If you’ve ever asked, “Is $500 enough for ads?” you’re not alone. At The Digital People, we see it every week: businesses want leads, but they don’t want to waste money guessing. Your ad budget determines how much we can test, how fast we can optimize, and how reliably we can generate leads.
Here’s what $500, $1,500, and $5,000/month can realistically do in 2026, and how our ad management approach changes at each level.
The Digital People rule before you spend a dollar
Ads don’t fix unclear offers or weak follow-up. That’s why our advertising services focus on the full path:
Ad → clear offer → landing page or message flow → tracking → lead follow-up
When we manage your campaigns, we’re not just “running ads.” We’re building a lead system you can measure.
What $500/month can actually do (starter budget)
Best for: testing and local awareness, not consistent lead volume.
With $500/month, our ad management typically stays tight and focused:
- One platform (often Facebook/Instagram)
- One primary goal (usually calls or messages)
- One clear offer (free consult, quote request, limited promo)
This is what we can do well at this level:
- Launch a simple campaign quickly
- Test a few hooks and creative angles
- Start building warm audiences for retargeting
Here’s what to expect:
- A small but steady trickle of results
- Clear signals on what messaging works
- Limited room to scale until we see a winner
What $1,500/month can actually do (lead-generation range)
Best for: consistent lead generation with optimization.
This is where The Digital People can run campaigns like a system:
- Prospecting + retargeting (cold and warm audiences)
- More creative testing (so your ads don’t burn out)
- Better performance control (cost per lead, lead quality)
This is what we can add at this level:
- Retargeting campaigns (site visitors, video viewers, engagers)
- A stronger landing page recommendation or build plan
- More structured reporting so you know what’s working and why
Here’s what to expect:
- More stable lead flow month to month
- Better ability to lower cost per lead over time
- More control over lead quality through offer and targeting
What $5,000/month can actually do (scale budget)
Best for: scaling what works and expanding channels.
At $5,000/month, our advertising services can support:
- Multiple campaigns by service line, offer, or location
- Channel mix (Facebook/Instagram + Google Search, sometimes YouTube)
- Faster optimization because data comes in quicker
What we can add at this level:
- Multiple landing pages matched to different ads
- More advanced testing (audiences, creatives, offers, placements)
- Cleaner tracking and reporting tied to real outcomes (calls, forms, booked consults)
- A consistent creative pipeline (short-form video, testimonials, proof content)
What to expect:
- Stronger consistency and faster learning
- More opportunity to scale lead volume
- Better long-term results because we can iterate weekly, not monthly
The budget question we ask clients
Not “How much do ads cost?”
We ask: “How many leads do you need per month, and what’s one lead worth to you?”
That’s how we build a realistic plan that matches your goals, your timeline, and your market.
FAQ
Is $500/month worth it for ads?
Yes, if the goal is testing and building momentum. The Digital People will keep it focused: one offer, one platform, one clear conversion path.
What’s the best platform for a small budget?
Often Facebook/Instagram for discovery and lead capture. Google Search can work if people are actively searching for your service and your website page converts.
How long does it take for ads to work?
Typically a few weeks to gather data and optimize. We move faster when the offer is clear and the landing page or message flow is built to convert.
Can I split a small budget across multiple platforms?
You can, but results usually weaken. We usually recommend owning one channel first, then expanding once we’ve proven what works.
Want a budget plan that matches your goals?
Contact The Digital People to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your current ads (or build your first campaign), recommend the right monthly budget, and map a simple plan to turn ad spend into qualified leads.
Ready to learn more? Read our blog, “2026 Content Trends: What’s Working Now in Digital Marketing.”
