New ads allow direct calling from Facebook.
Facebook advertising has taken a step forward in small business advertising. The social network’s local awareness ads, first implemented last fall, cater to local businesses wishing to reach users within a certain distance from their location.
Local awareness ads now allow mobile users to call the business directly through Facebook.
Traditionally the ads included a “Get Directions” option, creating potential walk-ins for local businesses. On Wednesday Facebook added the “Call Now” button to its call–to–action lineup. Clicking on the button will automatically dial the advertised business.
Local awareness ads present themselves as an easy and effective campaign tool. Creating an ad is as easy as posting a captioned photo on the business page. The page owner then enters the business address and distance radius to run the ads. Mobile Facebook users within the determined radius will see the ad appear in their News Feed.
What value does a “Call Now” button offer to businesses owners?
Many businesses actually value phone calls over other forms of customer outreach. Simply said, they feel phone calls are more likely to bring results than online enquiries or website traffic. For mobile therapists, gardeners, interior designers, etc., calling provides convenient and effective customer-client engagement without having to staff a location.
The “Call Now” is already a common feature on sites such as Yelp, Trip Advisor, Google and more. However, a business’s presence on Facebook is also helpful, if not essential. With widespread popularity (presently 1.44 billion active users) and precise audience targeting, Facebook is making itself an increasingly valuable tool in local business advertising.