One of the most common questions small business owners ask when thinking about advertising is, “How much should I spend?” With so many advertising options out there, from social media to print, deciding on a budget can feel overwhelming. Let’s break it down to make it easier for you to set a budget that fits your business needs and explore how affordable outdoor and geofenced mobile ads can give you maximum value for your money.
Understanding Your Ad Budget
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but a general guideline is to allocate 5-10% of your revenue to marketing and advertising. The exact figure depends on factors like your industry, business size, and how aggressively you want to grow. For new businesses looking to build brand awareness, spending on the higher end (around 10%) might be more effective, while established businesses with a solid customer base might be able to stick to the lower end (around 5%).
Pro tip: It’s essential to start small and test the waters before committing to a bigger budget. Keep track of your ad performance and make adjustments based on what works best for your business.
Why Outdoor and Geofenced Mobile Ads?
Outdoor ads, like billboards, and geofenced mobile ads are fantastic for small businesses because they are highly visible, can target specific areas, and create immediate brand recognition. With Cidewalk’s digital platform, you can easily get your business in front of potential customers in specific locations. Here’s why it makes sense:
- Affordable Options: Contrary to popular belief, outdoor advertising doesn’t have to break the bank. Cidewalk offers flexible pricing starting at just $10/day, allowing you to control your budget and scale up or down as needed. You don’t have to worry about contracts or long-term commitments—just pick your budget, set up your ad, and you’re ready to go.
- Local Targeting: Whether you’re a local coffee shop, boutique, or service provider, reaching nearby customers is key. Cidewalk’s geofenced mobile ads let you target customers when they’re in a specific area. For example, if you own a restaurant, you can set your ads to reach customers within a mile of your location when they’re searching on their phones.
- Easy to Manage: With Cidewalk, you can design your ads, set your budget, and track performance all from an easy-to-use online platform. This way, you can spend more time focusing on running your business and less time worrying about complicated ad setups.
How Much Should You Spend on Outdoor or Mobile Ads?
Now that you know the benefits, let’s talk numbers. Start by asking yourself:
- What’s my monthly revenue?: If you’re making $5,000 a month, consider allocating $250-$500 (5-10%) to your ad budget.
- What’s my goal?: Are you trying to drive foot traffic to your store, build brand awareness, or increase online sales? Your goal will influence how much you spend and how you measure success.
- How long can I commit?: Even if you’re starting small, consider running your ads for at least a few weeks to see results. Cidewalk’s flexible pricing makes this easy, so you can try different approaches without a hefty commitment.
Affordable Advertising That Works
With Cidewalk, small business advertising is not only affordable but also effective. Our digital outdoor and geofenced mobile ads allow you to reach the right audience at the right time without the usual ad hassles. You can design your ads, track their performance, and adjust your strategy as you go—all without contracts or hidden fees.
Ready to grow your business? Sign up at Cidewalk.com and start with a budget that works for you. For as low as $10/day, you can launch your first ad campaign and get in front of more customers today!
Conclusion
Your advertising budget doesn’t have to be complicated. By allocating a small portion of your revenue and choosing smart, location-based advertising options like outdoor and mobile ads from Cidewalk, you can effectively grow your business without overspending. Ready to see how easy it is to get started? Check out our platform and start reaching more local customers now.
Give it a shot: www.cidewalk.com
