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How many days of the year are you encouraged to dress and goof around at work? Probably just one — Halloween — and even then, it can be hard to know which office costume ideas are appropriate for the workplace.

We want you to have fun this year, so we‘re taking the work out of it for you. We’ve compiled a list of DIY Halloween costume ideas that are easy to assemble, inexpensive, and perfect for the digital marketer or tech professional.

If your family and friends don’t get your costume, your colleagues definitely will.

55 Office Costume Ideas for Marketing Nerds and Tech Geeks

Computer or App-Related Costumes

Emoji Costumes

Topical Office Costumes

55 Office Costume Ideas for Marketing Nerds and Tech Geeks

Ready to impress your co-workers with your on-brand office costumes? Here are the best office costume ideas we could find.

Computer or App-Related Costumes

1. Incognito Mode

If you’re looking for a dash of mystery and clever internet humor, dressing up as the Incognito Mode logo is your best bet. The costume is simple, and there’s a good chance you already have most of the materials you need around your home.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A black fedora or cowboy hat
• Weak or fake reading glasses with a thin frame
• A black suit coat and dress pants
• A black mask
• Dress shoes
• A white or black dress shirt

2. Web Browsers

This costume is great because you can either dress up as your favorite web browser on your own or have your friends join in on the fun and make it a group costume.

Either way, it’s a simple and cost-effective costume for your next office party. Just print the browser logos, cut them out, and wear them around your neck with a string or ribbon.

For the rest of the outfit, you can coordinate colors using your home clothes.

3. Alt Text

Alt text isn‘t just the metadata of an image published on the web; you could also say it’s an “alternative” fashion statement with the text to describe the era.

It’s great because you don’t even look dressed up if you have a casual office dress code, so you can just blend in.

To dress as alt text this Halloween, break out your best 90s alternative garb — like black jeans, combat boots, and a flannel.

Then, tape hyphenated text that best describes what you’re wearing, much like an image of your outfit would do online to help search engines read the file.

We edited a sash of alt text onto the alternatively dressed girl below to help you picture your awesome costume.

4. Mobile App

Wander around holding an appetizer — candy, cheese and crackers, chips and dip, or whatever you have on hand — and you can call yourself a mobile “app.”

This costume is also great for introducing yourself and making friends at a party.

5. Ghostwriter

Have you ever written something for somebody else‘s byline? Such is the life of a ghostwriter. Turn your author-less accomplishment into this year’s office Halloween costume.

To dress up as a ghostwriter, grab a white sheet and cut a hole for your head and arms. Dab some black ink spots on the sheet, get a book and one of those feather quills (or just get a feather, I suppose), and boo — you’re a ghostwriter.

6. Whitespace

Whitespace on the internet might denote all the blank space you use to help your design stand out, but on Halloween, “whitespace” isn’t just the absence of space.

Dress in all white, and add a white wig if you’re ultra-committed. Then add a hint of color to the outfit, like a colored tie, scarf, or even a paint splotch.

That color splotch will make the white space more prominent, transforming you into “whitespace.”

7. Anonymous Rhino

I don’t know about you, but seeing an anonymous animal pop up in my Google Doc while I’m in it sends chills down my spine.

Dress up as one of the many animal profiles that Google has created to represent anonymous or unknown users in your document.

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8. Error 404 Code

You’ve most likely encountered a funny error 404 page before, and you can make it a funny costume, too. Grab a sheet of paper, write “Error 404: Costume Not Found,” and tape it to your outfit.

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9. (Monty) Python

If you’re into programming code, British comedy, and low-effort costumes, being (Monty) Python is perfect.

Dress up in anything remotely snakelike in your closet: olive green clothing, snakeskin accessories, and fake vampire teeth that can serve as your fangs.

Then, to amp up the dork factor on this costume, add two coconuts or a gold chalice to embody Monty Python on his quest for the Holy Grail.

10. Facebook

Grab face paint or eyeliner and write “book” across your cheeks. Just like that, you‘re the world’s most extensive social network for Halloween.

And for your sake, we hope your colleagues get it:

11. Unicorn

Here’s another tech-friendly, double-entendre costume: Be your version of a tech unicorn. Here at HubSpot, we love this tech icon, and you can easily make your version of a unicorn horn with help from this article.

12. Phishing Emails

Phishing emails are nothing to joke about — they can seriously threaten your technology and data security. But on Halloween, you can dress up as a play on phishing emails for an easy DIY costume.

All you need are a stick, a string, and an envelope. Bonus points if you own a bucket hat and vest to complete the ensemble. Check out an amusing version of this costume below.

13. Identify Theft

Similar to the phishing costume above, this cheeky identity theft costume will be a hit in the IT department at the office.

14. Copycat

“CTRL + C” is the popular keyboard command that allows you to copy items from one place to another on your computer. Well, here‘s a technology spin on a classic Halloween costume.

All you’ll need are cat ears, eyeliner-drawn whiskers, and a sheet of paper. Write “CTRL + C” on the paper, tape it to your outfit, and you’re a “copycat.”

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15. The Blue Screen of Death

You know the screen, even if you don‘t know the morbid nickname the tech world has given it. This classic error screen is known for signaling the end of a computer’s useful life, and you know it when you see it.

It causes so much stress on site, in fact, that the color alone is scary enough for Halloween.

Believe it or not, there are t-shirts of this ominous screen you can find online. Want to make your own? All you need is a royal blue t-shirt and a printed version of this horrifying error message to pin to it.

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16. Map Costume

Get a plain white or black T-shirt and use yellow tape to form roads. You can then personalize the costume however you’d like by adding popular street names in your city or making a map of where the office is located.

You can even get more intricate by finding a T-shirt with a map on it.

17. Dead Battery and Low Wi-Fi

Nothing is more terrifying to marketers than a dead battery or no Wi-Fi. This costume brings every techy‘s fears to life. It’s also pretty simple to create.

Just tape or glue images of dead Wi-Fi and low battery signals onto a black shirt. To emphasize the low-connectivity fears, put on some zombie or skeleton makeup.

Although this can work as a couple‘s costume, this could also be a fun option for office colleagues.

Since both costumes within the set don’t rely on each other to be understandable, an individual could also wear either the dead battery outfit or the no-wi-fi suit and still be easily recognized.

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18. ChatGPT

There probably hasn’t been a day that’s gone by this year where you didn’t hear the word “ChatGPT.” Embrace the AI platform by creating an office costume out of it.

For your outfit, you can simply print out the ChatGPT logo and attach it to a black t-shirt. The fun part is when people come up to you. You can respond just as ChatGPT would.

Encourage people to ask you for advice, tips, and ideas, and respond using your best modern robot voice.

19. TikTok

Dress up as the most downloaded app across the globe, TikTok. As a marketer, you’re more than familiar with the ins and outs of the For You Page. Who better to represent the social media platform than someone from the marketing team?

Not to mention, your colleagues will appreciate the break from being asked to appear in one of your TikTok videos. Finally, you’re the one featured in the frame!

20. Spreadsheet

Do you work in finance or data analysis? Represent your role by dressing as a spreadsheet. You can recreate the look below by taking a white bed sheet or t-shirt and using a black Sharpie to draw an Excel-like spreadsheet.

21. Clippy

Everyone’s favorite paper clip Clippy is a classic character. Even if your office prefers Google Docs, everyone will recognize this helpful tool.

22. QR Code

Your fellow marketers will get a kick out of this QR code office costume. The best part is that you can get creative with where the QR code will take them (keep the link office-appropriate, of course).

23. Pantone Color

Are you the designer of the office? Dress up as your favorite Pantone color swatch, or opt for the trendier Color of the Year.

Emoji Costumes

24. Information Desk Girl

This genius professional found a golden (or, rather, purple) opportunity to be the information desk emoji — the many gestures that we’ve all come to know, love, and use at some point in a text conversation.

The best part about this awesome tech reference is that you don‘t need to alter your regular attire to make it work. As Naomi shows us below, it’s all in the hand gestures.

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25. Dancing Girls Emoji

The dancing girls emoji is another popular emoji.

The easiest version of this costume is to find a buddy and dress all in black together. If you’re committed to emoji authenticity, buy black bunny ears to complete the look.

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26. Heart Eyes

Are you just in love with Halloween? Prove it with this passionate emoji face. You don‘t have to paint your entire face to get the Heart Eyes Emoji just right, but it certainly helps.

It’ll also disguise your stress when you’re at your most focused during the day.

“This employee just seems to love her job, I can’t put my finger on why,” your manager will think. See how to paint this emoji onto your face below — you’ll need some help with this one.

Topical Office Costumes

27. Barbie

The Barbie movie was the talk of the summer when it was released. With its massive success, I’m sure the Barbie resurgence will continue for years to come.

Create your own Barbie box and display yourself for the day like this team of teachers did.

28. Three-hole Punch

If you aren’t the type who likes dressing up, take the Jim Halpert approach and dress up as a three-hole punch. Simply cut out three black circles and tape them to your shirt.

29. Office Supplies

You’re dressing up at work, so it’s only fitting to match the environment. Blend in by dressing up in your favorite office supplies, whether that’s scissors, a piece of paper, or a bunch of pencils like the image below.

30. 1920s Flapper

The best part about dressing up as a flapper for Halloween is that this fun outfit can be found easily online at affordable prices, or you can assemble it using whatever you have at home or find at the craft store.

The latter is what interior designer and DIY enthusiast Mandi Johnson did last year. She found a simple black dress and managed to make all the jewelry, accessories, and fringe items from materials she bought at a crafts shop.

31. Minnie Mouse Costume

You can never go wrong with the classics. Minnie Mouse is a timeless, simple, and inexpensive costume that never goes out of style.

And if your Halloween office party allows for a plus one, you can invite your spouse or significant other to dress up as Mickey. Who doesn‘t love a cute couple’s costume?

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32. Top Gun

Top Gun-inspired costumes will likely see a boost in popularity for a few more Halloweens thanks to the 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick.”

While you can find the signature green jumpsuits online for a decent price, you can also put the outfit together at home if you have jeans, a white shirt, a jacket, and sunglasses lying around.

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33. Dwight

One of the most recognizable characters from The Office, Dwight, is easy to dress up as. You only need a few key items for this office costume, including his signature mustard button-up shirt and wireframe glasses.

34. Formal Apology

Ever bought formal attire for a special occasion and never worn it again? Well, now you have an excuse to bring your formal pieces out of retirement.

Dress up as a “formal apology,” because nothing says “quirky office party” like a good play on words. Simply dress up in your formal dress or suit, and have a sign or sash that reads “apology” or “sorry.”

35. Men in Black

This is a great costume to pull off with your best friend at the office, especially if you already have a suit lying around.

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36. Fully Vested

At work, “fully vested” usually refers to one‘s ability to earn all matching funds of a 401(k) retirement plan. But for some, you just can’t help but picture someone wearing lots of sleeveless jackets at the same time.

Now’s the time to personify that image.

If you work in a company where people would get the joke, put on a bunch of vests (at least three, but even more is encouraged), and that‘s about it. You’re fully vested.

37. Nerd

What I love about the nerd costume is that it’s effortless and always unique — there are many ways to be a nerd in this day and age. Are you a tech nerd, a video game nerd, or a book nerd?

The sky is the limit with this costume. Show up wearing glasses with your favorite accessories — such as a magic wand, book, or lightsaber — to complete the effect.

38. Smarty Pants

This is another simple yet effective costume. Simply buy a bag of Smarties candies and attach them to your jeans. Add accessories like glasses or a book to complete the full look of someone who’s booksmart.

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39. Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus

The Sanderson Sisters made a comeback in Hocus Pocus 2. The iconic sisters will likely be a popular costume for many Halloween seasons to come which means that they will be easy to find at any costume store.

40. Eddie Munson from Stranger Things

Eddie Munson was a fan favorite in the latest season of Stranger Things, and his outfit is pretty easy to put together. If you have a jean vest or jacket at home, you‘re already halfway to the look. You can also find Eddie’s Hellfire Club shirt at Target or Walmart for less than $20.

41. Fifty Shades of Grey: PG Paint Swatch Costume

Want to do something cheeky, but still office friendly? This PG pun costume shares the name of a popular romantic novel and film, “50 Shades of Grey.”

Go to your local paint or hardware store and buy 50 grey paint swatches. Then, tape them to a black shirt and tell your colleagues you’re “50 Shades of Grey.”

42. Early 2000s Disney Red Carpet Fashion

If you‘ve been on social media at all, you’ve likely noticed old red-carpet photos of Disney Channel stars like Ashley Tisdale re-circulating online.

Early 2000s Disney fashion was interesting, to say the least, and would make a fun, nostalgic costume.

The best part about this idea is that there is a lot of room to improvise. The wilder the accessories, the better — and you can likely use almost anything from your closet.

Want to wear a skirt over jeans? Or add a chunky belt to the ensemble? The possibilities are endless.

43. Eleven from Stranger Things

Eleven from Stranger Things is universally beloved, and it’s a bonus that her signature look is a comfortable and easy-to-assemble costume. Rock your best Eleven with a dress, a denim jacket, and a box of Eggo Waffles.

44. Scoops Ahoy Employee from Stranger Things

While Eleven is a classic Stranger Things character, season two inspired another great costume opportunity.

In that season, Steve, played by Joe Keery, worked at an ice cream shop called Scoops Ahoy. As a server, he had to wear a goofy sailor uniform alongside his coworker Robin.

Since it‘s a pretty generic sailor uniform, you might be able to easily find one that’s similar in a variety of Halloween shops. This costume could work for both individuals or two colleagues.

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45. Dress Up as Your Favorite Anime Character

Anime is seeing a huge surge in popularity, and if you‘re an anime fan — why not dress up as your favorite character? Just make sure it’s office-appropriate.

Some great work-appropriate characters include Aizawa from My Hero Academia, Nanami from Jujutsu Kaisen, and Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service.

46. Plant lady

Do your co-workers rely on you to water their orchids when they’re out of office? Embrace your green thumb by dressing up as a plant lady or gentleman. Simply dress in all green, buy some fake greenery, and attach it to your outfit.

47. Where’s Waldo?

One of the most recognizable costumes, you’ll stand out (or blend in?) at your office party.

Group Office Costumes

48. Crayons

A good group or solo costume, dressing up as a crayon is a colorful way to bring nostalgia into the office. You can accomplish this office costume by getting a T-shirt with the Crayola logo printed on it. Or, if you want to go the DIY route, you can use a black marker on a colorful shirt.

49. The Sales Lifecycle

At HubSpot, we love embracing team costumes. A few years ago, a handful of HubSpot employees grabbed some T-shirts and wrote the stages of the sales lifecycle on them.

Then, they lined up accordingly and passed a fake prospect listing around to symbolize the process of making a sale.

This was such an easy costume to coordinate that the team could even include an out-of-office employee over a video call.

50. Social Media Channels

Simply pick out a solid list of the hottest social networks, then buy blank T-shirts that match the colors of each platform. From there, you can either draw, tape, or glue the logos onto each shirt.

To tie it all together, wear matching pants, or just wear jeans and keep things simple.

51. Black Hat and White Hat SEO

This is another SEO-related costume, and I think you can figure this one out on your own.

I recommend wearing a black hat for one, and a white hat for the other, and having “SEO” embroidered on each one — which you can easily custom order.

52. Snapchat Filters

Here‘s another group costume idea that pays tribute to Snapchat’s filters feature.

There are numerous options that you and your team can choose from to embody this costume.

You could dress up as vomiting rainbows, cat and dog ears, a flower crown, or a face swap, and this could be as DIY or store-bought as you’re interested in pursuing.

