If you are looking to advertise on Facebook, you may be wondering which option is more effective: Facebook Ads or Boosting. Being a Facebook advertising agency, we regularly use both for our clients to improve their brand exposure and grow their online presence. But while both options can help increase your reach and engagement on the platform, they are not made for everyone. There are some key differences to consider. Let’s discuss them.

What do Facebook Ads do?

Facebook Ads are created through the Facebook Ads Manager, which allows you to get your brand in front of your target audience based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and much more. You can choose from a variety of ad formats, including images, videos, and carousels. You can also set specific goals for your campaign, such as increasing website traffic, generating leads, or increasing sales.

One of the biggest advantages of Facebook Ads is the ability to create highly targeted campaigns. With the ability to target specific demographics and interests, you can reach a highly relevant audience that is more likely to engage with your ad. You can also use Facebook’s retargeting feature to show ads to people who have already interacted with your website or Facebook page before. This gives you a better shot of converting your leads than targeting a new user does. 

Another advantage of Facebook Ads is the ability to track and measure your results. The Ads Manager provides detailed analytics on the performance of your ads, including information on your impressions, clicks, and conversions. This allows you to make data-driven decisions and optimize your campaigns for better results.

With Facebook Ads, you can significantly reduce your room for error and get the most out of your ad spend.

What does Boosting do?

Boosting a post is a simpler option for advertising on Facebook. With a boosted post, you can increase the visibility of a specific post on your Facebook page. It is done directly from your Facebook page and allows you to select a target audience based on demographics and interests.

One advantage of boosting is the simplicity of the process. Boosting a post requires only a few clicks and can be done quickly and easily. If you have pre-set target groups, you can simply select one of them and boost your post in one click.

Since you are only promoting a specific post as opposed to planning a whole campaign for your entire account, Boosting can be a cost-effective way to increase your reach and engagement on Facebook.

Having said all of that, Boosting is not perfect or even for every business. There are some limitations to boosting that should be considered. Boosting does not offer the same level of customization as Facebook Ads. For instance, while you can select a target audience based on demographics and interests, you cannot use the same level of in-depth targeting as Ads Manager. Boosted posts also do not offer the same level of flexibility as Facebook Ads, in terms of choosing the ad format or setting specific goals.

Which is More Effective: Facebook Ads or Boosting?

The effectiveness of Facebook Ads versus Boosting ultimately depends on your advertising goals and budget. If you have a specific goal in mind, such as increasing website traffic or generating leads, Facebook Ads may be a more effective option. Facebook Ads offer greater customization and targeting options, allowing you to create highly targeted campaigns that are more likely to achieve your goals. Facebook Ads are made for getting orders or making conversions.

Facebook ads are highly effective in increasing your sales whereas Boosting a post on Facebook has its perks when it comes to increasing your overall brand exposure.

If your goal is to increase your reach, followers, or engagement on Facebook, Boosting may be a more useful tool. It will allow you to quickly and easily increase the visibility of a specific post, which can help improve your brand awareness among your target audience.

In fact, when used correctly, Boosting can also be an effective tool for reaching people who aren’t following or engaging with your brand regularly. The Boosted posts will show up on their news feed and give them a reason to engage with your content.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of Facebook Ads versus Boosting depends on your specific advertising goals, budget, brand stage, and target audience. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider your business’s direct goals before deciding which option is right for your brand.