If you’re running a business online, you’re likely familiar with the term “retargeting.” Retargeting is an effective digital marketing strategy that involves targeting website visitors who have left your website without converting. By showing them ads and content that is relevant to their interests, you can bring them back to your website and increase the chances of converting them into customers.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of retargeting in digital marketing, including what it is, how it works, and best practices for implementing it.
What is Retargeting in Digital Marketing?
Retargeting in digital marketing, also known as remarketing, is a technique that targets people who have previously visited your website but left without making a purchase. Retargeting campaigns serve ads to these visitors on other websites, social media platforms, and search engines to bring them back to your website.
Retargeting is a form of behavioral advertising that is based on the user’s actions. By tracking a user’s website behavior, such as pages visited, products viewed, and time spent on the website, retargeting campaigns can show ads and content that are highly relevant to the user’s interests.
How Does Retargeting Work?
Retargeting works by using cookies to track a user’s website behavior. When a user visits your website, a cookie is placed on their browser, which allows retargeting campaigns to track their actions and serve relevant ads.
When the user leaves your website without making a purchase, retargeting campaigns will serve ads on other websites they visit, reminding them of the products or services they viewed on your website. These ads are often personalized and tailored to the user’s interests, increasing the chances of bringing them back to your website and converting them into customers.
Types of Retargeting
There are several types of retargeting campaigns that you can use in your digital marketing strategy. Here are the most common types:
Site Retargeting
Site retargeting is the most common type of retargeting campaign. It targets users who have visited your website but left without converting. Site retargeting campaigns serve ads to these users on other websites they visit, reminding them of your brand and the products or services they viewed on your website.
Search Retargeting
Search retargeting targets users who have searched for keywords related to your business but have not visited your website. Search retargeting campaigns serve ads to these users based on their search behavior, bringing them to your website and increasing the chances of converting them into customers.
Social Media Retargeting
Social media retargeting targets users who have engaged with your brand on social media but have not visited your website. Social media retargeting campaigns serve ads to these users on social media platforms, reminding them of your brand and the products or services they viewed on your website and increasing the chances of converting them into customers.
Benefits of Retargeting
Retargeting has many benefits for your digital marketing strategy, including:
- Increased Conversion Rates: Retargeting campaigns can bring back users who have left your website without converting and increase the chances of converting them into customers.
- Improved Brand Awareness: Retargeting campaigns remind users of your brand and the products or services they viewed on your website, improving brand awareness and brand recall.
- Targeted Advertising: Retargeting campaigns target users who have already shown interest in your brand or products, ensuring that your advertising budget is being spent on highly targeted advertising.
- Cost-Effective: Retargeting campaigns are often less expensive than other forms of advertising, as they target users who have already visited your website and are more likely to convert.
Best Practices for Retargeting
To make the most of your retargeting campaigns, here are some best practices to keep in mind:
Set Specific Goals
Before you start your retargeting campaign, set specific goals for what you want to achieve. This could include increasing conversions, improving brand awareness, or increasing website traffic.
Segment Your Audience
Segment your retargeting audience based on their behavior on your website. This will allow you to serve highly targeted ads and content that are relevant to their interests.
Use Dynamic Ads
Use dynamic ads that change based on the user’s behavior on your website. For example, if a user viewed a specific product on your website, serve an ad that features that product.
Create Compelling Ad Copy
Create compelling ad copy that encourages users to return to your website and convert. Use a clear call-to-action and highlight the benefits of your products or services.
How to Set Up a Retargeting Campaign
To set up a retargeting campaign, follow these steps:
- Choose a retargeting platform, such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads.
- Install the retargeting pixel on your website to track user behavior.
- Set up your retargeting audience based on the user behavior you want to target.
- Create your retargeting ad campaign, including ad copy and creative.
- Launch your campaign and monitor your results.
Retargeting Metrics to Track
To measure the success of your retargeting campaigns, track the following metrics:
Click-Through Rate (CTR)
The click-through rate measures the number of users who clicked on your retargeting ad divided by the number of times the ad was shown.
Conversion Rate
The conversion rate measures the number of users who converted (made a purchase, filled out a form, etc.) after clicking on your retargeting ad divided by the number of times the ad was shown.
Cost Per Acquisition (CPA)
The cost per acquisition measures the cost of acquiring a new customer through your retargeting campaign.
Retargeting vs. Remarketing
Retargeting and remarketing are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two. Retargeting targets users who have left your website without converting, while remarketing targets users who have already made a purchase and encourages them to make another purchase.
Retargeting Tools and Platforms
There are several retargeting tools and platforms available, including:
- Google Ads: Google Ads offers retargeting campaigns through their Google Display Network.
- Facebook Ads: Facebook Ads offers retargeting campaigns through their Facebook Pixel.
- AdRoll: AdRoll offers retargeting campaigns across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Google.
- Perfect Audience: Perfect Audience offers retargeting campaigns across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Google.
Conclusion
Retargeting is an effective digital marketing strategy that can help you reach users who have shown interest in your brand or products but have not yet converted. By serving targeted ads to these users, you can increase your chances of converting them into customers and improve your overall ROI. To make the most of your retargeting campaigns, remember to set specific goals, segment your audience, use dynamic ads, and create compelling ad copy. Additionally, track metrics such as click-through rate, conversion rate, and cost per acquisition to measure the success of your campaigns.
FAQs
- What is retargeting in digital marketing?
Retargeting in digital marketing is a strategy that involves serving targeted ads to users who have visited your website but have not yet converted. - How does retargeting work?
Retargeting works by placing a retargeting pixel on your website that tracks user behavior. When a user leaves your website without converting, they will be served targeted ads on other websites or social media platforms. - What are the benefits of retargeting?
The benefits of retargeting include increased conversion rates, improved brand awareness, targeted advertising, and cost-effectiveness. - What are some best practices for retargeting?
Some best practices for retargeting include setting specific goals, segmenting your audience, using dynamic ads, and creating compelling ad copy. - What metrics should I track for my retargeting campaigns?
You should track metrics such as click-through rate, conversion rate, and cost per acquisition to measure the success of your retargeting campaigns.