In this article we will discuss some ways to effectively advertise your business online and why.
The good news? You don’t need a lot to get started, just the right tools, skillsets to get your business found online fast.
Here’s how to advertise your business online—step-by-step.
1. Understand your target personas.
Before spending money on ads, you need to know your ideal target personas. Ask yourself:
- Who is your ideal customer?
- What problems do they have that your business solves?
- Where do they spend time online (Google, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)?
Creating buyer personas (detailed profiles of your ideal customers) can guide every advertising decision—from platform choice to messaging.
2. Choose the right advertising platforms
There are many ways to advertise online, but not all will be right for your business. Here are the most common platforms, with pros and cons:
Google Ads (Search and Display)
Best for: Capturing high-intent customers actively searching for your services.
- Search Ads show up when someone searches keywords related to your business.
- Display Ads appear as banner ads across websites.
Pros: High intent, measurable ROI
Cons: Can be expensive depending on industry
Facebook & Instagram Ads
Best for: Building awareness, promoting offers, and targeting specific demographics.
- Great for visual businesses (e.g., restaurants, salons, clothing stores)
- Strong targeting by age, location, interests, and behaviors
Pros: Powerful targeting, relatively affordable
Cons: Users may not have purchase intent right away
YouTube Ads
Best for: Businesses with a visual or educational angle.
- Use skippable or non-skippable video ads before or during YouTube videos.
- Target by demographics, topics, or specific channels.
Pros: Engaging format, wide reach
Cons: Requires video production
TikTok Ads
Best for: Trendy, visually driven businesses targeting younger audiences.
- Video-based ads with viral potential
- Strong organic opportunity alongside paid
Pros: High engagement
Cons: Can be time-intensive to create content
Local Business Directories & Marketplaces
Best for: Local services, home services, restaurants.
- Google Business Profile (free but critical)
- Yelp, Thumbtack, Angi, or niche platforms
Pros: High local visibility
Cons: Competitive in some areas
3. Set Clear Advertising Goals
Be specific in defining your key performance indicators.
Some common goals include:
- Driving traffic to your website
- Getting more phone calls or appointments
- Growing your email list
- Increasing online sales
- Promoting a new product or service
Clear goals help you choose the right type of ad campaign and measure success accurately.
4. Create Compelling Ad Copy and Visuals
Once you’ve chosen your agency, platform and goal, it’s time to create your ads. Here’s what to include:
- A hook: Grab attention quickly (“Struggling with [problem]? We can help.”)
- A benefit: Highlight what makes you different or valuable
- Calls to action (CTA): Tell people what to do next!
Pro tip: Keep testing variations of your ad copy and visuals. Small changes can lead to big improvements in performance.
5. Set a Budget and Start Small
You don’t need a huge budget to see results, especially when you’re just starting out.
- Set daily or monthly limits that you’re comfortable with
- Start with a small test budget ($5–$20/day)
- Focus on a single platform first
Monitor your cost-per-click (CPC), conversion rate, and overall return on ad spend (ROAS) to determine what’s working.
6. Optimize Landing Pages or Website
Your ad might be excellent—but if the page it links to is slow, confusing, or unconvincing, you’ll lose customers.
Here’s what a good landing page should include:
- Clear headline that matches the ad
- Simple, mobile-friendly design
- Key benefits or features
- Strong calls to action (e.g., contact form, booking button)
Make sure to set up before starting tracking tools like Google Analytics or Google ads Pixel are installed so you can measure performance.
7. Track, Test, and Tweak
Digital advertising isn’t set-it-and-forget-it. The best results come from constant testing.
- Run A/B tests (different headlines, images, or CTAs)
- Monitor which platforms or audiences convert best
- Pause ads that aren’t performing, and scale those that are
Review analytics weekly to identify trends and adjust strategy as needed.
8. Combine Paid Ads with Organic Efforts
Advertising works best when supported by strong organic marketing. Build a foundation with:
- A Google Business Profile for local search
- SEO-optimized website content
- Regular social media posts
- Email marketing campaigns
These organic efforts help reduce your paid ad costs over time and build long-term customer loyalty.
Final Thoughts
Advertising needs to be done right and changes quickly. It’s only effective and efficient when managed by a seasoned professional like PositiveDigitalFootprint.com. Give us a consideration before, during or if your considering changing digital marketing agencies today!