House Ad Templates

[Discourse]

House Ad Templates

This guide provides templates for creating house ads using the Official Discourse Ad Plugin.

Important: Disable ad blockers (including those built in to browsers, e.g. Brave) before working with these ad customizations.

Before You Start

1. Create a “House Ads” theme component to store:
   • CSS for your house ads
   • Uploaded images used in ads
2. Add the component to all active themes where ads will appear
3. Optimize images using TinyPNG to reduce file size while maintaining quality

Template Options

1. Simple Logo and Text Ad

A clean design featuring a square logo with accompanying text. The colors automatically adjust to match your site’s color scheme.

Specifications:

• Image Type: PNG or JPEG
• Image Size:
  • Desktop & Mobile: 500x500px (1:1 aspect ratio)
  • Retina: 1000x1000px recommended
• Additional Notes:
  • Square aspect ratio must be maintained
  • Colors automatically adapt to site theme
  • Image appears left-aligned with text on right

HTML

<a href="DESTINATION_URL" class="h-creative" target="_blank">
    <div class="container">
        <div class="product-image">
            <img src="IMAGE_URL">
        </div>
        <div>
            <p class="big">LARGER_TEXT</p>
            <p>SMALLER_TEXT</p>
        </div>
    </div>
</a>

CSS

.h-creative {
  display: block;
  clear: both;
  max-width: 500px;
  color: var(--primary) !important;
  background-color: var(--secondary);
  
  .container {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    width: 100%;
    padding: 6px 0;
  }
  
  p {
    margin: 0 20px;
  }
  
  .product-image {
    width: 150px;
    height: 150px;
  }
  
  img {
    max-width: 150px;
    max-height: 150px;
  }
  
  .big {
    font-size: 24px;
    line-height: normal;
    padding-bottom: 10px;
  }
}

.mobile-device .house-creative {
  .product-image {
    width: 120px;
    height: 120px;
  }
  
  img {
    max-width: 120px;
    max-height: 120px;
  }
}

2. Responsive Banner Ad - Style 1

A full-width banner that adapts between desktop and mobile views.

Specifications:

• Image Type: PNG or JPEG
• Image Size:
  • Desktop: 690x90px (7.67:1 aspect ratio)
  • Mobile: 320x90px (3.56:1 aspect ratio)
  • Retina: 1380x180px (desktop) and 640x180px (mobile) recommended
• Additional Notes:
  • Requires two separate images for desktop/mobile
  • Banner adjusts width to container
  • Text remains readable at all sizes
  • CTA button maintains consistent size across devices

Desktop:

Mobile:

HTML

<a href="DESTINATION_URL" class="banner-ad" target="_blank">
    <img class="desktop" src="DESKTOP_IMAGE_URL">
    <img class="mobile" src="MOBILE_IMAGE_URL">
    <div class="container">
        <div>
            <p class="big">A responsive banner ad</p>
            <p class="small">Customize to your liking.</p>
        </div>
        <button class="btn btn-default cta">
            <span class="d-button-label">Click Here!</span>
        </button>
    </div>
</a>

CSS

$cta-background-color: #FE4644;
$cta-text-color: #FFFFFF;

.banner-ad {
  display: flex;
  clear: both;
  max-width: calc(#{$topic-body-width} + #{$topic-avatar-width} + (#{$topic-body-width-padding} * 2));
  background-color: #FEF25E;
  border: 1px solid var(--primary);
  box-sizing: border-box;

  img {
    height: 90px;
    &.desktop {
      display: block;
    }
    &.mobile {
      display: none;
    }
  }

  .container {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: center;
    width: 100%;

    p {
      margin: 0;
      &.small {
        font-weight: bold;
        text-align: right;
        padding: 1px 5px;
        background-color: #000000;
        color: #FFFFFF;
      }
      &.big {
        font-size: 24px;
        line-height: normal;
        padding-bottom: 5px;
        color: #434343;
        font-weight: lighter;
      }
    }

