Is Paid Advertising Worth It? What Small Businesses Need to Know
If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’ve been hearing the phrase “paid advertising” everywhere. Facebook ads, Google ads, Instagram promotions—oh my! We know we sure have. And there’s a reason why: more businesses than ever are investing in paid ads to reach their ideal customers faster.
With natural post reach declining on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, small businesses are now realizing that relying solely on free and natural exposure is no longer enough—it’s not producing the results they want or need. Paid advertising allows them to cut through the noise, stand out on the crowded platforms, and reach potential customers who might never have found them otherwise. As competition grows, businesses are turning to paid ads as a reliable way to drive traffic, generate leads, and ultimately increase revenue.
But does that mean it’s the right move for your business?
Let’s break it all down:
What is Paid Advertising?
In simple terms, paid advertising is when you pay to get your business in front of more people. Instead of waiting for customers to find you organically (through word-of-mouth, appearing in social media feeds or reels, or showing up in search engine results), you’re giving your content a little boost—like paying for a VIP pass to the front of the line.
Some common types of paid ads include:
Google Ads – Your website appears closer to the top, if not first when someone searches for your product or service. You’ll notice the word “Sponsored” above some search results, this indicates it’s a paid ad.
Facebook & Instagram Ads – Your posts, offers, or videos show up in people’s feeds based on their interests. These ads are clickable, allowing you to include a web link.
LinkedIn Ads – A great option for businesses looking to reach professionals. These ads work similarly to Facebook ads, where you can target specific demographics for your posts.
Is It Worth It?
Here’s the deal—paid advertising can be worth it, but only if done correctly. If you just throw money at ads without a strategy, same with social media, you might as well light that cash on fire. But if you take the time to target the right audience and create compelling ads, it can be worthwhile for your business.
Here are a few reasons why small businesses are jumping on the paid ads bandwagon:
You reach more people, faster – Instead of waiting months for natural reach, you can get your business in front of the right people immediately.
You can target your exact audience – Want to reach women aged 30-45 who love home decor? You can do that. Need to target local customers? Done.
It’s scalable – Start small, see what works, and increase your budget as you go.
You get data and insights – Unlike old-school advertising (like billboards), paid ads give you real-time data so you know what’s working and what’s not.
What Small Businesses Need to Know Before Running Ads
If you’re considering giving paid ads a try, here are some things to keep in mind:
Set a Budget – You don’t need to spend thousands to see results. Even $5-$10/day can help you test the waters.
Know Your Audience – The more specific you are, the better your ads will perform. Who are you trying to reach? What do they care about?
Choose the Right Platform – Not all platforms are created equal! If you’re a local service-based business, Google Ads might work best. If you have a visually appealing product, Instagram or Facebook might be the way to go.
Create Eye-Catching Ads – No one stops scrolling for a boring ad. Use high-quality images, engaging videos, and clear messaging.
Test, Test, Test – Don’t just set an ad and forget it. Run small tests to see what works before scaling up.
Final Thoughts
Paid advertising doesn’t always work for everyone, and it’s not a guaranteed solution, but it can be a powerful tool when done right to help grow your business. Test different ads, tweak your messaging, and most importantly—track your results. The goal isn’t to spend money, it’s to make money!
—Teresa Brandsted, CEO of Inspire Design Studio
P.S. If you’re thinking about running paid ads but aren’t sure where to start, Inspire Design Studio CAN HELP! In addition to our social media services and packages, we also specialize in setting up and running paid advertising on the platforms mentioned above. Schedule your FREE 30-minute consultation call today to determine the best strategy for your business.