If you’re looking to advertise your business online, chances are you’ve come across Google Ads and Meta Ads. Both are powerful platforms that can bring in customers. Also, both can eat up your budget if you don’t use them wisely! So, how do you decide which one is right for you?

Let’s break it down in way that can help you make the best decision.

Understanding the Basics

Google Ads is a Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising platform where your ads appear when people search for specific keywords on Google. It’s great when you want to capture intent and get the people who are actively looking for what you offer.

As for Meta Ads, they run on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp. These are more visual, social and work best for brand awareness, engaging potential customers and retargeting.

Now, we’ve gotten the basics out of the way. It’s time to dig a little deeper.

What’s your goal?

Your choice between Google Ads and Meta Ads (or honestly, any ads at all!) should start with one simple question: What do I want to achieve?

• To get immediate sales or leads from people actively searching = Google Ads
• Build brand awareness, grow your social media presence or engage with potential customers = Meta Ads

How do People Find Your Business?

• Google Ads: People already looking for you

Google Ads work well because they capture people who are already searching for products or services like yours. If you’re a plumber, a bakery or an e-commerce store selling phone cases, people are searching for you directly on Google! With Google Ads, you ad can show up ad the top of search results.

• Meta Ads: People who don’t know they need you… YET

Meta Ads work differently. Instead of waiting for someone to search for your product, you place your ad in front of them while they’re scrolling through Facebook or Instagram. This works well if your business benefits from impulse purchases or if you need to build trust before a sale!

Who is Your Target Audience?

Google Ads target users based on what they’re searching for. You pick the keywords and when someone types them in, your ad appears. It’s simple, direct and works quite well when people know what they want.

On the other hand, Meta Ads target users based on interests, behaviors, demographics and even past interactions with your brand. If you sell gym apparel, you can target people who follow fitness pages or have recently interacted with sports brands.

Budget Considerations

Yeah, no one loves talking about money but that time is here so let’s just get through it together.

Google Ads tend to be more expensive per click, especially in competitive industries. The Cost-Per-Click (CPC) varies depending on how many businesses are bidding for the same keyword. The upside is that the traffic is high-intent, which means that people are more likely to convert.

Meta Ads, in general, have a lower cost per impression, meaning that you can reach more people for less. However, the conversion rate is usually lower when compared to Google Ads, as people are not always looking to buy at that moment.

Ad Formats & Creativity

Google Ads are usually text-based search ads, display ads (such as banners on websites), YouTube video ads and shopping ads.

On the other hand, Meta Ads have image ads, carousel ads, video ads, story ads and interactive ads.

Therefore, it really depends on what you want the customer to see and how you want them to see your brand for the first time. If you have eye-catching visuals or engaging videos, Meta Ads will help you tell your story better. If your goal is to capture direct searches, Google Ads will get straight to the point.

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best approach depends on your business, your audience and your goals. If you’re still unsure, test both with a small budget and see what brings you the best results. After all, data never lies!

Need help running Google or Meta Ads with experts? Reach out to us at DSRPT as we specialize in creating winning campaigns that drive real results!