    .cta {
      color: $cta-text-color;
      background-color: $cta-background-color;
      &:hover {
        background-color: darken($cta-background-color, 20%);
      }
    }
  }
}

@media only screen and (max-width: 672px) {
  .banner-ad {
    img.desktop, p {
      display: none;
    }
    img.mobile {
      display: block;
    }
    .container {
      justify-content: center;
      .cta {
        margin: 0 5px;
        font-size: 12px;
      }
    }
  }
}

3. Responsive Banner Ad - Style 2

Specifications:

• Image Type: SVG preferred, PNG/JPEG supported
• Image Size:
  • SVG: 75x75px viewBox
  • Raster Alternative: 150x150px (2x for retina)
  • Container height: 90px on desktop
• Additional Notes:
  • Background uses CSS gradient (no image required)
  • Banner width automatically adjusts to container
  • SVG logo maintains crisp display at all sizes
  • Round CTA button maintains proportions

Desktop:

Mobile:

HTML

<a href="DESTINATION_URL" class="banner-ad" target="_blank">
    <div class="container">
        <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="75" height="75" viewBox="0 0 103 104" data-ember-extension="1">
            <g fill="none" fill-rule="nonzero">
                <path fill="#000" d="M51.87 0C23.71 0 0 22.83 0 51v52.81l51.86-.05c28.16 0 51-23.71 51-51.87C102.86 23.73 80 0 51.87 0z" />
                <path fill="#FFF9AE" d="M52.37 19.74c-11.1380058.0065739-21.451097 5.8725864-27.1495582 15.4424743C19.5219805 44.7523623 19.2787009 56.6145192 24.58 66.41l-5.72 18.4 20.54-4.64c11.7619991 5.29926 25.5640682 2.9191757 34.8718647-6.0134445 9.3077965-8.9326201 12.2534008-22.6251484 7.4422692-34.5951021C76.9030023 27.5914997 65.3006488 19.7462906 52.4 19.74h-.03z" />
                <path fill="#00AEEF" d="M77.45 32.12c8.765 11.492 8.616 27.467-.363 38.794C68.11 82.24 52.59 86.03 39.4 80.12l-20.54 4.7 20.91-2.47c13.862 8.12 31.61 4.547 41.25-8.304 9.64-12.851 8.105-30.89-3.57-41.926z" />
                <path fill="#00A94F" d="M75.32 64.909C67.571 77.11 52.533 82.5 38.8 78l-19.94 6.82 20.54-4.65c14.629 6.608 31.887 1.199 40.127-12.576 8.24-13.776 4.844-31.54-7.897-41.304 9.917 10.514 11.436 26.417 3.69 38.619z" />
                <path fill="#F15D22" d="M26.47 67.11c-5.725-13.8-1.007-29.722 11.31-38.176 12.319-8.453 28.873-7.128 39.69 3.176-10.018-13.147-28.474-16.356-42.342-7.363C21.26 33.741 16.662 51.901 24.58 66.41l-5.72 18.4 7.61-17.7z" />
                <path fill="#D0232B" d="M24.58 66.41c-7.103-13.12-4.065-29.421 7.288-39.102 11.353-9.68 27.929-10.105 39.762-1.018-11.351-11.952-29.982-13.176-42.798-2.81-12.817 10.366-15.517 28.84-6.202 42.44l-3.76 18.9 5.71-18.41z" />
            </g>
        </svg>
        <div>
            <p class="big">A responsive banner ad</p>
            <p>Customize to your liking.</p>
        </div>
        <button class="btn btn-default">
            <span class="d-button-label">Click Here</span>
        </button>
    </div>
</a>

CSS

$cta-background-color: #D70751;
$cta-text-color: #FFFFFF;

.banner-ad {
  display: block;
  clear: both;
  max-width: calc(#{$topic-body-width} + #{$topic-avatar-width} + (#{$topic-body-width-padding} * 2)) !important;
  background: linear-gradient(#d7d9e2 0%, #ffffff 75%);
  border: 1px solid #808080;
  box-sizing: border-box;

