How to Create Animated Ads That Convert (Best Examples)

Have you ever tried animated ads for your business or e-commerce store?

It might be the best strategy and one of the most powerful marketing tools for business growth!

This is a creative way to boost engagement and sales on your e-commerce site for example.

I know what you may be thinking – “animated ads seem too flashy or distracting.”

While cartoon animation and crazy effects can definitely grab attention, well-designed animated ads can also provide value to users in subtle yet powerful ways when done right.

In this blog post, I’ll share important research on how animation impacts the brain and behaviors.

I’ll also include real case studies showing the best ads and animated ads that drive higher sales.

Along the way, I’ll give practical tips for crafting informative animated ads that enhance the shopping experience rather than annoy.

By the end, you’ll see how animation has untapped potential to boost your bottom line without feeling like a “hard sell.”

So, let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

What are Animated Ads?

Animated ads are dynamic advertisements that combine elements of motion graphics, animations, and sometimes interactive components to convey a message or promote products and services.

These ads stand out in the digital age, drawing more attention than static ads due to their movement and storytelling capabilities.

They can be used across various platforms, including social media, websites, and digital billboards, providing a versatile tool for marketers to increase engagement and drive consumer action.

With the ability to incorporate sound, vibrant colors, upbeat music, video clips, and interactive elements, animated ads offer a rich, immersive experience that can significantly enhance the storytelling aspect of a campaign.

This ability to captivate and entertain audiences makes animated ads an effective tool for not only drawing attention but also for retaining it, resulting in higher engagement rates and, ultimately, a more successful advertising campaign.

Related Tools for Best Animated Ads

Jasper to write the animated ad
Originality AI to screen it for errors
Quillbot for paraphrasing help

Why Animation Works: Insights from Neuroscience

Recent brain research provides clues as to why animation performs well.

When we see movement, it activates different areas of the brain compared to static images alone.

This heightened neurological response leads to increased emotional engagement and memory formation.

In other words, things that move tend to stick better in our minds.

This means animated ads have an advantage in standing out amid loads of competition online.

While static banner risks blending in, short animated clips literally “pop” by catching the eye through motion.

So use of animation, video content, and visual effects helps build a global brand.

Stronger recall of your brand over time benefits sales further down the road too.

Why Use Animated Ads for Business? Are Animated Ads More Effective?

Here are 7 key reasons why animation ads work really well for business or E-commerce stores:

It grabs attention. Things that move literally catch our eyes more easily than static images. Animation gives ads a distinct visual pop that makes them stand out.
It boosts memorability. Neuroscience shows that animation activates different parts of the brain related to emotional engagement and memory formation. People are more likely to remember brand/product messages in animated ads.
It conveys information effectively. Done right, animation can communicate complex concepts or procedures more clearly and intuitively than static images or text alone. Things like how a product works are easier to understand through a brief demonstration.
It boosts viewer engagement. Research consistently finds that animation increases important metrics like click-through rates, time on site/ad, and conversion rates, which are proven strategies for growing e-commerce businesses. People pay more attention and interact more with animated vs. static ads. According to a study by Facebook, animated video ads had an 82% higher CTR than static image ads.
It tells stories emotionally. Short animated ads have the power to engage viewers on an emotional level by depicting personal connections to products or services. This makes brands more memorable and persuasive.
It builds trust and likability. When ads use animation to humanize a brand through humor, empathy, or charm, it makes the company seem more relatable and likable to customers on a felt, subconscious level.
It lends itself to sharing. Animated advertisement is inherently more visually interesting and attention-grabbing, making ads more likely to be shared organically via social media, word of mouth, etc. which extends their reach.

Animated explainer videos for example are a perfect example of the best commercials that leave a lasting impression and reach a broad audience.

This is because these animation videos are not only engaging but also informative for potential customers.

Where Are Animated Adverts Used?

Animated ads are commonly used in various digital marketing channels, including social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok), email marketing campaigns, display advertising on websites, and video advertising on streaming services like YouTube.

They can also be used on e-commerce websites to showcase products or services.

So no matter where your target audience is spending their time online, it’s a good idea to incorporate animated ads into your marketing strategy on digital platforms.

