The Anatomy of an Ad: What Makes It Click (Literally)

Not all ads are created equal. Some scroll by without a second thought. Others stop you cold. At dozanü, we don’t do beige. We create ads that move people — to feel something, to take action, to remember your name.

So what makes an ad actually work?

Let’s break it down.

A Real Example: Here’s One of Ours

 

We’ve marked it up to show you exactly how every part was intentionally crafted — from copy to color, from strategy to accessibility.

The image has a black background and features two laptops side-by-side to illustrate their differences in website accessibility. Each element is labeled using white text boxes and curved magenta arrows: 1. The Hook - An arrow points to the bold headline at the top that says, “Pretty isn’t enough.” 2. The Visual - An arrow points to the laptop screens. 3. The Voice - An arrow points to the subheading beneath the headline that reads, “Is your website actually accessible?” 4. The Message - Positioned beneath both laptops, the text reads: “Let’s make it work for everyone.” 5. The CTA (Call to Action) - Refers to the next sentence: “Contact us today.” followed by the dozanü icon.

  1. The Hook — Stop the Scroll

People don’t read ads. They scan them. You’ve got 1.5 seconds to matter — and your headline has to do all the heavy lifting.

What works:

  • A bold, surprising headline
  • A question that hits a nerve
  • A visual that’s impossible to ignore

Accessibility Factor: We use high contrast text, clean sans-serif fonts, and large type — no squinting, no deciphering swirly scripts.

2. The Visual — Show Emotion, Not Just Aesthetic

We choose visuals that spark curiosity and resonate with our audience’s lived experiences. Stock photos won’t cut it. Pro tip: The right voice makes even a simple message unforgettable.

Accessibility Factor: All visuals come with alt text. We test color contrast and avoid overly busy backgrounds that compete with text.

3. The Voice: Brand-Forward, Audience-First

We don’t write “captions.” We write connection points. Everything in your brand voice, always thinking about the reader first.

Accessibility Factor: We stick with plain language principles — short sentences, no insider jargon, and intentional tone for inclusivity.

4. The Message — Be Clear, Not Clever

People aren’t playing guessing games with your ad. Be obvious. Be generous. Be useful.

Effective ads:

  • Speak to one real person
  • Offer one core benefit
  • Keep it tight. No essays, no jargon.

5. The CTA — Tell Them What to Do

Every ad should guide the next move. A CTA isn’t a suggestion — it’s an invitation. Don’t be shy, tell them what you want!

Your call to action (CTA) should be:

  • Actionable (“Book your session” > “Learn more”)
  • Specific (“Grab your 20% code” > “Check this out”)
  • Urgent (“Limited spots” > “Whenever you’re ready”)

Accessibility Factor: We follow WCAG standards for button size, spacing, and contrast so that calls to action are easy to find and easy to use.

6. The Strategy — Ads Aren’t Accidents

Behind every ad we run, there’s data: who it’s for, when it runs, what message converts. We A/B test. We segment. We learn and adapt.

If it’s not rooted in strategy, it’s just noise.

Behind every great ad:

  • Real research
  • Audience segmentation
  • A/B testing and learning

Why Accessibility Isn’t Optional

If your ad isn’t accessible, it’s not reaching everyone who could love your brand. Period. We design ads that invite everyone in — from visual accessibility to inclusive messaging. Because access is the strategy.

So, What’s the Anatomy of Your Ad?

Whether you’re launching a new campaign or trying to figure out why your last one flopped — knowing what makes an ad click is the first step.

Ready to make ads people actually want to click?

Let’s build your next high-performing campaign.

 

Image Description: The image has a black background and features two laptops side-by-side to illustrate their differences in website accessibility. Each element is labeled using white text boxes and curved magenta arrows: 1. The Hook – An arrow points to the bold headline at the top that says, “Pretty isn’t enough.” 2. The Visual – An arrow points to the laptop screens. 3. The Voice – An arrow points to the subheading beneath the headline that reads, “Is your website actually accessible?” 4. The Message – Positioned beneath both laptops, the text reads: “Let’s make it work for everyone.” 5. The CTA (Call to Action) – Refers to the next sentence: “Contact us today.” followed by the dozanü icon.

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