53. Snapchat Ghosts

Put a marketing spin on a classic Halloween costume by arriving as a Snapchat ghost. All you’ll need is a white sheet and to pick which ghost you like the most.

54. Pacman and Company

Here’s yet another awesome ghostly costume idea your whole team at work can get in on.

Have your team lead wear the yellow pie-shaped garb of Pacman, with each team member dressed as the multi-colored ghosts that roam the screen in this vintage arcade game.

Just make sure the team lead doesn’t actually try to eat the ghosts — you‘re in an office, and you’re all technically on the same team.

55. Instagram

You’ve seen the caption, “Instagram versus reality” before, right? Maybe you’ve even used it in your company’s content. If so, you know people always get a kick out of this phrase.

It can easily be replicated into an office costume, as shown below.

The clothes don‘t make the marketer, but the costume can certainly make the culture at your company.

Now that you have plenty of ideas for fun, work-appropriate Halloween costumes, you’re ready to wow your coworkers at your next spooky office party.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published October 21, 2018, but was updated for comprehensiveness.

As a copywriting tactic, the postscript (P.S.) has made its way from standard direct mail copy to email marketing copy.

With the right approach, all companies need is two paragraphs, a few links, and a P.S. to effectively communicate their message, create urgency, and drive conversions.

What is a P.S. in email?

The P.S. is a sentence or a paragraph added after the main body and signature of a letter (or other body of writing). The term comes from the Latin post scriptum, an expression meaning “written after.”

It takes the same form in an email. By adding a small postscript to marketing or sales emails, companies can capture customer interest and encourage them to take action — if brands can effectively use the power of the P.S.

How to Use the P.S.

How do you use the potential power of P.S. in your marketing efforts? And when is using a P.S. a helpful addition to your lead-generating copy?

According to Copyblogger, this starts with a question: “What’s first, last, and unusual in my copy?”

First is always your headline. Unusual is what sets your brand apart — your messaging, your offer, or your unique perspective.

The last is a P.S., or a final thought. It’s also worth noting that there’s no “right” way to write P.S.

In the United States, postscripts often contain a period between each letter. In the U.K., the letters typically appear without punctuation. Whatever option you choose, however, make sure it’s consistent.

Here are six ways to use the P.S. and enhance your email marketing efforts.

1. The Hook

Use your P.S. as bait, and make sure you attach a hook to it (the clickable URL that sends your reader to the landing page). What usually works best is emphasizing the main selling point one more time but from a different angle.

Why the main selling point? There is always a chance that your reader scrolls down to the bottom of the message without taking in all of your glorious copy.

On the chance that they did read it all, offering another key benefit makes them really want to bite.

For example, if you have been emphasizing the money-saving aspect of your offer, add something else.

2. The Final Plea

MarketingSherpa writes in its “12 Top Email Copywriting Tips to Raise Funds” case study that “adopting the direct-mail tactic of putting a ‘p.s.’ at the end of the copy and marrying it to a ‘Donate’ link is a smart move for raising funds.”

Asking for donations is never easy, but a well-crafted P.S. can be the determining factor. You can either pour on the emotion one more time or you can provide a sense of urgency.

3. The Creation of Urgency

The nice thing about emails is their immediacy. You send them out, and within a couple days you know what your open and click-through rates are.

The bad thing about emails is that they have hardly any shelf life. So you want to make sure you give your email all you have to make readers respond either by visiting a landing page or contacting someone directly.

Throughout your email, you’ve been doing your best to get them to take action. Your P.S. is often your last chance. Make it count.

4. The Personal Approach

A P.S. is usually part of a personalized email — one that signs off with the name of someone real in your company. The purpose of this kind of email is to make it as personal as possible.

The nice thing about a P.S. is that it adds to that “personal” approach, almost as though it’s an aside directed specifically to the email recipient. So take advantage of that inherent benefit.

5. The Bonus

A P.S. is also great for introducing a bonus. Throughout your email copy, you sell the main product or offer. Then in the P.S., you give them more if they act now. This adds to the sense of urgency.

6. The Testimonial

Not every product or offer needs a testimonial. But in the case of products with longer sales cycles (like many B2B products) where buyers need reassurance before they commit to a large ticket item, testimonials are often most effective.

They offer a third-party endorsement and provide a sense of assurance to your prospects — maybe just enough to motivate them toward the next step and contact you.

Examples of an Effective P.S. in Email

So what does an effective P.S. look like? Here are six examples of the postscript in action.

1. The Hook

If the body of your email highlights the cost-effectiveness of your product, you can hook potential customers by adding another benefit layer in your P.S., like so:

P.S. Cost-effective doesn’t mean low-quality. Check out hundreds of 5-star product reviews on Google.

Pro Tip: Just when customers think they know where you’re going, change direction. By combining low prices with great quality, you can get buyers to sit up and take notice.

2. The Plea

The plea is often used to raise money or encourage donations. Here, the goal is creating a short P.S. message that resonates with users but isn’t cloying or insincere.

P.S. [Charity] is close to our hearts. That’s why we’re donating [X amount]. Want to help out? Click here.

Pro Tip: Don’t just ask for money — make it clear what you’re doing to help before you bring out the plea.

3. The Urgency

Now, now, now! The sooner customers act, the better. But creating urgency is a balance between making it clear that customers can benefit from immediate action and ensuring your message doesn’t come off as pushy.

P.S. Our Fall Sale is on now. Until October 15th, get 30% off all regularly-priced items.

Pro Tip: Buyers are already bombarded by ads everywhere, every day. Keep your message short and to the point.

4. The Personal Approach

In the United States, 8 billion spam emails are sent every single day. As a result, buyers are always on the lookout for impersonal, insistent messages that don’t offer value.

Done well, your email title and body should convince customers that you’re actually interested in what they need — and your P.S. can help this along.

P.S. How are we doing? Drop us a line [here] and let us know what we could do better.

Pro Tip: By giving buyers the chance to reach out with feedback, companies can generate interaction. The caveat? You can’t just collect customer opinions — you also need to take action.

5. The Bonus

Everyone loves a bonus, so long as it’s something they want.

For example, if you sell high-end sneakers and your bonus is a link to how your product is made, that’s no bonus — it’s just a poorly-veiled advertising attempt. To drive action, make sure your bonus makes sense.

P.S. Use this code [shoeoff] to get 20% off your first order.

Pro Tip: There’s nothing wrong with taking a slight hit to profitability if it keeps customers coming back.

6. The Testimonial

People like your product or service, right?

That’s a big part of why you’re still in business. Testimonial postscripts are a great way to highlight how good you are at what you do, especially for high-value purchases, such as those made by B2B buyers.

P.S. Don’t just take our word for it. See how our solution helped [XYZ company] boost new customer acquisitions and sales over six months.

Pro Tip: It’s OK to brag a bit in the testimonial. The trick? Keep it quick, and keep it focused on end-user benefits.

Power to the Postscript

The P.S. is a powerful tool in sales and marketing for lead generation, customer engagement, and product purchasing.

The caveat? With great postscript power comes great email responsibility.

If postscripts become too long and involved, they lose the punchy impact that’s characteristic of their P.S. potential. If they’re too short and too generic, meanwhile, they’re easy for users to ignore.

Finding a balance means knowing your message, understanding your audience, and recognizing that when it comes to the postscript, less is more.

Around the globe, more than 300 billion emails are sent and received each day, on average. If you ask me, that’s 300 opportunities to market yourself in your email signature.

Many people treat their email signatures like an afterthought, which is a big missed opportunity. It’s a chance for you to tell others who you are, how to reach you, and where to find out more about you or your business.

So, what exactly should go in your signature?

Table of Contents

• What to Include in an Email Signature
• How to Make an Email Signature
• Professional Email Signature Examples

1. First and Last Name

Just like with snail mail correspondence, your name should always be included in your email signature so that the recipient of your message knows who it was from.

I like to make this my first line of text.

2. Affiliation Info (Such as Job Title and Department)

Closely following your name should be your affiliation information. Your affiliations could include your job title, your company or organization, and/or even your department.

In my opinion, affiliating yourself with a larger organization lends you more credibility, especially if it’s a recognizable organization.

3. Secondary Contact Information

Secondary contact information is important, too, so that the recipient knows how else to contact you. On this line, I tend to include phone, fax, or any other method of communication I want to emphasize.

In situations where you don’t want to cough up your direct line, I’d take this opportunity to promote your personal website as another way to get in touch.

4. Social Profile Icons

Your social media presence is a major part of your personal brand because it helps you gain a following in your space and shows people what you care about.

I feel like I can tell a lot about a person by what they post and how they portray themselves.

That‘s why it’s a great idea to include links to your social media pages in your email signature. It not only reinforces your personal brand, but it also helps people find new ways to contact and follow you.

Why use social media icons instead of simply text links? Because icons are more easily recognizable for folks skimming your signature — and they’ll stand out. According to research from NeoMam Studios, visuals shown in color increase a person’s willingness to read the rest of the content by 80%.

Check out the example below, made using HubSpot’s Email Signature Generator.

5. Call to Action

One of the smartest things you can do in your email signature is include a call-to-action. To me, the best email signature CTAs are simple, up-to-date, non-pushy, and in line with your email style.

Choose a CTA that aligns with one of your current business goals, and update it when those goals change. Here‘s an example of a HubSpotter’s email signature that includes a CTA for the HubSpot Podcast Network:

6. Booking Links

If you find yourself emailing back and forth with colleagues and clients who want to book meetings with you (like I do), make it easy for them by including a link to book your calendar right in your email signature.

There are many tools out there that‘ll help people book appointments. For example, if you’re a HubSpot Sales customer, you can easily share your personalized meeting link with anyone who you want to book a meeting with.

If you aren’t a HubSpot customer, one of my favorite meeting tools is Calendly, which is free for Basic and lets you integrate your Google or Office 365 calendar.

7. Industry Disclaimer or Legal Requirements

Some industries such as legal, financial, and insurance have specific guidelines on email usage and etiquette to protect private information from being transmitted.

For this reason, I’d recommend looking into the regulations your industry has in place and including a disclaimer in your signature about email transmissions.

Mail-Signatures offers a number of email disclaimer examples, including this one:

“The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in the message only. It is strictly forbidden to share any part of this message with any third party, without a written consent of the sender. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message and follow with its deletion, so that we can ensure such a mistake does not occur in the future.”

8. Photo or Logo

I like to use an image to spice up my email signature. It adds a personal touch so that recipients you’ve never met can associate your name with your face.

Alternatively, you can also use the company’s logo to add more brand awareness to your email.

9. Pronouns

Adding your preferred pronouns to your signature is helpful, especially when emailing individuals you’ve never met. It also takes ambiguity away and ensures you’re interacting with others according to their preferences.

1. Emphasize your name, affiliation, and secondary contact information.

My ideal order for an email signature is my name, affiliation, and where else people can reach me.

Your affiliation could mean your job title, your company, your school, or a similar organization that you deem important to your recipients.

Your secondary contact information may include your personal phone number or website.

Here’s a sample email signature that hits on all three things described above nicely. Kevin’s first and last name are accompanied by his affiliation with the University of Connecticut. He also promotes his personal website so his recipients have another outlet to see his work and contact him for more information.

Want to create a signature like the one below? Use HubSpot’s Email Signature Generator.

2. Keep the colors simple and consistent.

In my opinion, branding is most effective when it’s consistent — and that includes your email signature. Adding color to your email signature is a nice touch that’ll help it stand out from the rest of your email.

Pro tip: If you do choose to use color, be sure to stick to one or two in addition to dark text. Use subtle highlights to match your logo or branding, like Brittany Hodak does in her email signature, below. Notice how her social media icons are the same blue hue as the ZinePak logo.

3. Use design hierarchy.

Good design is all about presenting your information in an easily digestible manner. Because your email signature is just a list of information, I’d recommend using hierarchy to direct readers’ eyes to what they should be reading first.

Pro tip: Scale your name up to a larger font so that it attracts the most attention, like you would on a resume. Then, pick and choose information to bold and color based on importance so you can guide people’s eyes logically through the design.

4. Make links trackable.

So you put a few links in your email signature, including your CTA and your social media icons. But is anyone actually clicking on them?

To figure out whether the links in your signature are actually attracting clicks and making an impact, I’d suggest you make those links trackable — just like you would any other link in your emails.

Follow these instructions to easily make a tracking link that helps you attribute traffic to your website to your email signature.

Pro tip: From time to time, you might switch up the format of your signature or the wording inside your signature to see what drives the most clicks.

5. Use space dividers.

There are ways to fit a lot of text into a compact area without compromising design.

Using space dividers within your design, as in the example below, is one great way to do this.

Pro tip: You can also use glyph dividers, which is the vertical bar symbol (i.e., |.)

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6. Include an international prefix in your contact number.

If you work with people around the world, don’t forget the prefix for your country’s code when you list your contact phone number.

Many people overlook this if they aren‘t used to dialing international prefixes themselves, but I think it’s really helpful for your international colleagues and clients to have it right there.

Here’s a list of country codes if you don’t know yours.

Here’s an example from Kit Smith, formerly of Brandwatch, a company that has offices in both the United States and Europe and works with international clients.

Including the U.S. country code makes it easier for folks in other countries to reach him by phone.

7. Make your design mobile-friendly.

According to Truelist, over a third of professionals open emails on their phone making it a prime method of communication for business and professional matters.

Here’s what this means to me: The more people who read email on mobile devices, the more you‘ll want to keep mobile users top-of-mind when you’re writing emails — including your email signature.

One major way to make your email signature mobile-friendly is to make your signature’s design easy to read and clickable for mobile users. This is where scale becomes really important.

Make sure your text is large enough to read on small mobile screens, and that your links and buttons are accessible for folks to tap on with their fingers.

Pro tip: Check out the example below, and note how much space there is between different clickable elements like the social media icons. These are great for tapping with your finger on a mobile screen so that users don’t accidentally tap on the Facebook icon when they meant to go to Twitter.

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8. Use an email signature generator.

If you‘ve tried all of these steps and you’re still not happy with how your email signature turned out, don’t fret — it happens to the best of us.

These digital sign-offs can be tricky to get perfect. Try a free email signature generator to do the heavy lifting for you instead.

Rather than choosing the colors, fonts, and layout yourself, this generator gives you several combinations to choose from. Simply add your information, photos, and links. Then choose your colors. Once you’re satisfied, you can easily add it to your email account.

9. Check your new email signature for quality.

Finally, as with any part of an email, make sure your signature looks as good as you think it does by testing it with various email clients.

Pro tip: Microsoft Outlook doesn‘t recognize background images, so avoid using those. Also, some email clients don’t load images by default at all, so I’d keep that in mind.

Professional Email Signature Examples

Below are some of my favorite email signature examples out in the wild.

1. Vertical Email Signature Example

Create an email signature just like this one with HubSpot’s free signature generator.

If you’d like your email signature to be low-effort and high impact while drawing attention to a call-to-action, I think this is a great option.

What I like: Set in a vertical layout, it not only includes social links for the owner, but it uses space effectively to pull the viewer’s eye to the CTA button at the bottom. And because of its narrow width, this email signature is ideal if many of your recipients will be opening their email on a mobile device

The best part? You can create your own signature using this exact same layout using our free email signature generator.

2. Beige Professional Email Signature Example

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This beautiful email signature example is image-based, and while we don’t recommend using image files for your signature, it still deserves a spot on this list.

What I like: This signature is available as an image template on Canva, and it drew my eye due to its lovely layout, fonts, and colors. The primary benefit of using an image as an email signature is that the fonts don’t change, allowing you to create a stronger branding story.

Remember: The font is determined by the recipient’s email client, not by you.

