Google Ads & PPC vs Social Media Management
Both are sold as growth. They do different jobs, on different timelines, judged on different numbers — here is the honest split for UAE businesses.
What each one is actually for
Google Ads & PPC exists to search, performance max and remarketing built around the queries that convert, not the ones that spend. Social Media Management exists to day-to-day ownership of your channels: planning, publishing, community replies and monthly reporting.
Speed of signal
Google Ads & PPC typically reads as: live in 7–10 working days. Social Media Management: live within 10 working days. If you need readable numbers this month, weight toward whichever of the two moves faster; if you need cost per enquiry to fall over a year, weight toward the slower one.
What you measure
Google Ads & PPC is judged on cost per qualified lead, search impression share, conversion rate. Social Media Management is judged on reach and saves per post, follower growth, profile-to-enquiry rate. Mixing the two scorecards is the most common way UAE brands end up unable to tell whether either worked.
Cost shape
Google Ads & PPC starts around AED 4,000 / month + media; Social Media Management starts around AED 3,500 / month. Neither figure includes media spend, which you pay directly to the platform.
Running both
In practice these are complements, not rivals. The usual sequence is to start with the faster-signal option to learn what messages convert, then feed those findings into the slower, cheaper-per-enquiry channel so it compounds.
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