A social media ads agency can transform how businesses advertise online, but many owners wonder whether they should manage ads in-house instead. While platforms like Meta, TikTok, and LinkedIn make it easy to set up campaigns, achieving real results requires expertise, time, and resources that many small teams don’t have.
The difference between DIY and agency-led advertising often comes down to wasted spend versus measurable growth. If your goal is to maximise return on every pound, working with a specialist agency could be the smarter move.
👉 Talk to Business Mate today about running cost-effective social ads for your business.
Why businesses invest in social media ads
Social media advertising is one of the fastest ways to reach new customers. For SMEs in particular, it offers:
Targeted reach – ads can be aimed at specific demographics, locations, and interests.
Scalability – campaigns can start small and expand as results grow.
Measurable ROI – every click, view, and purchase can be tracked.
Brand awareness – consistent ads build recognition over time.
The question is not whether to advertise, but whether to manage ads in-house or outsource to experts.
Challenges of managing ads in-house
Running ads internally seems appealing at first — it feels cheaper and gives you full control. But most businesses face the same problems:
Limited expertise – learning ad platforms takes time, and mistakes cost money.
Time drain – owners and small teams are stretched across multiple roles.
Inconsistent quality – creative design and copywriting may not match professional standards.
Difficulty scaling – without testing and optimisation, growth is limited.
Poor tracking – missed data leads to wasted spend and unclear results.
This is where a social media ads agency makes a difference.
What a social media ads agency can do better
Specialist agencies have the skills, tools, and experience to deliver stronger results while saving you time.
Expert targeting and audience segmentation
Agencies know how to:
Build precise audiences using advanced tools.
Layer demographics, behaviours, and interests.
Exclude irrelevant groups to avoid wasted spend.
Optimise targeting as campaigns run.
Creative design and ad copywriting
Eye-catching ads are essential. Agencies provide:
Professional graphics and video content.
Copywriting tailored to your audience’s pain points.
Consistency across platforms (Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn).
A/B testing of visuals and wording for best performance.
Campaign optimisation and A/B testing
Agencies continuously improve campaigns by:
Testing different formats (stories, reels, carousels).
Adjusting budgets towards best-performing ads.
Spotting underperformers early to avoid waste.
Scaling winning campaigns for higher returns.
Tracking and reporting that drive results
Transparency is key. Agencies provide:
Regular reports showing clicks, conversions, and ROI.
Clear insights into what’s working and what’s not.
Data that informs long-term strategy.
See our related blog
Cost comparison: agency vs in-house
It’s tempting to think in-house is always cheaper. But when factoring in:
Training time to learn platforms,
Tools and software costs,
Wasted ad spend from poor targeting,
Salary costs for staff running ads full-time,
…the real cost is often higher. An agency spreads expertise across multiple clients, meaning you get professional-level results for a fraction of what it would take to build the same capability internally.
Why outsourcing to an agency saves time and money
Beyond cost, outsourcing brings peace of mind. A social media ads agency:
Frees your team to focus on running the business.
Provides a dedicated team with proven processes.
Reduces costly trial and error.
Delivers campaigns that scale with your growth.
For many SMEs, this combination of expertise and efficiency is the deciding factor.
See our related blog “Facebook Ads Agency vs DIY Advertising – What Drives Better ROI”
How Business Mate supports UK SMEs with social ads
At Business Mate, we specialise in helping small businesses across the UK run social ads that deliver results without draining budgets.
Our approach covers:
Meta Ads for targeted growth.
TikTok Ads for creative reach.
LinkedIn campaigns for B2B success.
Ongoing optimisation to maximise ROI.
We believe SMEs should have access to the same quality campaigns as larger competitors — but at a price that works for their business.
👉 See how Business Mate can manage your social ads
Conclusion
A social media ads agency offers expertise, creativity, and optimisation that in-house teams often can’t match. From precise targeting to professional creatives and ongoing optimisation, agencies deliver results that save both time and money.
For businesses ready to scale with confidence, partnering with an experienced agency is the key to making every pound of ad spend count.
