9 of the Best Banner Ad Design with Resources

Designing an attractive, eye catching banner for your social media ad campaigns can make or break your Return on Ad Spend (ROAS). Banner ad design resources have become a game-changer for businesses looking to boost their online presence and engagement. Their versatility and adaptability make them an indispensable part of any successful advertising campaign. But how do you create banner ads for social media platforms that truly stand out and resonate with your target audience? This article will introduce the top resources and tools to help you master banner ad design and create ads that captivate and convert.

Essential Toolkit for Banner Ad Creation

Social media ad networks such as Facebook and Instagram ads, are versatile ads that can be used across various formats, including desktop and mobile placements. These ads incorporate interactive elements, dynamic content, and immersive experiences to engage your audience and drive results.

To create effective social media ads, you’ll need the right tools and resources. Some of the top options include:

• Canva

• Adobe Express

• Bannersnack (now Creatopy)

• Crello

• Fotor

• Shutterstock Editor

• Vectr

• Snappa

Below is a list of the best resources and tools for banner ad creation, each excelling in a specific area:

• Best for User-Friendly Interface: Canva

• Best for Wide Range of Templates: Adobe Express

• Best for Data-Driven Design: Bannersnack (now Creatopy)

• Best for Animated Ads: Crello

• Best for High-Volume Production: Fotor

• Best for Stock Photography Integration: Shutterstock Editor

• Best for Vector Graphics: Vectr

• Best for Template Diversity: Snappa

• Best for Real-Time Co-Editing: PicMonkey

Best for User-Friendly Interface: Canva

Price: Free with premium options available

Pros:

• Wide variety of templates and design elements

• User-friendly interface

• Extensive media library

Cons:

• Limited advanced editing features

• Some premium features require a subscription

Having experimented with various design tools, Canva stands out as the most user-friendly option. It offers a wide array of templates, design elements, and an extensive media library of over a million professional stock photos and illustrations. This makes it easy to create engaging banner ads for Facebook and Instagram using Canva’s Facebook ad templates. Canva allows you to upload your own images and customize the design with various font styles, color schemes, and backgrounds. I appreciate the flexibility Canva provides, enabling me to create banner ads from scratch or select from a range of templates.

Rating:

• Ease of use: 5/5

• Template variety: 4.5/5

• Customization: 4/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Best for a range of templates: Adobe Express

Price: Free plan available; premium plans start at $9.99/month

Pros:

• Intuitive and user-friendly interface
• Wide range of templates and design assets
• Seamless integration with other Adobe products

Cons:

• Limited customization options in the free version
• Less advanced features compared to Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Express stands out as an ideal tool for businesses looking to generate impactful online content quickly and efficiently. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible, even for those with minimal design experience. For my work in digital marketing, especially when creating Google and ads, the wide range of templates and design assets offered by Adobe Express has proven invaluable. The ability to seamlessly integrate with other Adobe products, like Photoshop and Illustrator, enhances its utility, allowing for more advanced edits when needed. However, users on the free plan may find the customization options somewhat limited, and it’s worth noting that Adobe Express doesn’t offer the same level of advanced features as Adobe Creative Cloud.

Rating:

• User Interface: 4.5/5
• Template Variety: 5/5
• Integration with Other Tools: 4/5
• Overall: 4.5/5

Best for Data-Driven Design: Bannersnack (now Creatopy)

Price: Pricing plans vary; free plan available

Pros:

• Data-driven design features

• Dynamic ads and creative optimization

• Extensive analytics and performance-tracking tools

Cons:

• Some learning curve for beginners

• Limited free plan capabilities

Should your goal be to create banner ads optimized based on performance metrics and insights, consider Bannersnack (now Creatopy). As a data-driven design tool, it offers features like dynamic ads and creative optimization, allowing you to personalize, target, and optimize your ads based on data insights. I’ve found the analytics report particularly helpful for monitoring ad performance and making data-driven adjustments to maximize effectiveness. With Bannersnack (now Creatopy), I can create more engaging and targeted ad campaigns that truly resonate with my audience.

