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How to use retargeting for growth

November 18, 2023 | Jimit Mehta

Have you ever browsed a website, added a product to your cart, and then left without making a purchase? Or maybe you've shown interest in a service but didn't quite pull the trigger on signing up. As a consumer, we've all been there. But as a business owner, what can you do to bring those potential customers back and convert them into paying ones? That's where retargeting comes in. Retargeting is a powerful marketing technique that allows you to target those who have shown interest in your product or service and bring them back to your website. In this article, we'll explore what retargeting is, how it works, and most importantly, how to use retargeting to drive growth for your business. So, if you're ready to bring those lost customers back into the fold, let's get started!

What is retargeting and how does it work?

Retargeting, also known as remarketing, is a marketing technique that allows businesses to show ads to people who have interacted with their website, social media pages or mobile app. The idea is to "retarget" those users who have already shown interest in your brand, but for some reason didn't complete a desired action such as making a purchase or filling out a form.

Retargeting works by using cookies or pixels, which are small snippets of code placed on your website. When someone visits your website, a cookie is placed in their browser that allows you to track their behavior as they browse the internet. This information is then used to show them relevant ads on other websites and platforms, such as Facebook or Google, that they visit later.

For example, let's say you visit an online store and add a pair of shoes to your cart, but don't end up making a purchase. Later, as you're browsing your favorite news website, you see an ad for the same pair of shoes you had in your cart. That's an example of a retargeting ad. The goal is to bring you back to the online store and encourage you to complete the purchase.

Retargeting can be a powerful tool for businesses, as it allows you to reach potential customers who have already shown interest in your brand. By showing them relevant ads, you increase the chances of converting them into paying customers. However, it's important to use retargeting wisely and not overdo it, as it can become intrusive if users feel like they're being constantly followed around the internet.

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The benefits of using retargeting for your business

Retargeting can offer several benefits for businesses looking to grow their online presence and increase sales. Here are some of the most significant benefits of using retargeting:

  1. Re-engage potential customers: Retargeting allows you to reach people who have already shown interest in your product or service but haven't made a purchase yet. By showing them relevant ads, you can encourage them to come back and complete the purchase.

  2. Increase brand awareness: Retargeting ads can help increase brand recognition and awareness by keeping your brand top-of-mind with potential customers. Even if they don't click on the ad, seeing it repeatedly can help them remember your brand and consider it in the future.

  3. Improve conversion rates: Retargeting ads can lead to higher conversion rates as they are shown to people who are already familiar with your brand and have shown interest in it. This familiarity can help establish trust and encourage them to make a purchase.

  4. Cost-effective: Retargeting is often more cost-effective than other forms of advertising, as you are targeting people who have already shown interest in your brand. This means you're more likely to see a return on your investment.

  5. Flexible targeting options: With retargeting, you can target specific groups of people based on their behavior on your website or social media pages. This allows you to create highly targeted campaigns that are more likely to be successful.

Overall, retargeting can be a highly effective marketing tool for businesses looking to grow their online presence and increase sales. By targeting people who have already shown interest in your brand, you can increase brand awareness, improve conversion rates, and achieve a higher return on investment.

How to set up a retargeting campaign

Setting up a retargeting campaign may seem daunting at first, but it's actually a fairly straightforward process. Here's a general overview of the steps involved in setting up a retargeting campaign:

  1. Choose a retargeting platform: There are a number of retargeting platforms available, such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and AdRoll. Choose the platform that best fits your needs and budget.

  2. Install the retargeting pixel: Once you've chosen a platform, you'll need to install a retargeting pixel on your website. This pixel is a small piece of code that tracks visitors to your website and enables you to show them retargeting ads.

  3. Set your retargeting goals: Decide what you want to achieve with your retargeting campaign. Do you want to increase sales, generate leads, or simply increase brand awareness?

  4. Define your target audience: Determine which visitors you want to target with your retargeting ads. You can target people who have visited specific pages on your website, added items to their cart, or completed certain actions.

