Running Ads Without a Landing Page

In this blog, we’ll explore when you can skip the landing page, when it’s essential for local businesses, and how you can maximize the performance of your ads—whether you have a landing page or not. Plus, we’ll show how AI tools like Roya can make it all easier.

When You DON’T Need a Landing Page

Let's start with when you don't need a landing page. If you own a local business—whether it’s a salon or an HVAC service—you don’t always need to create a landing page for every ad campaign. In fact, for small businesses, it’s all about keeping things simple and efficient. Sometimes, you just need to get people calling, booking, or messaging you directly. There are ad types that make this possible without the extra step of sending people to a landing page. Here are a few options that work perfectly for businesses like yours.

• Facebook/Instagram Lead Ads: These ads let you collect contact details, such as phone numbers or emails, directly through the platform. Whether you’re offering a free consultation, appointment booking, or exclusive deals, local businesses can capture leads quickly without the need for a landing page.

• Facebook Messenger Ads: Designed for direct conversations, Facebook Messenger Ads allow you to talk to potential customers. This is great for local businesses where personal interaction, quick responses, or booking an appointment are key.

• Google Call Ads: For service-based local businesses, Google Call Ads are very efficient. These ads allow users to call your business directly from the search results. No landing page required, just immediate phone calls from potential clients.

• YouTube Discovery Ads: If you run a local business with a strong video presence—maybe you’re a fitness studio, local artist, or event organizer—YouTube Discovery Ads promote your video content without needing a landing page, driving traffic to your YouTube channel instead.

These ad types allow you to capture leads or engage with customers directly without the need to redirect them to an external website.

When You DO Need a Landing Page

That said, some ad campaigns do need a landing page. If you’re running ads designed to drive traffic, capture leads, or encourage customers to make a purchase, having a dedicated landing page can make a big difference. It gives your audience a clear next step, helping guide them toward the action you want them to take. For local businesses, landing pages are particularly helpful in these scenarios, and honestly, I’d recommend having one whenever possible—it can boost your conversions and builds a lot of trust with potential customers.

To run the following ads, you need a landing page:

• Google Search Ads: When people search for services like “plumber near me” or “best coffee shop in [city]”, a landing page can make all the difference. When potential customers click on ad, they immediately find exactly what they’re looking for—whether it’s your contact info, service offerings, or an easy way to book an appointment. The purpose of the landing page is making it as easy as possible for people to take action, which increases the chances they’ll become your next customer.

• Facebook/Instagram Traffic or Conversion Ads: If you’re want to bring more customers through your doors or get them to book an appointment, having a landing page that aligns with this goal is very important. The more straightforward and relevant the page is to your local audience, the more likely it is that visitors will take action and become loyal customers.

• Google Display Ads: These ads build brand awareness by visually showcasing your services. Without a landing page that offers more details or a special promotion, you will lose potential customers. A dedicated landing page will convert that curiosity into foot traffic or sales by giving them the information they need to take action.

• LinkedIn Ads for Local Professionals: If your local business targets other professionals (e.g., a co-working space or consulting service), LinkedIn Ads with a  landing page help you showcase your offerings in a more professional manner.

• TikTok Ads: TikTok can drive a lot of local interest, but you’ll need a landing page to encourage younger audiences to learn more or book services, especially if your ad is about an event or promotion.

For these types of campaigns, a landing page helps users take the next step, whether it’s contacting your business, booking a service, or visiting your location.

Why We Recommend Having a Landing Page

Whether required or not, we always recommend having a landing page - and not only if you run ads. Why?

• It Builds Trust & Credibility: Platforms like Facebook and Google often use your landing page to verify that your ad aligns with your business offerings. This not only builds trust with the platform but also reassures your audience that they’re dealing with a credible business. Think about it, would you book a servcie from someone you don't know without a website? Probably not.

• It Creates a Better User Experience: A landing page allows Google and Facebook to auto-fill forms or generate more personalized ad copy. This means a smoother, more engaging experience for your customers, which can increase the likelihood they’ll take action.

• It Delivers Targeted Messaging: A landing page gives you the opportunity to speak directly to your local audience. You can be specific about your services, offers, and unique value, making your ad even more relevant and compelling.^‍

What to Do If You Don’t Have a Landing Page

If your business doesn’t have a landing page yet, don’t worry—building one is easier than you think, and it can make a big difference in your ad performance. You have two options:

1. Create a Simple Page Quickly: There are a lot of platforms like Wix and Squarespace that let you build a landing page in minutes, even if you don’t have a background in web design. Focus on keeping the design clean and the messaging clear.
2. Use AI-Powered Tools Like Roya: For a faster, smarter solution, AI-powered tools like Roya can help you create professional, high-converting landing pages without you having to do anything. Roya is designed specifically for local businesses, this means that our landing pages are focused on creating the best user experience. We create high-quality, premium landing pages— but then without the price of an expensive marketing agency.

Conclusion

Whether you need a landing page for your ads depends on the type of campaign you’re running and the goals for your local business. While you don't always need a landing page for certain ads, we still recommend having one to build trust and authority - so you can make more sales and grow your business.

Building a landing page doesn’t have to be complicated, and with Roya, you can create a high-quality landing page that will help you make more money.