by Kristin Schaaf

Created on: August 01, 2011   Last Updated: August 03, 2011

If Facebook were a country, it would be the world’s third largest. No other social platform has engaged an audience of its caliber. With users given the option and ability to name and “like” their favorite interests, activities and brands, along with a user profile that shows their demographics, Facebook has become an ideal advertising source for businesses to target their audiences and grow their customer base.

Still not certain that running an ad is the best strategy for your business? Here are the top five benefits of advertising on Facebook:

Large customer growth potential

There are more than 500 million potential customers on Facebook, and it is the most heavily trafficked website in the world, even ahead of Google. The potential to build your fan base and customer loyalty is great, especially through specific, targeted advertising that piques users’ interests.

Reach your target audience

Because of the profile that each user fills out when registering their account, targeting your audience has become easier than ever. You can choose your niche by age, location and more.  You can even select a specific key word that you want to be in the user’s profile. Some of the ways you can target your audience are through location, age, gender, keywords, education, workplace, relationship status, relationship interests and languages. This means you can choose a group based on such specific information as favorite food, movie or musical artist.

Build your fan base and relationships with your users

Through Facebook ads, you control the message and who you reach. But for it to have an impact, you must engage with your audience.

Before you consider using a Facebook ad to promote your business, it is important that your company have a page on the social media site. If someone clicks on your Facebook ad, even if it doesn’t link to your Facebook page, the user will more than likely search for you on Facebook as well. The ad can link to your company website, but it is important to have a page available where people can respond, ask questions and engage with your business. Once you have established your page, then you can run an ad to build your fan base. You can even use a “like” button directly on your ad to grow your number of fans. This will also increase your brand loyalty and help you build relationships with your customers. This engaged relationship is what your most loyal consumers are looking for.  

Different budgeting options

When purchasing your Facebook ad, you will have two options for payment – CPC (click-based, when people click on your ad) and CPM (impression-based, when people see your ad). You can set a daily budget and change it at any time, which makes the process affordable for you and your business.

More flexible than the competition and easy to use

Compared to its competitor, Google AdWords, Facebook allows more characters in the ad with 135 total. You also have the option to create image-based ads, which are easy to integrate and upload, enhancing the quality of your ad. These ads also reach smartphone users, which they can easily use to click on your ad and engage with your brand – even when they don’t have access to a computer.

Even if you do not have a personal Facebook account, there is no reason your business shouldn’t be on the social media site and purchase Facebook ads. The benefits of advertising on Facebook prove that this powerful connection with your customers is a great way to build your brand and your business.

Source: Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/advertising/?campaign_id=40 2047449186&placement=pflo&extra_1=0

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