For restaurants and small businesses, digital advertising is one of the fastest ways to reach new customers. But with so many options available, one big question often comes up:
Should you invest in Google Ads or Social Media Ads?
Both platforms can deliver results—but they work in different ways. Understanding how each channel functions is key to making the right decision for your business. At Reead & Co, we’ve managed campaigns for restaurants, e-commerce shops, and service businesses, and here’s what we’ve learned.
How Google Ads Work?
Google Ads (also called Pay-Per-Click or PPC) are text or image ads that appear when someone searches for something specific on Google.
For example:
- A person types “best sushi restaurant near me” → your ad appears at the top.
- Someone searches “affordable catering for weddings” → your catering service shows up.
Google Ads target intent-based customers—people who already know what they want and are actively looking for it.
Strengths of Google Ads:
- Reach people at the moment they’re ready to buy.
- Great for local businesses (restaurants, salons, shops).
- Highly measurable: track clicks, calls, and conversions.
- Quick to set up and start generating traffic.
Limitations:
- Competitive keywords can be expensive.
- Works best with a clear offer (menu, booking, product).
How Social Media Ads Work?
Social media ads run on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Instead of targeting people searching, they target people based on interests, behaviors, and demographics.
For example:
- Show a cocktail photo ad to people who love nightlife and dining.
- Promote your bakery’s new cakes to users who follow dessert or food accounts.
- Retarget visitors who browsed your website but didn’t book.
Social media ads are about awareness and engagement—getting people to discover your brand, even if they weren’t looking for you.
Strengths of Social Media Ads:
- Excellent for brand awareness and storytelling.
- Highly visual—great for food, products, and lifestyle brands.
- Allows retargeting of past visitors and loyal customers.
- Often less expensive than Google Ads for impressions.
Limitations:
- People may not be ready to buy right away.
- Clicks and engagement don’t always equal sales.
Which Is Better for Restaurants & Small Businesses?
The truth is: it depends on your goals.
– If you want immediate customers who are actively searching → Google Ads.
Example: Someone is hungry, types “pizza delivery near me”, sees your ad, and orders right away.
– If you want to build awareness and create loyal customers → Social Media Ads.
Example: You run a video ad of your chef preparing a dish, and people save the post to visit your restaurant later.
The Power of Using Both Together
The most successful businesses don’t choose one or the other—they combine both.
– Google Ads captures intent → you show up when people are ready to spend.
– Social Media Ads builds awareness → you stay top of mind and attract new audiences.
For example:
A restaurant we worked with used Google Ads to capture people searching for “French bistro reservations” while running Instagram Ads showcasing mouth-watering dish photos. The combination boosted both reservations and social following, creating a long-term cycle of growth.
Practical Tips for Small Businesses
- Start with clear goals: Do you want immediate bookings, more followers, or long-term loyalty?
- Budget wisely: Even $500–$1000/month can drive strong results if campaigns are well-targeted.
- Use professional visuals: Photos and videos make or break social media ads.
- Track results: Use analytics to measure ROI and adjust campaigns regularly.
Why Work With Reead & Co
At Reead & Co, we specialize in creating ad campaigns that are:
- Tailored to your business goals
- Designed with compelling visuals and copy
- Optimized for ROI through constant testing and reporting
Whether you run a restaurant, a boutique, or a service-based business, we’ll help you decide where to invest—Google Ads, Social Media Ads, or both—and manage the entire process for you.
Conclusion
Google Ads and Social Media Ads aren’t rivals—they’re tools. The key is knowing when to use each one.
– Use Google Ads to capture ready-to-buy customers.
– Use Social Media Ads to build brand awareness and long-term relationships.
– Use both together for the strongest results.
At Reead & Co, we’ll craft a strategy that maximizes your advertising budget and ensures your business gets noticed.
Book your free consultation today and let’s build a campaign that works for you.
