Google Ads vs Facebook Ads for Gold Coast Businesses: Where to Invest for the Best ROI
If you run a business on the Gold Coast, you’ve likely asked yourself this:
“Should I be running Google Ads or Facebook Ads?”
It’s one of the most common questions we get. And honestly — the wrong one.
Because this isn’t a battle.
It’s a blueprint.
The truth is, Google and Meta (Facebook/Instagram) ads do very different things. Both powerful. Both profitable. But only when used strategically — based on your business model, your offer, and how your customers actually behave.
Let’s strip away the buzzwords and break it down with real insight, hard numbers, and a clear direction for where your ad spend should actually go.
Want to learn more? Book a strategy session here
First: Understand the Core Difference
Think of it like this:
- Google Ads = Intent. You appear when someone is actively searching for a solution.
- Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram) = Attention. You show up in front of people who weren’t necessarily looking — but are likely to care.
One is a flashlight. The other is a spotlight.
You don’t choose one based on what’s “cooler.” You choose based on what the job requires.
When Google Ads Outperform: High-Intent, Now-Or-Never Buyers
Google Ads work best when someone already knows what they want — they just don’t know who to get it from yet.
Use Google Ads if you:
- Solve time-sensitive problems (plumbers, locksmiths, emergency vets)
- Sell high-value professional services (mortgage brokers, cosmetic surgeons, lawyers)
- Operate in competitive niches with existing demand (solar companies, removalists, clinics)
- Want to intercept people at the moment they’re ready to act
Let’s say someone types:
- “Top family lawyer Gold Coast”
- “24/7 plumber Mermaid Beach”
- “Mortgage broker for refinancing QLD”
These aren’t browsers.
They’re buyers.
They’re looking for you, or someone like you — and they’ll likely pick one of the top results.
Why Google Ads work here:
- You only pay when someone clicks
- You can target by location, device, time, keyword, and even income
- You know exactly what they're searching for — and can tailor your messaging
- You can convert someone from a search to a sale in minutes
But it’s not magic.
It only works if your funnel is tight.
Bad landing pages, clunky forms, or slow response times will bleed your budget dry.
When Meta Ads Outperform: Building Demand Before It Exists
Now flip the script.
What if your customers don’t know they need you yet?
That’s where Meta Ads shine.
Use Facebook/Instagram Ads if you:
- Offer visual or experiential services (fitness, events, food, beauty, lifestyle)
- Sell something new, emotional, or aspirational (coaching, luxury services, boutique retail)
- Want to build brand recognition over time
- Are targeting a specific demographic, not just behaviour
Example:
- A luxury hair salon wants to attract high-income women in Broadbeach
- A cosmetic dentist wants to run a before/after smile transformation campaign
- A new Pilates studio wants to fill its opening week with pre-sold class packs
These buyers aren’t Googling “best luxury salon Gold Coast.”
But they are scrolling Instagram at 9pm, bored, open to inspiration.
Why Meta Ads work here:
- You can target by interests, location, income, buying behaviour, relationship status — even life events
- You can create full-funnel sequences (awareness > engagement > lead > sale)
- You can retarget anyone who viewed your website, watched a video, or saved your post
- You control the creative — images, video, copy, stories, reels — to emotionally connect
This is how you build a market, instead of fighting for scraps in one.
What the Numbers Say: Cost vs ROI
Here’s how average ad costs compare in the Gold Coast region:
| Platform | Average CPC | Lead Intent | Sales Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Ads | $8–$25 | High (search-driven) | Fast (1–3 days) |
| Meta Ads | $1–$8 | Medium–low | Slower (5–30 days) |
But don’t just look at cost-per-click.
Look at cost per sale, lifetime value, and pipeline velocity.
That $18 Google click might land you a $10K kitchen reno client.
That $3 Instagram view might keep someone warm for 3 months before they finally book.
Each platform contributes in very different ways.
Stop measuring them the same.
Where Most Agencies Screw It Up
Here’s what not to do (but what many Gold Coast agencies still sell you):
- Run Google Ads with no landing page — just send to your homepage.
- Post Instagram Ads to a cold audience with no lead form, no retargeting, no story.
- Assume one channel will do it all — then blame the algorithm when it fails.
Ads without context are noise.
And noise burns money.
Real-World Example: Let’s Say You Run a Custom Home Building Company
Google Ads strategy:
- Bid on “custom home builders Gold Coast”, “luxury builders Palm Beach”
- Show up in Google Maps + top search results
- Send traffic to a high-converting design/build funnel
- Get leads with a budget over $500K
Meta Ads strategy:
- Show a series of carousel ads with finished homes and testimonials
- Target couples aged 30–55, homeowners, browsing property groups or interior design pages
- Retarget past website visitors with walkthrough videos and free design guides
- Push warm leads into a call or site visit
Different energy. Same goal.
Sell more homes. At a higher value. With fewer wasted leads.
So, Where Should You Spend Your Money?
Short answer: it depends.
Long answer: use both — but for different jobs.
Use Google Ads when:
- You're selling to a problem-aware buyer
- Speed, urgency, or timing matter
- You want direct leads with clear search intent
Use Meta Ads when:
- You're building a brand or selling a feeling
- Your service requires storytelling or education
- You need to stay top-of-mind over time
Use both when:
- You want leads and loyalty
- You’re launching a premium or niche offer
- You’re scaling beyond referrals and word-of-mouth
Here’s What a Smart Funnel Looks Like
- Google Ads capture buyers ready to act
- Meta Ads build desire, trust, and nurture the undecided
- Retargeting closes the gap
- CRM automations follow up instantly
- Tracking + testing improve everything weekly
That’s how serious businesses grow.
That’s how your business becomes the obvious choice in your market.
Final Word: Stop Guessing. Start Scaling.
You don’t need more traffic.
You need the right traffic — delivered at the right time, through the right platform, with a system that turns it into revenue.
That’s what we build.
Not ads. Not likes. Not just leads.
Growth engines. For real businesses.
Want to learn more? Book a strategy session here