Google Ads vs. Social Media Ads: Which Is Better for Your Omaha Business?

In today’s digital landscape, online advertising is essential to growing your business. But when it comes to paid ads, the big question often arises: Should you invest in Google Ads or social media ads for your Omaha business? Both offer unique benefits, but understanding how they work—and which aligns better with your business goals—can help you get the most out of your marketing budget.

Let’s break down the strengths of Google Ads and Social Media Ads and how they compare.

Google Ads: High-Intent Traffic, Fast Results

Google Ads is a pay-per-click (PPC) platform that displays ads based on user search queries. If someone types “emergency plumber in Omaha,” and you offer that service, your ad can appear at the top of the search results.

Why it works:

• Search intent: People are actively looking for a solution. That means they’re already further down the buyer’s journey and more likely to convert.
• Speed: Google Ads can start bringing in leads almost immediately once your campaign is live.
• Local reach: Ideal for local service providers, retail stores, or time-sensitive services.

Did you know? Google Ads has an average conversion rate of 4.8% across all industries on the search network—significantly higher than many other ad platforms.

Social Media Ads: Awareness, Engagement, and Visual Appeal

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok allow businesses to run targeted ads based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and more. These platforms are great for creating demand and building brand awareness.

Why it works:

• Advanced targeting: You can reach people who didn’t even know they needed your product—yet.
• Visual storytelling: Social ads let you use images, videos, and carousels to make your message pop.
• Community building: Social media fosters engagement through likes, shares, and comments—helping brands build loyal followings.

Did you know? According to Hootsuite, 52% of online brand discoveries happen on social media, showing its power to influence buying behavior early in the customer journey.

Comparing the Two Platforms

The biggest difference between Google Ads and social media advertising comes down to intent vs. interest. Google Ads targets people who are already searching for what you offer. It’s a direct path to high-converting traffic and ideal for lead generation. On the other hand, social media ads help you spark interest and increase brand visibility among people who may not yet know they need your product or service.

Google Ads typically delivers quicker results, making it ideal for short-term campaigns, flash sales, or urgent services. Social media ads often work best as part of a longer-term strategy, where brand awareness, trust-building, and retargeting come into play.

In terms of content style, Google relies on text-heavy search ads and product listings, while social ads thrive on visual appeal, video content, and engaging storytelling.

Which Should You Choose?

The best platform depends on your business type, goals, and budget.

Choose Google Ads if:

• You offer a high-demand or emergency service (e.g., HVAC, dental, legal)
• You want immediate leads
• Your audience is actively searching for your product or service

Choose social media ads if:

• You sell a lifestyle product, subscription box, or course
• You want to build brand awareness
• You’re launching a new product or event and want to create buzz

Best case? Use both.

Social media ads are great for building brand awareness and creating interest in your business. Google Ads can then capture that interest when users search for your brand or service later. A multi-channel approach often produces the highest ROI by meeting your audience at every stage of the customer journey.

Work With a Team That Gets It

At SOAR Marketing, we specialize in both Google Ads and social media advertising campaigns for Omaha businesses and beyond. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter strategies. Our team will work closely with you to understand your business goals and build a custom campaign that gets results—whether you’re looking for clicks, conversions, or loyal fans.

Ready to grow smarter? Reach out to SOAR Marketing today for your free consultation!