Credit card company Visa is giving small businesses a reason to try advertising on Facebook, reports The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

With help from agency AKQA, Visa is availing $100 in Facebook ad credits to the first 20,000 small businesses that download a Visa app, which enrolls them in its Facebook-based network.

Google provides some software — including maps, calendars and more — to Visa's small business network. The Wall Street Journal and Entrepreneur magazine provide articles to network members.

Both Facebook and Visa hope to cash in on the 80,000-plus small operations sporting Facebook profiles. The giveaway credits are expected to yield paid ad buys over time.

Visa will promote the effort with an awareness campaign beginning next month.