Why most local businesses waste 80% of their ad budget
I've audited over 50 local business ad accounts in the last year. Dentists, gyms, med spas, restaurants — you name it.
The same 3 mistakes show up every single time:
1. Targeting too broad
"Everyone within 25 miles" is not a strategy. A dentist in Austin doesn't need to reach college kids eating ramen. We narrow targeting to the people who actually book — homeowners 30-55, household income $75k+, interest in dental care or cosmetic procedures.
2. No retargeting funnel
90% of people who click your ad won't convert the first time. Most local businesses just run one cold campaign and wonder why their cost per lead is $80+. A simple retargeting funnel (website visitors + video viewers) can cut that in half.
3. Landing pages that kill conversions
Sending ad traffic to your homepage is like handing someone a phonebook when they asked for directions. You need a dedicated landing page with one CTA, social proof, and a clear offer.
Fix these three things and you'll see your cost per lead drop by 40-60%. We see it happen every time.
If you're running ads for your local business and feel like you're throwing money away — you probably are. Happy to take a look.
