPs (search engine results page). While search ads target potential clients searching for specific keywords, display ads focus on brand awareness and visual appeal.