If you’re a fence contractor, you’ve probably thought about running ads on Facebook. Maybe you’ve tried boosting a post here and there. You spend $20 or $50, and Facebook says thousands of people saw it. But nothing much happens. No calls. No leads. No new jobs.
So, what gives?
In this post, we’re going to break it down. No fluff. Just real talk about what boosting a post actually does, what it doesn’t do, and how you should really be thinking about online ads.
What Is a Boosted Post?
Boosting a post means paying Facebook to show one of your regular posts to more people. Usually, you pick a budget, pick who sees it (or let Facebook decide), and hit “Boost.”
That’s it.
It’s simple, fast, and tempting. But that doesn’t mean it’s smart.
What Boosted Posts Actually Do
To be fair, boosted posts aren’t totally useless. They can help with a few things:
- Getting more likes or comments
- Getting more views on a photo or video
- Making your business look active online
But here’s the problem: most of that doesn’t lead to sales.
If your goal is to book fence jobs, likes don’t pay the bills.
Why Fence Contractors Boost Posts
From what we’ve seen at FenceWebs, contractors boost posts because:
- It’s easy and quick
- They want to show their work to more people
- Facebook keeps bugging them to do it
- They think it’ll bring in leads
And sometimes it might. But most of the time, it won’t. Here’s why.
Why Boosting Posts Usually Doesn’t Work
1. It Shows Your Post to the Wrong People
Facebook might show your boosted post to people who don’t even live near you. Or to people who just click around a lot but never buy anything.
You want to reach homeowners in your service area who need a fence. Not just anyone with a phone.
2. It Doesn’t Ask People to Take Action
Most boosted posts are just pictures with no clear next step. No button. No offer. No reason to call you now.
People scroll, see your work, think it looks nice, and move on.
3. You Can’t Track What Happens
When you boost a post, it’s hard to tell if it actually brought in a lead. Facebook will show you “reach” and “engagement,” but not real results.
That makes it tough to know what’s working.
What You Should Do Instead
If you’re spending money on ads, make it count. Here’s a better way to do it:
1. Use the Ads Manager
It’s not as simple as the boost button, but it’s way more powerful. It lets you:
- Choose your exact service area
- Target people based on age, income, homeownership
- Add a button like “Call Now” or “Get a Free Quote”
- Track phone calls or form submissions
This is how pros do it.
2. Send People to a Page That Converts
Don’t send them to your Facebook page or a random post. Send them to a clean page that says:
- What you do
- Where you work
- Why they should choose you
- How to contact you
Keep it simple. Add a form or a phone number right at the top.
3. Use Retargeting
This is a fancy word for showing ads to people who already saw your stuff. Maybe they visited your website last week. You can run ads just for them. That way, you stay top of mind.
It’s like following up without being pushy.
Let’s Talk Numbers
Boosted posts might get you views, but Facebook counts a “view” as someone seeing your post for 1 second. That’s not worth much.
Here’s a rough comparison:
| Method | Cost | Targeting | Action Button | Real Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boosted Post | $50 | Weak | No | Not Likely |
| Facebook Ad Manager | $50 | Strong | Yes | Likely |
Same budget. Very different results.
A Real Example
We worked with a fence contractor in Texas. They were spending $200/month boosting posts. They got lots of likes, but no leads.
We switched them to real Facebook ads with a clear offer and a form. They started getting 8-12 leads a month. Same budget.
That’s the difference.
What About Google Ads?
Good question. Google Ads work great for fence companies, too.
Why? Because people go to Google when they need something. If someone types “fence company near me,” they’re probably ready to hire.
That’s different from Facebook, where you have to catch someone’s attention out of the blue.
A smart plan uses both:
- Google Ads for people actively searching
- Facebook Ads to stay in front of past visitors and show off recent jobs
What About SEO and Local SEO?
Ads are fast, but SEO is steady. SEO is how you show up on Google without paying for clicks. Local SEO helps you show up on Google Maps.
If your site ranks well and your Google Business Profile is strong, you can get free leads every month.
That takes time, but it’s worth it.
Here’s how they compare:
| Channel | Speed | Cost | Long-Term Value |
| Boosted Post | Fast | Low, but weak | Low |
| Facebook Ads | Medium | Medium | Medium-High |
| Google Ads | Fast | High | Medium-High |
| SEO | Slow | Low ongoing | High |
So, Should You Boost Posts at All?
Maybe. If you’re doing everything else right, and you just want to show off a job or stay active, go ahead and boost a post once in a while.
But don’t count on it to bring in work.
Final Thoughts
Running a fence company takes a lot. You’re juggling jobs, estimates, crews, materials. The last thing you need is to waste money on ads that don’t do anything.
If you want your marketing dollars to bring in real leads, skip the boost button. Use proper ads, track your results, and build something that works.
That’s what we help contractors do every day at FenceWebs. No hype. Just websites, SEO, ads, and real leads.
And if you’re stuck or not sure what to try next, reach out. We know fences. And we know how to get you found.
Need help with your marketing? We build websites, run ads, and help fence contractors grow without wasting money. Visit FenceWebs.com or call us today.
