Billboard Advertising vs. Paid Online Ads: Which Is Better For Your Brand?

Advertising is everywhere. Whether you’re scrolling through social media or walking down the street, there is a high chance that you will come across ads. But in today’s constantly changing advertising world, business owners often face the dilemma of selecting the most effective method to advertise their products or services.

With a wide range of options available, from digital platforms to traditional print media, it can be overwhelming to decide which avenue to take. Both methods have their pros and cons, and choosing the right one for your brand is crucial. In this article, we’ll dive into the key differences between two popular choices — billboard advertising and paid online ads — and explore essential aspects of each to help you make a well-informed decision that aligns with your business objectives.

Billboard Advertising

When it comes to grabbing attention and making a statement, billboards are hard to beat. Every street, estate, road, city centre, popular intersection, and highway in Nigeria and across the globe is adorned with various types of billboard adverts, strategically positioned to catch the eye.

Unlike online ads that can be easily scrolled past or ignored, billboards demand attention with their large size and strategic placement. These displays possess a unique power to captivate passersby and leave a lasting impression, exposing your brand to a wide audience. Whether people are driving, walking, or waiting at a traffic light, they can’t help but notice the eye-catching visuals and catchy slogans displayed on billboards (think about those memorable billboards that make you smile, think, or even snap a photo to share with friends.)

One could argue that another reason big corporations still opt for billboard advertising, aside from its obvious larger-than-life marketing value, is because it offers a creative canvas for advertisers to showcase their brand personality. The design possibilities are endless, from clever wordplay to stunning visuals. These creative displays have the potential to spark conversations and generate buzz around your brand.

In a study conducted by the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) in collaboration with Geopol, on the effectiveness of outdoor advertising compared to other channels such as radio, TV, and online, it was found that billboard marketing in Nigeria is highly effective. According to the study, 79% of respondents claimed to have noticed a billboard in the past 7 days, with 63% stating that they noticed the brand or message being communicated when they saw a billboard. Additionally, as a measurable metric, 69% of respondents reported seeing a billboard ad that prompted them to search for more information online, which they wouldn’t have done otherwise.

While billboard advertising might seem like the go-to choice for making a big impact and reaching a wide audience, it’s essential to consider the benefits of paid online ads before making a decision. So before you decide, let’s delve into the world of paid online ads and see how they compare to billboards.

Paid Online Ads

Paid online ads are digital advertisements that show up on websites, search engines, and social media platforms. These ads provide exceptional targeting options, enabling you to reach a highly specific audience based on demographics, interests, and online behaviour.

In today’s digital age, online advertising has become a dominant force. When considering sales and marketing goals, especially for small businesses, a crucial component is the ability to measure the results of each advertising strategy. This highlights one of the key benefits of online ads over billboard advertising: the ability to target specific demographics, interests, and locations, which offers a unique set of advantages for marketers.

Through advanced targeting options, advertisers can ensure that their ads are shown to the right people at the right time. This precision targeting helps maximize the impact of your advertising budget and increases the chances of reaching potential customers who are most likely to engage with your brand.

Unlike traditional billboards, online ads can provide interactive experiences and robust analytics tools that engage users in a more dynamic way. Whether it’s a clickable banner ad, an immersive video, or an interactive game, advertisers can gain valuable insights into ad impressions, clicks, conversions, and other key metrics. These insights give online ads the power to capture attention and drive user engagement. The interactive elements not only make the ad experience more enjoyable for users but also provide valuable data and insights for advertisers to optimize their campaigns and achieve the desired results every time.

Do you now have a good understanding of the advantages and limitations of each style of advertising when considering your marketing strategy? As you weigh the benefits of online ads against the power of traditional billboards, remember that the right approach will depend on your specific goals and target audience.

In the next section, we’ll directly explore some of the key comparisons between billboard and paid online advertising to give you a side-by-side guide on which is the best fit for your marketing goals.

Key Comparison Between Billboard and Paid Ads.

Budget


Billboard Advertising

Offers extensive reach and visibility but can be costly, especially for prime locations or large-format displays which can be prohibitive for smaller businesses or startups with limited marketing budgets.


