What is Remarketing? Advanced Retargeting Strategies and Tips

remarketing

Remarketing is a smart way to reconnect with people who have already shown interest in your business. Instead of losing potential customers after their first visit, remarketing helps bring them back through targeted ads across search, display, email, and social media. This strategy keeps your brand front of mind and gives you another chance to turn interest into action.

Table of Contents

What is Remarketing?

what is remarketing

Remarketing, often referred to as retargeting, is a strategic paid advertising approach designed to keep your brand visible to users after they’ve left your website. The objective? Recapture their attention and usher them towards a conversion. It’s a notable fact that only about 2% of web traffic converts during their first website visit. Retargeting helps businesses reconnect with visitors who didn’t convert on their first visit, offering another chance to drive sales, capture leads, or recover abandoned carts.

The mechanics behind remarketing hinge on a pixel, a snippet of code embedded in your website. This pixel tracks browser cookies and subsequently displays ads to users who’ve interacted with your site as they continue their online journey. Crafting these ads can be an in-house effort or facilitated through remarketing partners such as Google Ads, ensuring your promotional content finds its way across the digital landscape.

How Does Remarketing Work?

Remarketing follows people who visit your website and re-engages them with ads once they leave. It uses tools like tracking pixels, cookies, and remarketing lists to make this possible.

A tracking pixel is a small code you add to your site. When a visitor lands on your page, the pixel drops a cookie in their browser. That cookie records what they viewed and adds them to a remarketing list. You might have one list for people who checked a product page, another for those who abandoned a cart, and another for users who reached your sign-up form.

With these lists in place, platforms such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads Manager can show ads to these visitors while they browse other websites, scroll through social media, or use search engines.

The process looks like this:

  1. A visitor lands on your site.
  2. A cookie is added through the pixel.
  3. The visitor leaves without converting.
  4. They continue browsing online.
  5. Your remarketing ad appears, reminding them of your business.
  6. They click and return, often completing the purchase or action.

 

This cycle works because it targets people already familiar with your brand. Instead of reaching a cold audience, you are reconnecting with users who have shown interest.

However, digital advertising is shifting. With third-party cookies being phased out, remarketing is moving towards first-party data. Businesses now focus on building audience lists using tools like Google Analytics, CRM data, and email marketing. These methods respect privacy changes while still keeping remarketing effective.

Balancing Personalisation With Privacy

For many years, third-party cookies allowed businesses to follow users across multiple web pages and serve ads on other sites. This practice raised privacy concerns and led to stricter data protection rules.

Governments and regulators introduced laws that limit how personal information can be collected and shared. In the European Union, the GDPR requires clear consent before cookies are placed on a device. In the United States, the CCPA and its update, the CPRA, give consumers the right to know what data is collected, to opt out of targeted ads, and to request deletion. Australia’s Privacy Act also regulates how businesses collect and use customer data, and further reforms are being considered to strengthen individual rights.

At the same time, browsers have tightened their own policies. Safari and Firefox already block third-party cookies, and Google is phasing them out in Chrome. This means advertisers can no longer rely on the old model of following users everywhere online.

Instead, remarketing now focuses on first-party data — information collected directly through your own site visitors, email subscribers, or customers who have previously interacted with your brand. Tools like Google Analytics 4, server-side tagging, and customer data platforms allow businesses to build compliant remarketing lists.

The challenge is to balance personalisation with privacy. Ads should still be tailored to reflect user behaviour, but they must also respect consent choices and legal requirements. In practice, this trust often leads to better engagement and stronger long-term customer relationships.

Remarketing vs. Retargeting: Clearing the Air

The terms remarketing and retargeting are often used as if they mean the same thing, but there are apparent differences. Both strategies aim to reconnect with people who have already interacted with your brand, but they work in different ways and serve different purposes in a digital marketing strategy.

Retargeting is primarily ad-focused. It uses cookies or pixel data to track visitors and then shows them ads across platforms like Google Display Network, YouTube, and social media. Retargeting campaigns are ideal for reaching people who have browsed your site, viewed a product page, or added items to their cart.

Remarketing, on the other hand, is broader. While it can include retargeting ads, it usually focuses on re-engaging audiences through email campaigns or other direct channels. For example, you might send a follow-up email to someone who abandoned their cart or a special offer to a past customer. Remarketing uses first-party data like email lists, customer accounts, or CRM databases to build stronger and more personalised connections.

Both tactics work best when used together. Retargeting keeps your brand in front of potential customers with targeted ads, while remarketing builds loyalty and trust with messages delivered directly to the user’s inbox or device.