Rating:

• Data-driven features: 5/5

• Customization: 4/5

• Ease of use: 3.5/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Best for Animated Ads: Crello (Now Vista Create)

Price: Free with premium options available

Pros:

• Specializes in animated ads

• Wide variety of animation features and templates

• Easy-to-use interface

Cons:

• Limited advanced editing features

• Some premium features require a subscription

For creating eye-catching animated banner ads, Crello has been a remarkable asset. With its wide range of animation features and templates, Crello makes it easy to create engaging and visually appealing ads that draw people in. As someone who frequently uses animated ads to capture my audience’s attention, I appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of Crello’s animation tools. While it may not offer some advanced editing features, its user-friendly interface and focus on animation make it a top choice for creating animated banner ads.

Rating:

• Animation features: 5/5

• Template variety: 4/5

• Ease of use: 4.5/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Best for High-Volume Production: Fotor Banner Ad Maker

Price: Free with premium options available

Pros:

• Batch editing and design features

• User-friendly interface

• Useful for high-volume ad production

Cons:

• Limited advanced editing features

• Some premium features require a subscription

Fotor is my preferred tool for producing a high volume of banner ads. Its features include:

• Batch editing

• Design features that streamline the creation process

• User-friendly interface that makes it easy to create and edit multiple ads with consistent branding and design elements

Using Fotor allows me to work more efficiently.

Although Fotor may not offer some advanced editing features, its focus on high-volume production and simplicity make it a valuable tool for creating a large number of ads quickly and efficiently.

Rating:

• High-volume production features: 5/5

• Customization: 4/5

• Ease of use: 4/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Best for Stock Photography Integration: Shutterstock Editor

Price: Free with premium options available

Pros:

• Seamless integration with Shutterstock’s stock photography library

• Easy-to-use interface

• Wide range of customization options

Cons:

• Limited advanced editing features

• Some premium features require a subscription

Given my frequent use of stock photography in banner ads, Shutterstock Editor proves immensely useful. Its features include:

• Seamless integration with Shutterstock’s extensive stock photography library, making it easy to find and use high-quality images in ads

• Intuitive interface and customization options for creating ads that effectively communicate brand’s message and resonate with target audience

• Focus on stock photography integration and ease of use

While Shutterstock Editor may not offer some advanced editing features, it is a top choice for creating visually appealing banner ads.

Rating:

• Stock photography integration: 5/5

• Customization: 4/5

• Ease of use: 4/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Best for Vector Graphics: Vectr

Price: Free

Pros:

• Free vector graphics editor

• Scalable banner ads without losing image quality

• Easy-to-use interface

Cons:

• Limited features compared to some paid options

• May require some learning curve for beginners

For creating scalable banner ads without a compromise in image quality, Vectr has been indispensable. As a free vector graphics editor, Vectr allows me to easily create and edit my ads while ensuring they maintain their quality when scaled. I appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of Vectr’s interface, which makes it easy to create visually appealing vector-based banner ads.

While Vectr may not offer as many features as some paid options, its focus on vector graphics and ease of use make it a top choice for creating scalable banner ads.

Rating:

• Vector graphics capabilities: 5/5

• Customization: 4/5

• Ease of use: 4/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Best for Template Diversity: Snappa

Price: Free with premium options available

Pros:

• Diverse range of templates and design elements

• User-friendly interface

• Allows for unique and engaging banner ad designs

Cons:

• Limited advanced editing features

• Some premium features require a subscription

Snappa is my go-to resource for crafting unique and engaging banner ads. Snappa offers a diverse range of features, including:

• A wide selection of templates and design elements

• User-friendly interface for easy customization

• Ability to create ads that stand out among the competition

With Snappa, I can create ads that truly resonate with my target audience.

While Snappa may not offer some advanced editing features, its focus on template diversity and ease of use make it a valuable resource for crafting memorable banner ads.

