- Cyber Monday ads are promotional campaigns that showcase retailers' best deals to attract customers during the shopping event.
- Examples of effective Cyber Monday ads include Amazon's deals page, Walmart's diverse category ads, and social media ads with striking visuals.
- Cyber Monday ads come in various formats like social media, email marketing, display ads, and video ads, each with unique strengths.
- The benefits of Cyber Monday ads include increased website traffic, improved brand awareness, and a competitive advantage in a crowded market.
- Key strategies for effective ads include highlighting top deals, using eye-catching visuals, creating urgency, optimizing for mobile, and testing ad variations.
As a marketer or business owner, you know that creating compelling Cyber Monday ads is critical to driving sales and standing out in a crowded marketplace. However, finding inspiration can be difficult, so you might benefit from the Cyber Monday ad examples we’ll show you today.
Interesting is that although many might think that Black Friday is the bigger shopping day, according to official statistics, people spend more on Cyber Monday. For example, in 2021, online Cyber Monday shopping revenue exceeded Black Friday online revenue by nearly 20%.
Furthermore, in 2023, online Cyber Monday sales accounted for a whopping $12.6 billion, a near 10% increase from 2022, with revenue expected to hit nearly $14 billion for Cyber Monday 2024. To put that in perspective, Black Friday sales in 2023 brought in $9.5 billion, just 75% of what Cyber Monday generated in the same year.
These statistics alone illustrate how important it is for marketers to produce the best Cyber Monday ads possible, as it is quickly becoming an even bigger shopping and sales day than Black Friday.
In this article, we'll explore what Cyber Monday ads are, look at some examples from top retailers, and provide tips for crafting effective ads that capture attention and drive conversions. Let’s discover how to create the best Cyber Monday ads to drive sales.
Before looking at some examples, let’s find out what Cyber Monday ads are.
What are Cyber Monday ads?
Cyber Monday ads are promotional campaigns designed to showcase a retailer's best deals and discounts during the Cyber Monday shopping event. By highlighting the most appealing offers, these ads aim to attract customers and encourage them to make purchases.
Retailers display their Cyber Monday ads on various platforms and formats, including social media, email marketing, display advertising, and video ads. The goal is to reach a wide audience of potential customers and create a sense of urgency around limited-time deals.
Effective Cyber Monday ads typically feature eye-catching visuals, compelling copy, and clear calls-to-action that direct customers to the retailer's website or specific product pages. By showcasing their top deals and creating a seamless path to purchase, retailers can maximize sales and revenue during this critical shopping period.
Now that we understand Cyber Monday ads, let’s examine some successful examples.
Examples of Cyber Monday ads
To better understand what Cyber Monday ads look like in practice, let's examine a few examples from well-known retailers, starting with the Cyber Monday deals page from Amazon:
Amazon's Cyber Monday deals page
Amazon dedicates an entire section of its website to Cyber Monday deals, featuring a wide range of discounted products in categories such as electronics, home goods, fashion, and more.
The page showcases lightning deals, limited-time offers, and top picks curated by Amazon's team. The ad does a great job of displaying the amazing selection of products available through Amazon’s Cyber Monday deals. Including a specific Cyber Monday landing page also creates trust that these deal’s won’t last long.
Walmart's Cyber Monday ad
As a major retailer with a wide product assortment, Walmart's Cyber Monday ad showcases deals across various categories, including electronics, home goods, toys, and apparel.
Ads often feature prominent discounts, free shipping offers, and limited-time promotions to drive sales. Although the ad displayed below might be very simple, its eye-catching visuals attract the attention of potential customers.
With some great Cyber Monday ad examples covered, let’s discuss the various types of Cyber Monday ads that you can create to increase your sales.
Types of Cyber Monday ads
As you plan your Cyber Monday marketing strategy, you must consider the various types of ads you can use to reach potential customers.
Each ad format has its own strengths and can be tailored to specific audiences and goals. Social media, email, and display ads are some of the most popular.
Here are the different types of Cyber Monday ads to consider:
Social media ads
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer powerful targeting options that allow you to reach specific demographics, interests, and behaviors.
You can create eye-catching visuals and compelling copy to showcase your Cyber Monday deals and drive traffic to your website.
For instance, the below example for the Mondou pet supply company features a simple image of a black dog combined with striking white and blue lettering for great visual contrast. It’s excellent at grabbing viewers' attention in a split second.
Email marketing campaigns
Email marketing is one of the most powerful tools for engaging your existing subscribers and driving traffic to your Cyber Monday sales. By creating targeted email campaigns, you can showcase your best deals, spotlight popular or high-margin products, and craft compelling messages that build excitement and urgency.
You can use personalized content, catchy subject lines, and clear calls to action to motivate your audience to take advantage of limited-time offers. Additionally, segmenting your email list allows you to tailor promotions based on customer behavior, past purchases, or demographics, further enhancing the effectiveness of your campaigns and maximizing sales.
