Visual marketing has become the unsung hero in a digital world where grabbing someone’s attention feels like catching smoke with your bare hands. Think of this article as your backstage pass to the rockstars of visual marketing tools — you are getting the VIP experience.
We’re not just skimming the surface; we’re going on a full-blown expedition into the tools that are flipping the script on how marketers connect with their audiences and make their brands unforgettable.
So, What Exactly Is Visual Marketing?
It’s not just about crafting visuals that catch the eye; visual marketing is a complex strategy designed to boost both engagement and ROI through the strategic use of visual elements.
While there’s no shortage of tools for creating visual assets, the real game-changer is how you distribute and leverage them in your marketing campaigns. In essence, a visual marketing platform transcends a mere content creation workflow.
For a more nuanced understanding, you might want to explore these resources:
- Content Marketing is Visual Marketing: Explores the strategic aspects of using visuals in your marketing efforts.
- Visual Content Marketing Statistics: Offers data-driven insights into why visuals are indispensable in modern marketing.
The Best Visual Marketing Tools To Boost Brand Engagement and ROI
Selecting the right marketing planning software is far from a trivial task. In fact, this choice can be the linchpin that either elevates or hampers your entire visual marketing strategy.
The right tools can serve as your all-in-one marketing platform, streamlining your content creation workflow and supercharging your marketing efforts.
Here’s an in-depth look at the tools that are setting the standard in the industry:
Canva
Platform: Web-based, iOS, Android
Pricing: Free, Pro version at $12.95/user/month
Best for: Canva is your go-to for fast, quality and easy design.
Why it stands out:
Canva is perfect for quick, no-fuss graphic design. Its user-friendly interface is ideal for small businesses and freelancers. While it’s great for simple tasks, it lacks the in-depth features of a full-scale visual marketing platform.
Unique features:
- Templates: A wide range of pre-designed templates for quick, professional visuals.
- Collaboration: Real-time team editing and commenting.
- Integrations: Direct publishing to social media platforms.
- Analytics: Basic metrics are available but not as comprehensive as specialized platforms.
PicsArt
Platform: Web-based, iOS, Android
Pricing: Free, Gold version at $8.99/month
Best for: High-quality, edited images for marketing campaigns
Why it stands out:
PicsArt is a comprehensive platform that offers a wide range of features, from basic cropping to intricate layering. If your brand’s marketing strategy hinges on the power of visually stunning, high-quality images, PicsArt is your sanctuary.
Unique features:
- Wide range of photo-editing features.
- Layering capabilities.
- Customizable templates.
Who it’s best for: It’s particularly useful for brands in industries like fashion, travel and food, where image quality can make or break your marketing efforts.
Tezza
Platform: iOS, Android
Pricing: $1.99/month
Best for: Unique filters and editing options for social media.
Why it stands out:
Tezza goes beyond the basic filters and editing options offered by most apps. It provides unique, customizable filters and advanced editing options that make your Instagram content noticeable and unforgettable. If Instagram is your main marketing playground, Tezza helps you stand out in a crowded field.
Unique features:
- Customizable filters.
- Advanced editing options.
- User-friendly interface.
Who it’s best for: It’s especially beneficial for lifestyle and beauty brands that aim to create a distinct visual identity on social media.
Brafton’s Content Marketing Platform
Platform: Web-based
Pricing: $100/month for up to 50 users
Best for: A comprehensive visual marketing solution
Why it stands out:
Brafton’s Content Marketing Platform is a robust marketing performance platform designed to streamline your entire visual marketing strategy. Brafton allows you to categorize and organize your visual assets through marketing campaigns or quarterly plans, whether you’re a marketing SaaS software company or a retail brand.
It’s the epitome of what a visual marketing platform should be, maximizing the utility of every visual asset you create.
Unique features:
- All-in-one marketing performance platform.
- Seamless categorization and organization of visual assets.
- Custom tagging for easy retrieval and re-use.
Who it’s best for: Ideal for medium-to-large enterprises that require a comprehensive, all-encompassing platform for managing complex visual marketing campaigns.
PicMonkey
Platform: Web-based
Pricing: Starts at $7.99/month
Best for: Diverse types of visual content, from social media graphics to marketing collateral.
Why it stands out:
With its advanced editing features, PicMonkey goes beyond simple tweaks to serve a broad spectrum of visual content requirements. It’s not just about making quick changes; this platform provides the adaptability necessary for everything from social media creations to in-depth marketing collateral. In using PicMonkey, you’re doing more than just editing — you’re shaping a visual story that resonates with your brand’s objectives.
Unique features:
- Advanced editing capabilities.
- Variety of templates and design elements.
- User-friendly interface.
Who it’s best for: Perfect for small businesses and agencies that need a versatile, easy-to-use platform for creating various visual content types.
Snappa
Platform: Web-based
Pricing: Free, Pro version at $10/month
Best for: Quick yet effective visual content.