3. Shorthand Email Signature Example

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This simple email signature example, created by the team over at mysignature.io, uses shorthand to identify each piece of the sender’s contact information. The owner’s email and mobile phone are designated with the letters e and m, respectively.

What I like: This trendy move can differentiate your email signature from the rest. I recommend it if you’re specifically in a more informal or casual industry.

The only thing I might advise against is using such a light font and icon color, which might be more difficult for colorblind viewers to read.

4. Professor Email Signature Example

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This modern, eye-catching email signature example for a professor features a CTA, a line of social media buttons, and a paragraph of boilerplate GDPR language — which is critical in industries where you may require recipients’ private data.

What I like: In doing research for this post, we found countless email signature examples for professors and workers in academia. This one, by far, wins the prize in terms of design, professionality, and utility.

5. Instagram Influencer Email Signature Example

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Whether you’re an influencer on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, it’s essential to still have a professional email signature — especially if you often seek corporate partnerships and deals.

What I like: This signature includes a clever prompt for the recipient to download her media kit. Even more importantly, it includes a button at the bottom to “Like her on Instagram” — which is essential for professionals whose main key performance indicators are engagement metrics.

6. Simple Email Signature Example
Create an email signature just like this one with HubSpot’s free signature generator.

When in doubt, keep it simple. This email signature sample, available as a template in our free signature generator, includes all essential pieces of information with plenty of space in between.

What I like: At the bottom, the signature includes social links for those who’d like to learn more about you or your company. And if you edit it using HubSpot’s free email signature generator, you’ll find that you can add a photo of yourself, a CTA button, and more.

7. Formal Academia Email Signature Example

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If you’re ever in need of a formal email signature, I think this is a great example for inspiration. Created by the University of Illinois as guidance to its employees, this email signature example is effective, simple, and frills-free.

What I like: This is a nice option if you work in a traditional industry. I like that it includes a privacy disclosure at the bottom, which is especially important to include if you ever plan to share your emails with anyone.

8. Real Estate Email Signature Example

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This real estate email signature example made me wish I worked in real estate. But you can always adjust it to your needs using mysignature.io’s tool.

What I like: The profile photo includes a cool modern shading effect, and the social buttons at the bottom are more prominent, making this a fantastic fit if you’d like to draw more attention to your social accounts.

The one piece I’d reconsider with this example, if you’re going to use it as inspiration, is that the CTA is too close to the other two social buttons. If you’d like your call-to-action to have the entirety of your recipient’s attention, consider using small social buttons instead.

9. School Teacher Professional Email Signature Example

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With or without the image, I think this email signature example is a winner. It uses both bold and regular text to create a sense of structure, and includes boilerplate language about the confidentiality of the email.

What I like: The language at the bottom is in a lighter font, keeping the attention off of it. This is a solid example to follow if you don’t need to have a CTA in your email signature.

10. Horizontal Email Signature Example

Create an email signature just like this one with HubSpot’s free signature generator.

Take this spacious email signature example as inspiration if you’d like to include plenty of information — while also keeping the attention on your CTA all the way to the right. Available as a template on HubSpot’s email signature generator, this example also has space at the left for you to include social links.

What I like: Its simplicity and customizability is fantastic. And if you’d prefer to control the visuals of the signature down to the font, you can always screenshot it and use it as an image — just remember to include alt text.

Customize this email signature — or create your own — for free.

Best Professional Email Signature

The best professional email signature will be true to who you are both in and outside the workplace.

Once you include the basic contact information, the rest of your email signature is a blank canvas for you to share a bit of personality with each professional email you send.

Armed with these email signature best practices, you can create your own signature that aligns with your brand and gives your emails a little extra umph.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in June 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

From crafting blogs to social media posts, marketers often find themselves puzzled over what the right character count is. It’s not always about the limits set by different platforms but rather the optimal number of characters for user engagement.

For example, you probably know the character limit for a post on X is 280, but did you know using less is actually more effective? (Hold tight — you’ll soon know why.)

We’ve previously discussed how to optimize your content for various platforms. Now, it’s time to understand the specifics of character limits, both mandatory and ideal, for different online channels, all in one place.

Below is a more detailed breakdown of character limits and ideal character counts for posts on your blog, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.

What is character count?

Why Character Counts Matter

The Length & Character Count for Everything on the Internet

Show Your Character

Why Character Counts Matter

Every social media platform has its own character limit for posts. But as we mentioned earlier, it isn’t just about the character limits set by these platforms; knowing the ideal character count to use in your posts is key.

Let us delve into the top 5 reasons that highlight the importance of character count in your content strategy:

1. Optimizes for platform algorithms

Different social media platforms have different algorithms, most of which consider post length to boost content visibility. By keeping within an ‘ideal’ character count, you can ensure your post performs well in the algorithm‘s ranking system.

This makes your content more likely to appear in your audience’s feeds.

2. Enhances readability

Ever been confronted by a lengthy block of text? It‘s overwhelming, right? Shorter, concise posts with an optimal character count are easier to read and digest.

They look less intimidating and are more likely to be read fully, enhancing your message’s impact.

3. Improves message clarity

Abiding by a character count forces you to be concise and clear in your messaging. This eliminates unnecessary fluff and helps ensure your core message shines through clearly, improving its overall effectiveness.

4. Encourages sharing

Posts that are short and to the point are more shareable. They‘re easier for users to quote or repost, especially on platforms like X and Threads, where character limits are stricter, thus potentially increasing your content’s reach.

5. Enhances mobile user experience

With more people accessing social media platforms via mobile devices, character counts are becoming increasingly important.

Posts with ideal character counts are more likely to be mobile-friendly, offering a better reading experience for your mobile audience.

The Length & Character Count for Everything on the Internet

1. Blog Posts

Quick reference:

• Post length: 1,400 – 2,100 words
• Title: Under 60 characters
• Meta Description: Under 155 characters

Featured Resource: 6 Free Blog Post Templates

Post Body:

When it comes to the length of blog posts, there are a few different items to consider. For example:

• The average reading speed of native English-speaking adults remains commonly cited as 200-300 words per minute, based on the results of several studies.
• At that reading rate, the ideal post length is 1,400 to 2,100 words.
• That aligns with research previously conducted by Capsicum Mediaworks, which indicated that, on average, the top 10 results for most Google searches are between 2,000 and 2,500 words.

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But that‘s just the post body — let’s have a look at the other areas of text that comprise a full blog post.

Title

The length of your title depends on your goals and where it will appear.

Let’s start with SEO. Do you want this post to rank really well in search? It turns out that it often has to do with the dimensions of each entry on a search engine results page (SERP).

For Google, titles of search results are usually contained at a length of 600 pixels — which Moz measures as being able to display the first 50-60 characters of a title tag.

So, if you don’t want your title to get cut off in the search results, it might be best to keep it under 60 characters.

But when in doubt, you can double-check the length of your meta description and title tags with this handy tool from HigherVisibility, or you can use Moz’s title tag preview tool.

For Moz’s title tag tool, type in your headline, and the tool will show you how it would appear in Google results.

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Then, you can optimize your title for social sharing. On X, for example, consider that each post has a limit of 280 characters; however, if you include an image, that doesn’t count toward the limit.

But consider that even the average shortened URL takes up about 23 characters. That leaves you with about 257 characters left for the title and any accompanying text.

In our own analysis at HubSpot, we found that headlines between 8 –12 words in length got the most X shares on average, while headlines with either 12 or 14 words got the most Facebook Likes.

Meta Description

A meta description refers to the HTML attribute that explains the contents of a given webpage. It’s the short description you see on a SERP to “preview” what the page is about.

Moz notes that Google seems to cut off most meta descriptions — sometimes called snippets — after roughly two lines of text. However, there‘s some conjecture that, like title tags, it’s actually based on pixel count.

In any case, it amounts to about 160 characters, though this particular outlet recommends keeping it at 155.

Again, you can double-check the length of your meta description and title tags with this handy tool from HigherVisibility.

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2. Facebook

Quick reference:

• Status updates: 63,206-character maximum | Ideal length is 40 characters
• Video: 120-minute maximum | Ideal length is two minutes

Facebook’s character limit on status updates is 63,206. However, that’s far from ideal, says former HubSpot Social Media Marketing Manager Chelsea Hunersen.

“The social gurus will throw around the number 40 characters,” she says. “That data seems to be backed up by BuzzSumo’s ranking of HubSpot’s own Facebook Page.”

But why 40, specifically?

“Ideally,” Hunersen says, “you’ll want to use the copy in a status update to provide context for whatever you’re linking to.”

That said, she notes, the copy of the status update itself isn‘t as important as the copy in the meta title or meta description that gets pulled in when you insert a link into your post. That’s right — social media posts have their own metadata too.

“Often, people look at the image of the article and then directly down at the meta title and meta description for context clues,” she explains. “A lot of people don’t realize you can change those.”

Even on Facebook, it’s still best to keep your meta title to fewer than 60 characters, and to 155 for meta descriptions.

There are some resources available to those familiar with coding that let you play around with social media metadata character counts, like these templates. But unless you’re a developer, we recommend keeping it short and sweet.

Video

While Facebook allows a maximum of 240 minutes for most videos (excluding Stories and Reels), we wouldn‘t advise posting anything that long unless you’re doing a special, social-media-only screening of a full-length film.

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Facebook recommends keeping videos short to about 15 seconds so viewers are more likely to watch to the end.

3. X (Formerly Twitter)

Quick reference:

• Posts: 280-character maximum
  • Does not include images, videos, or polls
  • Ideal length is 240-259 characters
• Hashtags: No more than two
• Videos: Maximum length is two minutes and 20 seconds

Featured Resource: How to Use Twitter for Business

Marketers everywhere rejoiced when X finally eased up on its character count parameters, and such media as images, videos, and polls, as well as quoted posts, ceased counting toward its 140-character limit.

Still, the “Quote” feature remains available, providing even greater character-saving measures. That happens when you press the rotating arrow icon to post and then add a comment in the provided text box.

You’ve still got 280 characters all to yourself to comment.

Ideal Length Overall

X differs from other platforms in the sense that longer posts tend to perform better and get the most engagement.

According to SEO expert Kurt Gessler, posts with 240-259 characters tend to get the most likes.

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The same goes for hashtags. X recommends keeping your hashtags short, easy to remember, and easy to spell. The platform also suggests sticking to only one or two hashtags at the most.

Videos

You can post a video on X by importing a video or recording it using the X app. In any case, the maximum video length is two minutes and 20 seconds if you’re not subscribed to X Blue.

X Blue subscribers can upload videos of up to 60 minutes when posting from the website, and subscribers on the app can post videos of up to 10 minutes.

4. LinkedIn

Profiles

Here‘s a handy list of some of LinkedIn’s most important profile character maximums:

• Professional headline: 120
• Summary: 2,000
• Position title: 100
• Position description: 2,000 (200 character minimum)

Foote also notes that “if you select to also post on Twitter from LinkedIn, only the first 140 characters will show on your Twitter post.”

Featured Resource: How to Use LinkedIn for Business & Marketing

Original Content

With LinkedIn’s publishing platform, users can now compose and share original written content with their networks, or publicly. Of course, that comes with its own character counts, according to Foote:

• Post headline: 100
• Post body: 40,000

5. Instagram

Quick reference:

• Bio: 150
• Hashtags: Up to 30
• Captions: Ideal length is under 125 characters

Since Instagram is, first and foremost, a platform for sharing photos and videos, the primary focus is typically your visual content. However, it‘s always helpful to provide some context and let users know what they’re looking at.

Given that, here are some helpful character counts for the text you include with your visual content.

While Instagram doesn‘t seem to specify a maximum total number of caption characters, it does note that, within users’ feeds, the caption is cut off after the first three lines. For that reason, it’s advised to limit captions to 125 characters.

However, don’t leave out important information just for the sake of keeping your entire caption visible. Instead, front load it with crucial details and calls-to-action, leaving any hashtags, @mentions, or extraneous information for the end.

As for Instagram Stories, there doesn‘t seem to be a ton of detail on character limits there, either. However, because the text overlays the visual content — which is the focus — don’t obscure too much of the photo or video with a caption.

Here’s a quick example of a short Instagram bio from my colleague.

6. Snapchat

Quick reference:

• Character limit: 80 per post

Speaking of not obscuring visual content — that brings us to Snapchat.

Instagram Stories was, many believe, an effort to emulate the features of Snapchat, to create an opportunity for users to share quickly-disappearing photos and videos.

And again, because the focus here is on the visual, you’ll want to prevent distracting viewers from it with too much text.

And, if you‘re looking for more guidance, just look at this particular app’s name, remember the “snap” element of it — a word that implies brevity — and try not to ramble. Here’s a great example of how SXSW uses its captions efficiently:

7. YouTube

Featured Resource: YouTube for Business – A 30-Day Roadmap

Here we have yet another network that‘s focused on visual content, leading some to incorrectly assume that accompanying text, like titles and descriptions, doesn’t matter as much.

That’s not entirely false. As a video-hosting platform, YouTube should primarily be used to showcase a brand‘s quality videos. However, like any other visual content, it needs context.

People need to know what they’re watching, who it’s from, and why it matters.

Unfortunately, YouTube doesn’t appear to provide any specific parameters over its character counts — except for your channel description, which, according to the official help site, is limited to 1,000 characters.

But other than that, it seems that the only guideline available is the alert display that lets you know, “Your [title or description] is too long,” if you’ve entered too much text in either of those fields.

In this case, we would advise taking the same approach as adding text to support your visuals on Instagram and Snapchat.

Like the former, a video’s description is cut off after the first line or two, so frontload the most important descriptors and CTAs, leaving extra details for the end.

Show Your Character

As you set out to determine the length of your text, regardless of the platform, remember to do so with the user in mind.

Many of these channel-mandated character limits are established for that reason — to keep audiences from getting bored or overwhelmed.

Like anything else in marketing, it’s never an exact science despite the best data. We encourage you to follow these guidelines but don‘t be afraid to experiment if they don’t always work.

Test different amounts of text within your various channels, and keep track of how each post performs.

From there, you can make decisions about which types of content, as well as its accompanying titles and descriptions, are the most well-received by your audience.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January 2016 and was updated in December 2019 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

When I need stock photos, I get them for free on Unsplash. Yet, for some reason, many other publishers continue to push out cheap (and usually cheesy) stock photography to serve as a representation of their brand.

The truth is high-quality stock photos don’t have to come hand-in-hand with a hassle or high price tag.

To prove it, we’ve compiled a list of awesome resources for free, high-quality stock images for websites, blogs, and similar online properties.

From enviable office spaces to stunning scenery, we‘re certain you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for with the help of this roundup.

Best Free Stock Photo Websites for Royalty-Free Images

1. Negative Space

Negative Space offers up new free stock photos every week. All of its photos are shared without copyright restrictions, meaning you’re free to use them however you please.

From architecture to technology, Negative Space‘s continuously growing collection of images is one you’ll find yourself tapping into again and again.

Core Features

• New images added every week
• There are no copyright restrictions

What we like: I found that the website is incredibly easy to navigate. It was also easy to filter through the gallery of photos — which are sortable by category, copy space position, and color.

Click here to view the full license details.

2. Freepik

Freepik strives to be the go-to destination for free stock images, vector designs, and PSD files, providing a vast collection of high-quality and professionally verified images and graphic design assets for any web design, blog, or marketing project.

Built around a highly creative community, Freepik provides a solid foundation for professional and aspiring photographers to upload their work, making money per download in return.

Premium members will gain full access to premium content and a higher download cap per day without the need for any attribution.

Core Features

• Stock images, vectors, and PSD files
• Professionally verified images
• Highly active community

What we like: With an in-your-face style display, I found that the webpage was easy to navigate. Bolstering hundreds of stock images, you’re bound to find something amazing.

