Short answer: Use Google Ads when people already search for what you sell, like “AC repair near me” or “dentist in Rohini”. Use Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram) when your product sells by being seen, like cakes, clothes, salon offers or a new café. Google clicks cost more but come from people ready to buy. Meta clicks are cheaper but you have to create the interest yourself.
“Should I run Google Ads or Facebook ads?” It’s one of the first questions a shop owner asks when they think about advertising online. And it’s easy to get pushed into one just because that’s what the person selling it offers.
The honest answer is that they do different jobs. One catches people who are already looking. The other puts your business in front of people who weren’t looking yet. Once you see that difference, the choice gets a lot easier.
How do Google Ads work for a local shop?
Someone types “laptop repair Pitampura” into Google. Your ad shows at the top. They click, and they land on your page or call you.
That’s the whole idea. You pick the words people search for, and Google shows your ad only to people searching them. You can also limit it to an area, so a shop in Rohini doesn’t pay for clicks from Gurgaon.
Google’s own help page puts the money side simply: “You’ll only pay when someone clicks your ad.” And on budget: “There’s no minimum.” You choose how much to spend per day and per month.
How do Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram) work?
Nobody searches on Instagram for “bakery near me” and then orders. People scroll. Meta Ads put your offer in that scroll.
You choose who sees it: people within a few kilometres of your shop, their age, and what they are interested in. Then you show them a photo or a short video. A good-looking chocolate cake does a lot of the selling on its own.
Meta Ads are also good for getting WhatsApp messages. People tap the ad and a chat opens with your business, which suits how most people in Delhi like to ask about prices.
Google Ads vs Meta Ads: side by side
| Google Ads | Meta Ads | |
|---|---|---|
| Who sees your ad | People searching for your service | People scrolling Facebook and Instagram |
| Buyer’s mood | Ready to buy or call now | Not looking yet, needs to be convinced |
| Cost per click in India | Most advertisers pay ₹25 – ₹60 | ₹4 – ₹50 |
| Cost per lead | ₹150 – ₹400 for local services | ₹150 – ₹2,000, depending on industry |
| What you need | A clear landing page with call and WhatsApp buttons | Good photos or short videos |
| Best for | Repairs, clinics, coaching, urgent needs | Food, fashion, beauty, offers, new openings |
Look at the cost per click first and Meta looks like the clear winner. But a click from someone who searched “emergency plumber” is worth far more than a click from someone who was watching cricket reels. That’s why the cost per lead ends up much closer.
Which one should your business start with?
Ask yourself one question: do people search for what I sell when they need it?
- Start with Google Ads if you are a plumber, electrician, AC or RO service, pest control, clinic, dentist, physiotherapist, CA, coaching centre or repair shop. People search for these the moment they have a problem.
- Start with Meta Ads if you run a café, bakery, boutique, salon, gym, gift shop or anything that looks good in a photo. People rarely search for these. They see them and want them.
- Use both once one is working. A coaching centre, for example, can catch searches on Google and remind parents on Instagram during admission season.
How much budget do you need to start?
| Platform | Suggested starting budget |
|---|---|
| Google Ads, local service business | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 per month |
| Meta Ads, testing an offer | ₹2,000 – ₹10,000 per month |
The same Google Ads guide says spending under ₹15,000 a month usually doesn’t give Google enough clicks to learn from. With Meta you can test smaller, which is one reason many small shops try it first.
Whatever you pick, give it at least a few weeks. Turning ads off after three days because “nothing happened” is the most common way to waste the money you already spent.
Mistakes that waste ad money
- Sending people to your home page. Send them to a page about the exact thing in the ad.
- No call or WhatsApp button. On a phone, people won’t fill a long form. Make it one tap.
- Targeting all of Delhi. If customers only come from 5 km around your shop, show ads only there.
- Not tracking enquiries. If you can’t tell which calls came from ads, you can’t tell if ads are working.
- A slow website. You pay for the click even if the page never loads.
How Team Elivate can help
We are a small web design and digital marketing team in Rohini Sector 2. We set up Google Ads and Meta Ads for local businesses, and we build the landing pages those ads send people to.
Not sure which one fits your business? Start with a free audit. We look at your website, your Google listing and any ads you already run, and send a clear report within 48 hours. Ad spend is paid directly to Google or Meta, not to us.
Related: How much does a website cost in Delhi? · Our Google Ads service · Our Meta Ads service
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Ads or Facebook Ads better for a small business in India?
Neither is better for everyone. Google Ads suits businesses people search for when they need them, like repairs and clinics. Facebook and Instagram ads suit businesses that sell through photos and offers, like cafés, boutiques and salons.
Which is cheaper, Google Ads or Meta Ads?
Meta Ads usually cost less per click in India (about ₹4 to ₹50) than Google Ads (most advertisers pay ₹25 to ₹60). But Google clicks come from people already searching, so the cost per enquiry is often closer than the click price suggests.
Is there a minimum budget for Google Ads?
No. Google says there is no minimum spend, and you only pay when someone clicks. In practice, one 2026 pricing guide suggests ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 a month for a local service business so the campaign gets enough clicks to learn from.
Can I run ads without a website?
Yes, Meta Ads can send people straight to WhatsApp or Instagram messages. Google Ads work much better with a fast landing page that has call and WhatsApp buttons, because people want to check you out before they call.
How long before ads bring customers?
Ads can bring clicks on the first day, but it takes a few weeks of testing to find the right words, photos and areas. Judge results after a few weeks, not a few days.
Sources
- Google Ads Help: Benefits of online advertising and Google Ads (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- upGrowth: Google Ads pricing in India 2026 (updated 16 Sep 2026)
- upGrowth: Facebook advertising pricing in India (updated 16 Sep 2026)
Prices checked on 3 November 2026. Ad costs change with season and competition, so treat them as a starting guide.