Banner ads are still considered to be one of the most prolific and effective forms of digital marketing. Almost all companies implement of banner ads as a part of their marketing strategies because they are inexpensive and effective in raising the brand awareness.

So how can you create a stunningly unique banner ad capable of creating the maximum impression on your audience? Let’s see.

1. The first and the foremost thing to do is to use the most effective banner sizes

If you believe that banner ads exhibit no standard specifications or requirements for publications, you are wrong.

I can provide you with some standard banner sizes that have the reputation of working well from the general point of view. Take a peek.

• 728 by 90px- Leaderboard (Often placed at the very top or at the bottom of pages)
• 300 by 250px- Medium rectangle (Usually placed on the right or sometimes imbedded within text)
• 300 by 600 px- Half page
• 338 by 280 px- Large rectangle

2. Create a hierarchy

Each and every banner ad is based on 3 unique elements:

• The company branding that conveys your brand message to your audience
• The main message
• A call for action (such as Log in, Buy now etc.)

Your banner ad should be created on basis of these 3 elements in a systematic order just like the way stated above. Creating such a hierarchy in your design makes the message more meaningful from the audience point of view.

And don’t forget to use distinguished colors for each element individually.

3. Include a distinguished frame in your banner to create more impression on your audience

Your primary goal is to get as many relevant clicks as possible. Hence, you have to do everything you can to make it as eye-catching and unique as possible.

Including a well-defined frame with a special message inside (such as a special discount code) makes it more eye-catching to the normal audience. Consider inserting one if you can.

4. Your design should be simple, neat and clean

Your banner content and visuals should be as simple as possible. It should be such that even a layman can comprehend it in a flash.

This is pretty obvious; isn’t it? Your viewers will probably just glance at it for a second or two. You have to do the maximum within such a minimum amount of time. Hence, this tactic should be implemented in your designs to make it free from all sorts of distractions.

Note: DO NOT overcrowd elements in your banner. 

5. One ad should include ONLY one message

This is one of the thumb rules of making banner ads. If you make your banner ad in the form of a JPEG, it should include only one compelling business message.

Although you can actually implement techniques to squeeze in more messages in your banner ad (if you make a banner in the form of a gif) but that’s not always considered a good practice. Hence, it’s advisable to stick to the simplest message of the lot: “One banner = one message.”

6. Your banner text should be such that audience can read it in a jiffy

ALWAYS use bold and distinguished fonts in your banner especially when your message is concerned.

Your message headline and body should be of different sizes. Be short, precise and right to the point. You should not write history in your banner ads. And don’t forget to use a distinguished call for action button. That’s going to create the maximum impression on your audience.

Note: NEVER use cursive fonts in your banner ads.

7. Be sure to link properly

I have seen plenty of silly mistakes especially when this last point is concerned.

I have seen exquisite banner designs on the internet; but when you click on it, it directs you to a completely different website; one that’s not relevant in any way to the banner ad. Such things happen as a result of carelessness. Make sure you don’t do that.

Always double-check the relevance of your links to make sure that you didn’t make a mistake especially when your banner ad is concerned.

Banner Content: A Few Proven, Tried and Tested Tips

• Write an eye-catching tagline

This is the most significant part of your banner. Your tagline determines the fact whether your audience is going to read up your content or not.

You have to remember that you probably have only a few seconds in your hands to catch the reader’s attention. Your headline’s your only weapon.

• Give at least one significant message through your banner

Before delving straight to the banner design, it’s necessary for you to research first and find out what unique message you can give to your audience.

Is it some kind of a solution that can benefit them on the whole? If your answer’s a “yes”, you are going down the right track.

• Your banner content should be made in a unique voice of its own

Your banner is the voice of the organization you represent. You MUST strive to represent its personality.

Keep your writing tone aligned to your target users and subscribed readers. You must also try and give it an original voice of its own. Keep it straight and right to the point.

• Final revision

After compiling the entire draft of your matter, it’s necessary for you to go back and give it a thorough checking.

Think of various ways of polishing your matter. Is a comma missing over there or is that a semicolon? Fix them ASAP.

So that’s it then. Hope this list comes in handy for you in your upcoming banner design endeavors. Ciao!