Types of Digital Advertising That Actually Work (For Real)

When done right, digital advertising can make your marketing goals — whether it’s driving leads, boosting brand awareness, or increasing conversions — feel like a slam dunk. But with so many types of digital advertising out there, trying to figure out which one’s right for you can feel like being handed a menu in a foreign language. 

Well, you’re in luck! Today, we’ll act as your translator and break down the different types of digital advertising. By the end, you’ll know exactly whether you need to go all-in on those Instagram reels or if that retro-looking banner ad might actually do the trick.

1. Display Ads

Display ads are one of the OG types of digital advertising. These are the classic visuals that pop up on websites, complete with eye-catching images, videos, or cheeky taglines. 

Display ads lurk everywhere online like loyal companions, waiting to remind you of that toaster you said you didn’t need but clicked on anyway.

Benefits

• Visibility for days: Great for building brand awareness; they’re like the billboards of the internet.
• Highly customizable: Mix and match images, videos, and calls-to-action (CTAs). Got a logo to show off? Display ads have your back.
• Breadth of reach: If it’s a website, chances are display ads can live there.

Drawbacks

• Ad fatigue: If people keep seeing your ad but don’t click, they might start tuning it out.
• Low click-through rates (CTR) compared to other ad types.

2. Search Ads (PPC)

Search ads are the Sherlock Holmes of advertising. We’ve all Googled something only to see those “Sponsored” search results at the top. That’s a search ad in action! These beauties are precision tools, targeting users actively hunting for something you offer.

Benefits

• Intent-driven: Users are already searching for your keywords. Enter stage right, ready to help solve their problem!
• Flexible budgets: You decide how much you’re willing to pay per click. Spend big or small, whatever fits your budget.
• Instant results: Want traffic STAT? Search ads give you exposure faster.

Drawbacks

• Highly competitive: If you’re in a crowded industry, brace yourself for some fierce bidding wars. Keywords like “best coffee” might cost more than you’re willing to pay.
• Ad costs add up: Pay-per-click can sometimes feel like pay-a-lot-per-click, especially if visitors don’t convert.

3. Social Media Ads

This is where your brand joins the influencer party. Social media ads are the life of the digital party. Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or even TikTok, billions (yes, billions) of eyeballs spend their time on social platforms. From videos to carousel ads to Stories, the possibilities are endless with these types of digital advertising.

Benefits

• Super targeted: Narrow your audience down by age, location, interests, and more. It is an easy way to really target your audience. 
• Creative playground: Want to show off a video, toss in memes, or run polls? Social ads make it fun.
• Engagement-friendly: Unlike other ad types, social ads often spark direct interaction. Likes, comments, and shares help give instant feedback on what your customers think. 

Drawbacks

• Content overload: You’re competing with cat memes and Aunt Linda’s vacation pics. It can be a tough crowd.
• Constant maintenance: Trends move fast, so you’ll need to stay ahead of what’s trending and tailor your posts accordingly.

4. Video Ads

Netflix, but make it marketing. Video ads are those short (hopefully interesting) clips that interrupt your YouTube binge or pop up while you’re scrolling through recipes you hope to make one day. They’re captivating, entertaining, and perfect for storytelling.

Benefits

• High engagement: People adore video content, so these ads often steal more attention than static formats.
• Memorable messaging: Share your brand story in living color. Make them interesting, memorable – even quirky, if that’s your style. 
• Platform variety: From YouTube pre-rolls to Facebook video ads, there’s no shortage of homes for this format.

Drawbacks

• Costly production: Creating high-quality video isn’t always cheap, especially if your goal is Spielberg-level brilliance.
• Skip-button risk: If you don’t grab viewers in the first five seconds, you’re toast.

5. Native Ads

The chameleon of the ad world. These sneaky little ads blend into the content around them, whether it’s in-feed product recommendations or sponsored articles that look like editorial pieces. They’re subtle, authentic, and oh-so-crafty.

Benefits

• Non-intrusive: People tend to hate ads in their face, but these? They’re almost stealthy.
• Higher click-through rates: Thanks to their “friendly neighborhood ad” vibe, people often engage without realizing it.
• Trust factor: Because they’re camouflaged as content, they can feel more genuine and less salesy.

Drawbacks

• Limited branding: You have to play by the rules of subtlety, which can sometimes stifle creativity.
• Potential confusion: If not labeled correctly (like “Sponsored”), native ads can feel deceitful to users, which is a no-go.

Choosing the Right Type of Digital Advertising for Your Goals

Now that you’ve had a crash course, how do you decide which ad type works best for you? It depends on your goals:

• Awareness Goals: Want people to just know you exist? Focus on display ads, social media ads, or video ads. Think loud, bold, and unmissable.
• Engagement Goals: For sparking conversation or creating buzz, go social media all the way. Bonus points if you lean on user input like polls or questions.
• Conversion Goals: If you’re after leads or sales, search ads and native ads are your new best friends. They’re direct, tactical, and made to convert.

Quick Tip: Always align your chosen types of digital advertising with where your audience lives. If they’re scrolling Instagram for memes, a Google search ad might fall flat. Likewise, a flashy Instagram reel won’t help much if your audience is into LinkedIn thought leadership pieces.

Closing Thoughts

At the end of the day, picking the right types of digital advertising isn’t rocket science (we promise). It’s about knowing your audience, testing different formats, and not being afraid to experiment. 

Whether you’re rallying the crowd with bold display ads or slipping into the scene with sleek native ones, there’s a perfect fit for every goal.

Just remember, advertising doesn’t have to be boring. Make it clever. Make it funny. Make it your brand! Now go forth and conquer the ad world. You got this. 

If you’re ready to take your strategy to the next level, we’re here to help! Contact Ironistic for expert advice and tailored digital marketing solutions. We live and breathe this stuff, and we’d love to help your business shine.