“How much should I spend on ads?” is the first question most owners ask. The honest answer depends on your industry, market, margins and goals. This quick-reference guide gives suggested starting budgets and core platforms for 30+ industries, with links to our full plan for each one.
The ranges below are planning starting points drawn from our industry guides, not guarantees or averages. Costs vary by country, city and competition, so verify against your own account data and current platform benchmarks.
How to Read This Guide
- Starting budget: a monthly amount in US dollars to run a focused test, usually on one or two platforms.
- Core platforms: where most businesses in that industry start.
- Full guide: each row links to a plan with a 3-month rollout.
Healthcare
| Industry | Suggested starting budget (USD/month) | Core platforms | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental clinics | $1,500–$2,500 (one platform); $3,000–$6,000 (two) | Google Search, Meta retargeting, Microsoft | Dental clinic budget |
| Multi-specialty hospitals | $3,000–$5,000 (1–2 service lines) | Google Search, Meta, YouTube | Hospital budget |
| Cosmetic and plastic surgery | $2,500–$4,000 | Google Search, Meta, YouTube | Cosmetic surgery budget |
| Orthopedic clinics | $2,500–$4,000 | Google Search, Meta, Microsoft | Orthopedic budget |
| Eye clinics | $2,000–$3,500 | Google Search, Meta, YouTube | Eye clinic budget |
| Dermatology clinics | $2,000–$3,500 | Google Search, Meta, YouTube | Dermatology budget |
| Hair transplant clinics | $2,000–$3,500 | Google Search, YouTube, Meta | Hair transplant budget |
| IVF and fertility clinics | $3,000–$5,000 | Google Search, Meta, YouTube | IVF clinic budget |
Local and Home Services
| Industry | Suggested starting budget (USD/month) | Core platforms | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate | $1,500–$3,000 | Google Search, Meta, Microsoft | Real estate budget |
| Roofing | $3,000–$5,000 | Google Search, Local Services Ads, Meta | Roofing budget |
| HVAC | $2,500–$4,000 | Google Search, Local Services Ads, Meta | HVAC budget |
| Plumbing | $2,000–$3,500 | Google Search, Local Services Ads, Meta | Plumbing budget |
| Electricians | $2,000–$3,500 | Google Search, Local Services Ads, Meta | Electrician budget |
| Cleaning services | $1,500–$3,000 | Google Search, Local Services Ads, Meta | Cleaning budget |
| Pet care and vet clinics | $1,500–$3,000 | Google Search, Meta, Google Business Profile | Vet clinic budget |
Ecommerce
| Industry | Suggested starting budget (USD/month) | Core platforms | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion and apparel | $3,000–$6,000 | Meta, Google Shopping/PMax, TikTok/Pinterest | Fashion budget |
| Health and beauty | $3,000–$6,000 | Meta, Google Search/Shopping, TikTok/YouTube | Health and beauty budget |
| Home and furniture | $3,000–$6,000 | Google Shopping, Meta, Pinterest | Furniture budget |
| Electronics and gadgets | $3,000–$6,000 | Google Shopping, Meta retargeting, Microsoft Shopping, YouTube | Electronics budget |
| Food and beverage (D2C) | $2,500–$5,000 | Meta, Google, TikTok/Pinterest | Food and beverage budget |
Professional Services
| Industry | Suggested starting budget (USD/month) | Core platforms | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law firms | $3,000–$6,000 | Google Search, Local Services Ads, Meta retargeting | Law firm budget |
| Accounting and finance | $1,500–$3,000 | Google Search, LinkedIn, Meta retargeting | Accounting budget |
| Consulting | $2,500–$5,000 | Google Search, LinkedIn, retargeting | Consulting budget |
| Insurance | $3,000–$6,000 | Google Search, Meta, Microsoft | Insurance budget |
SaaS and Technology
| Industry | Suggested starting budget (USD/month) | Core platforms | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT services | $3,000–$6,000 | Google Search, LinkedIn, retargeting | IT services budget |
| Startups | $2,000–$5,000 (learning phase) | Google Search, Meta, small LinkedIn/TikTok tests | Startup budget |
| Fintech | $5,000–$10,000 | Google Search, Meta, LinkedIn | Fintech budget |
| B2B SaaS | $5,000–$10,000 | Google Search, LinkedIn, retargeting | B2B SaaS budget |
Education
| Industry | Suggested starting budget (USD/month) | Core platforms | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schools and institutes | $2,000–$4,000 | Google Search, Meta, YouTube | School budget |
| Coaching and training | $2,000–$4,000 | Meta, Google Search, YouTube | Coaching budget |
| Online courses and EdTech | $3,000–$6,000 | Meta, Google Search, YouTube | Online course budget |
Hospitality
| Industry | Suggested starting budget (USD/month) | Core platforms | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotels and restaurants | Hotels $3,000–$6,000; restaurants $1,000–$2,500 | Google Ads, Meta, metasearch (hotels) | Hotel and restaurant budget |
Three Rules That Apply to Every Industry
- Budget to the goal, not the average. Work backward from the customers you want, your close rate and what a customer is worth. See CPL vs CAC vs ROAS.
- Start focused. One or two platforms with proper tracking beat five platforms with thin budgets.
- Review and adjust monthly. Move money toward what produces qualified leads or profitable sales. Our Google Ads audit checklist helps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these budgets the same in every country?
No. They are US dollar planning ranges. Clicks cost more in some markets and less in others, so test and adjust.
Does the budget include agency fees?
These ranges are for ad spend. Agency fees are separate. See digital marketing agency pricing.
My industry is not listed.
Pick the closest group and talk to us for a tailored plan.
The Bottom Line
Use these ranges to plan a realistic test, then let your own data guide the next step. Explore all our industries or book a free strategy call.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal, medical or compliance advice. Prices, features, policies, laws and results can change or may not apply to your situation, and we do not guarantee accuracy, outcomes or future performance. Please verify important details, including pricing, regulations and commitments, with the official source or website, or a qualified professional, before acting on them.