Real Proof and Examples that Animated Ads Drive Sales

Skeptics may wonder – all well and good in theory, but does it translate to higher revenue?

Several case studies prove animated ads consistently boost key metrics. Let’s see some of those examples below.

Anthropic Analysis

Video animations in marketing emails have shown a staggering 300% increase in click-through rates (CTR) compared to static images.

According to a study conducted by HubSpot, incorporating animated videos on landing pages can boost conversion rates by up to 80%.

Best Examples of Animated Ads

Below are some best examples of animated ads that I have seen; these are great for inspiration and ideas:

Apple’s ad on Apple Health – Mindfulness here
Headspace App delivering guided meditations here
Nespresso for coffee lovers here
I love Cadbury chocolate- check out their cool animated ad here about Cadbury dairy milk chocolate

As you can see, all of these ads are short, engaging, and keep you engaged!

Pay attention to their animation style, background music is a great example.

Types of Animated Ads for E-commerce Store

There are various types of animated ads that can be used for an e-commerce store, each with its unique features and benefits.

GIFs: These simple yet effective animations can be used to showcase a product’s features or demonstrate its use.
Cinemagraphs: A combination of photo and video, cinemagraphs create an illusion of motion that grabs the audience’s attention.
Video Ads: With the ability to tell a story or showcase multiple products in one ad, video ads are a popular choice for e-commerce businesses.

How to Craft Informative Animated Ads for Business and E-commerce Stores that Sell

While animation has many engaging qualities, it must serve a purpose beyond mere visual flair or entertainment value alone to genuinely influence purchase decisions.

When done improperly, motion for motion’s sake risks irritating or even alienating viewers.

However, grounding creative concepts in strategic best practices establishes animation as an effective educational tool.

Follow these tips when crafting your animated ad for your e-commerce store:

Demonstrate Core Benefits Clearly

The first thing you have to ask yourself is WHY the viewer should watch your animated ad?

With limited attention, the focus of your commercial animation ideas must be on highlighting just one or two unique selling points (USPs).

Minimal effort is required to understand how it satisfies a key need or wants.

Distilling the value proposition in this laser-focused manner strengthens receptiveness to subsequent messaging.

Keep the Animate Ad Meaningfully Brief

Modern attention spans accommodate quick bites of engaging content but rapidly disengage from prolonged exposures.

While some learning processes occur even below conscious awareness, respect people’s time by conveying essential information concisely within 5-15 seconds using the Hook Rule or others.

Overstaying one’s welcome into the “too long” zone risks tuning out before the message lands. Tight storytelling maximizes impact per second invested.

The best animated commercial videos are short and sweet.

Emphasize the Essence

With animated ads, don’t get carried away with providing fluff.

Simplifying anatomical functions down to their fundamental form frequently proves more intuitively graspable than overloaded visual noise.

Stripping away non-essential motion leaves white space for core takeaways to shine through unhindered.

Test Variations of the Animated Ad Strategically

You should also consider testing variations of your animated ad to see what resonates best with your audience.

This could include different designs, bright colors, or messaging.

By strategically testing these variations, you can determine which ones are most effective in driving conversions and tailor future ads accordingly.

Structured A/B assessment measures qualitative and quantitative response metrics to surface effective versus replacement elements.

Provide Authentic Value

Keep in mind that once attention is won, fulfillment matters most.

Ensure your animated ads authentically solve problems or fulfill needs in a way static images alone cannot versus superficial motion for its own sake.

Relate demonstrated functionality and benefits customers will experience through real interactions.

Substance sustains loyalty where flash fades.

Make the Animated Ad Accessible (consider different audiences)

Accessibility legislation requires your ad to be viewed by all, including people with disabilities.

Integrate alt text descriptions or otherwise ensure animation retains logical narrative even without audio/video for optimal understanding across all customer segments.

Inclusion strengthens message penetration into all corners of the target market.

By using these tips, you can reach your ideal customer and make an impact quickly.

