Google Ads, Meta Ads, the math behind ad budgets that actually work.
articles from the studio
Done properly, Meta ads turn a modest budget into booked work for a trade business — but only if the offer, the photos, the targeting and the follow-up are right. Here is exactly what works for tradies, the offers that pull enquiries, and the mistakes that waste budgets.
Meta ads are one of the most accessible ways for an Australian small business to generate leads — and one of the easiest ways to waste money. Here is how they really work, what they cost, and how to make them produce enquiries instead of likes.
You set the budget, so Meta ads cost whatever you decide — the number that actually matters is the cost per result. Here are the real ranges Australian small businesses work with, what moves the cost, and how to tell if your spend is working.
For a tradie, Google Ads can be the fastest source of work there is — or the fastest way to burn a budget. Here is how to set them up to win jobs instead of waste, the negative keywords that save money, and the traps to avoid.
Before you spend a dollar on Google Ads, walk this checklist: conversion tracking on, negative keywords in, a fast landing page ready, and a budget tied to what a customer is actually worth. Here is the Brisbane small-business version, in plain English.
Pick Google Ads if customers actively search for what you sell; pick Facebook (Meta) if your product is visual or impulse-led. Most small businesses do not need both at once — start with one, prove it, then expand.
Don't split your paid budget 50/50 because it feels fair. Put the money where your customer actually is — Google when they're searching, Meta when they're scrolling — and measure conversions, not clicks. Here's the honest version.
Most Australian small-business owners spend either A$0 or A$5000 a month on Google Ads. Almost nobody lands in the sensible middle. The honest answer: tie your budget to 5–15% of your monthly gross profit and the number of customers you actually need.
Short answer: if your customers already search for what you sell, start with Google Ads. If they don't know they need you yet, start with Meta. Most small businesses don't need both at once.
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