If you are a business owner in USA and are thinking about investing in digital advertising, you've probably asked yourself this question:

“What is better for me: doing Google Ads or social media advertising?”

Today I am going to explain which option is better for you depending on the type of business you have, the goal you seek, and how to combine both strategies if you want to multiply your results.

You don't know where to start investing

It's common for business owners to feel confused when choosing a platform to advertise on.

• They tell you about Instagram and Facebook… but you don't see results.
  
  

• You hear that Google Ads works… but you don't know how.
  
  

• Meanwhile, your competitors are gaining customers every day.

The truth is that both platforms work, but not for the same thing.

You could be losing money if you choose wrong

Every day that passes without a clear strategy, you lose real sales opportunities.

And if you choose the wrong platform, you can end up spending money without generating results.

Example:

• If you sell a service that people are already actively searching for, like “family lawyer” or “dental clinic,” and you only post on social media, you are missing hot traffic.
  
  

• But if you sell something that people don't know they need yet, like a new product or an irresistible spa offer, they won’t search for you on Google… but they may discover you on Instagram.

That’s why it’s so important to understand the difference between both strategies.

Choose the right platform according to your type of business

1. What is Google Ads?

Google Ads is Google's advertising platform that allows you to appear when someone specifically searches for what you sell.

Search examples:

• “Accountant for SMEs in San Diego”
  
  

• “Urgent labor lawyer”
  
  

• “Affordable dentist in Chicago”

Main advantages:

• You attract people with immediate buying intention
  
  

• You can measure every click and conversion
  
  

• You appear on Google's first page

Ideal for:

Urgent services, professionals, medical, technical, agencies, consultants, education, health, etc.

2. What is Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram)?

Meta Ads is the advertising platform of Facebook and Instagram. Here you don't wait for the customer to search for you. You appear in their feed while they use the apps.

Ideal for creating desire, visibility, and emotional connection.

Main advantages:

• Ideal for visual content
  
  

• You can target by location, age, interests, and more
  
  

• Excellent for promotions of products or services

Ideal for:

Restaurants, stores, fashion, beauty, gyms, new products, or services where the person doesn't know they need it yet.

3. What happens if you combine both strategies?

That's where the results multiply.

Imagine this funnel:

• First, the client sees your ad on Instagram and becomes familiar with you.
  
  

• Then, they search for you on Google when they need the service.
  
  

• And finally, they click on your Google Ads ad and contact you.

This is called “multi-impact”, and it's what the most successful businesses use to stay in the customer’s mind from the beginning to the moment of their decision.

Comparative table: Google Ads vs. Meta Ads

What to choose then?

If you have a service business (lawyers, doctors, accountants, technicians):

Start with Google Ads.

It's more direct, the customer is already searching for you, and you can get results from the first week if set up correctly.

If you sell products, promotions, or want to position your brand:

Use Meta Ads to generate visibility and build trust. And then you can scale with remarketing campaigns on Google.

And if you have a local physical business?

The best strategy is to combine both:

• Use Google Ads to capture customers with purchasing intent
  
  

• Use Meta Ads to be present before, during, and after that search

With both channels working together, you have twice the chances of closing sales.

Conclusion

It's not about Google Ads or social media. It's about knowing which tool to use at the right time, depending on your business and your ideal customer's behavior.

Don't know where to start?

At Fresa Marketing we help you create the perfect strategy for your local business in Panama. Contact us today and multiply your results.