  .container {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-between;
    height: 90px;
  }

  svg, img {
    margin-left: 5px;
    height: 75px;
  }

  p {
    color: #222;
    margin: 0 20px;
    font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;
    &.big {
      font-size: 20px;
      line-height: normal;
      padding-bottom: 5px;
    }
  }

  .btn {
    width: 20%;
    height: 45px;
    margin-right: 5px;
    background-color: $cta-background-color;
    color: $cta-text-color;
    font-weight: lighter;
    white-space: nowrap;
    border-radius: 50px;
    &:hover {
      background-color: darken($cta-background-color, 5%);
    }
  }
}

@media only screen and (max-width: 575px) {
  .banner-ad {
    p {
      font-size: 10px;
      &.big {
        font-size: 12px;
        font-weight: bold;
      }
    }
    .btn {
      width: 120px;
      height: unset;
      font-size: 12px;
    }
  }
}

4. Between Posts “Codefund” Style Ad

Specifications:

• Image Type: No images required (text-only design)
• Image Size: N/A
• Additional Notes:
  • Container automatically sizes to content
  • Consistent padding (10px 5px)
  • “Ad” label always visible
  • Adapts to mobile view through fluid width
  • Background color adjusts to theme

Desktop:

Mobile:

HTML

<a class="between-posts-ad" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://discourse.org">
    <div class="ad-container">
        <span class="ad-label">Ad</span>
        <strong>Discourse</strong> - A community platform for civilized discussion on the web
    </div>
</a>

CSS

.house-creative.house-post-bottom {
  margin-left: 0 !important;
  
  a.between-posts-ad {
    color: var(--dynamic-color);
    
    strong {
      color: var(--primary);
    }
    
    .ad-container {
      max-width: calc(#{$topic-avatar-width} + #{$topic-body-width} + (#{$topic-body-width-padding} * 2));
      padding: 10px 5px;
      text-align: center;
      background-color: var(--primary-very-low);
      border: 1px solid var(--primary-low);
      box-sizing: border-box;
      
      .ad-label {
        margin-right: 2px;
        padding: 2px 5px;
        color: var(--primary-very-low);
        font-weight: bold;
        background-color: #EAC34E;  // Sets color of "Ad" label
        border-radius: 5px;
      }
    }
  }
}

Color Definitions

$dynamic-color: dark-light-choose($primary-medium, $secondary-medium);
:root {
  --dynamic-color: #{$dynamic-color};
}

Common Issues and Solutions

1. Mobile Display Issues: Ensure both desktop and mobile images are properly defined in HTML and CSS is correctly handling the responsive breakpoints
2. Color Scheme Problems: Use CSS custom properties (var(--primary), var(--secondary)) instead of hard-coded colors
3. Image Loading: Verify images are correctly uploaded and URLs are properly referenced

Each template can be customized to match your site’s branding and specific needs. Remember to test thoroughly on both desktop and mobile devices before deployment.

Last edited by @MarkDoerr 2024-12-14T00:39:34Z

Check document

Perform check on document:

[Johnny_McIvor]

What do I do? I found the specific article but it didn’t make any sense.

What part of the code do I change?

[osioke (Osioke Itseuwa)]

I don’t quite understand your question here, what do you need help with? If you are wondering where to add the code for the Ad, see the Tips section above:

@tshenry

Create a “House Ads” theme component to hold any CSS that relates to your house ads. You can also use it to upload any images you want to use for the ads. Be sure to add the component to any relevant, active themes!

[tshenry (Taylor)]

@Johnny_McIvor thanks for bringing this up! I’ve updated the CSS parts of all of the templates to use CSS custom properties.

In your screenshot you will see $primary used on line 5. Change that to var(--primary)

Similarly on line 6 you will see $secondary. Change that to var(--secondary)

Let me know if you continue to have any issues.

