Why color in advertising design matters more than you think | META Ads | Google Ads

When you’re scrolling through Meta or Google ads, it’s almost never the words that catch your eye first - it’s the color. At SidasVisual, I’ve found that swapping a dull gray for a bright red or orange can turn an average ad creative into something you actually notice in under a second. That’s because color strategy isn’t just decoration - it’s a key element of effective ad design.

Studies show up to 90% of first impressions come from color alone. In busy feeds, you have milliseconds to catch someone’s eye, so every shade counts.

• Red and orange: urgency, excitement

• Blue and gray: trust, professionalism

• High contrast: guides the eye to your CTA

In a crowded feed, you have just milliseconds to grab attention, so every shade matters. Warm tones like red and orange create urgency and energy, while cooler blues and grays build trust and professionalism. Above all, contrast guides the eye to your call-to-action button, turning casual scrollers into engaged visitors.

My process starts in Photoshop with a simple test: layout the headline and CTA, then block in color combinations at thumbnail size. If it still reads clearly when shrunk down, I know it will work in a real ad. For motion ads, a subtle fade or pop animation can add just enough movement without distracting from the core message. Every choice is driven by one question: “How does this hue support the message I’m trying to send?”

No color palette can guarantee instant success - that’s why testing and iteration are built into every project. Once an ad is live, I track click-through rates, engagement, interactions, then compare variants. Sometimes, changing a yellow button to white shows which version people respond to more. These small tweaks help your ads get better results over time - without needing tricks or over-the-top effects.

Great ad visuals go beyond pretty graphics. They combine clear color strategy, purposeful layout, and honest collaboration to give your Meta and Google ads the best chance to stand out. Whether you need static banners, animated social carousels, or quick video edits, I bring a color-first, user-focused approach to every project. If you’re ready to make your next campaign more noticeable, memorable, and effective, let’s hop on a call and figure out how we can help you 😎