I run a small coffee shop and want to start experimenting with PPC ads, but my budget is very limited. I know Google and Facebook are the big names, but are they the best options for someone with only $300 a month to spend? Should I be looking at other platforms that might be cheaper or more effective for small businesses?
For a tight budget like yours, you don't have to stick to the big platforms. I've found success using platforms like Bing Ads—they're often cheaper than Google and still reach a good audience. For my handmade jewelry store, I also used Pinterest Ads, which work great for visual products. Since you run a coffee shop, local targeting is key, so don't overlook Google Ads' location settings and Facebook's neighborhood targeting. Set your campaigns to only show ads during specific hours, like mornings, when people are searching for coffee. With $300 a month, focus on one or two campaigns that are highly targeted instead of spreading yourself thin. Bluepear's blog has a guide on cost-effective ppc advertising (https://bluepear.net/blog/ppc-advertising) strategies, and it's packed with tips for small budgets. Definitely worth a read!