If you’re confused about what type of ads to run for your ecommerce business then this is the exact guide you need. 

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In this blog post, I’ll compare image and video ads in detail so by the end of this post you’ll know exactly which type of ad to create for your business. 

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Let’s dive in.

Image Ads 

The Pros

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• Cost effective: This is the biggest pro as image ads are going to be kinder to your wallet! They cost way less and also have a lower cost per thousand impressions or CPM than video ads. Images ads can prove to be a major plus if you have limited resources.

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• Faster to create: Compared to video ads, image ads can be created quickly. And on top of that you don’t even need to hire an experienced graphic designer to make it for you. Tools like Canva come with so many templates to make your work easier. 

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• Higher click-through rates: Data shows that image ads actually have 7% higher click through rate. This number might seem small but it has a bigger impact when it comes to overall website traffic. People are more likely to click on an image ad than a video ad.

The Cons

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•  Images fail to engage people in the way videos do. Most people will glance and move on. 
• This limited engagement causes image ads to perform poorly. 

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Can you recall the time you stopped to read an image ad? Same here. 

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Video Ads

The Pros

• Holds attention better: 64% of consumers are more likely to buy after watching a video ad. This is a massive number. Videos hold people’s attention like nothing else can so it drives a lot more engagement. 

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• Best for complex products: If your products need a little training to use then explainer video ads will always perform the best. Creating image ads in this scenario will be a waste of time. 

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• Gets shared more: Emotional or humorous videos get shared a lot so video ads are more shareable. This is a great way to reach new customers for your brand. 

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The Cons

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• Saturated space: Most businesses nowadays are using video ads. So, videos are everywhere. And it’s a lot harder to stand out in the crowd. If your video is generic or mediocre then it’s going to be a waste of both time and money. 

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• High cost & time consuming: The most important downside is the fact that making videos is expensive. You need to pay for equipment, actors and editors at least. All this together can be a massive budget for small or medium sized businesses.  Plus creating a professional video also takes up weeks to create. 

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However, with AI, creating videos has become so much easier and cost effective. Here at AdsEther, we help businesses create professional looking videos for ecommerce, with the help of AI.

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To learn more, book a call here. 

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How to choose between Image and Video ads?

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Now that you have a better idea about the plus and minuses of each type, here I’ll show you when to use which format. 

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Create Image Ads when: 

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• You're running conversion-focused campaigns with a limited budget. Remember image ads have higher CTR.
• You need to quickly launch or modify campaigns. Be able to run more A/B tests. 
• Your product doesn't require much explanation. 

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Create Video Ads when: 

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• You're focusing on brand awareness and engagement.
• You have a unique story to tell about your product.
• You're remarketing to audiences already familiar with your brand.
• Your product has features that need demonstration.
• You have the budget to produce quality content.
• You want to boost your sales and revenue.

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But is there a better approach?

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Yes. Successful ecommerce brands do not choose between image and video ads. The smarter approach here is to strategically use both. 

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For example, at the top of the funnel, video ads are better to reach more people and build awareness. Further down the funnel, images are better when you want more clicks. 

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Businesses using video ads on Facebook experience a 25% higher engagement rate than those using only image ads. But remember that image ads have that 7% higher CTR. Using them together? That's marketing gold.

Conclusion

Honestly speaking there’s no one-size fits all. You’ll figure out your best combo by running more ads. But if you want to create video ads without the hefty costs of production, then you’re in the right place.

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Using AI, you can create professional video ads faster with the help of AdsEther. To learn more, book a call here. 

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