Rating:

• Template diversity: 5/5

• Customization: 4/5

• Ease of use: 4/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Best for Real-Time Co-Editing: PicMonkey

Price: Free trial available, premium plans start at $7.99/month

Pros:

• Real-time co-editing feature for collaborative design

• User-friendly interface

• Wide range of customization options

Cons:

• Limited free trial functionality

• Some premium features require a subscription

PicMonkey’s real-time co-editing feature proves transformative when working with a team on banner ad designs. It allows multiple team members to work on the same files simultaneously, streamlining the design process and improving collaboration. PicMonkey’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for my team to create and edit ads while ensuring efficient collaboration.

While PicMonkey’s free trial may have limited functionality, its real-time co-editing feature and focus on collaboration make it a valuable tool for designing banner ads with a team.

Rating:

• Real-time co-editing: 5/5

• Customization: 4/5

• Ease of use: 4/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

Crafting the Perfect Banner Ad

Crafting the ideal banner ad necessitates a blend of appropriate tools, resources, and design principles. To start, it’s essential to select the right ad format for your campaign objectives, such as photo ads, video ads, carousel ads, collection ads, or image ads. Next, consider your target audience and tailor your ad creative to resonate with them, using engaging visuals, captivating ad copy, and relevant content.

Using data-driven insights also aids in optimizing your banner ads for peak efficacy. A/B testing different headlines, images, and ad copy can help you identify what works best for your specific audience and improve your click-through rates. Additionally, using audience targeting options like demographics, interests, and custom audience lists can ensure your ads reach the right people at the right time.

Refining your ad copy and call to action is key to driving conversions and attaining your marketing goals in your ad campaign. Ensure your call to action is clear, concise, and compelling, guiding users towards the desired action, whether it’s visiting your website, making a purchase, or signing up for a newsletter.

Bear in mind the significance of mobile users in the design process of your banner ads, especially when creating a Facebook ad. With the majority of Facebook and Instagram users accessing the platforms via mobile devices, it’s essential to optimize your facebook and instagram ads for mobile viewing. This includes using the appropriate facebook ad formats, designing mobile-friendly landing pages, and ensuring your ad copy is easily readable on smaller screens when running a facebook ad campaign. By doing so, you’ll be able to make the most of your facebook advertising efforts.

Lastly, bear in mind that the triumph of your banner ads hinges on constant refinement. Monitor your ad performance, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments to ensure your ads are always engaging and effective. By combining the best resources, tools, and design principles, you can craft banner ads that truly resonate with your target audience and drive results for your business.

Summary

In conclusion, creating effective banner ads is a crucial aspect of successful online advertising campaigns. By utilizing the top resources and tools discussed in this article, such as Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, Bannersnack (now Creatopy), Crello, Fotor, Shutterstock Editor, Vectr, Snappa, and PicMonkey, you can design captivating ads that resonate with your target audience and achieve your marketing goals.

Don’t be afraid to experiment, iterate, and optimize your banner ads to ensure continuous improvement and success. With the right tools, resources, and design principles, you can create ads that capture your audience’s attention and drive results for your business. So, why wait? Start crafting your perfect banner ads today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the specs for banner ad image?

For Facebook & Instagram banner ad images, an ideal resolution higher than 1080 pixels by 1080 pixels with a 9:16 ratio is recommended, along with a character limit of 125 characters to avoid text truncation.

What should be included in a banner ad?

Include large, easy to read text with a single focused message, a relevant image, color psychology, smart background choices, no more than five lines of text and a well balanced layout in your banner ad for optimal results.

What are the graphics guidelines for Facebook ads?

Facebook requires Story Ads to adhere to specific sizes and specs, while Feed Ads must be larger than regular Ads. All Ads should follow Facebook’s graphics guidelines for maximum visibility and engagement.

How do I Create a lead ad on Facebook ads?

Check out our guide to creating a facebook lead ad here.

How can I optimize my banner ads for mobile users?

Optimize your banner ads for mobile users by utilizing the correct aspect ratios, designing mobile-friendly landing pages, and creating readable ad copy for smaller screens.