How to Use Google and Facebook Ads to Get More Leads for Your Business
Growing your business with only organic marketing can feel like waiting for rain in the dry season. You put in the effort, you post consistently, you even set up lead magnets and landing pages, but the results take months.
That’s where paid ads come in. Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads allow you to put your offer directly in front of people who are ready to buy — instantly.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about running paid ads that don’t just “get clicks,” but actually generate qualified leads.
If you haven’t yet, you may want to read our step-by-step guide to organic lead generation first. Think of this post as the next level once you’re ready to scale faster.
Below is a clickable table of contents so you can jump to the section you care about most.
📖 Table Of Content
Click any section below to jump right to it.
- What Are Paid Ads (and Why They Work Faster Than Organic)
- Google Ads vs Facebook Ads: Which One Fits Your Business?
- Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Leads with Google Ads
- Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Leads with Facebook Ads
- Pro Tips: How to Make Paid Ads Work Smarter
- Final Verdict: Should You Invest in Paid Ads?
What Are Paid Ads and why they work faster than Organic?
Let’s say you sell skincare products. With Facebook Ads, you can show your product only to people who are already interested in skincare.
With Google Ads, your business can appear when someone searches for “best cream for acne scars”.
Why Paid Ads Work Faster Than Organic Traffic
- Speed: No waiting for algorithms, you reach leads today.
- Precision: Target people by age, interests, location, even purchase intent.
- Scalability: Start small and increase your budget as results come in.
For example, if you’ve read our post on why clarity in your offer matters, you’ll understand how critical it is to get the right message in front of the right people. Paid ads allow you to do this with laser accuracy.
📌 Pro Tip: Don’t think of paid ads as “buying traffic.” Think of them as buying time. Instead of waiting months for organic growth, you shortcut the process.
With even a modest budget, you can start generating quality leads today. Curious how to combine ads with content? Check out our step-by-step content marketing strategy.
Google Ads vs Facebook Ads: Which One Fits Your Business?
The Key Difference is:
Think of Google Ads as intent-based: people are already searching for a solution. Facebook Ads are interest-based: you’re sparking curiosity while people scroll.
| Platform | Best For | Example Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Google Ads | People actively searching | Someone searches “best cream for acne scars” |
| Facebook Ads | People scrolling, open to discovery | A skincare bundle ad shows up in their feed while browsing |
Which Should You Choose?
- If you’re selling a product people already search for (like insurance, skincare, real estate), Google Ads may deliver faster results.
- If your offer is visual, lifestyle-driven, or educational (like coaching, e-commerce bundles, events), Facebook Ads can grab attention where people spend time.
- Smart businesses often combine both: Google for high-intent buyers, Facebook for awareness and retargeting.
If you read our guide on content distribution hacks, you’ll notice the same principle: it’s not always about choosing one channel, but knowing how they work together.
Pro Tip: Start with one platform to master it. Once you’re comfortable, layer in the other. That’s how you scale without burning money.
Next, let’s go deeper into how to set up Google Ads for leads so you can see practical steps.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Leads with Google Ads
Google Ads is powerful because it connects you with people who are already searching for SOLUTIONS. The key is targeting the right keywords, writing a clear ad, and sending people to a focused landing page. Let’s break it down:
Choose the Right Keywords
Not all keywords are created equal. Some people are just browsing, while others are ready to buy. To get more leads, focus on high-intent keywords (the ones that signal action).
- ❌ Too Broad: “Skincare tips” → just informational
- ✅ Better: “Best cream for acne-prone skin” → shows buying intent
Tools like Google Keyword Planner can help you discover what your audience is actually searching for.
💡 Pro Tip: Check your site analytics (see our guide on tracking results) to see which blog posts bring in the most traffic, then create ads around those topics.
2️⃣ Write a Clear, Catchy Ad
Your ad should instantly show what problem you solve and why they should click. Keep it short, clear, and benefit-driven.
Example:
“Struggling with acne? Try our natural cream that clears skin in 7 days. Get 20% off today!”
Notice how the ad highlights the pain point (acne), the solution (7 days), and a call to action (20% off).
If you’re unsure about crafting sharp ad copy, check out our post on why clarity attracts clients, it’ll help you simplify your messaging.
3️⃣ Send People to a Focused Landing Page
Don’t send ad traffic to your homepage, it’s distracting and unfocused. Instead, send them to a dedicated landing page designed for one purpose: to capture leads.
- Clear headline: “Say Goodbye to Acne—Fast!”
- Short explanation: What they’ll get and why it's important
- Simple form: Just name + email (or phone)
- Strong CTA button: “Get My Discount”
For inspiration, revisit our detailed guide on building a landing page that converts. The same principles apply to ad traffic.
4️⃣ Track and Adjust
Launching your ad is just the beginning. Use tracking tools to monitor clicks, conversions, and costs. If one keyword or ad isn’t working, pause it and double down on what is.
⚠️ Avoid this mistake: Spending on ads without a tracking system. That’s like driving blind. Even $5/day ads should be measured.
Now that you understand Google Ads, let’s explore how Facebook Ads can complement this strategy and help you capture leads where your audience spends time.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Leads with Facebook Ads
Unlike Google Ads, where people are actively searching, Facebook Ads reach people while they’re scrolling. That means your ad has one job: grab attention fast and spark curiosity. Let’s break down how to make Facebook Ads work for your business.
1️⃣ Use Scroll-Stopping Visuals
On Facebook and Instagram, your ad image or video is the first thing people notice. If it doesn’t grab attention in 2 seconds, they’ll scroll past. That’s why visuals matter more than anything else here.