[Dawn (Dawn Albrecht)]

If I want to upload two different size graphics for my house ads for desktop/ mobile ads, do I need to use the CSS Component for the Responsive Banner Ad 1?

We’ve got very limited technical resources, so I’m trying to figure this one out to generate more ROI for the Community to increase the dedicated technical resources (very much a catch 22 at this point).

I can get the ad working on a desktop with the HTML but not on Mobile and the majority of our users are mobile.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

[cocococosti (Constanza Abarca)]

Hello @Dawn

I checked the code you had in Responsive Banner Ad 1 and you are missing a few things there. You need to include both images (one for desktop and a smaller one for mobile) in the HTML for the add.

Check this example from my site:

Try it with this code:

<a href="DESTINATION_URL" class="banner-ad" target="_blank">
    <img class="desktop" src="DESKTOP_IMAGE_URL">
    <img class="mobile" src="MOBILE_IMAGE_URL">
</a>

Remember to replace the DESTINATION_URL variable. For the DESKTOP_IMAGE_URL and MOBILE_IMAGE_URL I recommend you upload the images to a private topic and take the URLs from there.

Then create a theme component, and add the CCS styles. This should work:

    .banner-ad {
        display: flex;
        clear: both;
        max-width: calc(#{$topic-body-width} + #{$topic-avatar-width} + (#{$topic-body-width-padding} * 2));
        box-sizing: border-box;
        img {
            height: 100%;
            &.desktop {
                display: block;
            }
            &.mobile {
                display: none;
            }
        }
    }

    @media only screen and (max-width: 672px) {
        .banner-ad {
            img.desktop, p {
                display: none;
            }
            img.mobile {
                display: block;
            }
        }
    }

I tested all of this in my site and works as expected

[clayg (Clay)]

Is there any way to have different house ads on different categories? We have Discourse categories that match with different job roles of our members, and we want to show ads for educational events that align with their job role.

[Dawn (Dawn Albrecht)]

@clayg there is a way, it’s got something to do with the CSS I believe – I’m still working on it myself. Here’s a reference:

House Ads in the official Ad Plugin

Can you explain your solution with an example? What html/css code did you use?

[Mr.X_Mr.X]

@tshenry

Between posts “Codefund” style ad

This template will create a subtle advertisement that can be used as a “Between posts” House Ad. It is heavily inspired by the Codefund ad style.

I’d like to use this banner on top and bottom (before suggestions) position. Currently the HTML and CSS is for between-posts only. Can someone help me make it work on other positions as well?

[spdegabrielle (Stephen De Gabrielle)]

How did you get the really simple white text gradient background in the house ads demo video?

I have some gradient

background: rgb(2,0,36);
background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(2,0,36,1) 0%, rgba(9,9,121,1) 35%, rgba(0,212,255,1) 100%);

Do I create a theme component h-creative

and add css

.h-creative {

    font-variant: small-caps;
    font-weight: bold; 
    .container {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        width: 100%;
        padding: 6px 0;
        background: rgb(131,58,180);
        background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(131,58,180,1) 0%, rgba(253,29,29,1) 50%, rgba(252,176,69,1) 100%);
    }
        
    .big {
        font-size: 24px;
        line-height: normal;
        padding: 10px;
        color:lightgrey;
    }
}

<a href="https://con.racket-lang.org/" class="h-creative">
    <div class="container">
        <span class="big">(twelfth  RacketCon) October 28-30, 2022</span>
    </div>
</a>

It works

Correction: my text is small caps and blue - but background isn’t working. Not is the specified colour:blue.

---

copied from

my css in-situ:

[hoangphuctran93 (Hoàng Phúc Trần)]

I have a suggestion about adding a similar “above header” display position.

[huynhthai824 (Sora &\)]

In my Android device don’t display Text as setting
In laptop is ok,
How can i fix them? Thank you

[huynhthai824 (Sora &\)]

Here is my video