With billions of users all around the world, Facebook is the most used and highest ranking social networking site today. With a Facebook page associated with your business, you give customers a way to learn more about your products or services, find out where you have locations and even see pictures of your team. With more than 1.5 billion people using the site every day, you may want to look into Facebook advertising. Before you use Facebook ads over other online marketing services, look at the pros and cons of social networking advertising.
Specific Targeting
The biggest pro of using Facebook as an online advertising method is that you can specifically target the exact people you want to reach. Do you sell bathing suits and clothing for teenage shoppers? Facebook will let you target those ads to teens between the ages of 13 and 18. If you want to market your products to stay at home moms, retired people or even guys who love working out at the gym, Facebook can help. You’ll have the chance to decide what type of shoppers you want to target right down to how far they are from your head office.
Minimal Risk
Facebook advertising is much less of a risk than other advertising methods. While some companies will charge you $10 or more for a single ad and thousands of dollars to feature those ads on websites, Facebook tries to keep those costs down. The site once offered ads priced at right around $1, but recent reports indicate that it increased its prices. You can start out with a smaller budget, see the return that you get from that initial investment and then decide whether to proceed or stop your ads from running.
Less Views
A common problem that you might find when running ads on Facebook is that you get fewer views than you expected. The next time that you log into your own personal account, see how long it takes you to even notice the ads on the side of your main feed. Many people grow so accustomed to online ads that they now wear blinders when doing tasks online. As they check out what their friends are up to, watch videos and play games, they may only glance at those ads without clicking on one to place an order.
Large Commitment
Using Facebook also requires a high level of commitment that many business owners just don’t have. It can take you months to determine the number of impressions that you need to buy, when to run those ads, who to target and which populations respond best to those ads. Those who want faster results may rely on affiliate advertising, direct mail campaigns and email marketing. If you can wait it out though and sacrifice some of your time, you may find that Facebook works well for you. Look at the pros and cons of Facebook advertising before spending any of your marketing budget.
