Google Ads vs Facebook Ads: Which Delivers the Best ROI for Your Business?
When it comes to paid advertising, one of the most common questions we’re asked at Cherry Marketing is:
“Should we be running Google Ads or Facebook Ads?”
The honest answer? It’s rarely one or the other.
Both platforms can deliver exceptional results — when used strategically. The key isn’t choosing a side. It’s understanding how each platform works, what your audience is doing, and which approach will generate the strongest return on investment (ROI) for your business.
Understanding the Difference: Intent vs Discovery
The biggest difference between Google Ads and Facebook (Meta) Ads lies in user behaviour.
Google Ads: Capturing Existing Demand
Google Ads works on intent-based marketing.
People are actively searching for a solution:
“Holiday homes for sale in Lancashire”
“Roof repair near me”
“Static caravan insurance”
“Luxury lodges UK”
These users already have a need. Your advert simply needs to appear at the right time.
Because of this, Google Ads often delivers:
High-quality leads
Strong conversion rates
Immediate measurable results
Clear bottom-of-funnel enquiries
If someone is searching for your service, Google Ads ensures you are visible when it matters most.
Facebook Ads: Creating Demand & Building Awareness
Facebook and Instagram Ads operate differently.
Instead of waiting for someone to search, Meta allows you to:
Target specific demographics
Reach people based on interests and behaviours
Build awareness before intent exists
Retarget website visitors
Nurture cold audiences into warm leads
This is especially powerful for:
Holiday parks
Property developers
Residential parks
Lifestyle-led brands
Service-based businesses with longer sales cycles
Facebook Ads are exceptional at storytelling, visual marketing, and lead generation campaigns that move people through a sales journey.
Which Platform Is Better for ROI?
There isn’t a universal answer — because ROI depends on:
Your industry
Your budget
Your sales cycle
Your offer
Your audience behaviour
In many cases, the highest-performing strategy combines both platforms.
For example:
Facebook Ads introduce your brand and generate interest.
Users later search your business or service on Google.
Google Ads capture that high-intent enquiry.
Retargeting ads reinforce trust and drive conversion.
This multi-touch approach often produces the strongest long-term ROI.
The Real Key: Data, Not Guesswork
At Cherry Marketing, we don’t recommend platforms based on trends. We recommend them based on performance data.
Successful paid advertising requires:
Conversion tracking properly installed
Clear lead tracking
Cost-per-lead monitoring
A/B testing
Ongoing optimisation
Without this, businesses often waste budget assuming one platform “doesn’t work” — when in reality, it simply wasn’t structured correctly.
When Google Ads Typically Works Best
Google Ads is often ideal when:
Your service solves an immediate problem
There is high search volume in your area
You need quick enquiries
Your audience already knows what they want
Examples: Roofing services, insurance, urgent repairs, direct product searches.
When Facebook Ads Often Delivers Stronger Results
Facebook Ads typically perform best when:
You are selling a lifestyle
You need to educate the market
Your product has a longer consideration period
You want to build brand authority
Examples: Holiday home ownership, residential park homes, property launches, luxury accommodation, specialist services.
Why Testing Matters
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is committing their entire budget to one channel without testing.
A structured paid strategy should:
Test both platforms (if budget allows)
Track cost per lead
Track lead quality
Measure return over time
Scale the strongest performer
Sometimes Google wins. Sometimes Meta wins. Often, the combination delivers the best overall return.
Why Work With a Digital Marketing Agency?
Paid advertising is not simply “boosting a post” or setting up a few keywords.
To achieve consistent ROI, campaigns must be:
Strategically structured
Professionally written
Visually compelling
Correctly tracked
Optimised weekly
At Cherry Marketing, we specialise in performance-driven paid advertising for property, holiday parks, lifestyle brands and service businesses.
Our approach is simple:
👉 Test intelligently
👉 Track everything
👉 Optimise continuously
👉 Scale what works
Final Thoughts
Google Ads vs Facebook Ads isn’t a competition.
It’s about understanding:
Where your audience is
When they’re ready to buy
And how to reach them at the right stage
If you’re currently running ads but unsure which platform is delivering the strongest ROI — or if you’re not seeing the results you expected — there may be significant untapped opportunity.
At Cherry Marketing, we help businesses turn paid advertising into measurable growth.
If you’d like a review of your current campaigns or guidance on where to invest your budget, get in touch.
Because great advertising isn’t about spending more.
It’s about spending smarter.