Why it stands out:
Snappa is the go-to platform for those who need to create visual content without a steep learning curve. With its straightforward graphic design features, Snappa enables you to create compelling visuals in a flash, making it a valuable asset for quick-turnaround projects.
Unique features:
- User-friendly graphic design tools.
- Pre-designed templates for various platforms.
- Quick export options.
Who it’s best for: Ideal for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs who need to create quality visual content quickly and efficiently.
Font Squirrel
Platform: Web-based
Pricing: Free
Best for: Excellent typography to help express visual identity.
Why it stands out:
Font Squirrel isn’t just another font website; it’s a specialized platform that understands the importance of typography in visual branding. If your brand leans heavily on typography for its visual communication, Font Squirrel offers a wide array of free fonts that can elevate your brand identity. It’s more than just a font repository; it’s a tool that can significantly enhance your visual branding strategy.
Unique features:
- Wide range of free fonts.
- Font identifier tool.
- Webfont generator for web use.
Who it’s best for: Perfect for designers, marketers and brands that place a high value on typography as a key component of their visual identity.
PlaceIt
Platform: Web-based
Pricing: Starts at $14.95/month
Best for: A versatile tool that can create various visual content.
Why it stands out:
PlaceIt is a versatile powerhouse for anyone needing quick, yet professional-looking visual content. Whether you’re crafting mockups, logos, or social media posts, PlaceIt offers a wide range of templates that can significantly speed up your content creation workflow. It’s a multi-faceted tool that caters to diverse marketing channels.
Unique Features:
- Extensive library of templates.
- Mockup generator for various products.
- Logo maker with customizable options.
Who it’s best for: Ideal for busy marketers and brands that require a range of visual content types and want a one-stop solution for their needs.
Piktochart
Platform: Web-based
Pricing: Free, Pro version at $24.17/month
Best for: Excellent at visually conveying complex information
Why it stands out:
Piktochart is the go-to platform for brands that thrive on data. It specializes in transforming complex information into easily digestible infographics. With its range of templates and customization options, Piktochart simplifies the process of creating compelling, data-driven visual content.
Unique features:
- Specializes in infographics.
- Variety of templates and customization options.
- Data import feature for seamless infographic creation.
Who it’s best for: It’s perfect for data-driven brands and marketers who must present complex information in an engaging, visual format.
PowToon
Platform: Web-based
Pricing: Starts at $19/month
Best for: Video content creation
Why it stands out:
For brands committed to video, PowToon is a transformative force. Its intuitive animation capabilities let you craft videos that don’t just capture attention — they elevate your entire marketing game plan. PowToon goes beyond mere video production; it’s a platform designed to breathe life into your visual marketing endeavors.
Unique features:
- Easy-to-use animation features.
- Variety of templates for different video types.
- Quick export options to various platforms.
Who it’s best for: Ideal for brands and marketers who want to create engaging video content without the complexities of traditional video editing software.
Visual Marketing Best Practices and Successful Examples
To truly make waves with your visual marketing strategy, you can’t just wing it. You need to adhere to some industry best practices.
So, let’s dig in and explore these essential guidelines:
1. Mastering the Art of Visual-Text Ratio
Balance in visual marketing isn’t some passing fad; it’s the foundation that ensures your strategy’s effectiveness. Too much text can smother your audience’s interest, while an excess of visuals risks diluting your essential message.
Striking the right balance is not just a good idea; it’s necessary for marketing success.
For a deeper dive into optimizing your strategy, check out How to Optimize Your Digital Marketing Strategy.
2. Crafting a Consistent Brand Story
Your visuals should craft a story that aligns with your brand’s core values because cohesive storytelling elevates your marketing and fosters trust among your audience.
When your visual elements consistently reflect your brand’s ethos, you’re not just marketing but building a community around your brand. This sense of community can be a powerful asset, turning casual consumers into loyal advocates.
For more on creating a plan around this, see How to Create a Strategic Marketing Process.
3. Being Expressive While Staying Accessible
Sure, your visuals need to do more than just catch the eye; they should also be easy to decode. Striking the right balance between expressiveness and accessibility is key. You’re aiming to connect with a diverse audience, after all.
So, while you want to be creative and expressive, you also don’t want to alienate anyone by being overly complex. Keep it engaging, but make sure it’s universally understandable.
For a broader perspective on effective strategies, don’t miss What Are the Most Effective Marketing Strategies Today?.
And, for a more comprehensive understanding of visual marketing best practices, these resources are invaluable:
Paving the Way for Visual Marketing Success
Visual marketing serves as both your brand’s face and engine, propelling your message to achieve measurable outcomes. Whether your arena is marketing SaaS software or retail, selecting the right tools becomes not just an option but a strategic imperative.
So, what’s the essential insight? It goes beyond mere content creation. The real magic happens when you align your marketing planning software with your overarching communication framework. In doing so, you’re not just participating in the visual marketing game — you’re mastering it. And, to do that, you need the right tools.
