The quick answer
Google Search ads can meet customers who are actively looking for a service, while Facebook and Instagram ads can introduce a salon or offer during browsing. Choose the channel that matches your goal, available creative and ability to follow up—not a promise that one platform is always cheaper.
Define one outcome for the first test
Choose a concrete objective such as enquiries for a new service, bookings in a quieter time window or awareness of a new location. Write down the service, customer area, available appointment capacity and what counts as a useful enquiry.
If the team cannot answer messages promptly, a message-focused campaign may create a queue rather than useful bookings. If a service page lacks prices and location details, search traffic may arrive with the right intent but still struggle to decide.
Compare the preparation each channel needs
| Planning question | Google Search ads | Facebook / Instagram ads |
|---|---|---|
| What starts the interaction? | A relevant search | An image, video or message in the feed |
| What must be clear? | Service, location and answer to the search | Visual idea, offer and reason to act |
| What should you inspect? | Search terms and location fit | Creative response and enquiry quality |
This compares common campaign approaches, not every format available on either platform.
Keep the offer and landing page aligned
A pedicure ad should lead to information about that pedicure, with the right location and booking action. If the creative promotes a limited offer, show the same dates, inclusions and conditions on the destination. Use actual salon imagery where you are presenting the salon’s work.
For a first test, avoid changing the offer, audience, budget and destination all at once. Keep a simple record of what changed so results can inform a decision instead of becoming an unexplained total.
Judge enquiries and appointments, not clicks alone
Record media spend, service fees, qualified enquiries and confirmed appointments separately. A campaign with fewer clicks can still be more useful if those customers fit the salon and complete bookings. Compare equivalent periods and the same definition of a qualified enquiry.
Slotify’s published advertising setup offer is $780 for three months. Confirm the work covered and the separate media budget before agreeing a campaign. The listed service price should not be read as a promise of included ad spend or a guaranteed number of clients.
Common questions
Should a small salon start on both platforms?
Only if the budget, creative and follow-up capacity support a useful test on each. Starting with one clear objective is often easier to evaluate.
Is the cheapest click the best result?
No. Check whether the enquiry matches the salon and whether it becomes a confirmed appointment.
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