Google Ads and Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram) both bring in customers, but they work in opposite ways. Choosing the wrong one first is an expensive way to learn that. This guide helps you decide where to start.
The core difference
- Google Ads reaches people who are already searching. Someone types “emergency plumber near me” or “buy epoxy flooring” and your ad appears. They have a need now.
- Meta Ads reaches people who were not searching. Your ad appears while they scroll, based on their interests and behavior. You create the interest instead of catching it.
Start with Google Ads if
- People already search for what you sell.
- You want leads or sales you can measure quickly.
- Your offer is a clear service or product with a clear price or next step.
- You sell something people need rather than something they discover.
Start with Meta Ads if
- Your product is visual, such as fashion, home goods or food.
- Few people search for it by name, so you need to build awareness.
- You want to retarget people who visited your site but did not buy.
- You have strong images or video to show.
Can you run both?
Yes, and many businesses should, in a sensible order. Start with the platform that matches how your customers buy. Once it is working and you have data, add the second to reach more people and to follow up with visitors. The two work better together than apart.
What budget do you need?
We recommend at least $1,500 per month in ad spend on either platform, and more in competitive industries. With less, the platform does not get enough data to learn. Running both means budgeting for both.
How long until you know it is working?
Plan on about 3 months for reliable results on either platform. The first weeks are for collecting data. Judging the results earlier usually means cutting a campaign right before it starts to learn.
What about creative?
Meta depends heavily on images and video. Ad creative is normally supplied by you. If you want us to produce it, graphic design and video editing are separate services at a separate cost.
Do you need a contract?
No. We work month to month, though we recommend giving any campaign at least 3 months.
The short answer
If people are searching for what you sell, start with Google. If they need to discover you, start with Meta. Not sure which one fits? Request a free audit and we will tell you honestly where we would put your first dollar.