Facebook Ads vs LinkedIn Ads for Trades
Choosing between Facebook Ads and LinkedIn Ads for your trades business? We compare costs, audience targeting, and ROI to help you decide which platform will generate better results for your specific industry.
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| Factor | Facebook Ads | LinkedIn Ads |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Per Lead | $15-$35 | $65-$130 |
| Audience Size (NZ) | 2.1M+ NZ users, homeowners | 900K+ NZ users, facility managers, commercial |
| Best For | Consumer targeting, B2C, visual content | B2B targeting, professionals, corporate |
| Targeting Options | Demographics, interests, behaviors, location | Job titles, company size, industry, seniority |
| Creative Format | Image, video, carousel, stories | Single image, video, document ads |
| Lead Volume | Higher volume, lower cost | Lower volume, higher cost |
When Facebook Ads Works Best for Trades
Facebook Ads excels at reaching consumers and small businesses with its massive audience and visual storytelling capabilities. Best for:
-
Emergency residential services -
Homeowner maintenance packages -
Seasonal promotions and reminders -
Local brand awareness
Pros & Cons
- • Large homeowner reach
- • Lower costs
- • Visual service showcase
- • Emergency targeting
- • Lower job values
- • Price-focused customers
- • More one-off jobs
- • Weekend warriors
Pros & Cons
- • Higher value contracts
- • Commercial opportunities
- • B2B relationships
- • Recurring work
- • Expensive lead costs
- • Smaller audience
- • Longer sales cycles
- • Complex procurement
When LinkedIn Ads Works Best for Trades
LinkedIn Ads provides unmatched B2B targeting with professional context and decision-maker access. Best for:
-
Commercial maintenance contracts -
Facility management relationships -
Body corporate services -
Commercial property maintenance
Cost & Audience Breakdown
Understanding platform costs and audience differences helps you allocate budget effectively.
Facebook Ads
LinkedIn Ads
Our Recommendation for Trades
Tradespeople should prioritize Facebook for residential services (85% budget), only using LinkedIn if actively pursuing commercial contracts or facility management work (15% budget). LinkedIn only makes sense if you can service commercial clients and handle larger contracts.
Real Trades Results
See actual results from trades businesses using each platform
Facebook Ads
Electrician generated 156 residential leads at $24/lead, 42% conversion
LinkedIn Ads
Commercial HVAC company reached facility managers, secured 5 annual contracts
Trusted by Trades Businesses
Don't just take our word for it. Hear from businesses we've helped grow.
"I have been working with Jason from Lucid Media recently on some projects and his knowledge and work ethic is always top notch. I have every confidence that Jason will always deliver. He goes above and beyond to make sure that all aspects are taken care of in a professional and timely manner. It is a pleasure to work with him and his team and I look forward to future ongoing partnership with Lucid. A big thank you for your outstanding work Jason!"
"I had a call with Jason and was so impressed by how in-depth it was. He really listened, understood where I'm at, and gave me a clear action plan that I can actually use. It was practical, straightforward, and made me feel confident moving forward with my ads. I couldn't recommend working with him enough."
"Jason gets the results he says he will. His approach to paid ads is methodical and data-driven. He doesn't just run campaigns and hope for the best. He analyses everything, optimises constantly, and delivers real leads that convert into paying customers."
"The team at Lucid has transformed how we generate leads online. Our social media engagement has skyrocketed and more importantly, we're getting consistent enquiries from people who are actually ready to buy. The ROI speaks for itself."
Common Questions About Facebook vs LinkedIn Ads
Should trades businesses use Facebook Ads or LinkedIn Ads?
It depends on your target customer. Facebook works better for consumer targeting and has 2.1M+ NZ users, while LinkedIn excels for B2B with 900K+ professional users. Tradespeople should prioritize Facebook for residential services (85% budget), only using LinkedIn if actively pursuing commercial contracts or facility management work (15% budget). LinkedIn only makes sense if you can service commercial clients and handle larger contracts.
What's the cost difference between Facebook and LinkedIn Ads?
For trades businesses, Facebook Ads typically cost $15-$35 per lead, while LinkedIn Ads cost $65-$130 per lead. LinkedIn is 2-4x more expensive but may deliver higher-value B2B leads.
Which platform has better targeting for trades?
Facebook excels at demographic, interest, and location targeting with 2.1M+ NZ users, homeowners. LinkedIn specializes in professional targeting (job titles, company size, industry) with 900K+ NZ users, facility managers, commercial. Choose based on whether you're targeting consumers or businesses.
Can I run both Facebook and LinkedIn Ads simultaneously?
Yes, if you serve both B2C and B2B markets. Many trades businesses use Facebook for consumer leads and LinkedIn for corporate clients. However, LinkedIn's higher costs mean you need sufficient budget and the ability to close higher-value B2B deals.
Which platform converts better for trades?
Facebook typically delivers higher volume at lower cost for consumer services. LinkedIn delivers lower volume at higher cost but often higher-value B2B opportunities. Conversion rates depend more on your offer and sales process than the platform itself.
Is LinkedIn worth the higher cost for trades?
LinkedIn is worth the investment only if: (1) You target businesses/professionals, (2) You can close higher-value deals, (3) Your service has clear B2B applications. For pure consumer services, Facebook usually provides much better ROI.
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