Are you looking to optimize your advertising campaigns with the right credit card? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ll explore the best credit cards for ad spend, specifically focusing on Facebook, Google, and Amazon.
We’ll also cover budgeting, authorized user benefits, and answer some frequently asked questions.
Here’s what’s in store:
- Commercial Card vs Business Credit Card
- Best Overall Credit Cards for Ad Spend
- The Best Card for Facebook & Instagram Ads\
- The Best Card for Google Ads
- The Best Cards for Amazon Ads
- Bonus: Budgeting for Digital Ads
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Let’s dive in and find the perfect credit card for your advertising needs!
Commercial Card vs Business Credit Card
While credit cards and commercial credit cards are both tailored to the unique needs of businesses and can be used to boost cash flow and track expenses, there are important distinctions between the two.
Some notable characteristics of commercial cards include:
- Must be paid in full each billing cycle
- Does not typically accrue interest
- Credit limit based on business revenue/cash flow
- Enhanced expense management tools
- High-tier rewards
On the other hand, business credit cards cater to the needs of both small and large businesses and offer a range of benefits, including:
- May carry a balance at the end of each billing cycle
- Will accrue interest if a balance is carried
- Credit limit based on a blend of personal credit, business credit, and cashflow
- Basic expense tracking and/or simplified bookkeeping
- Basic rewards and cashback programs
Recommended: What are the Best Unsecured Business Credit Cards for Startups?
While commercial credit cards cater specifically to larger businesses and offer advanced expense management tools, higher credit limits, and customizable reporting capabilities, business credit cards are versatile financial tools suitable for businesses of all sizes – They offer rewards programs, simplified expense tracking, and financial flexibility to support the unique needs of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Best Overall Credit Cards for Ad Spend
The next two cards offer the best rewards I know of on ad spend: Amex Business Platinum and Gold. The only downside would be that you may not be in a position to spend enough each year to make it worth paying the high-dollar annual fees.
But, I want to tell you about them anyway.
Amex Business Platinum Card
- Issuer: American Express
- APR: 19.24% – 27.24% variable APR
- Annual Fee: $695
- Rewards:
- Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earn 5X Points on Flights & Prepaid Hotels booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1.5X Points on Eligible Purchases in key business categories and on eligible purchases of $5K or more everywhere else.
- Features & Benefits:
- Statement credits for Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe Creative Solutions, and U.S. wireless telephone service providers.
- Travel benefits like Global Lounge Collection access, Airline Fee Credit, CLEAR® Plus Credit, and more.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
- Premium status for select car rental programs.
- Additional services like Cell Phone Protection, Extended Warranty, and Purchase Protection.
- No foreign transaction fees.
The Amex Business Platinum Card provides premium rewards, extensive travel benefits, and various services to elevate your Amazon advertising efforts and business travel. However, the $695 annual fee may be justified by its comprehensive features and rewards.
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Amex Business Gold Card
- Issuer: American Express
- APR: 19.24% – 27.24% variable APR
- Annual Fee: $295
- Rewards:
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards points on the top 2 business categories each billing cycle, including U.S. advertising in select media.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards points on other eligible purchases.
- Features & Benefits:
- Pay Over Time Option for eligible purchases with interest.
- No preset spending limit for added flexibility.
- Employee cards at no annual fee with spending limits and alerts.
- Expense management tools like QuickBooks integration.
- Various travel benefits and coverage.
The Amex Business Gold Card offers strong rewards on U.S. advertising and other business categories, along with expense management tools and travel benefits, making it a top choice for businesses focusing on ad spend.
The Best Card for Facebook & Instagram Ads
The best card for Facebook and Instagram is an easy pick, because Chase Ink Business Preferred offers 3X points on the first $150K of social media advertising. Pretty straightforward.
Recommended: Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: A Deep Dive Analysis
Chase Ink Business Preferred Card
- Issuer: Chase
- APR: 20.99%–25.99% variable APR
- Annual Fee: $95
- Rewards:
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8K in the first 3 months.
- 3X points on the first $150K spent on shipping and advertising via social media and search engines.
- Earn unlimited 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Features & Benefits:
- Redeem points for cash back, travel rewards, and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Get 25% more value in travel redemption with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2025.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 1:1 point transfer to participating airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Travel and purchase coverage for added protection.
- Employee cards available at no extra cost with spending control and rewards earning.
The Chase Ink Business Preferred Card offers generous rewards, a valuable sign-up bonus, plus perks like travel redemption bonuses and Lyft ride rewards – It’s a solid choice for businesses looking to optimize ad spend on Facebook and Instagram.
The Best Card for Google Ads
I like the Stripe Corporate card for Google Ads because you will get a dollar-for-dollar ad credit for the first $500 in Google Ads spending. Plus, it’s free! Keep in mind, this one is invite-only, so you will need a Stripe account with some money coming through it to be eligible.
Recommended: Could a Stripe Capital Loan Get Your Business Through a Rough Patch?
