If you’re like most small business owners, you’ve probably wondered whether paid digital advertising is really worth it. Maybe you’ve boosted a Facebook post or tried a Google ad once, but weren’t sure if it made a difference. Or maybe the idea of spending money on ads without guaranteed results makes you hesitant.
I get it—every dollar counts when you’re running a business. But here’s the truth: paid digital advertising is one of the fastest, most effective ways to grow your brand, reach your audience, and generate real, trackable results. And when done right, it pays off—big time.
Let’s dig into why.
1. You Reach the Right People—Not Just More People
One of the biggest advantages of paid digital advertising is precision targeting.
You can zero in on your ideal customer—by location, age, interests, online behaviour, and more. Want to reach parents in Cambridge who are looking for kids’ programs? Done. Want to connect with small business owners who have recently visited your competitor’s website? Yep, that’s possible too.
Instead of casting a wide net and hoping for the best, paid ads let you go straight to the people most likely to engage with your brand and make a purchase.
Compare that to a flyer drop or radio ad. Those might reach lots of people, but how many of them actually need what you’re offering?
2. It’s Completely Trackable
This is the part I love the most (because marketing should be measurable, not a guessing game).
With digital ads, you get access to real-time data. You can see:
- How many people saw your ad
- How many clicked
- What actions they took afterward
- Which ads performed best
- Your cost per lead or conversion
You don’t get that kind of insight from a billboard.
We use this data to constantly tweak and improve performance. If something’s not working, we shift. If something is working, we double down. That’s the beauty of paid ads—they’re flexible, trackable, and always evolving.
3. Paid Ads Help Build Your Brand (Even If People Don’t Click)
Let’s say someone sees your ad on Instagram but doesn’t click right away. A few days later, they Google your product and visit your website. That’s not a coincidence—that’s the power of brand awareness.
Just being visible—again and again—makes your brand more recognizable and trustworthy. It keeps you top-of-mind.
Digital ads can help with short-term sales goals, but they also play a huge role in long-term growth by reinforcing your presence in your community or industry.
Especially for newer or smaller businesses, this kind of consistent visibility levels the playing field. You don’t need a huge marketing budget to show up like a pro.
4. It’s Scalable—Start Small and Grow as You Go
You don’t need thousands of dollars to get started. At Van Patter Group, we work with small and mid-sized businesses all the time who begin with as little as $200–$300 a month in ad spend. The key is starting with a smart strategy and building from there.
As your campaigns bring in results, you can reinvest some of your profits into a larger campaign. It’s a growth loop that builds momentum over time.
You don’t have to do everything all at once—you just have to start.
5. You Can Advertise Across Multiple Platforms
One of the questions we often get is: Where should I advertise?
That depends on your business. We manage Google Ads, Facebook and Instagram Ads, LinkedIn campaigns, and more. Each platform has its strengths:
- Google Search Ads capture people actively looking for your service
- Facebook & Instagram Ads are great for visual content and audience building
- Display Ads are those “follow-you-around” style ads that keep your brand top-of-mind
Often, the best strategy involves a combination—targeting users wherever they are in their decision-making journey.
Final Thoughts
Paid digital advertising isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore—it’s a must for businesses that want to stay visible, competitive, and relevant.
It allows you to:
✔️ Reach the right people
✔️ Track your results in real time
✔️ Build awareness and trust
✔️ Scale at your own pace
✔️ Show up consistently online
At Van Patter Group, we specialize in building paid ad campaigns that actually work—customized to your goals, your audience, and your budget. Whether you’re looking to promote an event, launch a product, or simply grow your presence online, we’re here to help.
Want to chat about whether paid ads are right for your business?
📧 Reach out to me at heather@vanpattergroup.com
Let’s put your marketing dollars to work.