Creating an effective Facebook ad that grabs attention and converts can be challenging. With over 1 billion daily active users on Facebook, standing out requires thoughtful design and messaging. In this article, we’ll provide tips to make your Facebook ad visually appealing, optimized for mobile, and aligned with your branding. Follow these best practices to create ads that stop scrollers in their tracks.
Use high-quality, relevant images
Images are critical for catching eyes on Facebook. High-quality, relevant photos or videos will make your ad more visually interesting. Consider these tips for images:
– Use vibrant, high-resolution photos that are 750×750 pixels or larger. Pixelated or blurry images will get ignored.
– Select images that relate to your offer or product. For example, an ad for software could feature someone looking at a computer screen.
– Images with people work well. Faces naturally grab attention. Ensure any faces look genuine and not like stock photos.
– Animated gifs can help your ad stand out since motion catches eyes. But don’t overdo it with too much movement.
– Shoot product images on a white background for a clean, professional look. Or lifestyle images with your product naturally integrated.
– Adhere to Facebook’s 20% text overlay rule. No more than 20% of your image can be covered with text or logos.
Image examples
Here are examples of effective Facebook ad images:
| ✔ Vibrant lifestyle photo integrating product | ✔ Clear product shot on white |
Keep text simple yet compelling
The text in your Facebook ad should inspire action while being readable at a glance. Follow these tips for great ad copy:
– Lead with a bold, attention-grabbing headline. For example, “Announcing 50% off yoga pants.”
– Use conversational language and avoid overly salesy or formal text. Write in second person with “you” and “your.”
– Include a strong call-to-action so people know what to do, like “Shop Now” or “Sign Up.”
– List concise bullet points rather than big blocks of text.
– Highlight benefits and emotions vs. features. For example, focus on feeling healthy rather than yoga pant fabric.
– Use emojis and smileys sparingly to add personality but don’t overdo it.
– Proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes.
Text examples
| ✔ Attention-grabbing headline | ✘ Boring, generic headline |
| Announcing 50% off yoga pants! | Yoga Apparel Sale |
| ✔ Conversational text and strong CTA | ✘ Overly salesy text |
| Refresh your workout wardrobe with our stylish yoga pants – now 50% off for a limited time only! These comfortable pants will have you feeling confident during yoga, pilates, and more. Shop the sale today! | For one week only, receive a 50% discount on our high-quality, affordable yoga pants. These pants are perfect for yoga, pilates, working out, or casual everyday wear. Take advantage of huge savings. Click here to shop now! |
Optimize text for mobile
Most people view Facebook on mobile, so your ad text needs to be readable on small screens:
– Keep headlines under 30 characters so they don’t get cut off.
– Use short paragraphs of 1-4 lines each. Big blocks of text are hard to read on phones.
– Add white space between paragraphs and lines for visual separation.
– Ensure text contrasts well over the background. Dark text on light works best.
– Avoid long sentences that won’t fit small screens. Break up long thoughts.
– Use a legible font like Arial or Helvetica at 14 pixels or larger.
– Place text on solid color overlays if needed for readability over images.
Mobile optimization example
| ✔ Easy to read on mobile | ✘ Hard to read on mobile |
|
Announcing 50% off yoga pants!
Refresh your workout wardrobe with our stylish yoga pants, now 50% off for a limited time only! Shop the sale today! |
Don’t miss out on our big sale this week only! We’re offering half off all our stylish, comfortable yoga pants that are perfect for yoga, pilates, working out, and all-day wear! Take advantage of this limited-time promotion to get 50% off our entire collection of high-quality, affordable yoga pants in fun prints and colors for women. Click below to shop the sale today before it’s over! |
Align with your brand
Your Facebook ad creative should reflect your brand identity and positioning:
– Use any brand colors, fonts, logos to maintain consistency.
– Showcase your brand personality through text tone and style.
– Feature people who embody your target audience.
– Set expectations by advertising benefits that align with your brand promise. If you’re a premium brand, highlight quality.
– Use product images that match your brand aesthetic – clean lifestyle shots or product close ups.
– Write text that speaks directly to your ideal customer. Include language familiar to your audience.
Brand alignment examples
| ✔ Matches youthful brand vibe | ✔ Reinforces premium brand |
Create a video ad for more impact
Video ads tend to outperform image ads on Facebook. Consider making a video if you have the resources.
– Show a short video, ideally under 30 seconds.
– Lead with your most compelling scene to hook viewers immediately.
– Use text overlays briefly to communicate key messages.
– Include a clear call-to-action at the end.
– Optimize video for sound off. People often view videos on silent.
– Adhere to the 20% text overlay rule for any frames with text.
– Follow video specifications – under 4GB, high definition 1080p or 720p with 16:9 aspect ratio.
Video ad tips
| ✔ Hook with emotional opening scene | ✔ Use overlays briefly |
Test different image and text combinations
The best way to optimize your Facebook ad creative is to test different options. A/B test your ads to see what imagery and messaging performs best.
Consider testing:
– Different headline and description text
– Alternative images or videos
– Call-to-action wording like “Learn More” vs “Shop Now”
– Ad layout with image on left or right
– Emotional messaging vs. factual messaging
– Promotions like discounts or free trials
Evaluate the results to identify what imagery and text resonates most with your target audience to guide your ongoing Facebook ad creation.
Use Facebook ad tools and specs
Take advantage of Facebook’s free advertising tools and follow their latest creative specifications:
– Use the Ad Creative Library for size templates and inspiration.
– Review Facebook’s Ad Specs guidelines for dimensions, text limits and video formats.
– Use the free Ad Preview tool to see how your ad will look on desktop and mobile. Zoom in to test readability.
Staying up-to-date on Facebook’s policies and best practices for ad creation will help ensure your ads look polished and professional.
Conclusion
Creating Facebook ads that effectively grab attention and convert takes thoughtful planning and design. Use high-quality relevant images, compelling text focused on benefits, alignment with your brand personality, and testing to optimize your ad performance. Keeping ads simple and clutter-free will go a long way on the busy Facebook platform. By making your Facebook ads look good, you can drive more traffic and sales for your business.