How Much Do Facebook Ads Cost in the UK? – Socially Spotted Guide
If you’re thinking about advertising on Facebook, one of the first questions you’ll have is, how much do Facebook ads cost?
The answer isn’t always simple, but understanding the basics can help you set a realistic budget and get the most out of your advertising spend.
At Socially Spotted, we help UK businesses make sense of Facebook advertising costs so you can reach more customers without breaking the bank.
In this guide, we’ll explain how Facebook ad pricing works, what affects the cost, and how you can control your spending.
Why Facebook Ads Are Popular with UK Businesses
Facebook is one of the most powerful advertising platforms in the world, with millions of users across the UK.
Whether you’re a small shop in Rotherham or a national brand, Facebook lets you target your ideal customers by age, location, interests, and more.
But before you dive in, it’s important to know how much you might need to spend—and what you’ll get for your money.
How Does Facebook Charge for Ads?
Facebook uses an auction system to decide which ads to show and how much they’ll cost.
You don’t pay a fixed price; instead, you set a budget, and Facebook tries to get you the best results for your money.
Here are the main ways you can be charged:
- Cost Per Click (CPC): You pay each time someone clicks on your ad.
- Cost Per 1,000 Impressions (CPM): You pay every time your ad is shown 1,000 times.
- Cost Per Action (CPA): You pay when someone completes a specific action, like filling out a form or making a purchase.
You can choose which method works best for your goals.
For example, if you want more website visitors, CPC might be best. If you want people to see your brand, CPM could be the way to go.
For more details, see Meta’s official ad pricing guide.
How Much Do Facebook Ads Cost in the UK?
The cost of Facebook ads in the UK can vary a lot. On average, here’s what you might expect:
- Average CPC: £0.30 to £0.80 per click
- Average CPM: £4 to £8 per 1,000 impressions
- Average CPA: £5 to £20 per action (like a sale or sign-up)
These are just averages. Your actual costs can be higher or lower depending on your industry, your audience, and how competitive your market is.
According to WordStream, UK businesses often see CPCs around £0.40 and CPMs near £5, but these numbers can change based on the time of year and your ad quality.
What Affects the Cost of Facebook Ads?
Several factors can influence how much you pay for Facebook ads:
Your Target Audience
If you’re targeting a popular audience—like people interested in fitness or fashion—there’s more competition, which can drive up prices.
Niche audiences can sometimes be cheaper.
Your Industry
Some industries, like finance or insurance, are more competitive and have higher ad costs. Others, like local services, might be less expensive.
Time of Year
Costs often go up during busy shopping periods, like Christmas or Black Friday, when more businesses are advertising.
Your Ad Quality
Facebook rewards ads that get good results.
If people like, click, or share your ad, Facebook will often show it to more people for less money. Poorly performing ads can cost more.
Your Bidding Strategy
You can let Facebook set bids automatically, or you can set a maximum bid yourself.
Automatic bidding is easier for beginners, but manual bidding can help you control costs if you know what you’re doing.
Your Budget and Schedule
You can set a daily or lifetime budget.
A daily budget is how much you’re willing to spend each day, while a lifetime budget is the total you want to spend over the whole campaign.
For a deeper look at these factors, check out Hootsuite’s Facebook ad cost breakdown.
Setting Your Facebook Ads Budget
One of the best things about Facebook ads is that you can start with almost any budget.
You can spend as little as £1 per day, but most businesses see better results with a higher budget.
Tips for setting your budget:
- Start small and test different ads to see what works.
- Increase your budget once you find ads that perform well.
- Remember, results often improve over time as Facebook learns what works for your audience.
If you’re not sure where to start, Socially Spotted can help you plan a budget that fits your goals and industry.
How to Get the Best Value from Your Facebook Ads
Here are some simple ways to make sure you’re getting the most for your money:
Target the Right Audience
Use Facebook’s targeting tools to reach people who are most likely to be interested in your business.
The more specific you are, the less money you’ll waste on the wrong people.
Test Different Ads
Try different images, headlines, and calls to action. See which ads get the best results and put more money behind those.
Keep an Eye on Your Results
Check your ad performance regularly. If an ad isn’t working, pause it and try something new.
Facebook’s Ads Manager gives you detailed reports to help you make smart decisions.
Use Facebook Pixel
Install the Facebook Pixel on your website to track what people do after clicking your ad.
This helps you see which ads lead to sales or sign-ups, so you can focus your budget on what works. Learn more about the Facebook Pixel here.
Refresh Your Ads Often
People get bored of seeing the same ad over and over. Change your ads every few weeks to keep things fresh and interesting.
Example: Facebook Ads Cost for a Local UK Business
Let’s say you run a café in Sheffield and want to promote a new lunch menu.
You decide to spend £5 per day for two weeks (£70 total). You choose to pay per click (CPC), and your average CPC is £0.50.
- With £70, you could get around 140 clicks to your website or booking page.
- If just 10% of those clicks turn into paying customers, that’s 14 new customers from a small campaign.
This is just a simple example, but it shows how even a modest budget can make a difference.
Are Facebook Ads Worth the Cost?
For many UK businesses, the answer is yes—if you use them wisely.
Facebook ads let you reach a huge audience for a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising.
The key is to set clear goals, target the right people, and keep testing to improve your results.
FAQs:
How much should a small business spend on Facebook ads?
It depends on your goals, but many small businesses start with £5–£10 per day. You can always increase your budget as you see results (Hootsuite).
Are Facebook ads cheaper than Google ads?
Often, yes—Facebook ads usually have a lower cost per click than Google Ads, but it depends on your industry and goals.
Can I run Facebook ads with a small budget?
Yes, you can start with as little as £1 per day, but a higher budget usually brings better results.
Why are my Facebook ads so expensive?
Costs can go up if you’re targeting a competitive audience, running ads during busy times, or if your ads aren’t performing well.
Try improving your ad quality or narrowing your audience.
How do I know if my Facebook ads are working?
Check your results in Facebook Ads Manager. Look at clicks, impressions, and conversions to see what’s working and what’s not.
Do I have to pay every time someone sees my ad?
Not always. You can choose to pay per click, per impression, or per action. Facebook will show you the costs before you confirm your campaign.
Conclusion
So, how much do Facebook ads cost? The answer is: it depends on your goals, your audience, and how well you manage your campaigns.
The good news is that you can start with almost any budget and adjust as you learn what works.
At Socially Spotted, we help UK businesses get the best results from their Facebook ads—no matter how much you have to spend.
If you want expert advice or help planning your next campaign, get in touch with us today.