  5. Create your retargeting ads: Design eye-catching ads that will grab your audience's attention and encourage them to click through to your website. Keep your messaging clear and concise, and include a strong call-to-action.

  6. Launch your campaign: Set your campaign live and monitor its performance regularly. Make adjustments as needed to optimize your ads for better performance.

  7. Measure your results: Track the performance of your retargeting campaign to see how it's impacting your business. Use the data to make informed decisions about future campaigns and strategies.

Remember, retargeting can be a highly effective way to reach potential customers and increase sales. With the right tools and strategies in place, you can set up a successful retargeting campaign that drives growth for your business.

Best practices for creating effective retargeting ads

Creating effective retargeting ads can be a bit tricky, as you're trying to balance the need to reach potential customers with the risk of being too intrusive or annoying. Here are some best practices to follow when creating your retargeting ads:

  1. Keep it simple: Your retargeting ads should be easy to understand and visually appealing. Use eye-catching images and simple, concise messaging to grab your audience's attention.

  2. Segment your audience: Use the data you have on your audience to segment them into specific groups, then create customized ads that speak to their needs and interests.

  3. Set frequency caps: Make sure you're not bombarding potential customers with too many ads. Set frequency caps to limit the number of times an ad is shown to the same person.

  4. Use a strong call-to-action: Make it clear what you want potential customers to do after seeing your ad. Include a strong call-to-action that encourages them to take action, such as "Shop now" or "Learn more."

  5. Test and optimize: Don't assume that your first set of ads will be perfect. Test different images, messaging, and calls-to-action to see what works best for your audience. Use the data to make informed decisions about how to optimize your ads for better performance.

  6. Make it relevant: Your retargeting ads should be relevant to the visitor's behavior on your website. If someone was browsing a specific category of products, show them an ad for that category, rather than a generic ad.

  7. Offer incentives: Consider offering a special promotion or discount to entice potential customers to come back and complete a purchase.

Overall, effective retargeting ads are relevant, visually appealing, and have a clear call-to-action. By following these best practices, you can create retargeting ads that resonate with your audience and drive growth for your business.

How to target the right audience with retargeting

When it comes to retargeting, targeting the right audience is key to the success of your campaign. Here are some tips for how to target the right audience with retargeting:

  1. Segment your audience: Use the data you have on your website visitors to segment them into specific groups based on their behavior on your site. For example, you could segment visitors who added items to their cart but didn't complete a purchase.

  2. Tailor your messaging: Create customized ads that speak to the specific needs and interests of each audience segment. For example, if you're targeting visitors who abandoned their cart, you could include a special promotion to incentivize them to come back and complete their purchase.

  3. Use exclusion targeting: Exclude audiences that are unlikely to convert. For example, if someone has already made a purchase, they don't need to see an ad encouraging them to buy something they already have.

  4. Set frequency caps: Avoid bombarding your audience with too many ads. Set frequency caps to limit the number of times an ad is shown to the same person.

  5. Use lookalike targeting: Use lookalike targeting to find new potential customers who have similar interests and behaviors to your current customers. This can help you reach a broader audience while still targeting people who are likely to be interested in your products or services.

  6. Use retargeting on social media: Consider using retargeting on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where you can target your audience based on their interests and behaviors outside of your website.

Overall, targeting the right audience with retargeting involves using the data you have on your website visitors to segment and customize your messaging. By following these tips, you can create a retargeting campaign that resonates with your audience and drives growth for your business.

Tracking and analyzing the success of your retargeting campaign

Once you've launched a retargeting campaign, it's important to track and analyze its success to see how well it's performing and make any necessary adjustments. Here are some steps to take when tracking and analyzing your retargeting campaign:

  1. Set up tracking: Make sure you have tracking set up on your website and on your retargeting ads. This will allow you to see how many people are clicking on your ads and how many of those clicks are resulting in conversions.

