Key Takeaways

• Facebook ads are great for contractors, reaching 3.07 billion people every month and offering a strong return on investment.
• Clear goals and tools like Audience Insights help you target the right audience and improve your ads.
• Personalized ads using your customer data make people more likely to become paying customers.
• Start small with your budget, around $300–$500 per month, and increase it as you see good results.
• Use A/B Testing to test different version of your ads and make sure they look good on mobile devices.
• Hiring an expert or professional service can save time, avoid wasted budget, and get better leads.

From raising brand awareness to generating leads, Facebook is still one of the best tools contractors can use in 2024. The platform started small as a competitor to MySpace, but today it’s a social media giant with over 3.07 billion users every month (Source: DemandSage). Contractors in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry can benefit greatly from Facebook ads. However, with so many businesses advertising, you’ll need a solid strategy to stand out. Below, we’ll walk you through some important Facebook advertising tips to help your business get results.

Why Facebook Ads Work So Well

Facebook gives advertisers many benefits that are hard to beat. The size of the audience means you can reach thousands of local customers. The ROI (return on investment) with Facebook ads is better than most other platforms, meaning you get more results for every dollar you spend (Source: Save My Leads). Facebook’s Audience Insights tool also provides detailed data about users, helping you refine your campaigns.

Here are a few reasons why Facebook ads remain powerful:

• Huge Audience: As of 2024, Facebook has 3.07 billion monthly users actively engaging with content.
• Affordable ROI: Facebook ads are still one of the most cost-effective marketing tools available today.
• Targeted Data: Facebook’s Audience Insights helps advertisers focus on the right people based on interests, location, and behavior.

Not every ad performs well, though. The most successful ads share three key elements:

• Relevance: Ads must align with the audience’s needs and interests.
• Clarity: Simple, clear messages work better than complicated ones.
• Brevity: Short, focused content grabs attention faster.

Getting Ready to Advertise on Facebook

Before running your campaign, it’s important to have a solid plan. Preparation will help you get better results and prevent wasted budget. Let’s walk through the essential steps to get started.

1. Use Your CRM Data

If you’re using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool, it’s time to put it to work. Your CRM stores information about customers that can guide your ad campaigns. Facebook allows you to upload customer data to create custom audiences, showing your ads to people who are more likely to hire you. This personalized targeting will increase the chances of converting leads into customers.

For ContractorCEO's clients, they have access to their own ContractorCEO Software that streamlines the process even further. The software organizes customer data, optimizes audience targeting, and ensures every ad reaches the most relevant potential leads. This integrated solution helps contractors improve ad performance and convert more leads into paying customers.

2. Define Your Goals

Additionally, every campaign needs clear goals to succeed. Are you trying to raise brand awareness or get new leads? Setting specific goals will help you focus your ads and measure results. Knowing your goal also determines the type of ad you use—whether it’s a lead form ad, carousel ad, or video ad that tells your story.

3. Prepare for Long-Term Campaigns

Moreover, Facebook ads often work better over time. Running long-term campaigns gives the platform’s algorithm time to learn and show your ads to the right people. Consistent advertising also ensures your business stays visible and relevant. To keep things on track, set a monthly budget you can manage, and adjust it as needed based on performance data.

Facebook Advertising Tips for Contractors

Once you’re prepared, you can dive into the best strategies. These Facebook advertising tips will help you create campaigns that deliver real results.

1. Keep Your Ads Short and Clear

The best ads are simple. People don’t want to read long, complicated messages—they just want to know what’s in it for them. Whether you use images, videos, or text, Facebook recommends keeping your ads short and direct.

Here are some key questions your ad should answer right away:

• Who are you? (Your business name)
• Where do you work? (Your service area)
• What do you offer? (Concrete patios, driveways, etc.)
• Why trust you? (Show reviews or testimonials)
• What makes you special? (Highlight your unique service)

If you answer these in your ads, people are more likely to notice you. You don’t need to say everything in one ad—start simple, and share more details later if people click or message you.

2. Make Your Ads Match the Right Audience

Not all customers are the same, so you want your ads to fit each type of person you’re targeting. If you’re working with homeowners, your message will be different from ads aimed at businesses. Use Facebook Audience Insights to learn about your audience and what matters to them.

Here’s a real example from Cesar’s Concrete:

Testimonials like this show potential customers what makes your business unique. Personal details—like mentioning team members by name—build trust and make your ads feel more genuine.

Here are some easy tips to adjust your ads:

• Keep it professional: Contractors need to sound trustworthy, so avoid using too many emojis.
• Sprinkle in a little industry talk: Mentioning terms like “stamped concrete” or “curb installation” helps build credibility.
• Stick to facts: Show things like prices, timelines, or warranties so customers feel confident they’ll get what they expect.

This way, your ads will feel more personal and relevant, which leads to better engagement.

3. Use Facebook Audience Insights for Targeting

Facebook’s Audience Insights tool helps you refine your campaigns by showing detailed data about your audience, such as demographics, behaviors, and interests.

Knowing these details allows you to target the right people. For example, if most of your audience uses mobile devices, make sure your ads are easy to read on smaller screens.

4. Choose the Right Ad Placements

Where you place your ads can make a huge difference in how many people engage with them. Facebook gives you several placement options, and it’s often best to try multiple placements to see which one performs the best. While automatic placement is an easy way to start, manual placement gives you more control over where your ads show up.

There are many more placement options available on Facebook and Instagram, each offering unique advantages. To learn more about how different placements can impact your campaigns, check out this article for more ideas. 

5. Set a Manageable Budget

Budgeting plays a huge role in your campaign’s success. Contractors should start with a realistic budget they can maintain for the long term. A good starting point is $300–$500 per month if you’re testing the waters, but larger campaigns may require $1,500 or more monthly.

6. Run A/B Tests to Improve Results

Testing your ads—also known as A/B testing—helps you figure out what works best. You can try small changes, like using a different photo or headline, to see which ad gets the most clicks or messages.

Here’s how to start:

1. Test one thing at a time: Change one part of the ad (like the headline) and compare results.
2. Use Facebook’s Experiments tool: This tool makes it easy to manage your tests.
3. Check your results regularly: Look at metrics like click-through rates (CTR) and cost per click (CPC) to see how your ads are doing.
   
   FYI: A good CTR for Facebook ads is usually around 2-5%, but it can vary by industry and campaign goals (source). If your CTR is too low, it might mean your audience isn’t interested in your ad. CPC benchmarks can also vary, but $0.70–$2.00 per click is a common range (source). Higher CPCs could mean your ad is not optimized for the right audience.

By testing and tweaking your ads, you’ll get better results and avoid wasting your budget.

7. Optimize for Mobile Use

Additionally, most Facebook users browse the platform on their phones. Make sure your ads look good on mobile by using high-quality images, short text, and easy-to-tap CTAs. Read this article on how top optimize your Facebook Ads for Mobile.

Your Next Step

For contractors, getting these details right can make all the difference. With the right placements, targeted copy, and regular testing, your ads will become more effective and help you get better leads. These small adjustments lead to bigger success, ensuring your business gets noticed.

Now, if you want to get the most out of your Facebook ads budget and attract high-quality leads, leave it to the experts. At ContractorCEO, we know how to fine-tune campaigns for maximum results without wasting your budget. Let us help you drive better leads and grow your business—contact us today, and let’s make your ads work harder for you!