Live Search Phrases Australians Are Typing Right Now
Before we get into the comparison, here’s what business owners like you are actually searching:
Search Phrase | Source | Flag |
“facebook ads or google ads for local business” | Google Autosuggest | HF + LLM |
“which ad platform is better for tradies australia” | Google PAA, Reddit | HF + LLM |
“google ads not working but facebook is” | Reddit r/PPC | UF |
“facebook ads cheaper but junk leads” | Facebook Groups | HF + UF |
“meta ads instant form leads not calling back” | Reddit, Facebook | HF + UF |
“should i use facebook or google ads for ndis” | Google PAA | HF + LLM |
“google ads vs facebook ads cost per lead” | Google Search | HF |
“tradie google ads not working” | Whirlpool, Reddit | UF |
“why am i getting clicks but no calls google ads” | Google PAA | HF + UF |
“facebook leads not answering phone australia” | Facebook Groups | UF |
These aren’t made up. These are the exact phrases confused Australian business owners type when they’re stuck between platforms or watching money disappear.
The Real Question You're Asking
Your Google Ads aren’t working. Your Meta Ads are giving you ghost leads. You’ve burned money on both.
Now you’re stuck wondering: which ad platform is better for tradies Australia? Or maybe you’re an NDIS provider asking should I use Facebook or Google Ads for NDIS?
You’ve probably searched facebook ads or google ads for local business at least once. Maybe you’ve noticed your Google Ads not working but Facebook is getting some traction. Or the opposite.
Here’s the truth: both platforms work. But they work differently. And most businesses have them set up wrong.
Let’s break it down properly.
Google Ads vs Meta Ads for Australian Service Businesses
Factor | Google Ads | Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram) |
Intent | High. People are searching for your service right now. | Low to medium. You’re interrupting their scroll. |
Lead Quality | Higher. They searched “plumber near me.” | Mixed. Many leads don’t remember filling out the form. |
Cost Per Click | Higher ($15–$90 depending on trade and city) | Lower ($1–$10 typically) |
Cost Per Lead | $20–$70 for well-run campaigns | $10–$40, but quality varies |
Lead Volume | Lower volume, higher intent | Higher volume, lower intent |
Best For | Urgent services, tradies, local lockdown | Awareness, nurture, early learning, NDIS visibility |
Setup Complexity | Higher. Needs proper structure, tracking, landing pages. | Lower initial setup. But instant forms leak leads. |
Common Problem | Clicks but no calls. Wrong suburbs. Smart Campaigns. | Junk leads. No one answers. Leads forget they enquired. |
Who Google Ads Is Best For
Google Ads works best when someone is actively searching for what you do.
Tradies. When someone searches “emergency plumber Joondalup” at 10pm, they want to book now. That’s high-intent. That’s Google Ads.
Local service lockdown. You can target specific suburbs and postcodes. If you only work in Werribee and Dandenong, your ads only show there.
Urgent jobs. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, pest control. Anything where people need it fixed today.
But here’s the problem: most tradie Google Ads not working complaints come from the same issues. Broad match keywords. Smart Campaigns. No call tracking. Landing pages that leak leads.
If you’re getting clicks but no calls from Google Ads, it’s almost always a setup issue. Not the platform.
Who Meta Ads Is Best For
Meta Ads work best when you need to build awareness or reach people before they’re actively searching.
Early learning centres. Parents aren’t Googling “childcare near me” every day. But they scroll Facebook. A well-targeted ad with a tour offer can fill your waitlist.
NDIS providers. Families and support coordinators often discover services through social. If you’re asking should I use Facebook or Google Ads for NDIS, the answer is often both. But Meta builds awareness faster.
Mobile services. Car detailing, pet grooming, cleaning. Services people didn’t know they needed until they saw the ad.
But here’s the catch: Facebook ads cheaper but junk leads is a real complaint. And it’s usually because of instant forms.
Why Your Meta Ads Leads Don't Convert
The number one complaint we hear: meta ads instant form leads not calling back.
Here’s why.
Instant forms are too easy. Someone taps, their details auto-fill, they submit. Two minutes later they’ve forgotten they did it. By the time you call, they don’t remember you.
Then there’s the targeting. Meta’s algorithm optimises for volume, not quality. You get lots of leads. Half of them are tyre kickers. The other half don’t answer.
Facebook leads not answering phone Australia is one of the most common frustrations we see. It’s not your fault. The platform is designed to generate volume, not booked jobs.
The fix:
- Use landing pages instead of instant forms
- Add qualifying questions to filter tyre kickers
- Set up instant SMS notifications and call within 60 seconds
- Retarget people who clicked but didn’t convert
Why Your Google Ads Aren't Getting Calls
If you’re searching why am I getting clicks but no calls Google Ads, you’re not alone.