Feature Remarketing Retargeting
Main channel
Email, CRM lists, direct communication
Display ads, search ads, social media ads
Data type used
First-party data (emails, customer info)
Cookie and pixel data
Goal
Reconnect and build loyalty with existing contacts
Re-engage visitors who left without converting
Example
Abandoned cart email with discount
Banner ad showing the exact product viewed
Best for
Upselling, nurturing, long-term engagement
Driving visitors back quickly to complete action

Different Types of Remarketing Strategies

Remarketing is not one-size-fits-all. Each type of campaign offers a unique way to bring users back. The approach you choose depends on where your audience spends time and how they interact with your brand.

Standard Remarketing

This works by displaying ads to people who have already visited your site. These ads appear across the Google Display Network and other partner platforms, keeping your brand in front of people who have shown interest.

The strength of standard remarketing lies in timing. By reconnecting with users soon after their visit, you remind them of your products or services and increase the chance they return to complete an action. This simple yet effective method helps prevent lost opportunities.

Dynamic Remarketing

This type of remarketing takes personalisation further by showing ads that feature the exact products or services a visitor viewed on your site. Instead of a generic reminder, the user sees something highly relevant to their browsing behaviour. This makes the ad more compelling and increases the likelihood of conversion.

For example, if someone looked at a specific pair of shoes, they will later see ads displaying that exact item. By aligning ads with real interests, dynamic remarketing gives businesses a powerful way to reconnect with intent-driven users.

Search Remarketing (RLSA)

Search remarketing, also known as Remarketing Lists for Search Ads (RLSA), targets users who previously visited your website and later return to search engines. Instead of showing the same ads to everyone, you can customise bids and ad copy for these audiences.

This means someone who viewed your pricing page might see a stronger call to action when they search again. By focusing ad spend on visitors with proven interest, search remarketing helps businesses capture high-value leads at the decision-making stage.

Social Media Remarketing

Social media remarketing allows you to serve ads directly on platforms where users spend much of their time, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. It connects with past visitors who previously interacted with your site or content, bringing them back into the customer journey.

With tools like Facebook Ads Manager or TikTok Ads Manager, businesses can segment audiences, control ad frequency, and deliver tailored ads that match user behaviour. This approach helps manage ad spend more effectively while keeping your brand visible across multiple social media platforms.

Video Remarketing

Video remarketing focuses on re-engaging users through platforms like YouTube, TikTok and other sites where online videos play a central role. Using a remarketing tag, you can target people who previously interacted with your channel, watched a particular product video, or visited a related landing page.

These campaigns often use dynamic ads that highlight products or services shown during the buying process. Video remarketing not only keeps your brand present but also helps engage users with more immersive content. This makes your advertising dollars work harder across different stages of the customer journey.

Email Remarketing

Email remarketing reconnects with existing customers and past visitors through personalised messages sent straight to their inbox. It is often used after a consumer visits a particular product page or abandons a cart without purchasing.

By segmenting audiences, businesses can serve ads in the form of follow-up emails that highlight promotions or reminders. This type of campaign supports the buying process by keeping interest alive beyond the website. Done well, email remarketing reduces ad fatigue, builds loyalty, and strengthens overall marketing efforts cost-effectively.

Why Should You Invest in Remarketing Strategies?

Let’s flip the question: How often do you go through the entire process of researching, discovering, comparing, and ultimately converting, all in one single browsing session?

For the rare few who said “often,” you’re an exception. But for the majority, that’s an infrequent scenario. This insight lays the foundation for the value of remarketing, and here’s why:

Enhanced Brand Recall

Remarketing continually positions your brand front and center for individuals who’ve already displayed interest. As these prospects explore competitors, weigh options, or scour reviews, your persistent presence steers them towards choosing your brand when they’re ready to decide.

Augmented Website Traffic

Retargeting is your second chance at conversion, acting like a beacon guiding previously interested visitors back to your site. Maybe they were distracted, sidetracked, or just not ready initially. Retargeting nudges them further along the purchase path.

Increased Conversion Rates

With retargeted ads, you’re speaking directly to an already interested audience, amplifying the likelihood of conversion. In fact, retargeted ads can boast conversion rates up to 10 times higher than standard display ads.

Better Return on Investment (ROI)

As one of the most budget-savvy strategies in digital marketing, retargeting offers a prime opportunity to connect with your audience meaningfully, without burning a hole in your pocket.

Maintaining Presence in Prospects’ Minds

Life’s pace can be frantic. Amidst the hustle of work, the din of kids, or even a fleeting cute cat moment, it’s easy for consumers to get sidetracked. Retargeting acts as a gentle reminder, ensuring your brand remains audible above life’s cacophony, guiding them towards desired actions.

A Crucial Insight: Remember, the magnitude of the purchase often dictates the length of the purchase journey. As the stakes rise, so should the duration of your retargeting efforts.

How to Get Started With a Remarketing Campaign

Launching a remarketing campaign may sound technical, but the process becomes easier once you understand the steps.