Search optimization gives you an easy ride when finding the most specific images for your project.

Click here to view the full license details.

3. Vecteezy

Vecteezy is a U.S.-based online marketplace that provides access to over 30M free and premium stock photos, vector graphics, and video footage.

Vecteezy is a category leader in freemium imagery, and its mission is to simplify the creative process by providing safe, legal creative assets to everyone. The company is also one of the fastest-growing stock photo marketplaces, according to TrustPilot and G2.

They also offer an extensive library of free PNG, SVG, and PSD files along with fully customizable templates via their Template Editor.

The browser-based design tool can customize business cards, resumes, social media designs, posters, flyers, and many other designs in just a few clicks.

Basic features are free but include ads and limitations. Pro subscribers get advanced licensing and a more comprehensive content selection and tools.

Core Features

• 30 million free stock images
• Extensive library of PNG, SVG, and PSD files
• Multiple subscription options

What we like: This website is a delight to navigate. An easy-to-use interface displays all the available categories for stock images as well as complete information for vectors and video footage.

Click here to view the full license details.

4. Death to Stock

When founders and photographers Allie and David noticed how challenging it was for businesses, bloggers, and creatives to find free high-quality images that fit their “vibe and tribe,” they stepped in.

As a result, Death to Stock was born. Simply submit your email and enjoy a new batch of photos delivered to your inbox every month.

If you have an extra budget, Death to Stock also offers a Premium membership for $15 a month or $180 a year.

The cool part about the paid membership is that a percentage of the profit is used to fund photography trips and other creative projects to keep the resource moving forward.

Core Features

• Easy to navigate
• Custom tailored for the bloggers and creatives
• New photos delivered to your inbox monthly

What we like: With multiple options for membership and stock images delivered directly to your inbox, what’s not to love? I found the overall process to be rather enjoyable.

It’s easy to find the perfect image that makes a statement for your brand.

Click here to view the full license details.

5. HubSpot

When we noticed a shortage of high-quality free stock photos available to marketers and creatives, we decided to whip up some of our own.

We’re a bit biased (since many of our own employees appear in these photos), but we think these images can help you spruce up your site or marketing materials.

Core Features

• Hundreds of stock photos
• Variety of categories and style options
• Free to download

What we like: I would recommend checking the HubSpot stock archives. With dozens of options to choose from, you are sure to find something amazing.

Check out the following collections to get your fix:

• 82 Free Stocks Photos You’ve Been Searching For
• 250 Holiday-Themed Photos

6. Picjumbo

Need free images for your next website design or blog post? Look no further than Picjumbo. With new photos added daily, there is a wide selection of high-quality images to fit a variety of topics.

The photographer, Vicktor, also offers unique paid packages for bloggers, designers, and agencies (starting at $10/month).

Core Features

• Perfect for website design or blog
• Photos added daily
• Unique paid packages offering bonus content

What we like: PicJumbo seems to tick off all the boxes for us. I found the comprehensive list of categories easy to navigate. Crystal-clear images and digital photos can improve your next blog post or jazz up your next memo.

Click here to view the full license details.

7. CreateHER Stock

CreateHER Stock is a stock photography site that features authentic images of Black women created by founder Neosha Gardner. Priced at $10 per month, there is a collection of “freebies” that includes more than 185 images.

Keep in mind that CreateHER Stock is not intended for commercial use without an extended license.

Core Features

• Paid subscriptions but still offers “freebies”
• Commercial use is available but not created with so in mind
• Affordable pricing model

What we like: This option is an excellent source for authentic images. I found the collection of freebies available to view both beautiful and inspiring. At a mere 10 dollars a month, we recommend giving CreateHER a look.

Click here to view the full license details.

8. Kaboompics

Karolina, a web designer from Poland, is the creative eye behind this awesome resource for high-quality photos. From fashion to food to landscapes, her images cover a variety of different scenarios.

And users have the freedom to use them for anything they’d like — commercial or not.

While there are no formal attribution requirements, Karolina does ask that you include photo credit with a link back to the site when possible.

This request will help her grow the website and, in turn, provide even more awesome photos for everyone to use.

Core Features

• Commercial or noncommercial application
• Wide variety of options
• Perfect for websites or social media pages

What we like: A true depiction of humble beginnings, Karolina built this with love, and it shows. From the moment you land on the Kaboompics home page to navigating the collections of images, there seems to be something for everyone.

Click here to view the full license details.

9. Startup Stock Photos

“Take ’em, these things are free. Go. Make something.”

While the name is specific to startups, there are plenty of professional options to use, no matter what industry you’re operating within. Opening the homepage is enough proof of that.

All the images are tiled immediately for you to view, a simplistic design that fits the needs of almost any industry.

Core Features

• Great for startups
• Offers many options for commercial application
• Simple design with ease of use

What we like: I enjoy the in-your-face interface. A simple header and search bar adorn the top of the page, as the rest is filled with featured images that are available. Very easy to use and fun to explore.

Click here to view the full license details.

10. Moose

Moose is a stock photos library with images created by the Icons8 team. It features images of hundreds of different categories, including people, animals, nature, technology, and more.

All these images can be used for free for a link back to Moose. To use them with no attribution, you should get a paid subscription.

Core Features

• Free images with links back to Moose
• Hundreds of categories to choose from
• Free and paid subscriptions

What we like: Whether you go for the paid subscription or take the free images with the photo credit, you’re bound to find something good from moose.

I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer amount of images available upon arriving on the home page.

11. Freerange

All of the photos on the Freerange website come from a pool of both in-house photographers and a growing community of external contributors.

Not only is there a lot to choose from, but the photos are high quality, too. “Images provided directly (in-house) by Freerange Stock originate one of two ways.

They are either digitally photographed on Canon DSLR cameras, or they are a high resolution (4000 dpi) Nikon scan of an original 35mm slide,” according to the site.

Core Features

• High-quality HD images
• Growing community of contributors
• Camera-specific photo specs

What we like: We found the high-definition images beautiful and packed full of inspiration for future projects. You can see the work and energy poured into each image.

Click here to view the full license details.

12. LibreShot

Photographer and SEO Consultant Martin Vorel is the creative force behind the stunning photos available on this site.

From crisp architectural shots to vibrant florals, Vorel‘s collection of photos contains some of the most unique selections we’ve come across.

Core Features

• Unique and stunning photos
• Geared toward commercial application
• Simplistic and easy to use

What we like: I can’t say anything more appropriate than “accessible.” Upon arriving on the home page, you are greeted with a pleasant message stating the images are free to use for personal and commercial use.

Click here to view the full license details.

13. nappy

nappy is a free stock photo site on a mission to “provide beautiful, high-res photos of black and brown people to startups, brands, agencies, and everyone else.”

On their site, the team talks about how many stock photo sites depict unrealistic representations. There’s often a lack of diversity in the people depicted.

This presents a real problem for creators who are intentional about representation in articles, designs, and ads.

nappy calls on their audience to “tackle diversity and representation one photo at a time.” Best of all, their library is completely free.

Core Features

• Expansive free library
• Tackles diversity and represents a positive message

What we like: I found the real-world images extremely refreshing and informative. On top of that, the site boasts an extensive library representing diverse people.

Click here to view the full license details.

14. Fancy Crave

Not only are the photos on Fancy Crave free of copyright restrictions, but they’re also pretty remarkable. All the photographer asks is that you never advertise the photographs as your own and provide attribution when and if you can.

With two new photos uploaded daily to keep things feeling fresh, this is a bookmark-worthy resource for great photos if we’ve ever seen one.

Core Features

• High quality without copyright restrictions
• Offers articles and tips for using stock images
• Daily uploads

What we like: They offer all kinds of tips and tricks for editing and using your photos. Dozens of copyright-free images are at your disposal with the informative power to really use them.

Click here to view the full license details.

15. Unsplash

Unsplash serves up 10 new “do whatever you want” photos every 10 days. What we love most about this resource is the uniqueness of the photos.

With pages upon pages to choose from, you won’t run into any cheesy, “smiling Boss Shaking Hands With Male Employee” shots.

Not to mention, every photo published on Unsplash is licensed under Creative Commons Zero, which provides users with the freedom to copy, modify, distribute, and use all of the photos without attribution.

Core Features

• Free to modify, copy, and distribute
• Plenty of options with a focus on corporate culture
• Simple design for maximum results

What we like: I was happy to see all the text-based information, educating users on how to clean up and edit the images.

Click here to view the full license details.

16. StockSnap.io

StockSnap.io proudly claims that it‘s “not your typical crappy stock photo site.” We couldn’t agree more. After landing on the home page, this message becomes apparent. Everything is laid out very neatly.

Images are clean and high-quality, lending to the slogan StockSnap leans into.

In fact, its selection is so interesting and versatile that it’s almost too easy to “fall down the rabbit hole” and come to fifty-something scrolls later.

Core Features

• Versatile and easy-to-use collections
• Bright, vibrant images ranging from holiday to commercial

What we like: Simplistic design goes a long way, and StockSnap has gotten it right. With hundreds of free images at your fingertips, you can spend hours sifting through the extensive library they boast.

Click here to view the full license details.

17. The Jopwell Collections

Jopwell is a career advancement platform for people of color, helping brands recruit and retain diverse candidates. Their slogan is “representation matters.”

As part of that commitment, they’ve created a collection of stock photos that feature people of color in the workplace.

The images are free to use as long as there’s a visible attribution to Jopwell.

Core Features

• Empowering diversified career advancement platform
• Geared towards commercial and branding applications
• Professional quality images

What We Like: Aimed at a more commercial application, I was surprised to see how professional in demeanor all the images presented by Jopwell are.

From office culture photos to informative images highlighting a professional atmosphere, Jopwell has really leaned into the commercial aspect of stock imagery.

Click here to view the full license details.

18. SplitShire

SplitShire offers awesome free photos for you to use without commercial restrictions. Powered by Italian photographer Daniel Nanescu, all of the images available on the website are “made with love” — and it shows.

From stunning portraits to sleek workstations, we‘ve got a feeling you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect photo for your next project or blog post.

Core Features

• Free to use photos without restriction
• High-quality images
• Instant download

What we like: No commercial restrictions and a variety that’s truly notable have us in awe. Splitshire wastes no time showing off what it has.

As I arrived on the homepage, I was greeted by beautiful images ranging from landscapes to high-detail images of vehicles.

Click here to view the full license details.

19. Life of Pix

Brought to you by Leeroy Advertising Agency in Montreal (and its network of talented photographers), Life of Pix is home to some awesome high-resolution photos.

All of the images are donated to the public domain. They are available for personal and commercial use.

As if that wasn’t enough, Life of Pix also has a counterpart, Life of Vids. According to its website, Life of Vids serves up free footage videos, clips, and loops weekly.

Like the images, the video content contains no copyright restrictions and can be easily downloaded on its Vimeo account.

Core Features

• Weekly submissions
• Talented network of photographers adding professional quality images
• Public domain

What we like: I found the use of realism to be invigorating. Starting with a more antique-style shot really showcases the skills of the individuals donating their work for public use.

With more of a real-life feel to the photos, Life of Pix is sure to provide an excellent experience.

Click here to view the full license details.

20. Pexels

These photos are carefully handpicked from a variety of free Image Sources to ensure that you’re getting only the best of the best.

All of the photos that make the cut are under the Creative Commons Zero license, meaning that they are free for personal and commercial use with no attribution required.

And thanks to its search functionality, turning up the right photo for your next project is super easy.

Core Features

• Stunning royalty-free images
• Free for personal and commercial use
• Simplistic web design, allowing for easy navigation

What we like: This is a great spot for creators to share their work and promote themselves by offering select free images.

Click here to view the full license details.

21. Gratisography

With new photos added weekly, Gratisography is another awesome website serving up high-resolution photos covered under the Creative Commons Zero license.

All of the photos were taken by Ryan McGuire, a “whimsically creative visual artist based in Ithaca, NY.”

And while these photos are a bit more quirky (we’re talking everything from monster feet slippers to Vespas to bananas), they are entirely usable for the right project.

Core Features

• Vibrant, expansive catalog
• Stylized, high-quality imagery
• “Whimsical” and fun to navigate web design

What we like: Vibrant, Whimsical, Pink! These are just a few words I would use to explain Gratisography. Showcasing a variety of vibrant and stylized images, we feel like they have definitely earned a spot on this list.

Click here to view the full license details.

22. Jay Mantri

Designer Jay Mantri has built up an impressive gallery of professional, quality images just for you and me … and everyone else.

If I had to describe Mantri‘s photos in one word, it’d be “scenic.” But don’t just take my word for it. Go see for yourself.

Core Features

• Large gallery featuring a number of landscapes
• Public domain
• Diverse options to choose from in terms of style, filter, and more

What we like: The tagline “Make Magic” that is displayed front and center as you arrive on the homepage for Jay Mantri truly speaks to us. These images showcase a deeper, more detailed version of our world.

Click here to view the full license details.

23. ISO Republic

ISO‘s Republic’s mission is to “provide high-quality images to be used by designers, developers, bloggers, marketers, and social media teams.”

And all it takes is one quick scan of the website to know that it is succeeding in doing just that. (So much so that it’s hard to believe the images are free.)

For those looking for access to more exclusive free photos, ISO Republic invites you to sign up for its email list and receive photos right to your inbox.

Core Features

• Large database lending to plenty of options for all applications
• High-quality images geared toward designers and developers
• Convenient and easy-to-use interface

What we like: Showcasing beautiful images based in realism and personal connection, ISO really takes the cake for personalized experiences. With so many options to choose from, there is bound to be some inspiration lurking around the corner.

Click here to view the full license details.

24. PICNOI

PICNOI is a free stock photo site “for a colorful world.” The photos feature people of color, and all of the images are free as long as you provide attribution (though you can choose to make a donation to support their mission).

Core Features

• Diverse, stylized photos feature people of color
• Free database of hundreds of options to choose from
• Paid subscriptions available

What we like: Diverse would be an understatement here. PICNOI features beautiful, colorful, high-def images.

Click here to view the full license details.

25. New Old Stock

Who can resist a good black-and-white photo?

This collection of vintage photos comes from the public archive via Flickr Commons. According to the website, the photos are free of any known copyright restrictions.

That said, while it‘s likely that they are safe to use for things like blog posts and hero images, you’ll want to read up on the rights and usage below before you use them for any type of commercial project.

Core Features

• Specialized “antiqued” photo gallery
• Vintage options dating as far back as the late 1800s
• Free of copyright restrictions

What we like: Taking a quick 180 from the other options listed, New Old Stock showcases antique public photos pulled from archives and cleaned up.

From images showcasing architecture to old industrial scenes, if you need more of an antiquity feel, you’re in the right place.

Click here to view the full license details.

26. Pixabay

Pixabay serves as a repository for a ton of quality photos that were released into the public domain under Creative Commons CC0.

The site is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate your way through the 780K+ free photos, vectors, and illustrations.

The main search bar even allows you to filter your query down by factors like media type, orientation, color, and minimum dimensions.

Core Features

• Clean and easy to navigate
• Offers various media options, including video and music

What we like: I was thrilled to see not only stock photos and videos but stock music and sounds as well.

Click here to view the full license details.

The perfect image can solidify your design, article, ad, or other creative. Whatever your need, there are many resources for free stock photos out there.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in November 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

If you’re anything like me, you probably wish you had unlimited time and resources to get through your busy work, come up with game-changing ideas, and ultimately give your audiences unforgettable brand experiences. 

While AI’s quickly become a marketer’s ultimate assistant in many of these quests, it’s also caused our landscape (and competition) to evolve even faster.

