How to Make A Facebook Ad: A Complete Guide for Small Business Owners

How Facebook ads work

Facebook ads operate through a system called Meta Ads Manager, where advertisers set goals, define target audiences, and choose placements. You can promote posts, products, or services using different formats like images, videos, or carousels. Facebook uses user data and behavior to show your ads to the most relevant people. The platform runs on a bidding model, meaning your budget and targeting impact how often and where your ad appears.

Types of Facebook ads you can create

Before learning how to create Facebook ads, it's essential to understand their different types. Facebook provides a range of ad formats to help you reach your audience in various creative ways. Choosing the right type depends on your goal, content, and how you want to present your message.

Below are some of the most common ad types to know before learning how to put ads on Facebook:

• Image ads

Image ads are simple yet effective, using a single high-quality photo along with text to deliver your message. They're great for showcasing a product or promoting a special offer with clear, visual content.

• Video ads

Video ads enable you to share more dynamic content, from short clips to longer brand stories. They help capture attention quickly and can be used to explain, entertain, or demonstrate a product in action.

• Carousel ads

Carousel ads let you show up to 10 images or videos in one ad, each with its own unique link. They're ideal for showing different features of a product, multiple products, or a step-by-step story.

• Slideshow ads

Slideshow ads combine images, text, and sound to create lightweight video-like content. They're perfect for slower internet connections and help bring motion to static content without heavy editing.

• Collection ads

Collection ads highlight a main image or video at the top, followed by multiple product visuals, allowing users to scroll through and make purchases straight from the ad. They are especially effective for mobile audiences and work well in e-commerce marketing campaigns.

How to make a Facebook ad

Creating Facebook ads is easier when you break the process down into clear steps. With Meta Ads Manager, you can launch professional ads even as a beginner. Below is a simple step-by-step guide to help you learn how to create Facebook advertisements for free:

STEP 1
1. Go to Meta Ads Manager

Visit the official "Meta Ads Manager" and log in to your Facebook account. This dashboard is where you'll manage your ad campaigns, create new ads, track performance, and more.

STEP 2
1. Choose your campaign objective

Click the "Create" button and pick a goal for your ad. Facebook offers various objectives, including "Brand Awareness," "Traffic," "Engagement," "Leads," and "Sales." Select the option that best aligns with what you want your audience to do.

STEP 3
1. Set your budget and ad schedule

Decide how much you want to spend on your ad. You can select a daily budget (the amount to spend per day) or a lifetime budget (the total spend for the entire campaign). Then, set your start and end dates.

STEP 4
1. Define your target audience

Targeting is key for ad success. Choose your ideal audience based on location, age, gender, interests, behavior, or use a custom audience, such as email subscribers or past website visitors, to reach people who already know your brand.

STEP 5
1. Choose ad placements

You can let Facebook automatically place your ads where they're likely to perform best or manually select placements such as the Facebook Feed, Stories, Reels, Instagram, or Messenger. Manual placement gives you more control over where your ad appears.

STEP 6
1. Create and customize your ad

Upload your media, images, videos, or carousels—and add a headline, description, and a call-to-action button, such as "Shop Now" or "Learn More." Ensure your ad is visually appealing and aligns with your brand's message.

STEP 7
1. Publish your ad

After reviewing everything, click "Publish." Facebook will review your ad for compliance with its guidelines. Once approved, it will go live and start reaching your selected audience. This is how to post ads on Facebook simply and easily.

The easiest way to create Facebook video ads: CapCut desktop

CapCut desktop video editor provides a simple and efficient way to create eye-catching Facebook ads, even for beginners. It has ready-to-use Facebook ad templates and a built-in ad script writer to help you craft compelling messages. With features like auto caption generation and a wide range of video filters and effects, you can easily create professional, scroll-stopping ads in minutes.

Key features

• Ad script writer

CapCut's AI writer helps you instantly generate clear and persuasive ad scripts, saving time and helping you focus on visuals.

• Various Facebook templates

In CapCut, you can easily create Facebook video ads using pre-designed templates tailored to different formats and goals, which helps speed up your editing process.

• Auto caption generation

With the auto-caption generator, CapCut automatically adds precise captions to your videos, enhancing accessibility and retention across platforms.

• Various video filters and effects

CapCut offers a diverse range of video filters and effects, allowing you to enhance your visuals, adjust tone, and add creative flair with just a few clicks.

• 350+ AI voices

The voice changer provides access to over 350 AI voices, allowing you to transform scripts into natural-sounding voice-overs in various styles and languages.

• Support 4K video and HD images

CapCut supports 4K video resolution and high-quality image imports, ensuring your ads look crisp and professional on any platform.

How to make Facebook video ads in CapCut

First, download the CapCut desktop video editor to your PC by clicking the button below. Install it like you would any regular software. Once it's set up, you can begin by following the steps below to learn how to make a Facebook advertisement:

STEP 1
1. Import the video

Open CapCut and select "Create project" from the home screen to get started. Then, tap the "Import" option to upload your video file from your computer into the editing workspace.

