Ten bucks a day. That’s what, a fancy sandwich and a coffee? Maybe a movie ticket if you’re still clinging to matinee prices. But for a local business, that same ten dollars can pull in eyeballs, clicks, and actual paying customers. Not hypotheticals. Not vague “awareness.” Real people, real interest, real results.
Let’s talk about how that works, and where your ten bucks can do the most talking.
Start with Meta: Still King of the Block
Meta’s ad platform, yes, Facebook and Instagram, still very much alive, is a powerhouse when it comes to local targeting. You can zero in on people within a few miles of your shop; who are the right age, into the right things, and maybe even scrolling at the right time. It’s creepy how precise it is, but also kind of beautiful.
Say you run a coffee shop. You set your audience to 18 to 45-year-olds within a 5-mile radius who like brunch, coffee, or working from cafés. For $10 a day, you’re looking at 500 to 1,000 impressions, and maybe 20 to 50 clicks. Not bad for the price of a breakfast burrito.
And here’s the thing: Meta loves engagement. Use video. Use carousels. Show off the latte art, the dog-friendly patio, the barista who always wears sunglasses indoors. The more people stop and watch, the cheaper your clicks get.
Google Local Services Ads: Pay for Leads, Not Just Hope
If you’re in a service business—plumbing, HVAC, cleaning—Google’s Local Services Ads (LSAs) are a no-brainer. You don’t pay when someone clicks; you pay when someone actually reaches out. That’s a lead, not a maybe.
In lower-competition areas, $10 a day can get you 2 to 4 solid leads a week. That’s a real phone call or message from someone who needs a thing done, now. Not someone just browsing.
But there’s a catch: Google favors businesses with good reviews and fully filled-out profiles. So if your Business Profile is still half-empty and your only review is from your cousin in 2019, fix that first.
Paid Search: Show Up When It Matters Most
When someone types “best Thai food in Boise,” they’re not doing it for fun. They’re hungry, and they’re ready to act. That’s where Google Ads comes in.
You can bid on those long, specific search terms, called long-tail keywords, that cost less and convert better. In smaller cities, clicks can still be under $1. So with $10 a day, you’re getting 10 to 15 people who are actively looking for what you offer.
You’re not just driving traffic; you’re catching people at the moment they’re ready to choose.
Pro tip: Use ad extensions. Add a call button, your location, or links to your menu. Give people reasons to click, and then make it easy for them to take the next step.
Retargeting: Don’t Let Warm Leads Go Cold
You know when someone visits your website, looks around, then disappears forever? Retargeting is how you keep that from
happening.
With a $10 daily budget, you can show ads to people who already visited your site or engaged with your social media. These are warm leads. They’re halfway there. And because they’ve already shown interest, they’re more likely to convert, and cheaper to reach.
Platforms like Google Display Network or Meta offer retargeting clicks for around $0.50 to $1. That means 10 to 20 clicks a day from people who’ve already heard of you.
Use urgency. Limited-time offers, glowing reviews, or a friendly “Hey, still thinking about us?” can nudge them over the edge.
Maps Matter: Waze and Google Maps Ads
If your business relies on foot traffic, map ads are your best friend. Waze and Google Maps let you show up when someone’s nearby or driving past. It’s the digital version of waving a sign outside your shop, but without the wind and cardboard.
Waze Local starts at $2 a day, so $10 gives you room to play. You can reach thousands of drivers, especially during commute hours. And if you add a little incentive, like “10% off today,” you might just turn a red light into a sale.
Short-Form Video: Local Fame in 30 Seconds
TikTok and YouTube Shorts aren’t just for teenagers and dance trends. They’re also surprisingly effective for local businesses, if you know how to use them.
Both platforms allow geo-targeting. TikTok Ads start at $5 a day. YouTube Shorts can be run through Google Ads. And if your content’s solid—funny, surprising, or just deeply human—you can get thousands of views from people in your area.
Behind-the-scenes clips, customer shoutouts, or that time your chef tried to juggle lemons and failed spectacularly? That’s content gold. It builds trust, makes people smile, and gets shared.
So, Is $10 a Day Enough?
Short answer: yes. Longer answer: if you’re thoughtful, creative, and consistent, ten bucks can go a long way. It’s not about throwing money at the wall; it’s about knowing which wall, and what kind of paint sticks.
You’re not just running ads. You’re meeting people where they already are—scrolling, searching, commuting, deciding. And if your local business can show up at just the right moment, even a small budget can make a big impact.
That’s one more tool in the belt.
We’ll be back soon with more you can use.
Until then, keep building.
– Perfect Sites Blog