Online ads can bring in enquiries within days, or quietly burn through a budget. The difference is usually in the setup: the right channel, sensible targeting, a good landing page and proper tracking.
This guide brings together our articles on Google Ads, Facebook and Instagram ads, and the newest option, ChatGPT ads, written for small businesses that want results they can measure.
Where to advertise
Choosing channels and setting a budget.
Google Ads or Facebook Ads? Which Suits a Local BusinessGoogle reaches people who are already searching. Facebook and Instagram reach people while they scroll. How to choose where a local business should advertise first.Read the guideChatGPT Ads vs Google Ads vs Meta Ads: Where Should a Small Business Spend First?An honest side-by-side comparison of ChatGPT ads, Google Ads and Meta Ads, including where the new platform is still limited and a sensible order to test them in.Read the guideHow Much Should a Small Business Spend on Facebook and Instagram Ads?There is no single right budget for Meta ads, but there is a right way to work it out. How to set a starting budget, how long to test and…Read the guide
ChatGPT ads
Advertising inside ChatGPT with OpenAI Ads Manager.
How to Advertise on ChatGPT: A Guide for Australian BusinessesHow ChatGPT ads work, who sees them, what you can advertise from Australia, how pricing and tracking work, and how to launch your first campaign in OpenAI Ads Manager.Read the guideHow Much Do ChatGPT Ads Cost? Bids, Budgets and Billing ExplainedHow ChatGPT ad pricing works, what OpenAI recommends for bids, how to work out a realistic test budget, and the other costs to plan for.Read the guideIs Your Business Ready for ChatGPT Ads? A ChecklistEight things to check before you open OpenAI Ads Manager, from eligibility and verification to tracking, creative and budget.Read the guideChatGPT Ads for Local Businesses in MelbourneWhich local businesses in Melbourne and Victoria can use ChatGPT ads, which can't yet, and how to set up a campaign with a local focus.Read the guideA ChatGPT Ad Campaign, Step by Step: An Example WalkthroughAn illustrative four-week ChatGPT ad campaign for a fictional local landscaper, showing each setup step and how to read the numbers.Read the guide
Facebook and Instagram ads
Targeting, creative, tracking and results.
Making ads pay off
Landing pages, testing and honest claims.
More guides on this topic are on the way. They are added here as soon as they are published.