Geo-fencing ads used to be a tool for big real estate players and national chains. Now? Main Street shops and Mount Pleasant cafés are getting in on the action and it’s working.

Think of geo-fencing like a digital velvet rope: only phones inside a defined area, say, Main & Broadway, see your promo. So whether it’s a happy hour, a flash sale, or a new drop, your message hits people who are literally just steps away from your door.

You don’t need a big agency. Just Google Ads, a few settings tweaks, and a smart local strategy. Here's how to get started.

Set Up Your Geo-Fenced Ad in 4 Simple Steps

1. Draw the Fence

Inside Google Ads or Meta’s Ad Manager, create a custom radius around your location. For Mount Pleasant, try a 300m fence centred on Main & Broadway—dense, walkable, and high-traffic.

2. Time It Right

Schedule your campaign when your audience is most likely to convert.

• Cafés: Morning rush (7–10 a.m.)

• Retail: Lunchtime scrolls (11:30–1:30)

• Bars or happy hour spots: After-work window (3–6 p.m.)

  
  

3. Craft the Creative

This part’s key. Geo-fencing isn't just about where, it’s about urgency. Try lines like:

“Show this screen for 15% off—today only.”
“In the area? Pop in for a free sample.”
Use bright colours and real storefront photos to anchor the ad in the physical world.

4. Exclude Home Zip Codes

Avoid wasting budget on your own team’s devices. In your ad settings, exclude your business’s postal code so staff phones don’t skew impressions or CTR.

Track Your Wins with These KPIs

You don’t need a full analytics stack, just watch for:

• Cost-per-store-visit: For cafés or retail, under $4 per visit is a solid goal.

• Direction Requests: Check your Google Business Profile for a bump in people hitting “Get Directions.” That spike usually hits within 24–48 hours of campaign launch.

Pro tip: Ask walk-ins where they saw you. Keep a tally. It’s old-school—but it works.

Here’s the truth: people don’t mind being “targeted” if the ad feels timely, local, and valuable.

When someone’s standing 200 meters away, hungry, bored, or open to inspiration, your geo-fenced offer is a solution, not a sales pitch.

Foreword helps small Vancouver brands unlock smart marketing strategies without big budgets. Want help setting up your first geo-fenced ad? Let’s chat.