Running your first ad campaign is exciting. With Zeely, you just upload your product, pick a template, and you’re almost ready to go live. But before you press “Launch,” let’s slow down and set you up for success. We’ve seen thousands of campaigns, and the truth is: ads don’t work just because they’re online. They work when you prepare them thoughtfully.
Here’s what we always recommend checking before launch.
1. Define your goal
Every campaign starts with a choice: do you want traffic or conversions?
Traffic brings people to your website, page, or landing screen.
Leads help you collect contact details from potential customers, such as email addresses or phone numbers.
Zeely always recommends choosing one clear goal. This way, results are easier to measure, and Meta can optimize your budget accordingly.
What to track later: For conversions, focus on cost per lead or sale. For traffic, check clicks, CTR, and cost per click.
2. Run at least three ads
Here’s a smart trick: don’t put your whole budget on a single creative. Launch at least three ads instead. Meta’s algorithm will quickly test them, see which performs best, and automatically send more budget to the winner.
For the best results, make sure:
You test different formats (video and static). Video usually performs better.
All creatives focus on the same product, so the comparison is fair and the strongest idea wins.
That’s how you give your campaign the best chance to succeed.
3. Know your audience
Think about who you want to reach — age, gender, and location. Ads work best when they’re tailored to the people most likely to care about your product.
What to track later: CTR (click-through rate) and engagement show whether your audience finds the ad relevant.
4. Pass the reviews with ease
All Zeely ads first go through our expert check, and then Meta’s review (Facebook and Instagram). Both steps are there to make sure your ad runs smoothly. To avoid delays:
Skip restricted topics like alcohol, tobacco, or sensitive political issues.
Avoid unrealistic promises — “lose 20 pounds in a week” won’t pass.
Keep your images and text respectful, clear, and safe for all audiences.
Pro tip: If your ad gets rejected at any stage, don’t worry. It’s usually just a matter of wording or imagery. A small tweak is often enough to get it approved.
5. Creative is king (and queen)
Think of your ad as a shop window. If it doesn’t grab attention in a split second, people will scroll right past. Here’s what works best:
Images & videos: Use sharp, well-lit visuals. Avoid blurry or stocky-looking photos.
Text: Keep it short and easy. People don’t read paragraphs in ads.
Focus point: Show your product or service clearly — not hidden in the background.
Call to action (CTA): Match it to your product and campaign goal. Zeely will recommend the right CTA based on what you set up earlier, so your ad always points people in the best direction. For example, “Shop now” for an online store, “Book today” for services, or “Sign up” when you’re collecting leads.
What to watch later: Click-through rate (CTR) will tell you if your creative is doing its job. If people see the ad but don’t click, it’s time to refresh the visuals or copy.
6. Warm up your audience before asking for a sale
Nobody likes a cold pitch. If your brand is brand-new, spend a little time building trust before asking for a purchase:
Post regularly on Instagram or Facebook — even simple photos of your work or behind-the-scenes moments.
Reply to comments and DMs. Real conversations build loyalty.
Use Zeely’s welcome campaigns. They’re a great way to introduce your brand, test different creatives (A/B testing), and engage people before you ask them to buy.
Plan your budget wisely. Short test runs help you see what works, but keep in mind that campaigns need enough time and investment to show real results. Unrealistic expectations around budget or duration can hurt performance.
What to watch later:
Reach and impressions show how many people saw your ad.
Frequency tells you how often the same person saw it — if it’s too high, people may start ignoring it.
Conversions (sales, bookings, sign-ups) prove your audience is ready.
7. Test and learn
Every campaign teaches you something. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different creatives, audiences, or budgets.
Try two different headlines and see which gets more clicks.
Test a lifestyle photo vs. a product close-up.
Compare a broad audience (for example, all women 25–45 in your city) with a narrower one (women 25–35 interested in beauty services in a specific district).
What to track later: A/B testing results (CTR, conversions) will guide your future campaigns.
Quick pre-launch checklist
Before pressing “Launch,” ask yourself:
Do I have a clear goal?
Is my audience defined?
Is my creative sharp and clear?
Is my message simple and direct?
Do I have a strong CTA?
Is my budget realistic?
Am I ready to learn from the results?
Running ads with Zeely is simple, but making them successful comes down to preparation. Treat every campaign as a chance to learn. Test, measure, adjust. That’s how big brands grow, and you can too.