Using data from our survey of 1460 B2B and B2C marketers across the globe, we’ll dig into the top marketing trends of 2024, how AI will keep shifting our industry, and how you can win over audiences in a new era of marketing.

 

Key Findings:

1. AI’s quickly becoming the ultimate marketing assistant, but still faces adoption barriers like job security concerns, brand reputation, and lack of knowledge around how to use it.
2. Social media apps could drive higher ROI than ever in 2024 as they evolve into frictionless e-commerce platforms. 
3. Video-centric apps like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube will see the most growth in 2024, though Facebook’s still the most used and ties with Instagram for highest ROI. s.
4. Short-form video offers the highest content ROI and will earn more investment than all other formats. 
5. Marketers will turn to social media targeting, first-party data, and AI tools to reach audience after Chrome’s third-party cookie phaseout.

The Top Marketing Trend of 2024

1. AI’s becoming the ultimate content marketing assistant. 

We can’t discuss marketing trends without AI, and the impact is so huge it takes the first and second spots on our list.

The most important takeaway is that AI is quickly becoming the ultimate marketing assistant, with 64% of marketers already using it, and 38% of those who don’t yet planning to start in 2024. 

AI is only growing in importance. In fact, Sean Downey, Google’s President, Americas and Global Partners, believes it will be the single biggest trend in 2024. 

He told HubSpot in this post, “It should come as no surprise that in 2024, the biggest marketing trends will center around the possibilities of AI. Today, marketers are faced with pressing challenges to navigate evolving consumer expectations and consumption habits in today’s media landscape, which is fragmented and shifting dramatically — all while delivering business outcomes more efficiently.”

He adds, “The AI opportunity is coming at a time of transformation for everyone, including marketers. In fact, in addition to connecting brands and products to people, more than ever before, marketers need to be growth drivers for their companies.”

Things get interesting when we look at how marketers see AI being used – 60% say it will act as an assistant that helps them across their job duties, while 20% see AI primarily taking over menial tasks. 

But there’s no debating that AI will make a big splash in the world of marketing in 2024. 

85% of marketers say generative AI has changed the way they will create content in 2024 and  63% say that in 2024, most content will be created at least in part with the help of generative AI. 

Marketers who use generative AI are seeing great results, saying it helps them make significantly more, higher quality content that performs better. 

As Briana Rogers, Head of Product Marketing at Miro, tells me, “Marketers will have to learn how to integrate AI into their work.”

She explains, “The space is moving so quickly and we need to experiment with everything … from the more well-established use cases — like leveraging machine learning to improve ad buying, or creating predictive customer value models — to newer spaces, like identifying patterns in user research and data, assisting in creative development, and building full customer campaigns that are powered by AI.” 

81% of marketers who use generative AI say it’s effective at assisting them in their role, saying. Specifically, it helps them:

• improve the quality of the content they create (85%)
• create content more efficiently (84%)
• make significantly more content (82%)
• create more personalized content (77%). 

On top of all that, 56% of marketers who use generative AI for content creation say this content performs better than content created without it.

Also, our survey shows marketers who use AI/automation tools are 95% more likely to say their marketing strategy was very effective this year compared to those who don’t.

But, a big disclaimer is that AI shouldn’t replace your entire content team. You’re consumer won’t want this, and neither will platforms like Google. 

In fact, a recent report from one of our colleagues, Curtis del Principe, highlighted the punishment handed down to one agency after they farmed thousands of posts with AI in what we’re calling an “SEO Heist.”

So, if you can’t create ALL of your content with AI completely, how can you still leverage it to the best advantage in your content plan? 

How Marketers Use AI for Content Creation

The marketers we surveyed told us the top use cases for generative AI are data analysis, research, and content creation (but, don’t stop reading here).

When it comes to creating content, marketers aren’t replacing writers or creatives with AI. Instead, they primarily use AI for 

• Brainstorming new ideas or angles, 
• Re-purposing or adapting pre-created content for a different audience, format or channel
• Writing basic copy or outlines
• And creating images or basic videos.

In terms of the types of content marketers use generative AI to produce, social media posts, emails, blog posts, images, and product descriptions.

While that all sounds great, there are a few concerns to be aware of with AI we should talk about.

Where AI Still Faces Barriers

The AI revolution is a huge change, so it’s no surprise that close to half of marketers are concerned about AI replacing their jobs. 23% even think marketers should avoid using generative AI altogether.

But based on how marketers are actually using AI, it isn’t replacing their jobs, but acting as an assistant. 

Among marketers who use generative AI to write copy, just 6% use it to write the entire piece of content for them. 45% use it for ideas/inspiration, 31% use it for an outline, and 18% use it for a first draft.

Additionally, 95% of marketers who use generative AI to write copy make edits to the text, with 44% making significant edits. 

Another issue is integrating AI throughout marketers’ workflow, with 46% feeling overwhelmed at the prospect.

The good news is businesses are going out of their way to help, with 40% of marketers saying their company has hired a new employee specifically to help their team leverage AI.

Still, with AI being so new, just 21% of marketers have integrated it throughout their daily workflow. 32% of marketers use AI for specific tasks and 10% are still in the experimentation phase. Of course, 36% don’t use AI at all – but 38% of marketers who don’t say they will start using AI in 2024.

One final concern shared by 60% of marketers is that AI can harm their brand’s reputation due to bias, plagiarism, or misalignment with brand values. 

This is definitely an issue, but if you’re using AI as an assistant, you’ll be editing and watching over the output every step of the way. 

AI tools are also aware of these problems and some have already rolled out capabilities to source and fact-check the information it spits out. 

For example, Google’s Bard will allow you to double-check the output with existing information on the web to let you know if it can be confirmed by other sources, while also providing links to relevant sources.

Luckily, as companies hire AI implementation experts, marketers become more comfortable using AI as an assistant, and AI tools become more accurate and trustworthy, we predict the concerns above will be overcome quickly.

Top Marketing Channels

2. Social media is the highest-ROI marketing channel as it continues to evolve with ecommerce.

Social media is indisputably the #1 marketing channel. Not only does it offer the highest ROI, but it’s used by 43% of marketers. 

The reason social media is so effective is that it’s become a leading product discovery and purchasing channel as shopping takes center stage across platforms. 

Marketers can set up virtual stores to give shoppers an all-in-one frictionless shopping experience, from discovery through influencer recommendations to in-app purchases and customer service via DMs.

Earlier this summer, our Consumer Trend Survey found that 64% of Gen Z, 59% of Millennials, and 47% of Gen X discovered a product on social media in the past 3 months. On top of that, social media is the most preferred product discovery channel for Gen Z and Millennials, with Gen X and Boomers warming up to it quickly. 

What’s more, 17% of social media users bought a product in-app in the past three months. In that time, one in four bought something based on an influencer’s recommendation, and 19% sent a DM for customer service. 

Additionally, every time we run and rerun our Consumer Trends survey, these numbers increase significantly. So, it’s no surprise marketers are quickly embracing social selling. 

Our social selling survey even found that 87% of marketers who sell on social say it’s effective, and 59% say they’re making more sales in 2023 than they did last year.

Currently, 27% of marketers use social selling tools, 23% leverage influencer marketing, and 22% use social media DMs for customer service. Marketers plan to invest heavily in these channels for 2024.

Now that we’ve gone over the benefits of social selling, let’s take a look at the most effective platforms for marketers in 2024. 

Top Content Trends & Formats

3. Video-first apps like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are growing fastest — but don’t ignore Facebook.

If you’ve been on social media lately, you know it’s all about video, and marketers report that video-centric social media platforms are the most effective and offer the best ROI.

Instagram and Facebook are tied for the highest ROI platforms, followed by YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X.

Facebook’s still the most popular platform used by markers (57%), followed by Instagram (55%), YouTube (52%), TikTok (44%), X (39%), and LinkedIn (37%). 

While there’s no doubt Facebook is still dominant, video-centric platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram will see more investment in 2024. 

56% of marketers using TikTok will increase their investment next year, the highest of any platform. YouTube and Instagram will also see a significant boost in investment. 

In terms of first-time use, 27% of marketers who don’t use YouTube plan to leverage it in 2024, followed by TikTok (25%), Facebook (24%), and Instagram (23%). 

But the real social media showdown of our time is between X and Threads. Our survey shows marketers are sticking with the newest version of Twitter, with 68% expecting to see greater success with X over Threads in 2024. 

Right now, just 11% of marketers use Threads, and only 13% of those who don’t use it plan to try Threads for the first time in 2024.

At this point, you might ask yourself, “But are consumers I market to using these channels?” Check out these deep dives for more: 

• X vs. Threads: What Marketers Need to Know
• The Fastest Growing Social Media Platforms [New Data]
• Which Social Media Channels are Gaining & Losing Steam? [Consumer and Platform Data]

4. Short-form video offers the highest ROI and will see the most growth of any marketing content format in 2024.

Since TikTok reinvigorated the virality of Millennials’ favorite app, Vine, our blog team’s been predicting a short-form video renaissance.

Today, there’s hardly any contest – short-form video is now the #1 content marketing format, offering the highest ROI. Short-form video is also the most popular, used by 44% of marketers.

While short-form video has reigned for a few years now, it will continue to see the most growth of any format in 2024, with marketers planning to invest more in it than any other format. 

26% of marketers plan to invest more in it than any other format in 2024, the highest of any format by far. Additionally, 57% of marketers who leverage short-form video will increase their investment in 2024, the highest increase of any format. And to top it all off, 30% of marketers who don’t use short-form video will start in 2024.

5. Marketers will keep investing in micro-influencers — who can engage tight-knit and loyal communities.

Not only is influencer marketing super effective and going to keep growing in 2024, influencers are becoming even more impactful on purchase decisions.

86% of influencer marketers say influencer marketing was effective for their company in 2023. And our consumer trends survey shows that 1 in 4 social media users bought a product based on an influencer’s recommendation in the past three months – that’s up 33% from when we ran the same survey a year before.  

Influencer marketing will also see significant growth in 2024, with 50% of the marketers who use it planning to increase their investment, and 20% of those who don’t leverage it yet planning to try it for the first time next year. 

But the interesting thing is, marketers are finding more success working with micro-influencers who have between 10,000 and 100,000 followers than celebrities (aka, macro or mega influencers) with huge followings. 

About half of marketers worked with influencers or creators in 2023, and 64% of them worked with micro-influencers, making them the most popular type of influencer. 

They’re also the influencer size marketers saw the most success with this year, according to 47% of influencer marketers. 

The biggest reasons for that are that working with small influencers is less expensive, makes it easier to establish long-term partnerships, and offers access to tight-knit, engaged, and loyal communities.

 

This goes to show that followers aren’t everything anymore – our 2023 Social Media Trends Report (which we’ll rerun in 2024!) found that when it comes to how influencer marketers decide which creators to partner with, they say the quality of their content is more important than how many followers they have.

Top Marketing Challenges Ahead

6. Marketers turn to social media targeting and first-party data in response to Chrome’s third-party cookie phaseout.

Increased data privacy regulations have been a hurdle for marketers over the past few years, from iOS changes to GDRP and Google’s plans to phase out third-party cookies. 

With 84% of consumers in our consumer trend survey saying data privacy is a human right, public opinion is definitely shifting towards more safeguards around personal data.

On the marketer side, 84% say data privacy changes affected their strategy in 2023, with Google’s planned phaseout of third-party cookies being the most impactful.

The issue is marketers aren’t quite ready for this shift – 81% say their marketing activities rely on third-party cookies to some extent and around one in five marketers say they aren’t prepared to lose access to them.

Additionally, 76% of marketers say Google phasing out third-party cookies will make marketing more difficult. 

So what are marketers doing about it? 47% say their company is exploring alternatives to third-party cookies, with social media targeting and first-party data being the most popular solutions.

25% of marketers are exploring targeted social media ads, followed by collecting first-party data (25%), Google Topics API (21%), contextual advertising (15%), and universal identifiers (14%).

We’ll talk about the benefits of first-party data next, but to learn more about these alternatives, check out our blog post taking a deeper dive into each solution.

Personalized Marketing with First-Party Data & AI

Despite steps towards personalization and a lot of talk about focusing on the customer experience, we know there’s plenty of room for improvement. 

Our survey shows only 35% of marketers say customers get a very personalized experience with their brand and just 65% of consumers say the content they see from brands feels relatable. 

On top of that, most marketers lack crucial information about their audience, with only 65% saying they have high-quality data on their target demographic.

When we asked marketers what they know about their target audience, less than half know where they consume content, their demographic information, their interests and hobbies, products they are interested in, and insights on their shopping habits.

Why is this so important? Getting this data helps you create a truly personalized experience, which 96% of marketers say increases the likelihood of buyers becoming repeat customers, and 94% say personalization increases sales. 

To top it all off, marketers whose brands give customers a personalized experience are 215% more likely to say their marketing strategy this year was very effective compared to marketers at brands that don’t offer a personalized experience.

As we mentioned in the previous trend, data privacy regulations make personalization a little more difficult by reducing your access to data.

But that also presents a new opportunity with first-party data, which is data collected directly from your customers. Not only is it higher quality, but it’s also unique to your customers and your business, providing better insights and only getting more powerful with the addition of AI.

While we’ve all been using generative AI tools that leverage public information, the real magic happens when you combine AI with your own business data, allowing marketers to offer a highly relevant, personalized experience.

77% of marketers who use gen. AI say it helps them create more personalized content, personalize the experience customers get with their company (72%), improve the overall customer experience (71%), and understand their customers better (71%).

While the power of AI and first-party data is still yet to be seen, all signs point to this intersection being the key to a truly scalable personalized experience. 

And when it comes to making the most of your data, one key piece to the puzzle is having a single source of truth, so let’s go over some of the reasons having centralized and accessible data is make or break in 2024.  

7. Marketers still struggle with disconnected data, tools, and company siloes.

In last year’s State of Marketing report, data-driven decision making was both a top tactic and a top challenge marketers were addressing.

And, while AI and other flashy trends might convince you otherwise, data is more important than ever in 2024. Still, marketing data, teams, and tools are disconnected. 

This makes sharing and getting necessary data challenging, prevents organizations from getting a holistic view of their data, and reduces data quality. We call this phenomenon a crisis of disconnection.

Around 1 in 4 marketers say it’s difficult to share data with other teams and get data they need from other teams at their company.

On top of that, 23% of marketers say the way marketing data is stored at their company is inaccessible and just 26% say their marketing data is fully integrated with the tools they use. Additionally, only 59% of marketers say the tools they use are interconnected. 

Our survey also found that marketers with connected tools, data, and teams performed significantly better in 2023. 

The Solution: A Single-Source of Truth

While 93% of marketers with a single source of truth for data say it is beneficial to their organization, only 65% of marketers actually tell us they have one. 

A single source of truth directly addresses the top challenges marketers see with sales and marketing alignment –  a lack of effective communication between teams, sales and marketing teams using different tools, and difficulty sharing data between teams are all key drawbacks. 

So what actually happens when sales and marketing teams aren’t aligned? Marketers say their budgets are wasted, sales and leads are lost, and customers end up getting a poor experience. And marketers who are aligned with their sales team are 26% more likely to say their marketing strategy this year was very effective compared to those who aren’t aligned. 

One highly effective way to implement a single source of truth is getting a CRM like HubSpot, which integrates data with tools and boosts alignment across teams. 

86% of marketers using a CRM say it’s effective at improving alignment between the teams and marketers with a single source of truth are 56% more likely to be strongly aligned with their sales team than those without one. 

Furthermore, 76% of marketers with a CRM say it is important to the success of their overall marketing strategy, and 57% say their CRM became more important in 2023.

