WilDi Maps vs. Billboard Advertising: Cost, Reach, and ROI Compared

Billboards have been the default “local advertising” option for decades.
They’re big, visible, and everywhere.

But are they actually working for your business?

With 82% of billboard impressions based on estimates rather than verified views, and average costs of $1,500–$4,500/month in Jacksonville alone, it’s worth asking:

Is there a better way to reach nearby customers?

This is an honest comparison between traditional billboard advertising and GPS-verified location-based advertising with WilDi Maps.

Learn how WilDi Maps works → https://wildimaps.com, -

The Billboard Model

Billboards sell you estimated impressions based on traffic counts.

Here’s how it works:

• The billboard company uses Department of Transportation traffic data, They estimate how many cars pass per day, They assume a percentage of drivers “see” the ad, You pay a flat monthly rate based on those estimates

What You’re Actually Paying For

• 82% of billboard impressions are estimates, not verified
• Only 29% of people recall seeing a specific billboard within the last month
• Only 19% can name the advertiser they saw, There is no way to verify real attention

Billboards are based on traffic counts, not proof that someone saw your message., -

The WilDi Maps Model

WilDi Maps uses GPS-verified views from real customers in real locations.

Here’s how it works:

• You set a geographic zone (a road, neighborhood, or city-wide area)
• Drivers entering your zone see your ad, GPS confirms they were physically inside the location, You only pay for verified views from real people

What You’re Actually Paying For

✅ Real humans in real cars
✅ GPS-confirmed locations
✅ Verified attention, not estimated glances
✅ Zero bots, zero fraud, -

Cost Comparison: Jacksonville Market

| | Billboard | WilDi Maps | |, -|, -|, -| | Monthly cost | $1,500–$4,500 | Starting at $50 | | Minimum commitment | 4–12 weeks | None | | Setup fees | Often $500+ | None | | Views verified? | ❌ Estimated | ✅ GPS-verified | | Annual cost (low end) | $18,000+ | $600 |

A single Jacksonville billboard costs more per month than an entire year of WilDi Maps., -

Targeting Comparison

Billboards: One Location, One Message, Fixed to one physical location, Same ad shown to everyone who drives past, Cannot change messaging without reprinting, No way to target specific customer types, Limited to one road

WilDi Maps: Zone Targeting + Real-Time Flexibility, Target any road, zone, or neighborhood in Jacksonville, Change your message anytime, Target specific corridors during peak hours, Run conquest ads around competitor locations, Scale instantly from one street to city-wide

Example: A realtor can target Ponte Vedra listings this week, then shift to Neptune Beach next week.
A billboard can’t do that., -

Measurement Comparison

This is where the gap is widest.

Billboards Measure:

• “Daily Effective Circulation”, an estimate
• “Opportunity to see”, another estimate

That’s it.

WilDi Maps Measures:

• Verified GPS-confirmed views, Time-of-day performance, Zone-by-zone analytics, Real delivery data on every impression

Billboards tell you how many cars drove past.
WilDi Maps tells you how many people actually saw your ad., -

Flexibility Comparison

| | Billboard | WilDi Maps | |, -|, -|, -| | Change your ad | Requires reprinting ($$$) | Instant anytime | | Pause campaign | Still paying contract | Pause/resume freely | | Seasonal adjustments | Locked dates | Adjust in real time | | A/B testing | Not possible | Run different messages by zone | | Cancel | Penalties or stuck | No contracts |, -

When Billboards Still Make Sense

Billboards aren’t useless. They work for:

• Brand awareness for companies with large budgets, Highway directional signage (“Next exit…”)
• Simple, visual messages that work at 60mph, Long-term awareness campaigns where measurement isn’t the goal

If you’re spending $50K+/month nationally, billboards can still play a role., -

When WilDi Maps Wins

For most local businesses, WilDi Maps is the smarter investment:

• Budget under $5,000/month, Need measurable ROI, Want geographic flexibility, Running time-sensitive promotions, Competing locally near competitors, Starting small and testing affordably, -

Real Scenario: Jacksonville Restaurant

Billboard approach:

• Billboard on Beach Blvd: $2,500/month, Locked in for 3 months: $7,500 total, Estimated impressions (unverified)
• No idea who noticed

WilDi Maps approach:

• Target drivers within 1 mile: $50/month, Also target competitor zones: included, Run lunch specials 11am–2pm: included, GPS-verified views from real customers

3 months total: $150

Same goal. Same city.
$7,500 vs $150., -

FAQ

Are billboard impressions real?

Billboard impressions are estimates based on traffic counts. No company can tell you exactly who saw your ad.

Can WilDi Maps replace billboards?

For most local businesses focused on measurable customer acquisition, yes.

What about digital billboards?

Digital billboards still rely on estimated impressions, cost $3,000–$5,000+/month, and rotate multiple advertisers.

How fast can I start with WilDi Maps?

Most campaigns launch in under 10 minutes. No production fees. No contracts., -

The Bottom Line

Billboards sell estimates.
WilDi Maps sells verified attention.

For local businesses that need every dollar to count, GPS-verified advertising delivers:

✅ Verified views
✅ Better targeting
✅ Real measurement
✅ Dramatically lower costs

Start your first campaign today → https://wildimaps.com/signup

Tags: Billboard Advertising, Advertising ROI, Location-Based Advertising, GPS Verified Advertising, Small Business Marketing, Local Advertising