LinkedIn has evolved from a professional networking site into one of the most powerful platforms for B2B digital marketing agencies and brands looking to reach decision-makers. If your business thrives on high-value client relationships—whether you’re a solo consultant, small agency, or part of a larger B2B lead generation agency—you can’t afford to ignore the potential of advertising on LinkedIn.
Despite this, many businesses still hesitate due to perceived cost, complexity, or the belief that LinkedIn is only for big corporations. In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to launch your first ad in under 15 minutes and how to optimise your creatives to boost click-through rates. We’ll also bust common myths and explain what real LinkedIn advertising pricing looks like in the UK.
Why LinkedIn Is a Game-Changer for B2B Marketers
With over 950 million professionals and 4 out of 5 users influencing business decisions, LinkedIn is no longer just a CV showcase. It’s a high-intent, high-value platform that’s become a core strategy for every serious digital marketing agency for B2B brands.
Conversion rates on LinkedIn are some of the best in B2B, with industry averages hovering around 6.1%. This performance has led many B2B digital marketing agencies to shift focus and budget away from other platforms in favour of LinkedIn—because while the clicks cost more, the value of those leads is far greater.
Debunking the Myths Around LinkedIn Ads
It’s time to address the biggest myths:
First, the idea that LinkedIn advertising pricing is “too expensive.” Yes, CPCs can be higher—typically between £3.50 and £5.50—but that’s the cost of filtering out irrelevant traffic and speaking directly to your target decision-makers. In the context of high-ticket B2B sales, a single lead could yield thousands of pounds in return.
Second, it’s often assumed that you need a massive marketing team to run LinkedIn ads. In truth, even a solo marketer or small B2B lead generation agency can get results using lean strategies and templated creatives. Tools like Canva and LinkedIn’s Campaign Manager make it incredibly user-friendly.
And finally, many believe that only large enterprises should advertise on LinkedIn. In reality, startups, SMEs, and agencies serving niche verticals regularly see success—even with daily budgets as low as £10–£20.
Setting Up Your LinkedIn Ad in Under 15 Minutes
Setting up your first LinkedIn ad is surprisingly straightforward. Begin by accessing Campaign Manager at LinkedIn.com and linking it to your Company Page. Choose GBP as your currency and give your campaign a name that helps you track performance—especially useful for agencies running multiple campaigns.
Next, define your campaign objective. Most B2B lead generation agencies start with “Lead Generation” or “Website Visits.” The Lead Generation option allows you to use LinkedIn’s built-in forms, which are pre-filled with the user’s data—making conversion nearly effortless.
When targeting, LinkedIn lets you segment audiences by job title, industry, company size, seniority, skills, and more. For example, you might choose to target CFOs at logistics firms with 50–500 employees in the UK. This granular control is why more and more B2B digital marketing agencies are investing in the platform.
Ad formats include Single Image, Carousel, Video, and Message Ads. For your first go, stick with Single Image Ads—they’re fast to create, easy to test, and highly effective when paired with a good visual and CTA.
Finally, set your budget and bidding. We recommend starting with £15–£20 per day and a bid of around £4–£5 per click. That gives you enough data to test and refine your creativity without breaking the bank.
Optimising Creatives for Maximum Performance
Once your ad is live, your creative elements—image, copy, and CTA—will play a critical role in performance.
Avoid dull stock imagery. Instead, use branded visuals, data snapshots, or real-life success stories to capture attention. Bright colours, strong contrast, and clear branding can dramatically increase CTRs.
Your ad copy must speak directly to the pain points of your audience. For example: “Struggling to fill your sales pipeline? Discover how our B2B lead generation agency generated 312 qualified leads in 28 days.” Pair this with a headline like “Download the Free Case Study” or “Get Your Free Strategy Call.”
Keep the call-to-action simple and singular. Whether it’s “Download Now” or “Book a Call,” make it clear what the user should do next. And if you’re using LinkedIn’s Lead Gen Forms, limit the number of fields to just name, email, and company.
To improve results over time, always run at least two ad versions at once. A/B test different visuals, headlines, and formats. Pause low-performing ads and scale those with the highest CTR and conversion rates.
Understanding LinkedIn Advertising Pricing in the UK
Now, let’s talk numbers. LinkedIn advertising pricing varies by audience, industry, and competition. On average:
- Cost per Click (CPC): £3.50–£5.50
- Cost per Lead (CPL): £30–£80
- Cost per 1,000 Impressions (CPM): £25–£45
While these figures may be higher than on other platforms, they reflect the quality of LinkedIn’s user base. Remember: one high-value B2B client can more than pay for an entire campaign.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about lead generation, brand authority, and long-term client acquisition, it’s time to advertise on LinkedIn. From targeting to conversion tracking, it offers everything that modern B2B digital marketing agencies need to scale performance.
By focusing on high-quality targeting, bold creative, and continuous optimisation, even small businesses and niche B2B lead generation agencies can achieve big results.
Ready to take the next step? Don’t overthink it—just get started. Your future clients are already on LinkedIn, and they’re waiting to discover you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🟦 What is the average LinkedIn advertising pricing in the UK?
The average cost-per-click (CPC) on LinkedIn in the UK ranges from £3.50 to £5.50. Cost-per-lead (CPL) typically falls between £30 and £80, depending on your targeting and offer.
🟦 Is LinkedIn only suitable for large companies?
Not at all. Many SMEs and boutique B2B digital marketing agencies succeed on LinkedIn with modest budgets. It’s not about size—it’s about how well you target and message your audience.
🟦 How much should I spend daily on LinkedIn ads?
Start with £15–£20/day. This gives you enough data to evaluate early performance and optimise without committing too heavily upfront.
🟦 Are Lead Gen Forms better than sending traffic to a website?
In many B2B cases, yes. LinkedIn’s pre-filled Lead Gen Forms reduce friction and often deliver higher conversion rates compared to external landing pages.
🟦 Can I run LinkedIn ads myself or do I need an agency?
You can absolutely run your own ads using LinkedIn Campaign Manager. However, many businesses partner with a digital marketing agency for B2B to help with strategy, creative, and ongoing optimisation.
Want a Done-for-You LinkedIn Campaign?
If you’d rather not navigate all of this alone, our expert team specialises in high-converting LinkedIn ad campaigns for B2B brands. Whether you’re in SaaS, consulting, tech or services, we can help you generate qualified leads with confidence.
Book your free strategy session today and let’s create your LinkedIn growth engine.