Marketers who use a CRM are 128% more likely to say their marketing strategy this year was very effective compared to marketers who don’t use a CRM. And on top of that, 93% of marketers using HubSpot CRM say their marketing strategy was effective this year.

Lastly, AI is also very effective at improving connection, with marketers who use it saying it helps their organization share data more effectively (74%) and collaborate more effectively (73%).

What’s Next in Marketing

When it comes to all the things shifting in today’s landscape, the list above is just the tip of the iceberg.

For a detailed list of the top tactics, opportunities, challenges, channels, and content marketers will leverage in 2024, stay tuned for our State of Marketing Report — which launches next week and will be linked to this page soon. 

Until then, see just how much things in the marketing landscape have changed by poking through our 2023 State of Marketing Report below, or check out our newest State of AI Report here. 

Social media, email, video, audio —today’s marketers have more marketing channels to choose from than ever before.

As the former head of marketing for two different tech companies, I learned firsthand that an effective marketing strategy must consider all these channels and identify the best investments for your specific company, product, and target market.

Of course, this is easier said than done. The marketing channel landscape is constantly growing and evolving, and it’s essential to understand the value that each channel can provide.

The HubSpot team surveyed over 1,000 global B2B and B2C marketing professionals to explore the most used marketing channels.

Below, I’ll share the top marketing channels identified in that survey. I’ll discuss how I’ve found these channels can help you amplify your reach and drive revenue while prioritizing your current customers.

Top B2B Marketing Channels

According to HubSpot’s survey, more than 80% of marketers feel that marketing has changed more in the last three years than in the previous fifty.

In this ever-changing environment, the number one challenge marketing professionals identify is determining which platform (or platforms) they should invest in.

Image Source

When making these critical decisions, I’ve found that it’s helpful to do some benchmarking against other professionals in the industry.

Our survey found that the top marketing channels today’s marketers use are short-form video (i.e., TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc.), influencer marketing, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Image Source

Moreover, the survey found that 41% of B2B marketers are increasing their budgets, enabling them to invest in new marketing channels.

Specifically, in addition to the channels described above, B2B marketers mainly focus on website and blogging channels and email newsletters.

In fact, nearly one in three marketers report leveraging email marketing to engage with potential customers.

These targeted email campaigns can run manually and be automated, empowering marketers to focus their energy elsewhere.

Many marketers are also leveraging new tools that allow them to segment subscribers and personalize their messages, maximizing the impact of these campaigns.

However, our data suggests that short-form videos, influencers, and SEO are the most significant channels to watch.

Top B2C Marketing Channels

Many B2C marketers use platforms similar to their B2B counterparts but with a few key differences. For B2C professionals, social media and email are the top marketing channels, followed by websites and blogs.

In general, B2C marketing is usually focused on offering enjoyable content and quick wins, while B2B marketing focuses on building longer-term relationships with customers. As such, focusing on social media makes sense for B2C.

After all, as of 2023, there are nearly 5 billion social media users worldwide (more than 60% of the global population), making this the ideal platform to cast a wide net and reach a broad consumer audience.

HubSpot’s survey offered further support for the importance of social media, finding that B2C brands were most likely to invest in marketing efforts on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The data shows that LinkedIn is a more important platform for B2B brands than B2C, with B2B marketers substantially more likely to report investing in this platform.

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Alongside social media, the survey identified email as a significant marketing channel for B2C brands. Sometimes, this can refer to a traditional newsletter.

Still, email can also be used to share B2C content such as personalized communications, time-sensitive notifications (like product launches or sales), and cart abandonment email reminders.

Another significant advantage of email is that it’s an owned media channel. Nobody can dictate when, how, or why you can contact your prospects.

At the same time, it’s essential to remember that your customers will unsubscribe if you oversaturate their inbox with too many emails.

Finally, the HubSpot report found that 36% of B2C marketers use blogs and websites to connect with customers, helping these brands generate brand awareness, drive traffic, convert leads, and, most importantly, establish authority.

When you create your blogs and website content with SEO tactics in mind, you’re even more likely to meet your goals.

This is because these strategies can help your content rise to the top of the SERP (Search Engine Results Page) when customers make queries related to your business content.

It’s easy to get complacent when it comes to marketing channels.

However, our survey found that more than half of B2C marketers expect their budgets to grow, suggesting that it’s critical to invest in identifying the best new channels for your brand — and take the time to build out your presence on those channels as effectively as possible.

Omnichannel Marketing

According to HubSpot’s survey of marketing professionals, more than nine out of ten marketers leverage more than one marketing channel — and 81% leverage more than three channels.

In today’s marketing ecosystem, trying to work with just one marketing channel or to implement just one strategy simply doesn’t work. Omnichannel marketing is the only option.

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Indeed, according to CMO and co-founder of NP Digital Neil Patel, “100% of the companies we worked with that grew focused on omnichannel marketing and continually expanded.”

This diversified approach helps teams stay agile, adapt to new opportunities, and pivot when specific platforms become oversaturated.

One common approach to omnichannel is content repurposing:

Rather than creating custom content for each platform from scratch, 82% of social media marketers in HubSpot’s survey reported repurposing content across various social channels.

This enables you to ensure brand messaging continuity while reducing the work necessary to engage across many marketing channels.

Video Marketing

Now is the time if you’ve yet to invest in video marketing.

Across industries and markets, I’ve found that video can be a great way to boost conversions, improve ROI, reach new audiences, and help you build relationships with current customers.

That may be why marketers report that video is the top media format they leverage today.

That being said, there are a lot of different kinds of videos. Regarding marketing, short-form content takes the cake for both B2B and B2C marketers.

In the age of TikTok, many social media platforms are rewarding content creators who make short-form video content that encourages viewers to stay on the app longer.

This is also a significant growth area, with 29% of marketing professionals planning to try leveraging video marketing for the first time in 2023. Video can also be a great way to flex your creative skills as a marketer.

For example, I focused mainly on written content early in my career, like blog posts and PR articles.

When my team suggested investing in creating a short promotional video, I was a little nervous at first — but it turned out to be a fascinating project, and the footage drove a lot of sales for our new product.

So, even if you haven’t worked with video before, now might be a great time to start.

Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is when businesses partner with a popular creator in their industry to share advertisements or specific pieces of content.

These influencers can generate brand awareness by associating a familiar face and personality with your product in customers’ minds and providing social proof.

This is especially important as research has shown that consumers today trust marketers less and less.

Because of this skepticism, they tend to shy away from traditional lead-generating content, instead turning to influencers for product recommendations.

Because influencers are personable, honest people who share your customers’ interests, buyers are likelier to trust them. In the tech age, influencers might be a modern version of old-fashioned word-of-mouth marketing.

Moreover, the data shows that influencer marketing pays off. A recent report found that 86% of B2B brands are successful with influencer marketing.

In contrast, a study from Shopify found that every dollar spent on influencer marketing had an average ROI of $5.78 — i.e., this strategy can achieve more than 5x returns.

In light of these statistics, it’s no surprise that investment in influencer marketing is on the rise.

HubSpot’s survey found that 17% of marketers planned to try influencer marketing for the first time in 2023, and of those already using this approach, 89% plan to increase or maintain their investment.

Search Engine Optimization

Another critical component of any modern marketer’s strategy is Search Engine Optimization or SEO marketing.

If you successfully optimize your web content, it will position your brand as an authority in your domain, ultimately helping you increase traffic and your conversion rate.

It’s important to note that SEO isn’t just about your website. All of your web content needs to be search engine optimized.

That includes your YouTube channels, Google business profile, and podcast episodes, which should be optimized using target keywords.

The pillar-cluster model is one strategy that can help you organically build a thriving online presence. According to HubSpot data, 35% of B2B and 59% of B2C marketers report this as an effective strategy.

So how does it work? With the pillar-cluster model, you’ll create a single pillar page that provides a high-level overview of a topic and hyperlinks to cluster pages that delve into the topic’s subtopics.

This helps signal to search engines like Google and Bing that your pillar page is an authority on the subject.

Other SEO tactics that can be highly effective include using search insights reports, optimizing photos or videos for visual search engines, and optimizing load speed for any media-heavy web pages.

Remember, this doesn’t have to be a lot of work. In my experience, just spending an hour or two reviewing relevant keywords and noting words and phrases to use in your content can make a big difference in SEO marketing.

Podcast Marketing

In a Pew survey conducted in 2023, 42% of Americans aged 12 and older reported having listened to a podcast in the past month.

Audio content is in high demand, so for many brands, podcasts can be a great platform to reach larger audiences.

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Podcast hosts can also serve as brand-specific influencers, demonstrating the human side of your business.

In addition, because people can listen to podcasts passively while doing other things, this can be an excellent channel for reaching people during their morning commutes, walking their dogs, or cleaning the house.

Featured Resource: How To Start a Podcast For Your Business

Podcasts can also be compelling because the human brain is programmed to crave, seek out, and respond to a well-crafted story.

The audio medium can be an excellent opportunity to tell a compelling story, capturing your audience’s attention while making your brand more personable.

Interestingly, just one in three marketers report leveraging podcasts or other audio content in their strategies — but of those that do, more than half say that it is the most influential media format they use.

That may be why podcasts receive the second highest marketing spend, with marketers sharing that video is the only channel they’re investing more in.

Word-of-Mouth Marketing

A 2023 survey from PwC found that more than half of U.S. consumers have recommended a company they trust to their family and friends.

As online content becomes increasingly oversaturated, paid content is trusted less and less, with many buyers instead turning to word-of-mouth recommendations to inform their purchasing decisions.

In this new reality, marketers must earn customers’ trust by relying on customer recommendations and word-of-mouth marketing.

Real customers will be much more effective in earning that trust than marketers, who have agendas and are ultimately focused on their bottom lines.

After all, as marketing professionals, we’re paid to promote our brand’s products — but customers will typically only rave about a product or service if they love it.

So, what does this look like in practice? Word-of-mouth marketing is about more than just face-to-face conversations.

Satisfied customers might post about your brand online, tell their roommates they like your service, or leave positive reviews on your product pages.

Only one of these examples involves an actual, in-person conversation, but they’re all ways consumers can vouch for your brand’s credibility.

At its core, word-of-mouth marketing is all about creating a customer experience that’s just so magical that existing users are driven to share your brand with their networks.

As a customer, I’m only motivated to tell my friends about a product if I’ve had a stellar experience.

If you focus on offering top-notch customer service and on always going above and beyond for your customers, you’ll be set up to succeed with word-of-mouth marketing.

Make Your Marketing Channels Work for You

Now that you know the stats behind different marketing channels, there are two key questions: First, how might you reach your existing audience in a new way? And second, how might a new channel enable you to reach new audiences?

Different marketing channels come with different benefits, but most businesses can find a way to use different channels in their marketing strategies to meet their unique business goals.

Studies have shown that customers are likely to come into contact with your brand at least seven times before taking action.

As such, using a range of different marketing channels can be a great way to create those multiple points of contact, nurture your leads over time, increase conversions, and help you achieve your marketing goals.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in Dec. 2021 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

The pandemic birthed a rise in puppies, planting flowers in Animal Crossing, and podcasts — with 1.1m+ shows launched in 2020 alone.

But soon, the podcast phenomenon plateaued. New podcasts decreased a year later, and in 2022, fell by 80%. 😬

Would you ride this rollercoaster? Be honest. Source: NiemanLab

Does this mean the podcast train has left the station? No more tickets available to savvy hosts and sultry voices?

Not at all — your podcast just can’t suck.

Luckily, podcast geniuses Darren Clarke (executive producer of My First Million) and Kal Elsebai (HubSpot’s senior manager of podcast strategy) shared their tips on how you can create a killer show. The two broke it down into three distinct parts:

• Ideation

• Launching

• Monetization

Here’s how you can turn your business or niche hobby (ever wanted to listen to 49 minutes of stationary fangirling?) into the next big thing in podcasting:

1. Create the podcast you want to listen to

If you’re launching a podcast to make a quick buck… think again.

Instead of finding a profitable niche, start with your passions. If you can rave about a topic for hours, chances are your enthusiasm will come through, and people will pay attention.

If you’re starting from scratch, conduct your research, identify your niche, and figure out your unique take on that topic.

“Niche down until it hurts,” as Darren lovingly suggests.

Consider the podcast Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet. As the name suggests, this widely popular podcast explores the most dramatic one-star reviews ever written. And that’s it. The hosts simply use their cracking wit and high-class Karen’ing to create a niche, comedic podcast.

Remember to ask yourself — what will listeners take away from tuning in to your podcast? Will they whip out the Notes app? Will they chuckle at your wit throughout?

Whatever emotions listeners experience from listening to you, identify the promise your podcast makes to them.

If you already have an audience, find the middle point between your passion and their wants. Poll your customers, newsletter subscribers, or social media followers. If possible, get them on a call.

2. Launch with slingshot momentum

Before you launch your podcast into the ether, set it up for success:

📅 Figure out a realistic cadence. Can you produce an episode a week? How about every other week? Whatever you choose, stick with it.

🎙️ Record several episodes before launching. That way, you give yourself breathing room to produce future episodes.

🎨 Design compelling podcast art. The thumbnail should tell a story right out the gate. When a user scrolls through shows, the art should tell them what your show delivers.

A mixture of cool art and cool headshots seems to be the winning formula. But you do you! Source: HubSpot Podcast Network

✏️ Write a snappy description. Your podcast’s description should explain exactly  who you are and why they should listen.

📺 Create a trailer that demands attention. The trailer for your podcast should feature the hosts, your topic authority, and what listeners can expect — all, ideally, in under a minute.

It might feel strange calling up the parents and seeing if they can promote your new project. But the moment your podcast launches, put aside that ego and beg your family and friends to share, share, share.

Why suffer the embarrassment? Because launching gives you the opportunity to build serious momentum.

Platform algorithms, including Spotify, favor new shows and will promote them more than older ones. But you only have ~48 hours to leverage it. So, for the last time, call your parents. Please?

Outside of leveraging your personal network, you can:

• Guest on other shows and promote your podcast

• Work with influencers

• Post on social media

The bottom line: Get your face (and voice) out there!

3. Make bank — in due time.

From the start, we warned you that podcasting requires some heating up before it gets you that cold, hard cash. But it will come – once you build up a sizable audience. Here’s how you can do just that:

⭐ Star as a guest on another podcast. If you have a connection to other podcasts in your niche, try reaching out to star as a guest. This works especially well if you bring a unique point of view, whether it’s your expertise or experience in your field.

🎧 Pay attention to viewership spikes. To build an audience, you need to create consistently popular content. Find what resonates with your listeners by paying attention to spikes in viewership. Did a certain topic generate a huge amount of listens? Create episodes around a similar topic.

🤩 Collaborate with influencers. Yes, even in podcasting, influencer marketing can help grow your audience. Identify popular influencers in your niche, reach out to them, and see if you can get a partnership with them (e.g., promotional posts, videos, and so on).

Podcasts make money using two modes: advertising and subscriptions.

🏢 Introduce advertisements. “This episode is brought to you by…” brings in ad revenue for podcasts. Listeners dedicate almost an hour of their time to someone they trust on a topic they love. When hosts recommend products or services, they pay attention.

🙋 Offer exclusives. Podcasts often offer exclusive content to subscribers, such as behind-the-scenes recordings or bonus episodes. You could record an hour of content and reserve half of it for subscriber-exclusive content, for example.

You can get sponsored advertising for your podcast in a number of different ways, some are easier (but less profitable) than others. You can:

• Reach out to brands or small businesses directly

• Become an affiliate marketer for Amazon Marketplace, Audible, and others

• Take advantage of platform-based advertising, such as Spotify’s subscription model for their podcasts

But monetization happens in due time. You should prioritize creating compelling content and growing your audience before thinking of sponsorships. Few brands will pay to advertise to a nonexistent, or even small audience.