  2. Define your goals: Decide what you want to achieve with your retargeting campaign and set specific goals. For example, you may want to increase sales, generate leads, or improve brand awareness.

  3. Use analytics tools: Use analytics tools like Google Analytics to track the performance of your retargeting campaign. This will allow you to see how many people are being retargeted, how many are clicking on your ads, and how many are converting.

  4. Test and optimize: Test different versions of your ads to see what works best for your audience. Use the data you collect to make informed decisions about how to optimize your ads for better performance.

  5. Monitor your frequency caps: Keep an eye on your frequency caps to make sure you're not bombarding your audience with too many ads.

  6. Analyze your ROI: Calculate your ROI for your retargeting campaign by comparing the cost of the campaign to the revenue generated from it. This will help you determine whether the campaign was worth the investment.

  7. Make adjustments: Based on your analysis, make any necessary adjustments to your retargeting campaign to improve its performance.

Overall, tracking and analyzing the success of your retargeting campaign is essential for making informed decisions about how to optimize your campaign for better performance. By following these steps, you can make the most of your retargeting campaign and drive growth for your business.

Retargeting strategies for different stages of the customer journey

Retargeting can be an effective way to engage with customers at different stages of their journey with your business. Here are some retargeting strategies you can use at each stage of the customer journey:

  1. Awareness stage: At this stage, your goal is to increase brand awareness and get your business in front of potential customers. You can use retargeting to target people who have visited your website but haven't yet taken any action. Use eye-catching ads with a strong call-to-action to encourage them to learn more about your business.

  2. Consideration stage: At this stage, your goal is to nurture potential customers who are considering your product or service. You can retarget people who have visited specific pages on your website, such as product pages, but haven't yet made a purchase. Use retargeting ads that highlight the benefits of your product or service, and offer special promotions or discounts to encourage them to convert.

  3. Purchase stage: At this stage, your goal is to convert people who have shown a strong interest in your product or service. You can retarget people who have added items to their cart but haven't completed a purchase, or people who have made a purchase in the past but haven't returned to your website in a while. Use retargeting ads that offer personalized recommendations or promotions to encourage them to complete their purchase.

  4. Loyalty stage: At this stage, your goal is to turn customers into loyal advocates for your business. You can retarget people who have made multiple purchases in the past, and offer them exclusive promotions or early access to new products or services. You can also retarget customers who have left positive reviews or referrals, and encourage them to share their experience with others.

By using retargeting at each stage of the customer journey, you can build strong relationships with your customers and drive growth for your business. Remember to tailor your retargeting ads to each stage of the journey and use data to inform your targeting and messaging.

Common retargeting mistakes to avoid

Retargeting can be an effective way to engage with potential customers and drive growth for your business. However, it's important to be aware of some common mistakes that can limit the effectiveness of your retargeting campaigns. Here are some common retargeting mistakes to avoid:

  1. Over-targeting: Bombarding people with too many ads can lead to ad fatigue and may cause them to ignore your ads altogether. Use frequency caps and limit the number of times people see your ads to avoid this.

  2. Poor ad design: Your ads should be visually appealing and communicate a clear message to your target audience. Use high-quality images, compelling copy, and a strong call-to-action to encourage people to take action.

  3. Not targeting the right audience: Make sure you're targeting the right audience with your retargeting ads. Use data to inform your targeting and messaging and avoid wasting ad spend on people who are unlikely to convert.

  4. Not testing different ad formats: Different ad formats, such as static images, video, or carousel ads, can perform differently depending on your target audience and campaign goals. Test different formats to see what works best for your business.

  5. Failing to optimize for mobile: Many people access the internet on their mobile devices, so it's important to ensure your retargeting ads are optimized for mobile. Use mobile-friendly ad formats and make sure your landing pages are mobile-friendly as well.

  6. Not monitoring performance: It's important to regularly monitor the performance of your retargeting campaigns to see how they're performing and make any necessary adjustments. Use data to inform your decisions and optimize your campaigns for better performance.

