All you need to start growing your business with digital advertising is an internet connection.
Digital advertising is a low cost option that is easy and accessible for small businesses. Local business owners or entrepreneurs can simply log-on to Facebook or Google Ads and put their advertising budget to work.
But with millions of users worldwide, online advertising platforms are complex. The options for placements, strategies and best practices are overwhelming. At our Iowa digital marketing agency, we help Simplify Technology. This includes helping small businesses with their digital advertising strategy.
Today, we’ll break down the basics and give helpful information for your small business digital advertising strategy.
Google Ads
The world’s biggest search engine offers many options for advertising and is arguably the most profitable option. Google Ads generate clicks and conversions in lots of different ways. The platform has specific options tailored for your small business.
Call Ads
Call-only ads are simple placements on the Google Search network that give users the option to call your business in one click. The call-only ad is a great option for small businesses because it is simple and effective. In fact, the advertiser doesn’t need to have a website for call only ads. Although using professional website design services are highly recommended.
The call-only ad uses Google’s tracking system or a Google forwarding number to track the success of your ad. You’ll always be informed about the effectiveness of your efforts.
Display ads
Display ads are a cost effective option for small business digital advertising. These image-based ads are displayed across Google’s vast network of blogs, news channels and websites. Display ads have a cheaper cost and rely on your targeting information to reach users.
Advertisers can select placements based on passed search or web activity. Display ads are a great option for a retargeting strategy. Retargeting is when a business re-engages their past website visitors or social media page viewers with an ad. These are often display ads.
Search ads
Search ads are the most commonly used option for a small business digital advertising strategy. Search ads boost your search engine presence to the top of the results page.
With the right keywords, ad copy and bidding strategy, search ads have impressive success rates. Traffic from search ads will be guaranteed to be interested in your product. Search engine marketing brings in more online visitors who are likely to become customers.
Search advertising delivers guaranteed results for an upfront investment cost. At times, search advertising can be too expensive for small businesses because of the increased competition. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a marketing strategy that doesn’t involve a large upfront investment. At times, SEO can provide more long-term value.
Meta Ads
Formerly known as Facebook, Meta is another major option for small business digital advertising. With Meta Ads, business owners can easily advertise on Facebook, Instagram, Reels, Facebook Marketplace, Messenger and more.
The many placements available are helpful for small businesses because there are fewer limits to your creativity. Meta Ads can use multiple photos, text and videos all within one campaign. While Google Ads are mostly text-based and powered by keywords, Meta Ads are powered by your content.
Meta Ads can provide increased engagement for your social media marketing content.
Meta Ads provide the ability to segment your audience and target individuals based on demographics, interests and activity.
The Meta Pixel gives small business owners the ability to collect their own data and track the effectiveness of your Meta Ads. The Pixel is a snippet of code added to your website that gives your Facebook ads more tracking capability.
Other digital advertising options
Regardless of your small business advertising goals, there’s a platform that will bring your business success. While they may be less popular, other advertising platforms can work based on your industry and your business.
Plus, most advertising platforms are based on the same principles and best practices.
Amazon for ecommerce
Amazon ads are a great option for ecommerce brands looking to expand the reach of their product. The ecommerce market continues to grow. And Amazon ads put your product in search results within Amazon and other key placements.
TikTok for video and brand awareness
TikTok Ads are another outlet for creativity for your small business. TikTok ads are video-based and are perfect to showcase your product, service location or provide other high-quality video content.
LinkedIn Ads for B2B
LinkedIn Ads will have a great impact for companies in the business-to-business industry. LinkedIn Ads work much like Facebook or Instagram Ads with multiple placements for text, image or video ads. LinkedIn, however, is commonly used by business decision makers, owners and even CEOs.
