Instruct how to pay for running ads on Facebook?

When you run ads on any platform, from Google Ads to Facebook Ads, linking a payment method is a mandatory step. This is how the system automatically deducts money from our accounts and, in return, distributes the ad images and videos to the right audience. The same goes for Facebook Ads; you need to add a credit card, debit card, or a valid payment method for the ads to be eligible to run. In this blog post, we’ll guide you on how to pay for running ads on Facebook and how to handle common payment errors so your campaign isn’t interrupted.

Is paid advertising on Facebook really necessary in 2025?

The answer is definitely yes. In the fiercely competitive landscape of 2025, if you only rely on organic reach, it is almost impossible for advertisers to create a breakthrough. Paid advertising on Facebook not only helps brands reach the right potential customers but also allows us to measure, optimize, and scale our business quickly. Here are 3 major changes in Facebook advertising in 2025 that we want to share so you can grasp and apply them effectively:

AI & algorithms evolve powerfully

If we used to rely heavily on detailed targeting with “stacked interests” to narrow down the audience, this method is now gradually becoming obsolete. Facebook’s AI is getting smarter every day, constantly learning and predicting customer behavior more accurately. Our advice for you is to empower the AI. Instead of trying to manually stuff in targeting, focus on creative content and a truly compelling ad message. When you do, the AI will help you find the most suitable customers.

Costs are increasing (higher CPM & CPA)

A reality that we all see: advertising costs are increasing. CPM (Cost per 1000 impressions) and CPA (Cost per Action) are both higher than they were a few years ago. This makes many of you worry that Facebook advertising is “no longer effective.” But let’s look at some real case studies:

• An account that spent $50,000 in 30 days earned $140,000 in revenue (ROAS ~3x).
• Many other e-commerce brands, if they have attractive offers + a strong ad message, are still achieving very impressive results.

So the cost may be higher, but if you optimize well, the brand still wins big. The important thing is that we have to create a value that is attractive enough for customers to feel it’s a worthwhile investment.

ROAS expectations have changed

In the past, achieving a ROAS of 6-8x was probably not too difficult. But in 2025, this expectation is no longer realistic for most industries. The reason is simple: the customer journey has become more multi-channel and complex. Today, before making a purchase, a customer might:

• See a Facebook ad → look for reviews on YouTube → read more reviews on Google.
• Or interact with a brand on Instagram before making a purchase decision.

This makes the ROAS “split” across many channels, instead of being completely focused on Facebook as before. However, if we know how to integrate multi-channel and consider Facebook as an “important touchpoint in the customer journey,” we can still ensure the overall effectiveness of the marketing strategy.

A guide on how to pay for running ads on Facebook

When you first start running a campaign on Facebook, setting up a payment method is an important step to ensure that the ads are distributed continuously. Below, we will provide detailed, step-by-step instructions so you can easily do it.

Basic steps

Step 1: Open your browser and log in to your personal Facebook account.

Step 2: Go to business.facebook.com. The system will automatically take you to Meta Business Suite.

Step 3: In the left-hand menu, scroll down and select Settings.

Step 4: In the settings section, click on Billing & Payment.

Step 5: Facebook will open a new tab that leads directly to the ad account.

Step 6: Select Add Payment Method to begin the setup.

Setting up a payment method

In this section, we need to choose the country, currency, and time zone for the ad account:

• Country & Currency: Choose according to your needs. For example, in Vietnam, you can choose VND, but many advertisers choose USD to easily manage and compare costs with other markets.
• Time Zone: Choose a time zone that is suitable for your country. For example, if you are in Lagos (Nigeria), choose the Lagos time zone to avoid discrepancies in reporting time.
• Then click Next to go to the step of entering your card information.

Entering payment card information

• Select a payment type: Facebook supports credit cards, debit cards, or PayPal.
• Fill in the card information: Includes the cardholder’s name, card number, expiration date, and CVV security code.
• Confirm the terms: Check the box that says “I agree to let Meta automatically and periodically deduct money from this card.”
• Finally, click Save to complete.

Completion & Ready to Run Ads

When the payment method is successfully saved, your account is eligible to run ads immediately. From here, Facebook will automatically deduct the costs as the ads incur.

Steps to handle common payment errors when running Facebook Ads

During the process of running ads, many new advertisers have certainly encountered the situation where their account is restricted due to a payment error. This is a fairly common problem, but don’t worry, we will walk you through the steps to handle it smoothly and effectively.

Step 1: Access Business Settings

When your ad account is restricted, the first thing we need to do is go to All Tools and select Business Settings. Here, we can create a new ad account to replace the old one that has an error.

For example, you can name the new account “My Naira Ads Account.”

• Time zone: GMT+1 (Africa/Lagos)
• Currency: Nigerian Naira (NGN)
• Purpose: Use for my business

Then, just click Next and agree to Meta’s terms to complete the account creation.

Step 2: Set up a suitable payment method

This is the most important step that we want to emphasize. Note: Do not add a card from the very beginning. If you do, Facebook will automatically change the account to a postpaid account. This means that you run ads first, and then Facebook will deduct the money from the card. If the card is declined, you will encounter the same payment error as before. Instead, choose stable local methods such as:

• Bank transfer
• USSD
• E-banking/banking app

Previously, PayU was a popular choice, but currently, many advertisers report that it is no longer stable, so bank transfers are still the best solution.

Step 3: Assign permissions and connect Fanpage/Instagram

After creating a new account, you need to assign yourself full administrative rights and can also add permissions for partners or the ad campaign team.

• For Instagram, just go to the Instagram Account section in Business Settings, add the IG account, and connect it to the new ad account.
• For a Fanpage, you don’t need to link it directly. As long as you have full control, when you run ads, you will immediately see the option to select an ad account.

Step 4: Notes when operating on a phone

The process on a phone is almost identical, but you need to pay attention to a few things:

• Choose the correct ad account before you run an ad.
• Deposit money in the Meta Ads Manager App in advance to avoid an “insufficient balance” error when you boost a post.

Having a clear understanding of how to pay for running ads on Facebook will help you be more proactive in managing your budget and ensuring that your campaign runs continuously without interruption. We believe that with the detailed guide above, you can easily set up and handle any situations that arise, thereby optimizing your advertising effectiveness in the best way.

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