Facebook ads can still deliver strong results. You just have to use them right. Some brands scale fast and hit great ROI, while others burn the budget without seeing a single sale. The difference is how well your ads work with the platform.

In this guide, we break down everything you need to know to get profitable. You will learn whether Facebook ads are still worth it, which ad types perform best, and how to make them work for your business. You will also find simple steps you can follow today.

Are Facebook ads still worth it?

Yes, Facebook ads are worth it when they are set up the right way. The platform still offers one of the largest audiences and the strongest targeting tools online. That is why many brands continue to grow with Meta ads, while others struggle.

So why do some people think Facebook ads are dead? It usually comes down to three things:

• The algorithm has changed.

• Competition has increased.

• Brands expect results without proper testing.

The Facebook algorithm is smarter now. It rewards ads with strong creative, clear goals, and the right data signals. If those are missing, performance drops fast.

Return on ad spend (ROAS) is the easiest way to tell whether Facebook ads are worth it for your business. A good ROAS usually lands between 3 to 4 or higher, depending on your margins. If your ads help you make more than you spend, they are working.

With Meta integration across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Audience Network, your ads can reach the right people in more places. That means better efficiency and higher conversion potential.

Next, let us look at the costs so you know what to expect before you launch.

How much do Facebook ads cost?

The cost of Facebook ads varies. It depends on your audience, your industry, and your goals. The platform uses an auction system, so you pay based on demand.

Most small businesses start with a daily budget between $5 and $25. That is enough to test messaging, find winning audiences, and gather performance data. Once you see what works, you scale the budget.

Long story short, if every dollar brings more value back, then the ads are worth it.

To give you better context, let’s quickly compare Facebook ads vs. Google ads. Facebook usually gives cheaper reach and broader discovery, Google often costs more per click because people already have buying intent.

Facebook builds demand, while Google captures it. Many businesses use both to maximize returns. Before you spend a large amount, know what ROAS you need to stay profitable.

How much should you spend on Facebook ads?

Your Facebook ad budget should come from one key question: What return do you need to stay profitable? Work backward from your revenue goals so every dollar has a purpose.

Here is a simple way to calculate it. If your average customer brings in USD 100 profit and your target ROAS is 3x, then spending up to USD 33 per conversion still keeps you in the green. That makes your budget a strategic investment rather than a guess.

You’d also want enough data for the algorithm to learn. Aim to collect at least 50 meaningful actions per week. That helps Facebook find more of the right people faster, which leads to better results.

Once you hit profitable and stable ROAS, scale confidently. I’ll cover more about this later in the article, so keep reading.

5 tips to make Facebook ads work when you’re just starting out

Opening paragraph.

These tips pull together the insights about ROI, budget, Meta updates, and ad types into actionable guidance.

1. Start small, but scale strategically

Start with a small daily budget to learn what works before going bigger. Test one advertising technique at a time such as audience, message, or creative so you know exactly what drives results.

Once you get a profitable combination and it stays steady for a few days, increase your budget slowly. That keeps performance healthy and gives the algorithm time to adjust.

This protects your spend and supports the cost approach we covered earlier. You scale only when findings show you are ready.

2. Let the algorithm work, but feed it good data

Meta’s systems need time and data to learn. They perform best when you give them clear signals through strong targeting and clear messaging.

If your audience is too broad or your landing page feels disconnected from your ad, results drop fast. Make sure the experience from ad to website feels consistent and easy to follow.

The better the data, the faster the algorithm finds people who are ready to buy. That is why some brands thrive after updates, while others struggle to see traction.

3. Focus on ad formats that match your goals

Every goal needs the right creative. If awareness is your focus, images can stop the scroll quickly.

If you need to educate or show how something works, videos give you more space to persuade. Carousels shine when you want users to explore options in a single ad. Also, don’t forget to speak to the customers using just the right Facebook ad copy.

Holo can help you choose and create the right format without design headaches. You stay focused on the goal while your creative supports the message.

4. Track the right metrics

Avoid judging success by likes or views alone. They look good, but they do not show if your business is growing.

Keep your eyes on metrics that matter. CTR reveals interest, CPA shows how efficiently you get conversions, and ROAS confirms whether your investment pays off.

When you focus on the right numbers, you can quickly double down on what works and cut the rest. This circles back to the main idea. Facebook ads are worth it when they deliver results that matter.

5. Refresh and retarget consistently

Most people need a few touch points before buying. Retarget people who visited your website, added something to cart, or watched your videos.

They already know the brand, so conversions tend to cost less. Keep your ads fresh so people stay interested and do not start ignoring your message.

Try new visuals, headlines, or CTAs while keeping the offer strong. Holo makes refreshes fast with templates you can reuse anytime, so you stay current without extra work.

Types of Facebook ads that work

Facebook gives you several ad formats to work with. Each one has its own strengths, and the right choice depends on how you want people to discover, understand, and act on your offer.

When you match the message with the right format, you stretch your budget further and make every impression count.

Here are the Facebook ad types that small businesses use most often to drive real results.

Image ads

Image ads rely on one strong visual paired with a short, benefit-focused message. They work because they are simple, fast to consume, and easy to produce. A user scrolling the feed only needs a split second to understand what you offer.

Use image ads when:

• You want to introduce a product or offer quickly.

• You want to drive traffic to your site or landing page.

• You are testing new audiences or creatives.

An image ad example is a clear product photo featuring your best seller. A before-and-after image for a service. A promotional graphic announcing a limited-time offer.

Video ads

Video ads deliver more context and emotion. Movement captures attention, and storytelling makes users care. They work especially well when people need to see your product in action to understand its value.

Use video ads when:

• Your product benefits are visual.

• You want to build trust through testimonials or demos.

• You are launching a new product and need to educate viewers.

One video ad example can be a quick UGC-style demo recorded with a phone. If you want to create your own Facebook video ad, you could go with a short founder introduction showing the brand’s purpose. It can also be a tutorial that highlights key features.

Carousel ads

Carousel ads allow multiple images or videos in one ad. Each frame tells part of the story. They work because users can swipe through products or steps, which boosts engagement and buying intent.

Use carousel ads when:

• You want to showcase multiple products or variants.

• You sell collections or bundles.

• You need to highlight different benefits in sequence.

For Carousel ads, you might showcase a product lineup with each card linking to its own page, walk users through a step-by-step story such as “how it works,” or highlight several best-selling items to support a sale announcement.

You can use tools like Holo to make carousel ads. It’s an automation tool that helps you create scroll-stopping ads based on your website’s URL. Below is a quick example of an ad created by the tool.

Stories ads

Stories ads show up full-screen. They create an immersive experience with no distractions. The urgency of disappearing content makes users act quickly.

Use Stories ads when:

• You want fast conversions like sign-ups or purchases.

• You are running a short promotion.

• You want a native, organic feel similar to influencer content.

Some examples of Stories ads can look like a quick product tease with a swipe-up CTA, a countdown sticker highlighting a limited-time deal, or a casual creator selfie video featuring your brand.

Conclusions

So, are Facebook ads worth it? Absolutely, as long as the ads are built with a clear goal, a smart budget, and data that helps the algorithm do its job. When your Facebook ads drive real results such as sales, sign-ups, or quality leads, that is when they truly pay off.

Success comes from knowing what works. Choose the formats that match your goals, watch the right metrics, and update your creative often. With the right approach, Facebook ads can help small businesses scale confidently.

If you want help building ads that perform, try Holo. Create scroll-stopping visuals, strong messaging, and all the ad types Facebook supports in just a few clicks.