Paid Online Ads

Offer more cost-effective options, allowing you to reach a targeted audience within a specified budget, making it a viable option for businesses of all sizes.
Targeting and Reach


Billboard Advertising

Offers broad reach in establishing a physical presence in specific locations. However, it has limited targeting options, making it only best suited for creating brand awareness among a general audience.


Paid Online Ads

Provide advanced targeting solutions tailored to specific marketing objectives such as driving website traffic, generating leads, or increasing sales.
Measurability and ROI

Billboard Advertising

Measuring effectiveness can be challenging, making it difficult to determine the exact ROI.

Paid Online Ads

Offer detailed analytics, making it easier to track impressions, clicks, conversions, and ROI for campaign optimization.
Flexibility and Creativity


Billboard Advertising

Offers broad reach but limited space and a static nature that can sometimes restrict creativity.


Paid Online Ads

Allows for greater flexibility in ad formats, sizes, placements, and multimedia elements for more engaging content.
Audience Engagement and Interaction

Billboard Advertising

Offers limited opportunities for engagement, more suited for creating brand awareness.


Paid Online Ads

Provide various interactive features, encouraging audience engagement and leading to higher conversion rates.

Case Studies: Successful Brand Campaigns 

To truly understand the power of advertising and how different types are used, let’s take a closer look at some real-life success stories from brands. These case studies highlight the effectiveness of various advertising strategies and showcase the importance of understanding your target audience, leveraging storytelling, and tapping into cultural moments to create impactful campaigns.

1. Indomie’s “Mama Do Good” Campaign:

Indomie, a popular instant noodle brand in Nigeria, launched the heartwarming “Mama Do Good” campaign. Watch the video Here.

This campaign featured emotional storytelling, showcasing the selfless acts of mothers who go the extra mile to provide for their families. By tapping into the strong emotional connection Nigerians have with their mothers, Indomie successfully resonated with its target audience. The ads were strategically placed on key media platforms, which helped increase brand loyalty and sales significantly.

2. Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” Campaign:

Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign is a great example of a brand that utilized a mix of offline and online advertising to create a successful campaign. They featured personalized names and messages on billboards across Nigeria, encouraging people to share a Coke with their loved ones. The eye-catching billboards became a talking point and, along with social media posts, generated relatable user-generated content, which amplified the campaign’s reach.

3. GTBank’s “737 Moments” Campaign:

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) launched the innovative “737 Moments” campaign, leveraging their mobile banking service. This campaign utilized online ads and social media platforms to showcase how easy and convenient it is to use their banking services with just a few taps on your phone. They also placed billboards in strategic, crowded locations where most of their target audience can be found. Using a simple and clear copy approach that highlighted the simplicity and efficiency of their services, GTBank successfully increased customer engagement and usage of their mobile banking platform.

4. Guinness Nigeria’s “Made of Black” Campaign:

Guinness Nigeria’s “Made of Black” campaign cleverly utilized billboards to create a strong visual impact with its target audience. They featured popular figures and celebrities that resonated with their audience and conveyed a unique storytelling message to capture attention and spark curiosity. These billboards effectively communicated the brand’s identity and resonated with its target audience.

Which Is Better for Your Brand?

When it comes to choosing between billboard advertising and paid online ads for your business, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s essential to evaluate your specific marketing goals, target audience, and budget.

If you’re aiming for broad brand awareness and a physical presence in specific locations, billboard advertising may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you’re focused on targeted advertising with measurable results, paid online ads may be more suitable.

Despite the differences between online and offline advertising, each has its advantages and limitations. Combining both online and offline advertising can be beneficial for reaching a well-rounded target audience and optimizing your potential to increase sales.

If you’re unsure which option is right for you, consider consulting with an experienced digital marketing agency to help you develop a customized advertising strategy that aligns with your business objectives.

At C&C Digital House, we specialize in handling PR and Digital Marketing needs to optimize your advertising campaigns for the best results. Reach out to us via email at candcdigitalhouse@gmail.com today.