Introduction
Most people don’t buy the first time they see a product or service. In fact, studies show that about 98 percent of website visitors leave without making a purchase. But that doesn’t mean they’re not interested—it just means they need a little more convincing.
This is where retargeting comes in. Retargeting allows you to reach out to people who have already interacted with your business, reminding them why they were interested in the first place. It’s one of the most powerful advertising strategies to increase conversions and sales.
What is Retargeting?
Retargeting (also known as remarketing) is a digital advertising strategy that shows ads to people who have previously visited your website, engaged with your social media, or interacted with your brand in any way. Instead of targeting a cold audience, you’re reaching out to people who are already familiar with your brand.
Why Retargeting Works
Retargeting is effective because:
-
People Need Multiple Touchpoints Before Buying – It usually takes several interactions before a person makes a purchase decision. Retargeting keeps your brand top of mind.
-
It Focuses on Warm Leads – These people already showed interest, so they are more likely to convert than someone who has never heard of your brand.
-
It Reduces Wasted Ad Spend – Instead of targeting a broad audience, you’re focusing on people who are more likely to buy, improving your return on investment.
How to Use Retargeting to Convert More Customers
1. Website Retargeting: Bring Back Lost Visitors
Most website visitors leave without taking action, but retargeting can bring them back. By placing a small piece of code (a pixel) on your website, you can track visitors and show them relevant ads after they leave.
How to do it:
-
Install a Facebook Pixel or Google Tag Manager on your website.
-
Create a custom audience of people who visited your website but didn’t buy.
-
Show them ads with an incentive like a discount, free shipping, or limited-time offer to encourage them to return.
2. Cart Abandonment Retargeting: Recover Lost Sales
If someone adds a product to their cart but doesn’t complete the purchase, retargeting can remind them to check out. Cart abandonment is a common problem in e-commerce, but well-timed ads can recover lost revenue.
How to do it:
-
Create a retargeting campaign specifically for users who abandoned their cart.
-
Show them an ad reminding them of their product, possibly with a special discount.
-
Use urgency by mentioning limited stock or a deadline to complete their purchase.
3. Social Media Engagement Retargeting: Convert Engaged Users
Not all potential customers visit your website first—many interact with your brand on social media before considering a purchase. You can retarget people who have liked, commented on, or shared your posts.
How to do it:
-
Set up a retargeting audience for people who engaged with your Instagram or Facebook page in the past 30 to 90 days.
-
Show them an ad that pushes them toward the next step, like signing up for a free resource or making a purchase.
-
Use testimonials, case studies, or limited-time offers to increase conversions.
4. Video Retargeting: Engage Viewers Who Show Interest
If you run video ads, you can retarget viewers who watched a certain percentage of your video. This is a great way to move potential customers further down your sales funnel.
How to do it:
-
Create a custom audience of people who watched at least 50 or 75 percent of your video ad.
-
Show them a follow-up ad with a stronger call to action, such as a free trial or discount.
-
Keep the message consistent with the original video they watched.
Final Thoughts
Retargeting is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase sales because it focuses on people who already know your brand. Whether you’re recovering abandoned carts, re-engaging website visitors, or converting social media followers, a well-structured retargeting campaign can significantly boost your revenue.
Want to Set Up High-Converting Retargeting Ads?
If you want to turn lost leads into paying customers without wasting ad spend, we can help. Contact us today, and let’s create a retargeting strategy that brings in more sales for your business.