Still, podcasting can turn your knowledge (and beautiful voice) into a long-term investment.

Blogging is an attractive and creative outlet for sharing your unique perspective. Besides adding value to your audience, blogging helps you turn your passion into income through several monetization methods.

In this post, you’ll learn how to monetize a blog and see examples of the most popular (and lucrative) types of blogs that will inspire you to get started with your own blog.

How do blogs make money?

What blogs do people want to read?

19 Types of Blogs That Make Money

Popular Blog Examples

How do blogs make money?

Like any labor of love, blogging is still labor. The good news is that there are several ways to make money from that labor, including:

• Advertising. Advertising networks such as Google AdSense will pay to show ads to your visitors. You get paid a commission for the clicks you earn.
• Affiliate Marketing. You can get paid to promote products to your audience by joining an affiliate program like Amazon Associates. You earn a commission from sales generated by your blog.
• Lead or Demand Generation. You can use your blog to promote your business, whether you provide a service, run an e-commerce store, sell digital products such as online courses, or run a subscription/ content model for exclusive content.

Remember that none of these work if you don’t first create valuable content that attracts an audience. The last thing you need is to make your blog a billboard in the middle of a desert.

With that said, there are some popular niches that do really well with blog monetization when implemented effectively.

What blogs do people actually want to read?

Before you start planning how to monetize your blog and start making future purchases, you need to understand what types of content people actually want to consume. So, what do people like to read during their time online?

In a HubSpot poll of 298 consumers, we found that 32.9% of readers check out blogs between one and four times per month. The next largest group, at 18.8%, read blog posts one to three times a week.

Only 12.1% of people never read blogs. So, the good news? People both crave and click on blog content.

We also asked our respondents what types of blog content they prefer to read. Step-by-step guides and DIY tips topped the list, with 17.8% of respondents saying they read this content.

Recipes and cooking tips were next at 17.4%. Demos/tutorials and interview-driven posts tied for third with 12.1%.

Now that we know the format let’s explore the subject matter. We asked the top three topics people like to consume content about. Our top three categories follow:

• Entertainment, music, or movies (36.6%).
• Non-fiction storytelling or journalistic stories (28.5%).
• Fictional storytelling (24.2%).

Now, let’s dive into the types of blogs that make money.

1. Fashion Blogs

In these blogs, readers can find posts like fashion obsessions, back-to-school looks, makeup tutorials, and more. A common practice is to include sponsorships, like the one shown below with Vooray.

The two brands collaborated on a gym bag, releasing it on the LSF blog and website:

With brand partnerships, companies seek heavy hitters in their industry and offer the brand the ability to design a product exclusively for base pay and a percentage of the profits.

And, while this happens a lot in the beauty industry, it’s definitely not an industry-specific idea.

2. Food Blogs

As a self-proclaimed foodie, food blogs are my favorite type of blog. They usually follow a similar content format of categorically-organized recipes. Some have videos to pair with those recipes, as well as social media channels that all connect to the blog‌.

Above is an example of one of my favorite food blogs, Minimalist Baker. Note how the title of the post contains information that might pull a foodie in — “5 minutes” and “plant-based.”

This recipe will appeal to anyone who searches for easy, no-fuss cooking.

Minimalist Baker provides this value to attract readers, and they use affiliate links to monetize their blog.

3. Sports Blogs

Sports blogs exist for every type of sport imaginable — even squash.

If you have a passion for athletics and love writing, this may be the perfect intersection for you. From covering games to giving player insights, sports blogs are an important source for fans to catch up on what they missed.

Like this screengrab from ESPN, sports blogs also report on news in the industry — these two stories are about the Super Bowl.

So, if you’re thinking about doing a sports blog, you have options: focus on a specific sport or take a more holistic approach, like ESPN.

ESPN uses its website and blog as companions for its media presence to attract and retain viewers, but other sports blogs use banner advertising to monetize their traffic.

4. Travel Blogs

If you love to go on trips and capture the moments, a travel blog might be right up your alley. There‘s something about travel blogs that are relaxing‌, like the sight of gorgeous destinations.

That’s why, if you’re thinking of launching a travel blog, you might want to invest in a nice camera.

For instance, look at this vibrant, colorful photo of the Charles River. (I‘m probably a little biased, considering I live in Boston and commute across this river daily).

To rank highly on the SERPs, you’ll need high-quality images to compel travel enthusiasts to view your posts.

Travel blogs can use several avenues to generate income. Most commonly seen are banner ads, native ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate links for products such as suitcases or airline tickets.

5. Lifestyle Blogs

Lifestyle blogs are probably the most versatile of blog types. Aptly named, these blogs are about a person’s life. They cover what the blogger likes to do, where they eat, shop, etc. Think of these blogs as a website for influencers.

Check out this lifestyle blog, Wit and Delight, as an example:

Several influencers use blogs to market themselves and build a more solid following. Often, businesses will look for an influencers‘ blog or website to learn more about them, as well as contact them for a partnership.

If you’re interested in becoming an influencer or simply want to share more of your life with friends and family, this might be the right blog for you.

You can monetize a lifestyle blog with affiliate links, native ads, and sponsored posts. Banner ads for ad networks also work well here.

6. Parenting Blogs

Parenting blogs usually give advice and share relatable stories that parents or expecting parents can learn from.

These blogs can be a great resource for repurposing your content into other formats, like videos. Plenty of parenting blogs have added a YouTube channel to keep their content fresh, expanding them into new target markets.

For instance, Happily Eva After, the parenting blog shown above, now has a thriving YouTube channel with over 5,000 subscribers.

Parenting comes with a lot of opportunities for product purchases, so the monetization prospects are limitless.

7. Gaming Blogs

Gaming has turned into an industry that now typically happens online. Between downloadable content (DLCs) and games that depend on an internet connection, it‘s hard to be a gamer if you’re not online.

Because of that, gaming blogs are extremely popular.

From game announcements to corporate sponsorships, gaming blogs can go a couple of different ways. They can include game reviews, walkthroughs, cheat codes, or content codes.

Since gaming YouTube channels attract a lot of fans, this type of blog can also grow into a YouTube channel of its own.

Additionally, it’s a pleasant space for gamers to connect with each other, especially if you create opportunities for your readers to engage (like in the comments section of your blog).

You can monetize the blog with banner ads, or you can use the blog to drive demand for streaming channels where more views mean more money.

8. B2B/Marketing Blogs

HubSpot, this blog you’re currently reading, is an example of a website in the B2B/Marketing category. Because we offer marketing products as part of our CRM platform, we use our blog to help millions grow better.

Creating content for our audience helps us provide value, gain trust, and build industry authority. This makes us gain mindshare from our audience.

I want to make it clear that marketing isn‘t the only industry represented by B2B blogs. Instead, it’s more of an example of the type of B2B blogs you can find out there.

For more information about B2B marketing and how a blog looks in this industry, check out our ultimate guide here.

9. Health and Fitness Blogs

You may have heard of “Fitstagrams” (Instagram accounts dedicated to fitness journeys), but fitness blogs are also a dime and a dozen.

These blogs recommend workout tips, healthy recipes, and sometimes offer full workout plans in a “How-to” format, like this post from Nerd Fitness.

Fitness blogs can be a great companion to those who want to live healthy, not just working out.

Readers might be interested in perfecting their fitness routine, finding new ways to make healthy eating exciting, or looking for motivation to stick to their fitness lifestyle.

10. Technology and Gadget Blogs

If gadget reviews, software tutorials, or PC troubleshooting interest you, then you should absolutely create a tech blog. Technology blogs are trendy because people want to learn new information about smartphones, computers, and apps.

The emergence of AI also means there is no shortage of content to cover for tech websites.

11. Personal Finance Blogs

Making money may be easy for some people, but managing it is a different ball game. That’s why they turn to personal finance blogs to learn how to handle their money better.

If this is your superpower, many people will appreciate it once you share your finance knowledge and experience on your blog.

Personal finance blogs provide helpful tips on topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, and getting out of debt. They also cover frugal living, retirement planning, insurance, financial independence, and tax strategies.

12. DIY blogs

People are always searching for ways to beautify their environment whilst saving costs. Enter DIY blogs. It’s a great niche for anyone who enjoys getting their hands dirty.

DIY blogs provide step-by-step guides and tutorials for projects like home remodeling, crafts, and gardening. A great example is Remodelaholic. The site averages 329,000 monthly visits.

As a DIY blogger, you can make money through display ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and consultations.

In addition, many DIY bloggers create and sell their own products, such as home decor items and printable templates, to generate extra income.

13. “Make Money Online” Blogs

Other blogging niches may come and go, but the “make money online” niche will remain evergreen. The reason isn’t far-fetched — people want to earn passive income and gain financial freedom.

If you plan to start a blog in this niche, you can cover topics like freelancing, affiliate marketing, passive income strategies, stocks, and more.

But considering how saturated this niche is, generic advice won’t cut it. To be successful, you have to offer unique insights, practical tips, and case studies to help your audience generate income online.

14. Self-Care and Personal Development Blogs

Recently, there has been a huge spike in mental health awareness, which has fueled interest in self-care and personal development blogs.

People want to improve their overall well-being, manage stress, and develop a positive mindset and healthy habits. This is where experts like therapists, psychologists, or counselors truly shine by sharing content that fulfills this need.

Selling digital products, offering online courses, providing coaching sessions, and recommending affiliate products are a few ways to earn money from your self-care blog.

15. Dating and Relationship Blogs

What does a healthy relationship look like? How do I find the perfect partner? How do I make a long-distance relationship work? These are some queries people type in Google about dating & relationships.

If you’re a relationship expert or maybe offering dating advice is your thing, consider creating a blog that answers these questions.

Infusing your personal stories will make your blog more exciting and make you an authority because people want to hear from someone who has experienced their struggles.

Topics you can cover include breakups, dating tips, healthy marriage, communication strategies, conflict resolution, and compatibility.

After building a strong reader base, monetize your blog by offering coaching services, online courses, and e-books on dating and relationships.

In addition, sponsored posts, banner ads, and affiliate marketing are alternative ways to bring in extra income.

16. Pet Care Blogs

According to the 2023-2024 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 66% of U.S. households own a pet. That’s about 86.9 million households who may be constantly looking for tips to keep their furry little friends happy and healthy.

Most pet care blogs cover a wide range of topics, such as nutrition, grooming tips, training advice, health and wellness, and product reviews.

However, sharing personal experiences about how you care for your pet is enough to start building an online audience.

For monetizing your pet care blog, consider sponsored content from pet brands, affiliate marketing for pet products, display advertising, and even creating and selling your own pet-related products.

17. Career and Employment Blogs

Going from college into the labor market isn’t easy for many fresh graduates. That’s why they rely on career and employment blogs for tips and advice on resume creation, interview preparation, and networking.

But you don’t have to be an HR manager to start a blog in this niche. All it requires is sharing experiences that have helped you build a successful career.

This will help your audience to understand their career goals, navigate the job market, and boost their employment prospect.

With a loyal following, monetizing your blog becomes easy.

You can make money from selling courses or ebooks, resume writing, or interview coaching sessions. Also, you can earn extra income from affiliate sales, paid webinars, display ads, and partnerships.

18. Entertainment Blogs

Where do you go to get the hottest gist about your favorite celeb? You guessed right! Entertainment blogs.

From music, movies, and TV shows to celebrity news, sports, and fashion, there’s always an audience ready to catch up on the latest happenings in the entertainment industry.

If you’re a pop culture enthusiast or have an inside scoop on the entertainment industry, entertainment blogging is an excellent way to turn your passion into profit.

Make money through banner ads, merchandise sales, sponsorships, paid partnerships, and premium subscriber content.

Also, using affiliate links to sell movie tickets, music, or video streaming subscriptions is a great way to monetize an entertainment blog.

19. Real Estate Blogs

The real estate industry is highly lucrative for folks who have the right knowledge. Those who don’t have to turn to real estate blogs to gain information before buying, selling, or investing in properties.

Most blogs cater to homeowners, real estate investors, agents, appraisers, and brokers. They cover market trends, home buying or selling tips, investment strategies, renovations, property management, and tax laws.

This is not an expansive list. If you have an idea, see what can come of it. The good thing about blogs is that you can take it wherever you want, and if the content is compelling for a certain readership, money and notoriety come after.

Here are some examples of high-grossing blogs and their categories.

Popular Blog Examples

1. Love Sweat Fitness

Love Sweat Fitness is a fitness blog started by Katie Dunlap. This expansive fitness blog offers content ranging from workouts to healthy recipes, and more.

The blog pulls in over 3,500 organic (search) visits per month, and Katie uses her content to promote different products in her e-commerce store.

2. Grammarly

The Grammarly blog offers writing tips, articles on grammar, and even advice for writing projects such as resumes, professional communication, and thesis.

Their mission is “to improve lives by improving communication,” and their helpful content generates over 32 million organic visits per month.

They use the brand awareness generated by this visibility to promote their grammar app and extension, which has a free and premium (paid) version.

3. PC Gamer

PC Gamer is a blog that provides reviews, demos, and news updates on gaming and gamer tech. Their content generates over 3.8 million organic visits per month, and they monetize this traffic with affiliate links.

For example, this is a post about the best personal computers to buy for gaming, updated for 2023. The post brings readers suggestions about which computers are best for PC gaming, and nearly every product has an Amazon link.

Every time a user clicks on the Amazon link, the website earns a profit, as well as Amazon, which is one way the website can fund its expansive listicles.

4. Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy is a lifestyle blog that discusses interior design and home living topics. They cover everything from trendy furniture to cleaning hacks and even money matters.

This blog generates over 2.5 million organic visits per month. It monetizes this traffic with sponsored posts (like the one below), banner ads, and affiliate links.

5. PS I’m on my way

PS I‘m on my way is a travel blog run by Trisha Velarmino as she travels the world and learns about other cultures.

Her content earns over 45,100 organic visits per month (and more from social media), and she’s been featured on publications like Cosmo and Tripadvisor. She monetizes her blog by offering travel coaching services and digital courses.

In addition, the sidebar on her blog includes banner ads.

6. Lauren Conrad

This lifestyle and fashion blog primarily reports on trends and product launches, bringing in over 142,000 organic visits per month. Lauren Conrad is considered an influencer, and this status helps her earn partnerships to monetize her content.

7. NerdWallet

NerdWallet is an app for comparing credit cards and making smart money moves. Their whole business model revolves around their content, which drives over 21.2 million organic visits per month to their website.

Their app is free, but they make money from affiliate partnerships with lending institutions and credit card companies.

8. Rookie Moms

Rookie Moms is a blog championing #MomLife and discussing all topics/issues related to parenting.

Their blog is a powerhouse that brings in over 32,000 organic visits per month and generates income from banner ads and affiliate product links.

9. CNET

CNET is a tech blog that has built a reputation as the go-to website for tech gadget reviews, latest trends, and how-to tutorials.

The site attracts 42 million visitors every month and monetizes its blog by promoting tech companies’ products through affiliate links. Other tech blogs make money through sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and banner advertising.

10. The Balance

The Balance is a brilliant example of a popular personal finance blog with over 52,000 monthly visits.

They monetize their blog through display advertising and affiliate sales. Other ways to generate income as a personal finance blogger include sponsored posts and sales of digital products, such as e-books or courses.

11. Smart Passive Income

Founded by Pat Flynn, the Smart Passive Income blog is a prime example of a successful ‘make money online’ blog.

