What’s the best time of day to run ads?

by | Sep 9, 2025 | Blog

What’s the Best Time of Day to Run Ads? A Guide for Your Business in Milton Keynes

Understanding the Optimal Timing for Your Advertising Campaigns

In digital marketing, timing can significantly influence ad performance and return on investment. For businesses in Milton Keynes, identifying the ideal time to run ads ensures maximum visibility and engagement. This guide explores how to determine the best time of day to deliver your ads, backed by data and industry best practices.

Why Timing Matters in Pay-Per-Click Advertising

Ad timing affects various aspects like click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and overall ROI. Running ads when your audience is most active increases the likelihood of reaching potential customers. Conversely, poorly timed ads can result in wasted spend with minimal results.

Audience Behaviour and Digital Consumption

People’s online behaviour varies throughout the day, influenced by routines, work hours, and leisure time. Understanding these patterns helps shape an effective ad schedule.

Platform-Specific Dynamics

Different advertising platforms have peak times. For example, Google Ads may perform differently at varied hours compared to Facebook or Instagram, depending on user activity.

General Recommendations for Timing Your Ads

While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, certain time blocks tend to be consistently effective across industries.

Weekday Mornings and Evenings

Most consumers check their devices during early mornings before work and in the evenings after working hours. Ads targeted during these times often see higher engagement.

Lunchtime Hours (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM)

Midday breaks can boost ad visibility, especially for local businesses targeting audiences on their lunch break.

Weekends and Evenings

People tend to browse more leisurely during weekends and evenings, increasing their responsiveness to ads.

Customising Ad Timing for Your Business in Milton Keynes

Understanding your specific audience is key. Local businesses in Milton Keynes should tailor their ad schedules based on customer behaviour patterns in the area.

Analysing Your Audience Data

Use analytics tools to track when your website visitors and customers are most active. This can reveal optimal ad timings specific to your target demographic.

Competitor and Industry Benchmarks

Review competitors’ activity and industry standards. If similar businesses see success with morning ads, consider testing similar schedules.

Seasonal and Event-Based Timing

Adjust ad timing around seasonal sales, local events, or holidays when your audience’s behaviour may change.

Tools and Strategies for Optimising Ad Timings

Leveraging technology can enhance your scheduling efficiency.

Automated Bidding and Scheduling

Platforms like Google Ads offer automated bidding strategies that adjust bids based on the likelihood of conversions at certain times.

Dayparting Techniques

Dayparting divides the day into segments for ad scheduling, allowing precise control and optimisation.

A/B Testing Different Times

Test ads at various times to gather data on performance, enabling continuous refinement of your schedule.

Case Study: How Timing Increased ROI for a Milton Keynes Retailer

A local retailer in Milton Keynes trialled ads during lunch hours and late evenings. They experienced a 25% increase in conversions and reduced cost per acquisition by 15%. This highlights the importance of testing and localisation in ad timing.

Conclusion

Selecting the right time to run your ads can significantly boost campaign results. For Milton Keynes businesses, understanding local consumer behaviour and platform-specific trends is crucial. Regular analysis and testing remain your best tools for optimising ad timing and maximising ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is the best time of day to run Google Ads? Typically early mornings and late evenings see higher engagement, but it depends on your target audience.
  2. Should I run ads during weekends? Yes, if your audience is active then; many consumers browse more leisurely on weekends.
  3. How can I determine the optimal ad timings for my local business? Use analytics tools to examine when your visitors are most active and conduct A/B testing.
  4. Does ad timing vary by industry? Absolutely, different sectors have different peak times based on customer routines.
  5. Can automated bidding help optimise ad timing? Yes, automated bidding strategies assist in adjusting bids based on time-specific performance data.
  6. Is it better to run ads during peak hours or off-peak times? Peak hours often offer higher engagement, but off-peak times may be less competitive and cost-effective.
  7. How often should I review and adjust my ad schedule? Regular reviews, ideally monthly, ensure your campaigns remain optimised.
  8. What tools can I use for ad scheduling? Google Ads’ Schedule feature, Facebook Ads Manager, and third-party analytics tools are helpful for scheduling and optimisation.
  9. Should I consider local events or seasons when timing my ads? Yes, synchronising campaigns with local happenings can improve relevance and response rates.
  10. What is dayparting, and how does it benefit ad campaigns? Dayparting is scheduling ads at specific times during the day to optimise performance, often resulting in better ROI.

Contact Milton Keynes Marketing for Expert PPC Support

Looking to optimise your ad timings and improve your campaign results? Our local team at Milton Keynes Marketing specialises in data-driven PPC strategies designed for businesses in the area. Contact us today to start maximising your advertising potential.