STEP 2
1. Edit and enhance the ad

Place your video in the timeline and navigate to "Text" > "Add text" on the left side. Enter your text—such as a sale, discount offer, or call-to-action—and customize it using your brand's colors, font, and size. You can also use the "Text to speech" feature to convert your message into a voiceover. To make your ad more visually appealing, apply filters and effects to enhance the overall look and feel of the video.

STEP 3
1. Export and share

Click the "Export" option in the top-right corner. Select your preferred video resolution, format, and save location. Finally, click "Export" again to download the video or share it on Facebook.

How to create scroll-stopping Facebook ads with CapCut

Grab attention and drive results with eye-catching Facebook ads—no design skills needed. Follow these simple steps using the CapCut desktop video editor.

STEP 1
1. Select a template

Launch CapCut, go to "Image editing" > "Facebook post". Browse a wide range of ad templates designed to fit different goals and aesthetics. Choose one to start editing.

STEP 2
1. Customize with your brand

Insert your text using bold fonts and vibrant colors. Highlight your product by selecting the image, clicking "Remove background" > "Auto removal", and refining the look with filters and color adjustments to make your ad visually appealing. Then you can enhance your visuals by applying "Filters". You can also fine-tune brightness, contrast, saturation, and HSL for a polished, professional look.

STEP 3
1. Export and publish

Once your ad is ready, click "Download all" in the top-right corner. You can also use the built-in social icons to share directly to Facebook with one click.

Expert tips for making a Facebook ad

Creating a Facebook ad that grabs viewers' attention and delivers results requires more than just good visuals. These expert tips will help you craft effective ads that resonate with the target audience and drive action.

• Know your audience

Before creating your ad, define who you're targeting based on age, location, interests, and behavior. The more specific your target, the more relevant your ad will be to viewers. CapCut allows you to tailor your content with text overlays and stickers that align with audience interests.

• Write a strong hook

The first line of your ad copy should instantly capture attention. Use powerful words or questions to spark curiosity and make users stop scrolling. CapCut’s text animation tools help you highlight your hook in a dynamic, eye-catching way.

• Use high-quality visuals

Clear, eye-catching images or videos are essential to a successful ad. They help tell your story at a glance and improve click-through rates. CapCut supports HD video editing with filters, effects, and enhancements to make your visuals pop.

• Keep text concise

Avoid long paragraphs—stick to short, impactful sentences. Clear and simple messaging performs better and is easier to read on mobile. CapCut offers adjustable text styles and placement to keep your messaging sharp and mobile-friendly.

• Include a CTA (Call-to-action)

Tell your audience exactly what you want them to do, like "Shop Now," "Sign Up," or "Learn More." A strong CTA guides viewers toward action. CapCut lets you add animated CTA buttons or text that stand out in your video ads.

• Test multiple versions

Don't rely on one ad—create and run several versions with different visuals or copy. A/B testing helps you know what works best with your audience.

• Track performance

Monitor your ad's performance using Meta Ads Manager. Monitor key metrics, such as CTR, reach, and conversions, to refine your strategy over time.

• Use social proof

Show positive reviews, testimonials, or user-generated content in your ad to build trust. People are more likely to act when they see others doing the same.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning how to create a Facebook ad may seem overwhelming at first, but once you understand the steps, from choosing a campaign objective to designing eye-catching content, it becomes a simple and powerful tool for promoting your brand. With the right message, visuals, and targeting, your ad can reach the audience that matters most to your business.

To make the process even easier, try using the CapCut desktop video editor. It provides ad-friendly templates, an AI script writer, and advanced tools to help you create high-quality Facebook ads quickly and confidently.

FAQs

1
1. How to make a Facebook ad that targets custom audiences?

If you are wondering how to create ads on Facebook, go to Meta Ads Manager and choose the "Audience" section during ad setup. You can upload your email list, use website visitors (via the Meta Pixel), or create a lookalike audience. This ensures your ad reaches people already familiar with your brand. For best results, create personalized and engaging video ads using the CapCut desktop video editor, which allows you to tailor visuals and messaging for each audience segment.

2
1. How to make a Facebook ad using Meta Ads Manager?

Log in to Meta Ads Manager, click "Create," choose your campaign objective, set your budget, define your audience, select ad placements, and upload your content. Finally, review and publish your ad after customization. With the CapCut desktop video editor, you can easily create professional ad content—complete with captions, effects, and CTAs, before uploading it to Meta Ads Manager.

3
1. How to make a Facebook ad with A/B testing features?

In Meta Ads Manager, enable A/B testing (also called split testing) when creating a campaign. You can test different variables, such as headlines, images, audiences, or placements, to see which one performs best. Facebook will automatically compare performance data to help you decide. Use the CapCut desktop video editor to produce multiple video variations quickly, so you can test different styles, scripts, or visuals without starting from scratch.