Stripe Corporate Card
- Issuer: Stripe
- APR: Not specified (additional details may be available through Stripe’s terms and conditions)
- Annual Fee: None
- Rewards:
- Earn $500 in Google Ad credit after spending $500 on advertising.
- Earn 1.5% cash back on all business purchases.
- Features & Benefits:
- Fast and easy expense management with instant card provision and real-time spending control.
- No annual fees, foreign transaction fees, or late fees.
- Custom spend controls to prevent fraud and manage expenses effectively.
- Real-time expense reporting with automated receipt matching.
- Seamless integrations with finance software like Expensify and QuickBooks.
- Additional partner benefits with companies like AWS, Slack, Google Ads, and more.
The Stripe Corporate Card is designed for fast-growing businesses, offering cash back on all purchases and streamlined expense management, making it a smart choice for businesses using Google Ads.
The Best Cards for Amazon Ads
Now, the clear winner for Amazon Ads has to be the card that they’re backing – the Amazon Business Prime card. It comes with no annual fee, and a ton of rewards at Amazon and Whole Foods, specifically. Though you can still earn cash back on all spending.
Recommended: Amazon Corporate Credit Line – The Ultimate Guide
Amazon Business Prime Card
- Issuer: American Express
- APR: 19.24% – 27.24% variable APR
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards:
- Get a $125 Amazon.com Gift Card upon approval.
- Earn 5% back or 90-Day Terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market.
- Earn 2% back on U.S. purchases at restaurants, gas stations, and wireless phone services.
- Earn 1% back on all other eligible purchases.
- Features & Benefits:
- Enhanced data views for simplified expense reconciliation.
- Shop with Points on Amazon.com and Amazon Business (U.S.).
- Employee Cards at no annual fee with spending limits and alerts.
- QuickBooks integration for auto-expense categorization.
- Year-End Summary for expense tracking.
- No foreign transaction fees.
The Amazon Business Prime Card is perfect for Amazon sellers, offering attractive rewards on Amazon purchases with no annual fee and useful expense management features.
Bonus: Budgeting for Digital Ads
Determining the right budget for your Googe and Facebook ads can be a bit of a puzzle! I have a nifty approach that’ll help you navigate the ad spend game with confidence.
Check it out:
- Start small, dream big – Begin with a modest budget of around $5-$10 per day for your Facebook ads. It’s like dipping your toes into the advertising pool without diving headfirst – This allows you to test the waters and see how your campaigns perform without breaking the bank.
- Play the monitoring game – Once your ads are up and running, it’s time to put on your detective hat and monitor their performance. Keep a close eye on those key metrics like impressions, clicks, and engagement. You’re on a mission to uncover the secret sauce that makes your ads shine.
- Look at ROI (The real MVP) – Now, here comes the exciting part: evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of your Facebook ads. Measure the actual results you’re getting against the money you’re investing. Are your ads generating leads, driving sales, or boosting brand awareness? Crunch those numbers and let the ROI tell you the tale of success.
- Adjust and double-down – Armed with the knowledge of your campaign’s performance and ROI, it’s time to make some magic happen. Certain ads will bring in the bacon and increase your revenue – those are the ads you want to pour your investment into.
- Always adjust and optimize – Remember, you’re in this for the long haul. Keep the optimization engine running smoothly. Experiment with different targeting options, ad creatives, and messaging…Keep your budget low on experiments until you run a successful ad, then increase your budget on that one only.
With this approach, you’ll confidently navigate the world of Facebook ad budgets. Starting small and smart, you’ll gradually unlock more potential, making your ad spend work harder and smarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my card being declined on Facebook Ads?
Card declines on Facebook ads can occur due to various reasons, such as insufficient funds, an expired card, or temporary issues with your card provider. Ensure your card details are accurate and contact your credit card company for help.
Facebook Ads or Google Ads: Which is better?
The choice between Facebook ads and Google ads depends on your target audience, business goals, and advertising strategy. Facebook ads excel in audience targeting and engagement, while Google ads are effective for capturing intent-driven searches. Consider your objectives and conduct A/B testing to determine the best platform for you.
Can I use a Visa gift card for Facebook Ads?
Using a Visa gift card for Facebook ads can be tricky, since Facebook requires additional verification and rejects certain types of prepaid cards. It’s best to consult Facebook support for specific guidelines regarding the use of gift cards, if you’re having trouble.
Which cards are accepted in Facebook Payments?
Facebook accepts major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Additionally, they offer alternative payment methods such as PayPal and Facebook ad coupons. Check Facebook Ads Manager for the complete list of accepted payment methods in your region.
Conclusion
Selecting the right credit card for ad spend can significantly impact the success of your advertising campaigns. Consider the rewards, benefits, and compatibility with platforms like Facebook, Google, and Amazon when making your decision. Remember to evaluate your specific needs and explore the features offered by different credit cards to find the one that aligns with your goals.
With the best credit card by your side, you can make the most of your ad spend and drive your advertising efforts to new heights.Ready to learn how to obtain up to $100K in business credit in as few as 30 days? Join Business Credit Workshop today!