How to Budget for Lawn Care Ads That Actually Work

Marketing your lawn care business doesn’t have to break the bank. But if you’re going to spend your hard-earned money on ads, you want to make sure it actually works. Here’s how to budget for lawn care advertising effectively, so you get the best ROI without overspending.

How Much Should You Actually Spend on Ads?

The big question: how much should you be putting toward advertising? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some guidelines.

• Start small and scale: If you’re just starting out, don’t blow your budget all at once. Aim for around 5-10% of your revenue for marketing. For example, if you make $100,000 a year, a marketing budget of $5,000 to $10,000 is a solid starting point. Over time, you can increase this as your business grows and you see what works.
  
• Adjust based on results: Once you start seeing the returns from your ads, you can tweak your budget. If Facebook ads or Google Ads are bringing in new clients, consider allocating more budget there. If something isn’t working, pull back and test something else.
  
• Track your ROI: Be sure to track the performance of your ads. Use analytics tools to see how much you’re spending vs. how much you’re earning from those leads. If you’re spending $100 on ads and getting $500 worth of business, that’s a win. If not, reassess.
  

To dive deeper into budgeting for lawn care businesses, check out this guide on determining a marketing budget.

Splitting Your Budget Across Channels Wisely

Now that you know how much to spend, how should you break that budget up? Different advertising channels will give you different results, so it’s all about spreading it wisely.

• Google Ads: Search ads are great for capturing leads when people are actively searching for lawn care services. Spend a decent portion here to grab attention from people ready to hire. Start with 30-40% of your budget.
  
• Facebook and Instagram Ads: These platforms are ideal for reaching people in your service areas who may not be actively searching but could be interested in your services. A good portion—around 40%—should go here.
  
• Flyers and Local Signage: Don’t forget offline marketing. Local signage and flyers can still bring in new clients, especially when placed in high-traffic areas like grocery stores, parks, or near local events. Around 10-20% of your budget should be directed toward these efforts.
  

To get more insight into how different channels perform for lawn care businesses, take a look at these lawn care advertising examples.

Investing in Creative That Performs

A great ad is only as good as the creative behind it. If your visuals and copy aren’t up to snuff, no amount of budget will make it work.

• Focus on clear messaging: Make your ad copy simple and direct. Your audience needs to know what you’re offering and how to contact you in the first few seconds. No fluff.
  
• Use high-quality images: Whether it’s a before-and-after shot of your work or a picture of a lush, green lawn, make sure your visuals are top-notch. People are more likely to engage with ads that show what you can do.
  
• Test different creatives: Run several variations of your ads. Test different headlines, images, or video lengths to see which ones generate the most leads. Ads that perform better should get a bigger share of your budget.
  

For more on how creative can make or break your lawn care ads, check out this article on best lawn care marketing strategies.

Knowing When to Pause or Scale Campaigns

A key part of advertising is knowing when to pull back or scale up. It’s tempting to let your ads run continuously, but you’ll get the best results if you monitor them closely.

• Pause low-performing ads: If one ad isn’t bringing in leads, pause it. It’s tempting to leave it running, but if it’s not working, your money is just being wasted.
  
• Scale successful ads: On the flip side, if you’ve got an ad that’s performing well, don’t be afraid to pour more money into it. Increasing your budget for high-performing campaigns can lead to more leads.
  
• Reevaluate regularly: Don’t set your ads and forget them. Check in on your campaigns regularly to make sure they’re still generating results. If not, adjust accordingly.
  

For more on adjusting and optimizing your lawn care advertising, read this guide on marketing budgets for landscaping companies.

Spend Smart and Watch Your Business Grow

Budgeting for lawn care advertising is all about smart allocation. Start with a reasonable budget, split it wisely across channels, invest in creative that works, and monitor performance closely. By keeping your ads efficient and focused, you’ll attract more clients without overspending.

Need help fine-tuning your lawn care ads or building a marketing strategy? Contact us today, and let’s make your advertising dollars go further.