Most broken Google Ads accounts have the same problems:
Broad match keywords. Google shows your ad to anyone vaguely related. You’re a plumber. Your ad shows for “plumber jobs hiring.” That’s not a customer.
Smart Campaigns. Google reps love these. They’re easy to set up. But they optimise for clicks, not conversions. They target too broadly. You have no control.
No conversion tracking. You can’t see which keywords bring calls. You can’t calculate real cost per lead. You’re flying blind.
Wrong suburb targeting. You service the northern suburbs. Your ads show metro-wide. You’re paying for leads you can’t convert.
Landing page problems. You’re sending traffic to your homepage. People get confused. They leave. That $50 click is wasted.
If your tradie Google Ads not working, it’s fixable. But it takes proper structure, tracking, and targeting.
Google Ads vs Facebook Ads Cost Per Lead : The Real Numbers
Everyone wants to know: Google Ads vs Facebook Ads cost per lead – which is cheaper?
Here’s what we typically see for Australian service businesses:
Platform | Average CPL (Well-Run) | Average CPL (Badly-Run) |
Google Ads | $25–$60 | $80–$150+ |
Meta Ads | $15–$35 | $40–$80 (but junk quality) |
Meta looks cheaper. But when half your leads don’t answer the phone, your real cost per booked job is often higher.
Google Ads costs more per lead. But when someone searches “electrician Blacktown now,” they want to book. The conversion rate is higher.
The real question isn’t cost per lead. It’s cost per booked job.
So Which Platform Should You Use?
Here’s the honest answer: it depends on your business.
Use Google Ads if:
- You offer urgent or emergency services
- You want leads who are actively searching right now
- You can lock down specific suburbs
- You’re a tradie, plumber, sparkie, HVAC, or similar
Use Meta Ads if:
- You need to build awareness before people search
- You’re targeting parents, families, or specific demographics
- You’re in early learning, NDIS, or lifestyle services
- You have a longer sales cycle and can nurture leads
Use both if:
- You want to capture search intent AND build awareness
- You have budget to test and optimise both channels
- You’re willing to track properly and see what actually books jobs
Most service businesses we work with end up running both. Google Ads for high-intent leads. Meta Ads for awareness and retargeting. The key is setting both up properly.
What BuzzPilot Does Differently
We don’t just “manage” your ads. We fix what’s broken and build what works.
For Google Ads:
- Rebuild campaigns with proper structure and match types
- Lock down suburb targeting to your actual service area
- Install call tracking so you see which keywords book jobs
- Build landing pages that convert clicks into calls
For Meta Ads:
- Replace leaky instant forms with proper landing pages
- Add qualifying questions to filter junk leads
- Set up instant notifications so you call back in under 60 seconds
- Build retargeting to catch people who didn’t convert first time
For both:
- Full account ownership (you keep it if you leave)
- No lock-in contracts
- Weekly reports in plain English
- Real cost per lead tracking
Still Not Sure Which Ads Will Book You More Jobs?
You've probably searched which ad platform gets more leads Australia more than once.
You've read the articles. You've watched the videos.
You're still confused
Here's what we suggest: stop guessing.
+61470249058 Call us now and talk to someone who actually fixes this stuff for tradies, NDIS providers, and service businesses across Australia.
We’ll look at both your Google and Meta accounts (if you have them) and tell you straight:
- What’s broken
- What’s working
- Which platform makes sense for your business
- What it’ll cost to fix
FAQ
Should I use Facebook or Google Ads for my local business?
It depends on your service. Google Ads is better for urgent services where people are actively searching (plumbers, electricians, HVAC). Meta Ads is better for awareness and reaching people before they search (childcare, NDIS, mobile services). Many businesses use both.
Why are my Google Ads getting clicks but no calls?
Usually it's broad match keywords showing your ads to the wrong people, Smart Campaigns wasting budget, no conversion tracking, or a landing page that doesn't convert. All fixable with proper setup.
Why are my Facebook leads not answering the phone?
Instant forms are too easy. People tap, auto-fill, submit, and forget. By the time you call, they don't remember enquiring. Use landing pages instead, add qualifying questions, and call back within 60 seconds.
What's the average cost per lead for tradies in Australia?
On Google Ads, well-run campaigns typically see $25–$60 per quality lead. On Meta Ads, $15–$35 but quality varies. Badly-run campaigns on either platform can hit $100+ per lead.
Which platform is better for NDIS providers?
Both can work. Meta Ads builds awareness and reaches families and support coordinators scrolling social. Google Ads captures people actively searching for NDIS services. Many providers use Meta for awareness and Google for intent.