Display ads
Display ads, such as banner ads on websites and apps, can help you reach a wider audience and drive awareness of your Cyber Monday promotions, as everyone who visits the site or app will see it.
You can use retargeting to show ads to people who have previously visited your website, increasing the likelihood of conversion.
In the simple yet effective ad shown below, we see a “40% OFF SITEWIDE OFFER” displayed in large and clear lettering, thus enticing users to make a purchase.
Video ads
Video ads are a dynamic and engaging way to showcase your products and Cyber Monday deals. Short, attention-grabbing videos can be used on social media, YouTube, and other platforms to capture your audience's interest and drive them to your website to make a purchase.
In the below example, we see a short 20-plus-second video in which the founder of Bird + Stone showcases her products in a visually appealing manner while also emphasizing the huge discount available on purchases.
Now that we’ve examined various examples and types of Cyber Monday ads, let’s discover what makes them so beneficial.
Benefits of Cyber Monday ads for retailers
Cyber Monday ads offer significant benefits for retailers looking to maximize their sales and revenue during this critical shopping period. By creating compelling ads that showcase their best deals and promotions, retailers can attract more customers and drive higher conversions, among other benefits.
Here’s why Cyber Monday ads matter.
Increased site traffic
One of the primary benefits of Cyber Monday ads is increased traffic to your website.
Well-designed ads that feature eye-catching visuals and clear calls-to-action can capture the attention of potential customers and encourage them to visit your site to take advantage of your deals.
This increased traffic can increase sales and revenue as more people discover your products and make purchases.
Improving brand awareness
Cyber Monday ads also help improve brand awareness and reach a wider audience. By promoting your deals across various platforms and channels, you expose your brand to new potential customers who may not have been aware of your products or services before.
This increased visibility can lead to long-term benefits, as customers who discover your brand during Cyber Monday may return for future purchases or recommend your products to others.
Providing a competitive advantage
Effective Cyber Monday ads give you a competitive advantage in a crowded marketplace. With countless retailers vying for customers' attention during this busy shopping period, creating ads that stand out and communicate your unique value proposition is key.
By crafting compelling ad copy, showcasing your best deals, and making it easy for customers to navigate your website and purchase, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and capture a larger share of Cyber Monday sales.
The example below shows the difference that compelling ad copy can make, as this ad features strong visuals, good keywords, and calls-to-action.
How do retailers create effective Cyber Monday ads?
Creating effective Cyber Monday ads requires careful planning and execution. This includes highlighting top deals, using eye-catching visuals, and creating a sense of urgency.
Here are some key strategies retailers use to craft ads that capture attention and drive sales:
Highlight top deals and discounts
One of the most essential elements of a successful Cyber Monday ad is showcasing your best offers. Customers are looking for the biggest discounts and most compelling deals, so prominently feature your top promotions in your ads.
This could include percentage-off discounts, bundled deals, or limited-time offers that create a sense of urgency. In the example shown below, everything is marked 40% off, thus spurring potential buyers to make a purchase.
Use eye-catching visuals
Visuals are crucial in grabbing customers' attention and making your ads stand out. Incorporate high-quality images and videos that showcase your products in the best light and demonstrate their value.
Use bright colors, bold text, and clean designs to create visually appealing and easily readable ads.
The ad below is a perfect example of how bold and unique colors and the use of color contrast help grab the viewer’s attention.
Create a sense of urgency
Cyber Monday is all about limited-time deals, so creating a sense of urgency in your ads is important.
Use language that encourages customers to act fast, such as "Limited time only," "While supplies last," or "Don't miss out." This can help drive impulsive purchases and increase conversions.
The “ONE DAY ONLY” line in the ad example shown below perfectly illustrates how urgency can drive sales.
Optimize for mobile
With more and more customers shopping on their smartphones, ensuring your Cyber Monday ads are mobile-friendly is essential.
Use responsive designs that adapt to different screen sizes, and keep your ad copy concise and easy to read on smaller screens.
Make sure your website is also optimized for mobile, with fast load times and a seamless checkout process.
Test and refine your ads
To maximize the effectiveness of your Cyber Monday ads, it's important to test and refine your approach. Run A/B tests to compare different ad variations, such as headlines, visuals, and calls-to-action. Monitor your ad performance in real-time and make adjustments as needed to optimize for conversions.
Leverage retargeting
Retargeting is a powerful way to reach customers who have already shown interest in your products.
Use retargeting ads to showcase your Cyber Monday deals to people who have previously visited your website or abandoned their shopping carts. This can help bring them back to your site and encourage them to complete their purchase.
Use social media to amplify your message
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are excellent channels for promoting your Cyber Monday deals.
Create engaging social media posts that showcase your top offers and encourage followers to share with their networks.
Use relevant hashtags and partner with influencers to expand your reach and drive more traffic to your website. Below is a great example of a social media carousel ad being used to advertise various Walmart deals.
With all the best tips to create effective Cyber Monday ads covered, let’s discuss the best time to launch these ads.
When do Cyber Monday ads typically launch?