- Before & after photos (great for skincare, fitness, or makeovers)
- Short videos showing your product in action
- Bright colors and clean layouts that stand out in the feed
For inspiration, see our content distribution guide, the same visual principles apply to ads.
2️⃣ Target the Right Audience
Facebook Ads allow you to reach people with incredible precision. Instead of shouting to everyone, you can zero in on your ideal customer (see Step 1: Identify Your Ideal Customer).
Examples of targeting:
- Age range: 20–35 years old
- Interests: skincare, beauty, or health & wellness
- Behaviors: online shoppers who recently purchased beauty products
You can even retarget people who visited your website or engaged with your Instagram page, this is where Facebook becomes a powerful follow-up tool.
Pro Tip: Combine retargeting ads with the nurturing tactics we covered in Step 5: Automating Follow-Ups. The synergy increases conversions dramatically.
3️⃣ Use Facebook Lead Forms (Optional)
Instead of sending people to your website, Facebook offers an option called Instant Forms. With one click, users can submit their info directly inside Facebook. This reduces friction and usually increases lead volume.
But keep this in mind: while Instant Forms get more leads, the quality may be lower compared to a dedicated landing page. Test both and see what works best for your business.
4️⃣ Write Short, Punchy Copy
Your ad text should be simple, emotional, and tied to the visual. Remember, people are skimming, not reading essays.
Example:
“Still battling acne? Our all-natural cream clears your skin in 7 days. Tap below to get your free guide.”
If copywriting feels tricky, revisit our post on why clarity in messaging converts. Simplicity is always stronger than jargon.
5️⃣ Track and Test Your Ads
Like Google Ads, Facebook works best when you constantly test and refine. Start with small daily budgets ($5–$10) and run A/B tests with different images, headlines, and CTAs.
Kill underperforming ads quickly and reinvest in winners.
Use Facebook Ads Manager along with tracking tools to see which ads bring in the most qualified leads.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t run Facebook Ads without a clear offer. Ads only amplify what you already have. Weak offers = wasted money.
Done right, Facebook Ads are a game-changer. They don’t just get clicks, they build awareness and nurture trust at scale.
Next, let’s look at some bonus tips that make both Google and Facebook Ads more effective.
How to Make Paid Ads Work Smarter
Now that you know how to set up Google Ads and Facebook Ads, let’s talk about how to make your ads work smarter, not harder. These pro tips will help you save money, get higher-quality leads, and scale with confidence.
1️⃣ Test Multiple Variations (A/B Testing)
Never settle for just one version of your ad. Create at least 2–3 variations with different:
- Headlines
- Images or videos
- Call-to-action buttons
For example, run one ad with “Get Clear Skin Fast” and another with “7-Day Natural Acne Solution.” Facebook and Google will quickly show you which one resonates more.
💡 Pro Tip: Pair A/B testing with a high-converting landing page. Better ads mean nothing if the page they lead to doesn’t convert.
2️⃣ Start Small, Then Scale
Don’t burn through your budget in one week. Start with $5–$10 per day. Once you find an ad that performs well, scale up gradually (e.g., $20/day, then $50/day). This way, you’re only investing in what already works.
3️⃣ Use Retargeting to Boost Conversions
Most people don’t take action the first time they see your ad. That’s where retargeting comes in. You can show ads again to people who visited your site or clicked your ad but didn’t sign up.
Retargeting is especially powerful when combined with email or WhatsApp automation, creating a multi-touch system that follows your leads wherever they go online.
4️⃣ Keep Your Message Consistent
If your ad says “Free Guide: Clear Your Skin in 7 Days,” but your landing page says “Buy Our Cream Today,” people will bounce immediately.
Keep your ad, headline, and page copy aligned.
For help with writing clear, simple messaging, check out Clarity Attracts Clients.
5️⃣ Track Your Results (Don’t Fly Blind)
Use tools like Facebook Ads Manager and Google Analytics to measure:
- Impressions (how many people saw your ad)
- Click-through rate (how many clicked)
- Conversions (how many became leads)
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Revisit our guide on tracking metrics for a deeper breakdown.
⚠️ Warning: Paid ads won’t fix a broken funnel. If your ideal customer isn’t well-defined or your offer is weak, ads will only waste your budget.
With these pro tips, your ads won’t just run, they’ll work like a lead-generating machine. Next, let’s answer the big question: is paid advertising the right move for your business?
Final Verdict: Should You Invest in Paid Ads?
At this point, you understand how Google Ads and Facebook Ads work, plus some pro tips for running them smarter. But here’s the big question — are paid ads the right move for your business?
Let’s Weigh the Pros and Cons
👍 Pros of Paid Ads
- Instant visibility (no waiting for SEO)
- Highly targeted (age, location, interests, keywords)
- Scalable — increase budget, reach more people
- Works well with automation systems
👎 Cons of Paid Ads
- Costs money and the wrong setup can burn budget fast
- Requires testing & tweaking (ads rarely work perfectly first try)
- Not effective if your ideal customer or offer clarity isn’t solid
Our Recommendation
If you’re just starting out, begin with organic lead generation. It helps you build a foundation, understand your audience, and create offers that resonate, without risking ad spend.
Once you’ve nailed your offer, message, and funnel, paid ads become a powerful accelerator. They can take what already works and put it in front of thousands of people instantly.
Pro Tip: Use paid ads as fuel for a system. Ads alone won’t build a business, but when combined with high-converting landing pages and automated follow-ups, they create a lead engine that runs 24/7.
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