Here’s how to get started:

  • Set up your tracking pixel or remarketing tag
    Add a pixel or tag to your website so you can capture visitor behaviour. This small piece of code drops cookies on site visitors, helping you build relevant remarketing lists. Platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, and other remarketing tools provide easy instructions.
  • Build remarketing lists
    Use data from your web pages to group visitors into lists. Examples include users who visited a particular product page, abandoned their cart, or reached your landing page but didn’t convert. Segmenting custom audiences makes it easier to serve ads that match the buying process.
  • Choose your remarketing platform
    Decide where you want to run your ad campaigns. Options include a Google Ads account (for display, search, and video remarketing), social media platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn, or native ad networks. Select the remarketing platform that aligns with your target audience and online business goals.
  • Create your ad campaigns
    Develop tailored ads that speak to your audience. Use compelling headlines, visuals, and offers that remind users of their previous visits. Whether you’re running paid ads on search engines or dynamic ads on social media, focus on re-engaging people who have already shown interest.
  • Control ad frequency and budget
    Avoid ad fatigue by setting frequency caps within your ad server or Google Ads account. Allocate your advertising dollars across the campaigns most likely to generate conversions.
  • Track and optimise performance
    Use Google Analytics or your remarketing platform’s reporting tools to measure success. Monitor metrics such as click-through rates, cost per conversion, and return on ad spend. Refine campaigns regularly to keep improving results.

 

Remarketing focuses on reconnecting with past visitors and guiding them back into the customer journey. By following these steps, online businesses can create remarketing campaigns that serve ads at the right time, strengthen brand visibility, and drive higher conversions.

Remarketing Strategies for Success: Expert Tips

remarketing campaigns

Remarketing can deliver strong results, but only if it’s backed by a clear plan. The strategies below outline practical ways to get more from your remarketing efforts.

Define Clear Goals

Every remarketing campaign should start with clear objectives. Decide whether you want to drive sales, increase conversions, or build brand recall. Goals help shape ad campaigns, control ad spend, and track success through your Google Ads account. When goals are aligned with the right marketing tactic, remarketing becomes a smarter way to reconnect with past website visitors.

Segment Your Audience

Remarketing works best when ads match user intent. Segment site visitors into groups such as cart abandoners, product page viewers, or custom audiences from email lists. This process builds relevant remarketing lists that let you serve online ads that feel personal and timely. Audience segmentation is one of the most effective ways to guide users back into the buying process.

Create Compelling Ads

Strong creative makes retargeting and remarketing campaigns more effective. Tailored ads should capture attention with headlines, visuals, and offers that connect with the target audience. Whether you use Google AdWords, social media, or another remarketing platform, ads need to reflect what users saw on your web pages. At Evolving Digital PPC Agency, we design online ads that re-engage site visitors and strengthen long-term marketing efforts.

Control Ad Frequency

Remarketing focuses on reconnecting with people who already know your brand. But showing too many ads can create ad fatigue. Use tools within your Google Ads account or other remarketing platforms to cap impressions. This keeps your brand visible without overwhelming the target audience, making better use of your advertising dollars across ad servers and networks.

Test and Refine Campaigns

Remarketing is never static. Test different ad formats, placements, and messages to learn what resonates with your target visitors. Use a remarketing tool or analytics platform to measure how ads perform across web pages and channels. By refining campaigns, your online business builds stronger remarketing strategies that turn site visitors into returning customers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

How much does a remarketing campaign cost?

The cost depends on how you structure paid ads. Most remarketing campaigns run on CPC or CPM models inside platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads Manager. Ad spend varies based on target audience size, ad frequency, and competition in your market.

Which platforms support remarketing?

Remarketing campaigns can be run through Google Ads accounts, Facebook Ads Manager, LinkedIn, TikTok, and other remarketing platforms. These tools allow you to create relevant remarketing lists, segment custom audiences, and serve ads across web pages, social media platforms, and video channels like YouTube to re-engage site visitors.

How do I avoid ad fatigue in remarketing?

Ad fatigue happens when site visitors see the same online ads too often. The solution is to set frequency caps in your remarketing tool or ad server. Controlling ad frequency helps advertising dollars work harder and keeps your target audience engaged without overwhelming them.

Bring Your Remarketing Strategy to Life

Remarketing is more than running paid ads. It’s about reconnecting with past visitors, guiding them through the customer journey, and making your marketing efforts work smarter. Start with clear goals, build relevant remarketing lists, and focus on serving ads that feel timely and personal. Consistency creates results.

Re-engage Your Audience With Remarketing

Ready to turn past visitors into loyal customers? Evolving Digital helps businesses create remarketing campaigns that serve ads with impact across Google Ads, social media platforms, and beyond. Let’s build a remarketing strategy that maximises ad spend and drives conversions.