More Tips for Creating Great Animated Ads

To make the most out of animated ads, here are some more important tips to keep in mind:

Use high-quality images: The visual appeal of your ad is crucial, so make sure to use clear and high-resolution images.
Incorporate brand awareness elements: Your ad should reflect your brand’s identity and be consistent with your other marketing materials.
Keep it short and concise: Animated ads have a limited time to capture the audience’s attention, so keep it short and straightforward with a clear call-to-action.

You can even use preset animations to decrease production time.

Bringing Products to Life Through Animated Ads (Different Types of E-commerce animated ads)

You should aim to craft animated ads that authentically showcase how your customers will benefit from your product or service. For example:

Demonstrate the Product Function and Features

Through creative animated ads, you can show how your products work.

For example, a fitness tracker manufacturer could animate their device screen to light up and clearly show key metrics like steps, heart rate, or calories with each tap of the button over 5-10 seconds.

Someone watching the animated ads can understand the ergonomic experience of interacting with the tracker by simply watching the animated demonstration without any other instruction.

This way, your ideal customer can easily see how the product would benefit them.

Showcase the User Experience

If you are offering a service or experience, your animated ads can show how it feels to use the product.

For example, if you’re an online language learning platform, your ad could showcase different scenarios where someone would use their new language skills – whether that’s traveling, making new friends, or landing a job opportunity.

These types of animated ads create an emotional connection with the viewer and can inspire them to take action.

Consumer electronics and software rely heavily on smooth, frictionless user experiences for continued satisfaction once purchased. Well-crafted animated ads can immerse viewers into that experience at a high level.

Another example is a photo editing app that may show animated scenes of how easy it is to enhance and edit photos using their app, showcasing the user experience in a visually appealing way.

This way, your ideal customer understands the customer journey even before buying the product.

Depict the Customer Journey

Animated ads can also be used to depict the customer journey, from discovering a product to purchasing and using it.

This type of ad can showcase the ease and convenience of shopping with your e-commerce store, highlighting any unique features or benefits along the way.

For example, B2B businesses can use animated ads to show how their product solves real-world problems for clients on an emotional level.

Check out our example below where we show how our legal templates take business owners from “confused” and “scared” to feeling instant “peace of mind” and a “huge burden being lifted off their shoulders”– this is the type of transformation you want to highlight in your animated or video ads.

Best Practices for Using Animated Ads in E-commerce Marketing

To ensure success with animated ads, here are some best practices to follow:

Target the right audience: Understand your target audience and tailor your ad accordingly to increase its effectiveness.
Test different formats and designs: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ad formats and designs to see what resonates best with your audience.
Track and analyze ad performance: Keep track of how your ads are performing and make necessary adjustments for optimal results.

How to Overcome Objections to Animated Ads for Business

While there are many benefits of animated ads in your business, let’s quickly discuss some common objections and how to overcome them in your advertising videos.

Objection 1: The Animated Ads are a Distraction

You can overcome this by testing various versions and removing distracting elements from the ads. Make it more informative and authentic.

Focus on customer understanding rather than making your ad flashy.

Objection 2: The Animated Ads are too Flashy for a Brand

Animation comes in many forms, from subtle to bold. Trial minimal, on-brand concepts versus assuming all animation misaligns. Surprise yourself!

Objection 3: Costs more than Static Ads

While animated ads require more production, strong performers may drive higher ROI through increased engagement and purchases.

Test cheaper animated variations first.

Final Words – Animated Ads for E-commerce Stores

Animated ads offer a unique opportunity to showcase your products or services in a visually engaging way.

Just know that animated advertising is one of the most effective ways to establish brand identity, send a powerful message, and reach a wider audience.

By targeting the right audience, testing different formats and designs, and tracking performance, e-commerce businesses can see success with these types of ads.

Additionally, by incorporating elements that bring products to life, such as demonstrating product functions or showcasing the user experience, animated ads can create an emotional connection with viewers and inspire them to take action.

Overall, utilizing animated ads in your e-commerce marketing strategy can help differentiate your brand and drive conversions.

So don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with this powerful tool for promoting your products or services.

Is Your Online Business Legal?

Are you making these 3 legal mistakes in your business? Find out how to protect yourself and your online business legally,
absolutely FREE!

Disclaimer

Navigate

Join 50,000 Entrepreneurs