Most people think that Facebook ads cost hundreds of dollars. That’s not true, though. You can start with as little as $1 a day and still get real results. This guide will show you exactly how to run cheap Facebook ads that actually work.
What Makes Facebook Ads Expensive?
Before going cheap, let’s talk about why people spend too much.
Facebook ads get pricey when you:
- Target too many people at once
- Use the wrong campaign type
- Let Facebook automatically spend your money
- Create bad images or boring text.
- Don’t test what works
Think of it as buying groceries: without the list, you pick up everything and end up overspending; with one, you get just what you need at a lesser cost.
The Cheapest Facebook Campaign Types
Not all Facebook ads cost the same. Some are built to save you money.
1. Traffic Campaigns
These send people to your website or landing page. They’re cheaper because Facebook doesn’t have to work as hard; you’re just asking for clicks, not purchases.
2. Engagement Campaigns
Want likes, comments, and shares? This is the cheapest option. Facebook loves keeping people on its platform; therefore, it will reward you with lower costs.
3. Lead Generation Campaigns
These collect emails right within Facebook. No website needed. You pay less, because people don’t have to leave the app.
Avoid These Expensive Options:
- Conversion campaigns: great results, but cost more
- Video view campaigns with long videos
- Limitless broad reach campaigns
Steps to Set Up a Low-Budget Ad
Want to run your first affordable Facebook ad? Follow these steps.
Step 1: Choose Your Campaign Goal
Open Facebook Ads Manager. Click “Create.” Choose “Traffic” or “Engagement” to keep costs as low as possible.
Step 2: Set Your Daily Budget
Begin with $5 a day. Seriously. You can go as low as $1 a day if you are testing.
Here’s the trick: For budget type, choose “Daily Budget” instead of “Lifetime Budget.” This gives you more control.
Step 3: Choose Your Schedule
Don’t run ads 24/7-that’s a waste of money. Run them only when your audience is online; for most people, that would be from 6 PM to 10 PM on weekdays.
Step 4: Choose Your Audience
This is where magic happens. We’ll cover more on that below, but for now: keep it small and specific.
Step 5: Choose Ad Placement
Uncheck Instagram, Messenger, and Audience Network. Stick to Facebook Feed only. More placements = higher costs.
Step 6: Create Your Ad
Use a clear image and simple text. Now, let me break that down in a minute.
Cheapest Targeting Options
Targeting is how you find the right people. Good targeting = cheap ads.
Start Small
Target one city or small region, not the whole country. Smaller audiences cost less.
Example: Instead of “United States,” try “Dallas, Texas” or “People within 25 miles of Chicago.”
Use Interests Wisely
Choose just 3 to 5 interests, maximum. Don’t add 20 different things. Facebook gets confused and charges you more.
Example: If you sell yoga mats, target “Yoga,” “Meditation,” and “Health and Wellness.”
Age and Gender Matter
Be specific: If your product is for women aged 25-40, do not target everyone in the age group 18-65. You’ll pay for clicks from people who will never buy.
Avoid Lookalike Audiences at First
These are more expensive. First, start with basic interest targeting. Save lookalikes for when you have a bigger budget.
Creative Tips that Save Money
Good images and text lower your costs. Bad ones make Facebook charge you more.
Image Tips:
- Use bright, clear photos
- Show people using your product
- Avoid too much text on the image – Facebook penalizes this.
- Create simple designs using free tools like Canva.
Text Tips:
Tired of expensive gym memberships?
- Keep it short – under 125 characters works best
- Add one clear benefit here: “Save 50% on yoga classes”
- Use simple words that your grandma would understand.
CTA Buttons:
Press the appropriate button:
- “Learn More” for Traffic campaigns
- “Sign Up” for lead generation
- “Shop Now” only if you’re selling directly
Daily Budget Hacking
Want to stretch every dollar? Try these tricks.
1. The $1/Day Testing Method
Run 3 different ads at $1 each per day for 3 days. See which one gets the most clicks or engagement, then put all your money in the winner.
2. Do not run ads on weekends.
If you’re selling to businesses, the weekends are dead. Save your budget for Monday to Friday.
3. Use Manual Bidding
Instead of letting Facebook decide, set a “bid cap.” Start with $0.50 per click. Facebook will try to get you clicks at that price or lower.
4. Stop Losing Ads Early
When a certain ad doesn’t work, flip the switch off after 3 days. Do not let it suck your budget.
5. Reuse What Works
Found an ad that performs really well? Run it again in 2 months. You do not always need new content.
Mistakes Beginners Must Avoid
These are the mistakes that will quickly blow your budget.
Mistake 1: Targeting Too Broad
“Everybody in the USA” isn’t a target. You’ll be wasting money on people who don’t care.
Mistake 2: No Testing
Running one ad and hoping for the best? That’s gambling. Always test 2-3 versions.
Mistake 3: Complacency with the Data
Track results daily. If something is costing too much, change it. Don’t let bad ads run for weeks.
Mistake 4: Boosting Posts
That blue “Boost” button on your Facebook page? It’s a trap. Always use Ads Manager instead. You get better targeting and lower costs.
Mistake 5: Giving Up Too Soon
Facebook ads take some time to kick in. At least give each ad 3 days before you make your judgment.
Final Takeaway
Running cheap Facebook Ads isn’t about luck; it’s about being smart with your money. Start small. Test everything. Focus on one simple goal. Use clear images and short text. Target specific people. Check your results daily.
You don’t need a huge budget to see results. In fact, some of the best ads run on just $5 a day.
Ready to Start?
Don’t wait for that “perfect” moment. Your first ad won’t be perfect, and that’s okay.
Open Facebook Ads Manager now. Create a $5/day traffic campaign. Target one small city only. Use a clear photo of something. Write one, simple sentence. Hit publish. Then watch, learn, and improve.
That’s how you master cheap Facebook ads in 2025. Your customers-to-be are out there waiting. Go get them.
