The Growing Demand for Creative Flexibility in Performance Marketing

As digital advertising evolves, so do the needs of modern marketing teams. Performance marketers are no longer satisfied with basic ad automation; they need tools that offer flexibility, control, and scalability across hundreds or even thousands of products. This demand has sparked interest in new creative automation platforms that can deliver more personalized, data-driven campaigns without adding manual overhead, supported by our trusted performance marketing solutions.

Smartly.io has long been a recognized name in the space, known for its robust campaign management capabilities and enterprise-level integrations. It provides solutions for large-scale social media advertising and is often used by global agencies and brands with complex media operations. However, some advertisers are starting to outgrow the platform due to limitations in creative customization and reliance on rigid workflows.

In today’s performance-driven environment, agility is key. Marketers want to test, adapt, and launch creatives quickly without needing developer support or lengthy approval chains. This is where alternative platforms are gaining traction by offering user-friendly interfaces, design flexibility, and faster campaign execution.

One such alternative is Confect, a platform purpose-built for dynamic product ads. Confect allows marketers to create visually consistent, branded ad templates that update automatically based on catalog data, promotional rules, and product conditions. Whether highlighting a seasonal sale or promoting low-stock urgency, marketers can automate creative output while maintaining full control over design elements.

Many brands looking to improve campaign agility and creative performance are choosing to switch from Smartly.io to a more flexible solution. The reason is clear: Confect provides a more intuitive experience for marketers focused on ROAS, rather than simply managing media buys. With Confect, teams can build and deploy creative variations at scale without compromising brand identity or relying on external design resources.

Another key distinction lies in creative logic. Confect’s rule-based system allows users to define exactly how and when specific elements appear in an ad. For example, discount badges can be applied only to sale items, product ratings can be shown on bestsellers, and promotional banners can be customized by category or region. This level of control empowers teams to craft more relevant and engaging ads automatically.

Additionally, Confect is laser-focused on eCommerce performance. It integrates seamlessly with product catalogs and dynamic ad platforms like Meta, making it easier to align creative output with campaign goals. Unlike more generalist tools, Confect is built with the needs of online retailers in mind ensuring that ad creatives not only look good but convert.

In contrast, Smartly.io remains a powerful tool for managing large-scale campaigns across multiple channels, but its learning curve and reliance on templates can be a constraint for marketers who want faster iterations and more creative freedom.

Ultimately, the shift toward more flexible, self-service creative platforms reflects a broader change in digital marketing. Brands want tools that move at the speed of their campaigns without sacrificing quality or control. For those ready to scale smarter and faster, it may be time to switch from Smartly.io to a more flexible solution that aligns better with today’s creative and performance demands.