SPI teaches its audience how to make money through affiliate marketing and online courses, garnering over 217,000 monthly visitors. He also runs a podcast and YouTube channel, allowing him to expand his audience.

Pat generates his income by selling online courses, e-books, and membership access. You can also monetize your make-money-online blog through sponsored content, affiliate links, display ads, and coaching services.

12. HousingWire

HousingWire is an excellent example of a real estate blog that provides helpful content. This site attracts over 429,000 monthly visitors.

As a realtor with plenty of hands-on experience, consider starting a blog to provide expert industry advice and insights.

It will help you attract a loyal audience and bring in revenue from consultations and commissions on property sales.

You can also make money through affiliate marketing, selling e-books, and partnering with real estate companies for sponsored posts.

If you have passion to share and an audience ready to receive your insight, monetizing is definitely on the table once you start generating real interest.

The hard part is getting started and creating the value that will get people to come. With a content management system and some elbow grease, you’ll be well on your way.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in April 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

I’ve seen it all — from pay-per-click (PPC) ads that had me clicking through before I knew it to campaigns that couldn’t stick the landing. If I could offer one piece of advice to companies creating ads, it’s this: Don’t wing it.

Use PPC tools and software to understand ad performance and adapt as necessary.

Why? Because there’s no middle ground with PPC ads. They either work as intended to capture your target market or get left in the dust.

The right PPC tools can help marketers and sales teams track, monitor, and manage PPC campaigns to drive more conversions and crush the competition. Here are 13 of the best in the business.

PPC Management Tools

1. WordStream PPC Advisor

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Cost: $264/month for 12-month plans, $299/month for 3-month plans, or $2,928 for an annual pre-paid subscription.

Integrations: Google Ads, Bing Ads, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter

WordStream’s PPC Advisor targets small business owners who want to take advantage of PPC properly but do not have the finances to hire staff experts or advisors.

The software can integrate with Google Ads, Bing Ads, and other major ad platforms.

With WordStream Advisor, you can activate the “20 Minute Work Week” tool, which will take a short time to analyze PPC campaigns and send recommendations on improving your campaigns.

You can then make these changes through the Wordstream software.

You can also build campaigns, identify positive and negative keywords, and adjust budgets. The software also allows you to create optimized landing pages and track and produce reports around conversion and call data.

Below is a quick explainer video:

WordStream offers a seven-day trial to those who fill out a contact information form.

What we like: WordStream covers all the extensive search and ad platforms but does it in a way that’s accessible and affordable for small business owners. In a world dominated by digital advertising, this helps SMBs level the ad playing field.

2. Optmyzr

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Cost: Sliding scale based on monthly ad spend. For companies with $25,000 ad spend per month, the cost is $249.

Integrations include Google, Bing, and Yahoo ads programs

I’ve found that for marketers or agencies that want to run multiple campaigns or want more automated features, Optmyzr offers slightly more advanced tools for creating and managing campaigns in bulk.

Like WordStream, this paid platform allows you to launch, track, and manage PPC campaigns on different platforms. According to Optmyzr’s website, all software versions enable users to automate scripts, alerts, and reports.

Each membership also comes with biannual product training sessions with Optmyzr reps.

One of Optmyzr’s tools, Automyzr, allows users to upload and generate campaigns in a bull from data sources like spreadsheets or integrations.

Once the data is uploaded, a user can use specific criteria such as “brand” or “product” to generate names and other ad elements automatically. Here’s a demo that walks through the process:

This software is highly recommended by Joe Martinez, who was named one of PPC Hero’s top 25 PPC experts in 2017 and 2018. He says the PPC manager is helpful to both lead-gen and e-commerce accounts.

“Optmyzr allows marketers to easily see performance data in their accounts and adjust quickly. I can also use their list of scripts to automate certain tasks I must do consistently,” he says.

He adds that the software has saved him much time over the years. “I can rely on the tool to do many tedious, high-level tasks, which gives me more time to focus on strategy or deeper analysis in the important areas of the account.”

What we like: Optmyzr lives up to its name by helping businesses optimize their PPC ad data. Access to more information more easily makes Optmyzr an excellent choice for companies of any size.

3. Google Ads Editor

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Cost: Free to Google Ads advertisers

Integrations: Google Ads

This downloadable desktop application, formerly AdWords Editor, can create, track, and edit your Google ads.

Along with performance monitoring, the app allows you to make bulk changes to multiple ads, preview edits in draft mode before they go live, and build or revise your ads offline.

The editor works alongside Google Ads, which allows users to create and assign a bid strategy to campaigns specific to the Google bid strategy. You must first create a Google Ads campaign to manage it through the Ads Editor.

Here’s a quick demo that explains how:

If you are just trying to master one PPC strategy at a time and want to focus on Google first, this tool could be an affordable and straightforward option.

However, Google Ads Editor does not give you similar automation options or improvement suggestions like WordStream or paid PPC managers will. Because of this, more manual adjustments and monitoring might be required.

What we like: While Google Ads editor may not offer the same quality-of-life features that come with for-pay products, it has the distinct advantage of being connected to the world’s largest search engine.

Sure, it might require more manual effort, but it also gives your campaign the best chance to reach the most significant market.

4. Bing Ads Editor

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Cost: Free to Bing advertisers

Integrations: Bing Ads

While many marketers might think of Google as their primary PPC option, Bing PPC has gained steam as the search engine has over 100 million daily users.

Bing offers software similar to Google for its search engine’s PPC ads. Like the Google Ads Editor, you can make offline revisions to your ads, which can be uploaded to the online platform once you regain internet access.

With this management tool, you can also research keywords, manage your bids, and monitor your performance.

The demo below walks you through how to create a campaign, import data via Google Import, and use the Opportunities tab to gain suggestions on how you can improve your performance.

Similarly to Google Ads Editor, this tool does not offer any automation tools and is only accessible to those with a Bing Ads account or campaign.

What we like: Ah, Bing. While I don’t use Microsoft’s search engine, it’s gaining ground against Google.

Sure, it’s still a David v. Goliath situation, but given that Bing’s PPC tools are accessible, companies can’t go wrong by expanding their ad impact.

5. SEMRush PPC ToolKit

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Cost: $129 (Pro), $249 (Guru), $499 (Business); Enterprise edition varies by company.

Integrations include Google Ads Bing Ads.

SEMRush’s PPC management software focuses on competitive research, keyword research, and campaign planning.

When researching competitors on SEMRush, you can search your domain to see a list of domains you compete with organically and those you compete with within paid search.

You can also find out which keywords competitors have bid on in the past to see if you should take a similar bidding strategy.

The ToolKit’s “Charts” tool can also show you visual graphs of multiple competitors’ performance.

Another feature is the Keyword Magic Tool, which allows you to type in a keyword or phrase and get a list of stronger keywords and data about them, such as search volume. You can then export this information into a document to share with their team.

SEMRush four pricing plans. The lowest cost plan — targeted to freelancers, startups, and small businesses — includes SEMRush’s PPC, search engine optimization, and search engine marketing tools.

The more extensive plans are targeted more towards larger companies and agencies. These offer advanced reporting features like white-labeled reports and more advanced API integrations.

To test out SEMRush, you can try features, including the Keyword Magic Tool, here. To access these free tools, you must register for a free account with an email and a password.

For a more detailed look at all the tools, here’s a demo that shows how you can use SEMRush to start a PPC campaign:

What we like: SEMRush doesn’t just tell you how you’re doing — it also offers insights about your competitors’ PPC ad performance. This is critical data for companies looking to stand out in an increasingly crowded ad market.

6. HubSpot’s PPC Management Template

Cost: Free download

We recently posted this helpful template on our blog if you prefer to plan their PPC ads for the lowest cost without using the software.

This spreadsheet guides you through creating strong PPC ads for each customer journey level. It also guides you through identifying positive and negative keywords and building AdGroups.

Download this Template for Free

While this template can help you plan your campaigns, it can also be a great document to share with clients or other decision-makers on your team before launching ads.

You can find the link to download and detailed instructions on how to use the tool in this blog post.

What we like: It’s our template, but that’s not the only reason we think it’s worth your time. Along with the template itself, our experts offer in-depth instructions on how to make the most of this resource for your current and next PPC campaigns.

PPC Bid Management Tools

7. MarinOne Search

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Cost: Plans often start around $500/month. Marin does not specify specific pricing.

Integrations include Google, Bing, Yahoo, Facebook, and Twitter

MarinOne Search offers bid management features for ads on platforms including Google, Bing, Yahoo, Facebook, and Amazon.

According to Marin, the software uses a large pool of data and patented machine-learning algorithms to “allocate budgets and calculate bids.”

According to Marin’s tour of its budgeting software, seen below, users can also adjust the budget algorithm by taking actions like assigning a dollar value to different types of conversion events:

If you want more information on Marin’s impact, its website highlights case studies on how the software has helped major clients like Nissan, Dell, and Jeep.

What we like: Bid too much, and you’re spending more than you make. Bid too little, and your ads may end up unseen. MarinOne helps pinpoint the sweet spot for ad spend to help you make the most of PPC budgets.

8. Skai

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Cost: Varies by company. Skai provides free demos and quotes.

Integrations: Compatible with platforms including Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Apple Ads.

Skai (formerly Kenshoo) offers a variety of advertising tools related to budget management, search, social media, e-commerce, and app-based ads.

The software’s bid management features allow you to make and adjust various bids, including rules-based and model-based bids.

You can integrate data from Google Ads and other online ad programs with Skai’s platform. The data can be displayed on multiple dashboards, including one that shows spend, revenue, ROI, and conversion head-to-head.

Skai says it uses award-winning machine-learning algorithms to give users bid suggestions and budget and ad performance forecasts in its dashboard interface.

Skai’s site describes its software as enterprise-level but says it offers plans and paid tools targeted at startup-level companies, along with a free trial for interested businesses.

What we like: Skai lets you import data straight from significant search engines and lets you visualize bids that work best for your team.

This makes it easier to understand how PPC ads are performing and where spend will have the biggest impact.

9. Acquisio

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Cost: Varies based on your company’s ad spend, the number of accounts that will be managed, and the contract length determined between the company and Acquisio.

Integrations include Google, Bing, and significant social networks.

Acquisio’s bid and budget management tool uses machine learning algorithms to analyze and adjust bids and budget distribution on a 24/7 basis.

According to Acquisio, the algorithms are trained to adjust budgets automatically based on seasonality, day of week, time of day, and ad platform.

Because of the flexible pricing plans, this software could be helpful for companies ranging from startup to enterprise level.

This software might be helpful to marketers with multiple accounts or who may need more time to monitor bids and budget distribution regularly.

Due to the machine learning tools, you might save time on tasks related to bid research and crunching numbers. This extra time could then be used for other productive projects.

What we like: The biggest draw of Acquisio is the tool’s ability to auto-adjust budgets based on relevant ad factors. This can help teams save money and ensure that the suitable ads are in the right place at the right time.

PPC Reporting Tools

10. WordStream

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Cost: Free with short registration

Integrations: Google Ads

This WordStream tool, formerly called the AdWords Performance Grader, can give your Google Ads campaign a percentage score based on criteria including text and keyword optimization, keyword quality, click-through rates, impressions, and landing page optimization.

The report also gives more information or a sub-score related to each individual piece of criteria.

To help users in benchmarking, the report also notes how well campaigns are doing compared to the previous month.

Here’s an example of what the top of a Google Ads performance report might look like:

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After registering and giving a small amount of company information, you can link this tool to your Gmail account and automatically receive the grades for ads associated with your email address.

What we like: No one wants a bad grade, but when it comes to Google PPC ads, it’s better to know if you’re coming up short — otherwise, you’re spending on ads that aren’t having the desired impact.

The crystal-clear nature of the Google Ads Performance Grader makes it a great asset for marketing teams.

11. ReportingNinja

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Cost: $20/month (Starter), $40/month (Small), $70/month (Medium, $120/month (Large)

Integrations include: Google Ads, Bing Ads, Twitter Ads, Facebook, LinkedIn

This software might be a good option for marketers or agencies who wish to build whitelabel analytics dashboards that their clients can access.

Aside from the portal, ReportingNina can also be used to schedule and send automated reports to marketers or clients via email.

When integrating with Google Ads and/or Bing Ads, a marketer or client with access to the white label portal can see a dashboard that pulls in all the information from these third-party platforms.

With this integration feature, users can see all their need-to-know data in one place. Outside of PPC, data from Twitter Ads, Facebook Insights, LinkedIn Ads, MailChimp, and other accounts can be integrated as well.

What we like: Teams don’t have time to chase down data from multiple sources.

By combining ad data into a single, simple, accessible portal, marketers can access campaign data anywhere, anytime, to see how ads are performing and make necessary changes.

12. Octoboard

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Cost: Octoboard offers seven plans with annual and monthly commitment options. Annual plans are $5 to $150 monthly, and monthly, no-commitment plans fall between $18 and $210.

Each plan allows a different number of clients as well as access to a different list of features.

Integrations include: Google, Bing, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

Octoboard provides a number of customizable and white-label reporting templates for marketers and their clients.

With the software, you can create reporting documents as well as dashboards that can be sent to an unlimited amount of recipients. The software also offers report templates that can be embedded into a website.

For those who need to report to their team or clients but don’t have time to create a nice visual, Octoboard already offers templates that specifically report on Google, Bing, Facebook, and LinkedIn PPC.

Here’s an example of a few of the templates currently displayed on the website:

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To test drive the software, you can click on one of the templates on their homepage. When you enter the template, the site will give you a prompt and instructions showing you how to integrate your data.

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Similarly to ReportingNinja, the software also offers automation tools that can create and send templated reports on a schedule.

You can register and preview certain reports with your data in them for free on the Octoboard site. However, to receive more access, you will need to subscribe to one of its monthly or annual plans.

What we like: The no-code component of Octoboard is its biggest strength. Teams can easily create and customize reports that align with marketing goals and provide need-to-know data.

13. DashThis

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Cost: $38/month (Individual), $119/month (Professional), $229/month (Business), $349/month (Standard).

Integrations include: Google Ads, Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, Youtube, LinkedIn Ads, Twitter Ads

Like ReportingNinja and Octoboard, DashThis allows users to connect PPC and SEM tools to the platform so that all performance data appears on one dashboard.

This feature could be helpful if you need to use two or more tools to monitor your PPC ads, traffic, and other data related to your campaigns.

The platform allows users to build and customize these overarching dashboards.

When building a dashboard, DashThis allows you to build off of three templates: Periodic, Rolling, and Campaign.

While the Campaign pulls in data about a specific campaign, the Rolling dashboard shows live data and the Periodic shows data for a certain time period.

Here’s a tutorial that shows how to get started with a DashThis Periodic template:

DashThis also offers a list of pre-made KPI widgets that measure and report on factors like cost-per-click, cost-per-acquisition, conversion rate, impressions, ROI, and return on ad spend. Users can also create custom widgets of their own.

This software would be a good choice for agencies looking to save time on the reporting processes related to PPC or SEM marketing. After creating a dashboard, they can use it to share and report back on live data to their clients or colleagues.

DashThis also offers a low-cost individual subscription, which allows users to launch up to three dashboards for $39 a month.

What we like: Build your own PPC dashboard from scratch or use pre-made KPI widgets to streamline the process. The ball is in your court with DashThis.

Building Your PPC Toolkit

While all of these tools offer benefits, you don’t need all of them all at once. My advice? Start small. Pick one or two apps that align with current ad goals, and see what kind of data they return.

If it’s accurate and actionable, stay the course. If it’s not, tweak the settings and try again. If you’re still not seeing ROI, consider a software shift.

No matter which tools or software you select, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to PPC for facts, figures, strategy ideas, and best practices.