Global ad spending likely exceeded $600 billion in 2020. Since the beginning of time, mankind has sought out others to fulfill aspirations that we may not have the skill, ourselves, to achieve. Advertising agencies exist to sell the dream of marketing greatness, to any company, big or small, that seeks out their help.
All drama aside, it pays to advertise. In this post, we briefly examine online advertising examples that work. Keep reading for inspiration and ideas to jump-start your next advertising campaign.
Ten Online Advertising Examples
It may be helpful to think of online advertising as the same as real estate investing. They say that the three most important things about real estate investing are location, location, and location. Where you place your ads naturally has an impact on how successful the ad campaign will be.
1. Google Search and AdWords
Did you know, Google ads cover 90% of the published websites on the world wide web? It is estimated that Google search processed over 3.5 billion queries every day in 2020. Google search is the most visited webpage online so it is safe to say having ads that appear in google search has its advantages.
Google AdWord campaigns are pay per click (PPC) and pricing is determined by demand, making popular keywords often pricy. AdWords PPC campaigns are very powerful as the traffic you receive from these clicks is focused traffic. This means that your visitors are already interested in what you are offering when they get there.
Are you aware of the rtb meaning? If not, we recommend you find out as your digital ad spending will largely depend on the demand of your keywords. Choosing the right keywords for your AdWords campaign makes all the difference in your results.
2. Bing Ads
Microsoft’s search engine, Bing, was a latecomer to the search game but has gained popularity recently to overtake Yahoo as the world’s second most used search engine by market share. Bing offers PPC advertising much the same as Google. As prices for both companies vary widely depending on promotions and keywords, we recommend doing a little comparison shopping.
3. Facebook Ads
The undisputed champion of social media, Facebook, is free to use (and always will be). Learning from the business model of TV radio Facebook brings in the bulk of its sizable revenue from advertising. A whopping 1.6 billion people are connected to at least one small business on Facebook.
Social media marketing is not only smart but essential for almost every business these days. Underestimating the power of making your target market “friends” on Facebook is most likely the most costly mistake businesses make.
4. Twitter Ads
Facebook may be the most popular social media site but twitter takes the advertising cake. A mind-boggling 500 million tweets are sent out on the Twitter platform every day. That is 5,787 tweets per second!
When you consider 40% of Twitter users reported that they first purchased a brand after seeing it on Twitter, how could you not want a piece of the action? It’s called “paid boosts” and it is a way of extending your brand by promoting your tweets and gaining more followers.
5. Website Banner Ads
The oldest trick in the online advertising bag, banner ads still work. They work very well. Banner ads are so effective because they add images to the mix making them visually appealing.
Many websites in your niche are offering up advertising space on their website right now. Do a little research and see what you come up with. If all else fails you can even take up banner ad partner offers from the big boys, like Google’s Display Network.
6. Flash Ads
Want a bit more spice in your banner ad? Flash ads offer interactive elements to engage with your target market. Many flash ads offer a sweepstake entry to click on the banner while others use trending topics to lure in surfers to their brand.
Considered a fad by many playful and somewhat corny interactive flash ads were once extremely effective. Maybe they just need some fresh ideas to bring them back to popularity?
7. Mobile Ads
As of January 2021, the number of smartphone owners has surpassed 3.8 billion or nearly half the world’s population. This means 1 out of every 2 people on Earth could potentially access your website via their smartphone. That is if they come across your mobile ad.
Many internet users only access the internet through their smartphones so it would be foolish to cast them aside. There are dozens of ways to advertise on the little screen and they are often forgotten by many businesses. Through Google AdWords “Enhanced Campaigns”, you can choose “mobile” as an option for your PPC plan.
8. AdMob Ads
You ever wonder why there is so much free software available. How can programmers afford to give away their hard work for nothing? Shareware and freeware programs are an excellent way to saturate a brand in the market, after all, everyone loves something for free.
The free mobile app and game industry operates on the same principle as other advertising-driven platforms. Free mobile apps either sell advertising space in the app, sell in-app purchases, or promote paid versions of the app.
AdMob is Google’s answer to the mobile app advertising market. A large chunk of the advertisements you see on your favorite free mobile games come to you through AdMobs. These AdMobs can be text-based, banners, or even mini interactive HTML 5 programs that change to target different interests.
9. YouTube Ads
Network TV advertising is far from dead, but the cable cutter trend is well on its way. A respectable 70% of consumers list advertising on network TV as one of the top reasons they are electing to watch their content on streaming services.
YouTube is, by far, the most-watched streaming service online. In case you have been living under a rock with spotty wifi, Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion in November of 2006. Now that YouTube is a subsidiary of Google, it is easier than ever to run ads on YouTube to market your brand
10. Instagram and Vine Ads
It may never have occurred to you to include photo-sharing sites like Instagram and vine in your marketing strategy. that would be a big mistake. Instagram is insanely popular, especially among the younger market.
There is currently not any “official” way to advertise on these platforms but that doesn’t change how powerful they are. There are over 25 million businesses on Instagram. Your social media advertising strategy can easily include Instagram, by reposting photos and ads you use elsewhere in social media.
Don’t underestimate the power of showing potential customers your business and its culture. Take snapshots and short videos of moments to celebrate and the promotions you are running. Advertising is evolving.
Gone are the days where a business can run the same ad for months and hope to keep the attention of the public. Keep your audience on their toes by constantly offering your business in new and unique ways.
Method to the Madness
With seemingly endless options for online advertising, things easily get overwhelming. Budget carefully your digital ad spending and manage your risk for losses. If you have trouble finding somewhere to start, first brainstorm a headline to base your root strategy and display it on your ads.
Everywhere in our digital words are social ads. Humanity has come accustomed to advertisements, but our attention span for them is short. Successful online marketing comes down to quick attention-grabbing strategies and highly focused and targeted campaigns.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Run small campaigns on several different platforms and gauge the results. You will soon know what is working and what isn’t.
Don’t be afraid to go a little crazy. Keep in mind the confines of what is a reasonable risk, but you never know what you might stumble upon if you get a little creative and think outside the box.
Fake It Until You Make It
Any or even all of the above online advertising examples may very well work for you as they have worked for countless others. You won’t know until you try. One thing is for sure – without advertising your brand, your potential customers will take their money elsewhere.
Taking risks in business is par for the course, but be smart, run test adds, and gauge their response before dumping large chunks of your advertising budget into any specific area of the endless online landscape. For more on how to navigate the world of the technology business, keep reading our blog.
