If you’re a small business or a startup trying to grow online, you’ve probably thought, Should I spend on Google Ads or social media ads?”
As a digital marketer in Trivandrum, I think several local brands are facing this exact question. The answer?
It depends on your business goals, your targeted audience, and how fast you want results.
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
Google Ads: Be There When They’re Searching
Best for quick conversions, urgent services, and high-intent leads.
Think about this—when someone searches for “best bakery in Trivandrum,” they’re ready to take action.
Google Ads places your business in front of people who are actively looking.
Pros:
High intent: Reach to users who are ready to buy or book now
Quick visibility: Within days get more leads
Ideal for service-based businesses like consultants, clinics, water services, tutors
Cons:
Competitive industries cost more.
There should be a strong landing pages to convert those clicks
Social Media Ads: While users scrolling their mobile phones, catch them
Best for Brand awareness, visual storytelling, and growing online presence
People do stop for beautiful visuals, videos, or relatable content, but for services, they do not open Instagram.
Pros:
Great for visuals and storytelling
Accurate targeting: Age, interests, location (even Trivandrum-specific!)
Stronger brand recall over time
Cons:
Lower buying intent
Requires creative effort (images, videos, captions)
Google Ads vs. Social Ads: Which One Wins?
Now, final Thoughts from a Digital Marketer in Trivandrum
Here’s what I tell my clients:
Use Google Ads if you’re offering something people are already searching for (like a home tutor, electrical services, or dental clinic).
Use social media ads if your product or brand needs more visibility and engagement. Helps to make your brand more visible.
Combine both if you want the best of both worlds, which converts leads and gets loyal customers.
No matter what you choose, success depends on strategy, not just ad spend or bidding.
Need Help with Your Ads?
Running ads without a plan is like wasting money.
If you’re a business owner looking for clarity and results, I’d love to help.
As a digital marketer in Trivandrum, I create ad strategies that actually work for real people, not just clicks.
📩 Let’s talk about what will work for your business.
For more, connect with me: http://www.linkedin.com/in/anzila-azeem