Knowing when Cyber Monday ads launch can help you plan your shopping strategy and stay ahead of the competition. Most retailers release their Cyber Monday ads in the days leading up to the event, usually starting on the Wednesday or Thursday before.
However, some retailers may tease their deals earlier to build anticipation and generate buzz. Keep an eye out for sneak peeks or early access promotions that can give you a head start on planning your purchases. Staying ahead of the competition often involves being the first one on the scene.
That said, you might be having trouble finding inspiration for your Cyber Monday ads, so let’s figure out how to do that right now.
How can marketers find inspiration for Cyber Monday ads?
As a marketer, you're always on the lookout for fresh ideas to create compelling Cyber Monday ads that drive sales and engagement. Luckily, several resources are available to help spark your creativity and inform your ad strategy, with ad libraries being one of the best resources.
Here’s how to find inspiration for your Cyber Monday ads:
Using ad libraries
One valuable resource is ad libraries, which are collections of ads from various platforms and industries. The Facebook Ad Library, for example, allows you to search and view active ads from brands across different categories.
Browsing these libraries can expose you to various ad formats, messaging, and visual styles, providing inspiration for your Cyber Monday campaigns. You can also use Foreplay’s Discovery tool to browse millions of high-quality, curated ads for the best inspiration.
Spying on competitor ads
Another effective approach is analyzing competitor ads. Look closely at the ads your top competitors are running during Cyber Monday.
Pay attention to the products they feature, the discounts they offer, and the language and visuals they use to attract customers.
Identifying what works well for others in your industry can help refine your ad strategy and find opportunities to differentiate yourself. The best way to spy on your competitors is with the Spyder Ad Spy tool.
Examining trending products
Trending products are another great source of inspiration for Cyber Monday ads. Look for popular products in your niche that are generating buzz and sales.
Consider featuring these items in your ads, highlighting their unique features and benefits. You can also use tools like Google Trends and social media listening to identify and capitalize on emerging product trends in your Cyber Monday campaigns.
What are the best platforms for running Cyber Monday ads?
When it comes to running Cyber Monday ads, choosing the right platforms is key to reaching your target audience and maximizing your sales. Platforms can include social media, Google, email, and more.
Here are some of the best platforms to consider:
Facebook and Instagram
Facebook and Instagram offer powerful targeting options that allow you to reach specific demographics, interests, and behaviors. With over three billion monthly active users on Facebook and one billion on Instagram, these platforms provide a vast audience for your ads.
You can create visually appealing ads that showcase your Cyber Monday deals and drive traffic to your website.
Facebook and Instagram ads can be tailored to highlight special discounts, feature popular products, and use engaging visuals to capture attention. Their advanced targeting options enable you to reach users who are most likely to convert.
Google Ads
Google Ads is another excellent choice for Cyber Monday advertising. You can run search ads that appear when people are actively searching for products or services related to your business.
Display ads can help you reach a wider audience across the Google Display Network, which includes millions of websites and apps. Google Ads allows you to target specific keywords, demographics, and interests to ensure your ads reach the right people at the right time.
Email marketing platforms
Email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact enable you to reach your existing subscribers with targeted Cyber Monday promotions.
You can segment your email list based on factors like past purchase behavior, interests, or demographics to ensure your messages are relevant and engaging.
Email marketing can be a highly effective way to drive sales and encourage repeat purchases from your loyal customers.
Affiliate marketing networks
Affiliate marketing networks provide an opportunity to partner with influencers, bloggers, and publishers who can promote your Cyber Monday deals to their audiences.
By offering competitive commissions and attractive creatives, you can incentivize affiliates to drive traffic and sales to your website. Popular affiliate networks include ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, and Amazon Associates.
Each of these platforms offers unique benefits that can help you reach your target audience and boost your Cyber Monday sales. Selecting the right mix of platforms based on your goals and target audience can lead to a successful Cyber Monday campaign.
Final thoughts
When selecting platforms for your Cyber Monday ads, consider your target audience, budget, and marketing goals.
A well-rounded approach that combines multiple platforms with smart advertising practices can help you reach a wider audience and maximize your sales potential during this busy shopping period.
If you need help getting started, Foreplay provides the tools and insights you need to create high-converting Cyber Monday ads that stand out and drive sales.
Frequently asked questions
How can small businesses compete with large retailers on Cyber Monday?
Small businesses can compete by offering personalized deals, leveraging social media for targeted ads, and focusing on niche markets with specific offers.
What is the best way to measure the success of Cyber Monday ads?
The success of Cyber Monday ads can be measured using metrics like conversion rate, click-through rate (CTR), return on ad spend (ROAS), and overall sales generated.
Are there specific ad formats that perform better for Cyber Monday promotions?
Video ads and social media carousel ads often perform well for Cyber Monday as they are engaging and can showcase multiple deals or products at once.
How can businesses optimize their Cyber Monday ads for mobile users?
To optimize for mobile, businesses should use responsive design, concise ad copy, clear calls-to-action, and ensure that the landing pages load quickly and are easy to navigate on smaller screens.
