Wraps up in 13 Minutes
Wraps up in 13 Minutes
Published On August 28, 2024
Have you ever browsed a product online, only to close the tab and later see ads for that exact item following you around the internet?
Or perhaps you've abandoned a shopping cart, and then received an email reminder about your forgotten purchase?
If so, you've experienced two powerful marketing techniques: retargeting and remarketing.
Did you know that, on average, only 2% of website visitors convert on their first visit? That means 98% of your potential customers are slipping through your fingers!
But don't worry – that's where retargeting and remarketing come in to save the day.
Nowadays, following up with potential customers is more crucial than ever. With so many distractions and options available, it's easy for people to get sidetracked or forget about your product or service.
That's why savvy marketers use retargeting and remarketing to stay top-of-mind and nudge prospects toward conversion.
Now, you might be thinking, "Aren't retargeting and remarketing the same thing?" While these terms are often used interchangeably, they actually have distinct differences and applications.
In this post, we will discuss both retargeting and remarketing, and explore what they are, how they work, and when to use each strategy.
Picture this - you're window shopping online, checking out a pair of snazzy sneakers. You don't buy them right away, but later that day, you start seeing ads for those exact shoes on different websites.
That, my friend, is retargeting in action.
Retargeting is a form of online advertising that keeps your brand or product in front of bounced website visitors as they browse elsewhere on the internet.
It's like a friendly reminder saying, "Hey, remember us? We're still here if you want to take another look!"
There are two main methods:
When it comes to platforms for retargeting, you've got plenty of options.
Display ad networks like Google Ads can show your retargeting ads across millions of websites.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn also offer powerful retargeting capabilities, allowing you to reach users as they scroll through their feeds.
Different Types of Retargeting
The benefits of retargeting are pretty sweet. It helps you stay connected with interested prospects, increases brand recall, and can significantly boost conversion rates.
Plus, it's often more cost-effective than targeting cold audiences since you're reaching people who have already shown some interest in what you offer.
Overall, retargeting can be a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal. It's like having a second (or third, or fourth) chance to make a great impression on potential customers.
Now that we've covered retargeting, let's shift gears and talk about remarketing.
If retargeting is like a digital billboard that follows you around the internet, remarketing is more like a personalized letter delivered straight to your inbox.
Remarketing is a technique that involves reaching out to people who have already interacted with your brand, typically through email or other direct communication channels. It's about nurturing those existing relationships and encouraging past customers or leads to re-engage with your business.
There are two main approaches:
When it comes to remarketing platforms, email marketing software like Mailchimp or ConstantContact are popular choices. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems like Salesforce or HubSpot also play a crucial role in organizing customer data and automating remarketing efforts.
There are three main types of retargeting campaigns you can leverage:
The benefits of remarketing are pretty impressive. It helps you stay connected with your audience, increases customer lifetime value, and can significantly boost repeat purchases.
Plus, since you're reaching out to people who already know your brand, conversion rates tend to be higher than with cold marketing efforts.
But like any marketing technique, remarketing has its challenges. You need to be careful not to overwhelm your audience with too many emails, or you risk being marked as spam.
And of course, you need to be mindful of data privacy regulations when collecting and using customer information.
Despite these potential hurdles, remarketing remains a powerful tool for building lasting relationships with your customers and maximizing the value of your existing audience.
Now that we've explored retargeting and remarketing separately, let's put them side by side and see how they stack up.
Understanding these differences can help you choose the right strategy for your specific marketing goals and make the most of both retargeting and remarketing in your overall marketing strategy.
Retargeting is particularly effective when you want to:
If someone has browsed your products or services but didn't make a purchase, retargeting can give them a gentle nudge.
By showing your ads to people who have visited your site, you keep your brand fresh in their minds, even if they're not ready to buy yet.
If you're running a sale or want to push a particular product line, retargeting can help you reach people who have shown interest in similar items.
If someone reads a blog post on your site, you could retarget them with ads for related content or products.
Certain industries tend to benefit more from retargeting than others.
E-commerce businesses, for example, often see great results from retargeting campaigns, especially for abandoned cart recovery. Travel and hospitality companies also find retargeting useful for reaching people who have been researching trips but haven't booked yet.
B2B companies with longer sales cycles can use retargeting to stay top-of-mind with potential clients over time.
Alright, now talk about when remarketing is your best bet.
While retargeting is great for catching the attention of website visitors, remarketing shines when it comes to nurturing relationships with people who have already engaged with your brand in a more significant way.
Here are some scenarios where remarketing can be particularly effective:
If someone has bought from you before but hasn't made a purchase in a while, a remarketing email could remind them of your value and bring them back.
You can use remarketing to suggest complementary products or upgrades based on a customer's purchase history.
While this can also be done with retargeting, email remarketing can be especially effective for reminding people about items they left in their carts.
After a purchase, you can use remarketing to ask customers for their thoughts on the product or service.
Remarketing isn't just about selling. You can use it to share helpful tips, guides, or updates related to what the customer has purchased or shown interest in.
Industries that often see great results from remarketing include subscription-based services (like software or meal delivery kits), online education platforms, and businesses with loyalty programs.
These types of businesses benefit from the ongoing relationship-building that remarketing facilitates.
Remember, the key to successful remarketing is relevance and timing. You want to reach out to your customers with the right message at the right time, adding value to their experience with your brand rather than becoming an annoyance in their inbox.
Now that you know when to use retargeting, let's talk about how to do it well.
Following these best practices can help you create retargeting campaigns that are effective, and not annoying.
Remember, effective retargeting is about being helpful and relevant, not pushy or intrusive. When you follow these best practices, you can create retargeting campaigns that your audience appreciates rather than avoids.
While remarketing shares some best practices with retargeting, it has its own unique considerations, especially when it comes to email marketing.
Remember, the goal of remarketing is to nurture relationships and provide value to your customers.
With these best practices, you can create remarketing campaigns that your audience looks forward to receiving, rather than sending straight to the spam folder.
We've seen that while retargeting and remarketing are often used interchangeably, both are quite different from one another.
And guess what? you don't have to choose between retargeting and remarketing. In fact, the most effective digital marketing strategies often use both in harmony. It's all about finding the right mix for your unique business goals and audience needs.
But if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by all this information, don't worry. Implementing effective retargeting and remarketing strategies can be complex, especially when you're trying to run a business at the same time. That's where partnering with experts can make all the difference. Enter Wolfable Agency. We have the expertise to help you navigate the intricacies of retargeting and remarketing, crafting strategies that are tailored to your specific needs.
So, whether you're looking to boost your e-commerce sales, generate more leads for your B2B service, or anything in between, Wolfable Agency has got your back.