By avoiding these common retargeting mistakes, you can create more effective campaigns that engage with potential customers and drive growth for your business. Remember to always keep your target audience in mind and use data to inform your decisions.

Tools and platforms for retargeting

Retargeting can be a powerful way to engage with potential customers and drive growth for your business. There are a variety of tools and platforms available that can help you create and manage retargeting campaigns. Here are some of the most popular tools and platforms for retargeting:

  1. Google Ads: Google Ads offers retargeting capabilities through its Google Display Network. You can create display ads that target people who have visited your website or engaged with your content in other ways.

  2. Facebook Ads: Facebook Ads offers retargeting capabilities through its Custom Audiences feature. You can create custom audiences based on website visitors, email subscribers, and other criteria, and target them with relevant ads.

  3. AdRoll: AdRoll is a retargeting platform that offers a variety of ad formats, including display ads, social media ads, and email retargeting. You can use AdRoll to target people who have visited your website or engaged with your brand on social media.

  4. Criteo: Criteo is a retargeting platform that uses machine learning to optimize ad performance. You can use Criteo to target people who have visited your website or engaged with your brand in other ways, and create personalized ads that are tailored to their interests and behavior.

  5. Perfect Audience: Perfect Audience is a retargeting platform that offers a variety of ad formats, including display ads, social media ads, and email retargeting. You can use Perfect Audience to target people who have visited your website or engaged with your brand on social media, and create personalized ads that are tailored to their interests and behavior.

  6. Retargeting.biz: Retargeting.biz is a retargeting platform that offers a variety of ad formats, including display ads, social media ads, and email retargeting. You can use Retargeting.biz to target people who have visited your website or engaged with your brand on social media, and create personalized ads that are tailored to their interests and behavior.

By using these tools and platforms, you can create effective retargeting campaigns that engage with potential customers and drive growth for your business. Remember to use data to inform your decisions and optimize your campaigns for better performance.

Integrating retargeting with other marketing channels

Retargeting can be a powerful tool on its own, but it can also be even more effective when integrated with other marketing channels. Here are some ways to integrate retargeting with other marketing channels:

  1. Email marketing: You can use retargeting to create personalized email campaigns for people who have visited your website or engaged with your brand in other ways. By integrating retargeting with email marketing, you can create a more cohesive customer experience and increase the effectiveness of both channels.

  2. Social media marketing: You can use retargeting to create social media ads for people who have visited your website or engaged with your brand in other ways. By integrating retargeting with social media marketing, you can reach your audience on multiple channels and create a more consistent brand message.

  3. Search engine marketing: You can use retargeting to create search ads for people who have visited your website or engaged with your brand in other ways. By integrating retargeting with search engine marketing, you can increase the effectiveness of your search ads and create a more targeted advertising strategy.

  4. Content marketing: You can use retargeting to create personalized content recommendations for people who have visited your website or engaged with your brand in other ways. By integrating retargeting with content marketing, you can create a more personalized and engaging experience for your audience.

By integrating retargeting with other marketing channels, you can create a more effective and cohesive marketing strategy that reaches your audience on multiple channels and creates a more consistent brand message. Remember to use data to inform your decisions and optimize your campaigns for better performance.

Over to you

Retargeting can be a powerful way to engage with potential customers and drive growth for your business. In this article, we explored the basics of retargeting, the benefits of using retargeting for your business, and how to set up a retargeting campaign. We also discussed best practices for creating effective retargeting ads, how to target the right audience with retargeting, and how to track and analyze the success of your retargeting campaign.

Additionally, we looked at retargeting strategies for different stages of the customer journey, common retargeting mistakes to avoid, and tools and platforms for retargeting. Finally, we explored integrating retargeting with other marketing channels to create a more effective and cohesive marketing strategy. By using the insights and techniques presented in this article, you can create successful retargeting campaigns that engage with potential customers and drive growth for your business.

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