They Were This Close to Buying — Here’s How Retargeting Brings Them Back 

Let’s play out a scene: 

Someone lands on your website. 
They browse. They read. They even add something to their cart. 
Then… gone. 

No sale. 
No sign-up. 
Just a puff of digital smoke and an awkward silence. 

You sigh, wonder what went wrong, and start chasing  new people again. But here’s the truth: 
  You’re ignoring the warmest leads you’ll ever have. 

Welcome to the quiet power of  retargeting — the secret sauce behind brands that don’t just attract clicks, but actually convert them. 

First Things First: What is Retargeting? 

Retargeting (or remarketing) is like giving someone a friendly nudge — a subtle “Hey, remember this?” to people who already checked you out. It’s your second chance to catch their attention and bring them back. 

They: 

• Visited your website 
• Scrolled through your product page 
• Watched part of your explainer video 
• Clicked on your ad but didn’t follow through 

They’re not cold leads. 
They’re  warm . 
They’ve already met you — now they just need a reason to come back. 

Why Chasing New Traffic Without Retargeting Is Like Leaking Leads 

Imagine a brick-and-mortar shop. 
People show up, look around, maybe like what they see — and then leave without buying a thing. 

Would you: 

• Forget about them and wait for new visitors? 
• Or try to bring them back with a reminder, maybe a little incentive? 

Exactly. 

Yet online, we do it all the time — spending budgets on fresh traffic, while letting  ready-to-buy users drift away. 

Retargeting fixes that. 
It’s not about being pushy. It’s about being present when they’re ready. 

The Psychology Behind Retargeting (aka Why It Hooks You So Easily) 

People rarely buy on impulse. They need: 

• Time to think 
• Reassurance 
• A little nudge 

Retargeting gives them all three. 

•  Familiarity builds trust. 

•  Repetition breeds recognition. 

• The right offer, dropped at just the right moment, can seal the deal. 

It’s like saying: 

“Hey, no pressure, just thought you might still be interested.” 

It feels natural — especially when the messaging is tailored and respectful. 

What Smart Retargeting Looks Like 

Let’s ditch the creepy stuff. Smart retargeting is  empathetic . 

Here’s how great brands do it: 

1. Segment by behavior 
   Show different ads based on actions. Someone who visited your homepage gets a different message than someone who abandoned checkout. 
2. Switch up your creatives 
   Don’t show the exact same ad again and again. Rotate your visuals and messaging to keep things fresh. 
3. Add value, not noise 
   Show them why your product’s the real deal — and why it’s worth every click, scroll, or sent. Use testimonials, benefits, urgency — not just discount codes. 
4. Time it well 
   Show up a day later, not five minutes after they leave. Give them space, but stay relevant. 
5. Use channels they care about 
   Whether it's Instagram, YouTube, or Google Display — meet them where they actually hang out. 

Retargeting Is for More Than Just Sales 

Yes, it’s a dream for ecommerce. 

But it’s also gold for: 

• SaaS companies reminding users about trials 
• Coaches promoting webinars 
• Agencies chasing abandoned inquiries 
• Nonprofits nudging past donors 

Any action you want completed? Retarget it. 

A Quick Example: Let’s Say You Sell Skincare 

A user visits your “Glow Serum” product page. 
They even add it to cart… but don’t check out. 

Here’s how retargeting could play out: 

• Day 1 : Instagram ad with a testimonial – “This serum changed my skin in 3 weeks.” 
• Day 3 : Display ad with: “Still thinking about that glow? Here’s 10% off.” 
• Day 5 : Carousel ad comparing Glow Serum with other products — helps them decide. 

No pressure. No spam. Just  reminders that speak to them . 

The ROI Doesn’t Lie 

Retargeting campaigns often: 

• Cost  less per click than cold ads 
• Convert  better 
• Increase  average order value 

Because you’re not convincing strangers. 
You’re nurturing relationships. 

And that’s always cheaper — and more human — than chasing traffic forever. 

Final Thought: It’s Not “Set and Forget” 

Retargeting isn’t just some box you check in your ad manager. It’s a  conversation . 
One that says: 

“Hey, we saw you. And we think this might still be something you want.” 

That’s powerful. Especially in a world where brands are shouting, and customers just want someone to listen. 

So if you’ve been burning cash on top-of-funnel traffic, but your conversions are stalling — maybe it’s time to look  backward before you look forward. 

Because the people who almost bought? 
They’re closer than you think.