Facebook Ads vs. Google Ads: What’s Better for Local Businesses?

I’m often asked by local business owners trying to decide where to spend their hard-earned ad dollars:

“Should I use Facebook Ads or Google Ads?”

If you’ve wondered the same thing, you're not alone — and you're asking the right question. Picking the wrong platform can waste money and time. But when you use the right strategy, your business starts attracting leads, phone calls, and walk-ins like clockwork.

You don’t need to be a tech expert to get this right. You just need a guide who knows the landscape — that’s me. Let’s cut through the noise and make this easy.

You Have a Goal: Get More Local Customers

Whether you run a med spa, chiropractic clinic, auto shop, or home service business, your mission is simple:

You want more people in your area to find you, trust you, and choose you.

But with all the advertising options out there, it’s easy to waste money on stuff that doesn’t move the needle. That’s why I talk to so many local business owners who say things like:

“We tried ads once and didn’t get anything from it.”

Usually, the problem isn’t the ad itself — it’s that the ad didn’t match the intent of the customer.

Let me explain.

Google Ads = Show Up When People Are Searching

Google Ads are based on search intent.

If someone types in “urgent care near me” or “back pain relief in [your city],” they’re not casually browsing — they need help now.

This makes Google a powerhouse for businesses that want direct response. You’re getting in front of people who already know what they want. They’re just looking for the right provider.

Use Google Ads when you want to:

• Book appointments or service calls fast

• Attract customers with urgent needs

• Appear at the top of high-intent search results

• Compete with other providers in your area

Facebook Ads = Build Awareness and Loyalty

Facebook (now Meta) Ads work differently. You’re not waiting for people to search — you’re targeting them based on their location, interests, and behavior.

They’re scrolling through their feed, looking at memes and birthday photos — and then your ad shows up.

Used the right way, that’s powerful.

You can introduce your business to the right people before they even need you. You can promote time-sensitive offers, share educational content, or run loyalty campaigns.

Use Facebook Ads when you want to:

• Build awareness with a local audience

• Promote seasonal specials or events

• Retarget people who visited your site but didn’t buy

• Stay top of mind and nurture trust over time

“So Which One Should I Use?”

Here’s how I help business owners like you decide:

Use Google Ads if your goal is:

• Bookings and phone calls now

• Capturing people who are actively looking for your service

• Showing up when your competitors do

Use Facebook Ads if your goal is:

• Getting your name in front of more locals

• Sharing offers or educational content

• Retargeting people who visited your website or engaged with you before

• Growing long-term trust and brand visibility

Use both if your goal is:

• Maximize ROI

• Build awareness and drive conversions

• Be seen everywhere your ideal customer spends time online

Real Talk: What About Cost?

Let’s be real — budget matters.

Google Ads can be more expensive per click, especially in competitive fields like legal, medical, or home service. But those clicks come from people who are ready to take action.

Facebook Ads usually have a lower cost per click, and you’ll often reach more people for less. But those leads tend to need more nurturing.

That’s why the best approach is often to use both — they balance each other out.

How the Smartest Local Businesses Use Both

Here’s what I help my clients do (and what I recommend to you):

1. Start with Google Ads to catch people who are searching with intent.

2. Add Facebook Ads to follow up with those who clicked but didn’t buy.

3. Run loyalty and promo campaigns on Facebook/Instagram to stay top of mind.

4. Retarget on both platforms to bring people back again and again.

When your ads work as part of a system, you don’t have to keep throwing money at the wall hoping something sticks. You get consistent, reliable growth.

You’re the Hero — We’re Just the Guide

You’ve already done the hard work: You built a business that serves your local community.

But you shouldn’t have to become a marketing expert to grow it.

At EZtransition, we build systems that do the heavy lifting for you:

• Google and Facebook Ad campaigns

• Custom landing pages that convert

• Automated follow-up via text and email

• Review generation and retargeting

• AI tools that answer inquiries while you sleep

You run your business. We run the system that grows it.

Let’s Build Your Local Lead Machine

If you’re still wondering where to spend your ad dollars — or frustrated that ads haven’t worked for you in the past — don’t give up. The answer isn’t doing more. It’s doing the right things in the right order.

👉 Click here to schedule a free strategy call

We’ll map out the best ad strategy for your business, using proven methods we’ve tested with real local clients.

No hype. No fluff. Just a plan that works.

Have a quick question?
Message me anytime. Helping local businesses win is what we do.