top of page

Meta vs Google Ads: Which Works Best for Florida Service Businesses in 2025?

If you’re a business owner in West Palm Beach or anywhere in South Florida, you’ve probably wondered:

“Should I be spending my budget on Google Ads or Meta (Facebook and Instagram) Ads?”


Both platforms can deliver incredible results — but each works differently, and understanding how they complement each other can be the difference between wasting money and scaling profitably.

At Strategy & Solutions Consulting, we manage data-driven ad campaigns for Florida businesses every day. Here’s how we decide when to use each platform — and how the right mix can transform your results.



How Google Ads Helps Local Service Businesses


Google Ads is intent-based. That means you’re targeting people who are already searching for what you offer.


When someone types “emergency plumber near me” or “digital advertising agency West Palm Beach,” they’re showing buying intent. That’s where Google Ads dominates — you appear right when people need your service.


Why it works for Florida businesses:


  • You can target by city, zip code, or radius (perfect for local reach).

  • It captures high-intent leads that convert quickly.

  • Search and Performance Max campaigns give immediate visibility even with modest budgets.


Example:

A Palm Beach HVAC company running Google Ads for “AC repair near me” can dominate local search results, generate inbound calls, and track every conversion in real time.



How Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram) Build Awareness and Retargeting Power


While Google Ads finds people who are searching, Meta Ads help you reach people who are scrolling.


Meta excels at brand awareness, storytelling, and retargeting — staying in front of people who visited your site but didn’t convert.


Why Meta Ads work for Florida brands:


  • Cost-effective impressions and clicks.

  • Strong visual storytelling through photos and short videos.

  • Lookalike audiences built from your best customers.

  • Perfect for re-marketing to warm leads and past visitors.


Example:

A West Palm Beach fitness studio runs Meta Ads to retarget website visitors who viewed their membership page but didn’t sign up — offering a free trial pass.



Google Ads vs Meta Ads: Key Differences


Feature

Google Ads

Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram)

User Intent

High — people are searching for a service

Medium — discovery-based and visual

Ad Type

Search, Shopping, Display, YouTube

Image, Video, Reels, Carousel

Best For

Lead generation, services, eCommerce

Brand awareness, retargeting, community growth

Tracking

Keyword & conversion data

Audience engagement & creative testing

Cost per Click

Higher (but higher intent)

Lower (good for awareness)


The Smartest Strategy: Use Both Together


Most Florida businesses see the best ROI when using Google + Meta Ads together.

Here’s how we structure it for our clients at Strategy & Solutions Consulting:


  1. Google Ads captures the ready-to-buy traffic (e.g. “roof repair near me”).

  2. Meta Ads keeps your brand top-of-mind through retargeting and awareness.

  3. Together, they form a data-driven ad funnel that turns awareness into sales.



Example Setup:


  • Top of Funnel: Meta Ads targeting local audiences by interest or location.

  • Middle of Funnel: Retarget Meta traffic with testimonials or limited offers.

  • Bottom of Funnel: Google Search Ads converting active intent into leads.



Local Example: A West Palm Beach Retailer’s Success Story


A boutique retailer in Downtown West Palm Beach used this combined strategy:


  • Google Ads for “luxury swimwear Palm Beach.”

  • Meta Ads retargeting recent website visitors with carousel ads.

    Within 30 days, their return on ad spend (ROAS) jumped from 2.1x to 5.3x — all without increasing spend.



Our Data-Driven Approach


At Strategy & Solutions Consulting, we don’t guess — we use data, testing, and conversion tracking to make every decision.


We specialize in Google Ads, Meta Ads, and TikTok Ads for Florida service and eCommerce businesses, helping brands grow sustainably and profitably.


Ready to discover which platform is right for your business?

Key Takeaways

• Google Ads = intent-based conversions.

• Meta Ads = awareness, retargeting, and engagement.

• The combination drives consistent, scalable growth.

• Local targeting and data-driven testing make both platforms work smarter — not harder.

bottom of page