Digital Ads 101: What Are They?
In today's digital-first world, marketing your business isn’t just about word-of-mouth or print flyers. More and more businesses, large and small, are turning to digital ads to reach their audience where they spend the most time: online.
But what exactly are digital ads? And more importantly, should your business be using them?
This blog breaks it down in plain English so you can decide if digital ads are worth exploring.
What Are Digital Ads?
Digital ads are advertisements that appear on digital platforms, including websites, search engines, social media, and mobile apps. You’ve likely seen them every day: the sponsored posts in your Facebook feed, the top results on Google that say “Ad,” or even a banner ad on your favorite news site.
Unlike traditional ads (think radio or billboards), digital ads are designed to be highly targeted, trackable, and often budget-friendly, especially for small businesses.
There are many types of digital ads, but let’s focus on the two most common and powerful options:
1. Google Ads (Search & Display)
Google Ads allow your business to show up when someone searches for something related to what you offer.
For example:
Let’s say you run a landscaping business. If someone types “lawn care near me” into Google, you can pay to show up at the top of those search results.
There are two main kinds of Google Ads:
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Search Ads: These appear at the top of search results when people are actively looking for something.
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Display Ads: These are visual ads (like banners or boxes) that appear across websites, YouTube, and even mobile apps.
The best part? You only pay when someone clicks on your ad, which is called pay-per-click (PPC).
2. Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram)
Meta Ads run across platforms like Facebook and Instagram, making it easy to reach people based on their interests, behaviors, and demographics.
You’ve likely seen these: a promoted post from a brand you’ve never followed, or a product you looked at online suddenly appearing in your feed.
Meta Ads are great for:
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Brand awareness (introducing people to your business)
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Promotions and sales
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Retargeting (reaching people who visited your website but didn’t take action)
You can choose who sees your ads based on:
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Age
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Gender
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Location
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Interests (like home design, fitness, pets, etc.)
This level of targeting means you’re not wasting money showing your ad to the wrong crowd.
Why Do Digital Ads Work?
Here are a few reasons businesses of all sizes are turning to digital ads:
✅ Reach the Right People
Digital ads let you reach people who are actually interested in what you offer, based on what they search, like, or do online.
✅ Stay Within Budget
You can start with as little as $5 a day. You set your budget and can stop anytime.
✅ Track What’s Working
Unlike a billboard, you’ll know exactly how many people saw, clicked, or took action on your ad.
✅ Fast Results
Want to sell something this week? Digital ads can generate leads, traffic, or sales fast, often within hours or days.
Common Myths About Digital Ads
“I need a big budget to run ads.”
False. You can start small and grow as you see results.
“My customers aren’t online.”
Also false. 97% of consumers go online to find local businesses. Your customers are online, they just might not be finding you.
“I don’t have time to manage ads.”
Good news, you don’t have to. That’s where an expert marketing team (like True Social Marketing) comes in.
Should Your Business Use Digital Ads?
Here’s a quick test:
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Do you want more traffic to your website?
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Are you launching a new product or service?
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Would you like to build brand recognition in your local area?
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Do you want to generate leads or online sales?
If you answered yes to any of these, digital ads are worth considering.
Whether you're a boutique, contractor, clinic, or café, digital ads can help you get in front of the right people faster and more affordably than most traditional marketing methods.
What’s the Catch?
While digital ads are powerful, they do take strategy. Poorly designed ads or incorrect targeting can waste your budget. That’s why many businesses choose to work with experts.
Final Thoughts: The Time to Explore Digital Ads Is Now
Digital ads are no longer just for big corporations. They're an accessible, flexible, and powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. If you’re not running them yet, chances are your competitors are.
Whether you're brand new to the concept or ready to dive in deeper, it’s worth exploring how digital ads could grow your business.
Ready to Get Started?
True Social Marketing specializes in helping businesses like yours succeed with digital ads. From strategy to setup to optimization, we handle it all so you can focus on what you do best.
👉 Contact us today to schedule a free discovery call. Let’s talk about how digital ads can help grow your business.
