Retargeting Ads: How to Win Back Lost Clicks
You’ve done the hard work: your ad caught someone’s eye, they clicked through to your site… and then, they left without converting.
It happens. In fact, 97% of first-time visitors to a website leave without taking action.
But here’s the good news: with retargeting ads, you get a second (and third, and fourth) chance to bring them back and convert browsers into buyers.
In this post, we’ll dive into how retargeting works, why it’s so powerful, and how you can build retargeting campaigns that actually win back lost clicks.
What Is Retargeting?
Retargeting (also called remarketing) is a form of online advertising that targets users who have previously interacted with your website, app, or content but didn’t convert.
When someone visits your site, a cookie or pixel tracks their activity. Later, when they browse other sites, scroll social media, or watch YouTube, your ads “follow” them around to remind them about what they left behind.
Think of it as:
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A gentle nudge
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A second reminder
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A well-timed offer
Why it Is So Effective
Here’s why you should absolutely add retargeting to your PPC strategy:
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Higher conversion rates: Retargeted users are 70% more likely to convert.
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Lower cost per acquisition (CPA): Retargeting clicks often cost less and deliver more.
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Stronger brand recall: The more they see your brand, the more they trust it.
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Better ROI: Retargeting campaigns often outperform cold prospecting campaigns.
Simply put:
If you’re not retargeting, you’re leaving easy money on the table.
How it Works (Step-by-Step)
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A visitor lands on your site.
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A tracking pixel records their visit.
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They leave without buying or signing up.
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Your ads are shown to them across the web, social media, or apps.
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They click your ad and return, ready to take action.
Platforms that support retargeting:
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Google Ads (Display, Search, YouTube)
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Facebook & Instagram Ads
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LinkedIn Ads
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TikTok Ads
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Microsoft Ads (Bing)
5 Smart Strategies to Try
1. Segment Based on Behavior
Not all visitors are the same! Segment your audience based on:
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Pages viewed (e.g., product pages vs. blog posts)
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Time spent on site
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Cart abandonment
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Past purchasers (upsell or cross-sell)
Example:
Someone who added a product to their cart but didn’t buy should see a different ad than someone who only read a blog post.
2. Offer a Special Incentive
Sometimes all it takes is a little extra motivation:
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Limited-time discounts
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Free shipping offers
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Bonus gifts
Example:
“Still thinking it over? Here’s 10% off your order—today only!”
3. Use Dynamic Retargeting
Dynamic ads automatically show users the exact product they viewed or added to their cart.
Perfect for:
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E-commerce stores
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SaaS trials
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Travel bookings
Platforms that support it:
Facebook, Instagram, Google Display Network.
4. Cap Your Frequency
Don’t stalk your visitors!
Set frequency caps to avoid annoying your audience and causing ad fatigue.
Rule of thumb:
No more than 5–7 impressions per user per week.
5. Refresh Your Creative
Rotate your ads regularly to keep them fresh.
Try:
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New images
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Different CTAs
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Updated offers
Example:
Week 1: Reminder ad
Week 2: Special discount ad
Week 3: Urgency (“Only 24 hours left!”) ad
How to Measure Retargeting Success
Key metrics to watch:
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Click-through rate (CTR): Are people engaging?
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Conversion rate: Are they taking action?
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Cost per acquisition (CPA): Are you getting a positive ROI?
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Frequency: Are you overexposing your audience?
Bonus tip: Always compare retargeting performance to your cold traffic campaigns to see the uplift.
Final Thoughts
It isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s an essential piece of any smart PPC strategy.
When done right, retargeting: ✅ Boosts conversions
✅ Lowers acquisition costs
✅ Builds stronger brand loyalty
If you’ve invested in getting traffic, don’t waste it.
