How to Retarget Website Visitors and Recover 95% of Lost Sales

Last month, you watched a potential customer remain on your e-commerce site, eyeing a stylish hoodie, only to leave before checkout.

That sting hits hard; 95% of website visitors leave without converting, per 2025 industry data, draining ad spend and stalling your sales funnel.

What If You Could Bring Them Back?

It felt like hosting a party where guests slip out before dessert. But then you discovered retargeting ads, a lifeline to re-engage those warm leads with tailored messages. 

Lost visitors hurt your bottom line, but retargeting can bring them back. This guide will show you how to turn browsers into buyers, step-by-step. Curious about how retargeting works? 

Let’s dive into the magic of retargeting!

Retargeting, or remarketing, reconnects with website visitors who didn’t convert. 

Imagine someone adds a “hoodie” to their cart but leaves—retargeting ads can flash that exact item on their Facebook feed, nudging them back to buy. It uses cookies or pixels to track behavior, serving ads on platforms like Google or Meta. 

Unlike remarketing, which targets existing customers via email, retargeting focuses on anonymous site actions, perfect for capturing new leads.

Retargeting targets past visitors with precision ads. Wondering why this strategy is a game-changer? Keep reading.

In 2025’s crowded digital space, customers need 7–13 touchpoints before converting. 

Retargeting keeps your brand in their mind, boosting recall and conversion rates by up to 70%, per recent studies. It’s vital for lead generation and sales, turning fleeting interest into action. Think of it as a second handshake with those who almost bought—ensuring your brand sticks when they’re ready.

Retargeting builds trust and drives conversions. Next, let’s see how it works.

Retargeting advertising is work based on a simple but effective process. Let’s see how

1. Tracking: A pixel or cookie tracks visitors to your site.
2. Audience Building: Actions (e.g., product views, cart abandons) build a list.
3. Ad Delivery: Google Ads or Meta serves targeted ads across platforms.
4. Re-Engagement: Ads lure users back to convert.
   

Example: A visitor browses your SaaS pricing page, then sees a free trial ad on Instagram. This precision drives results.

A simple system turns visitors into buyers. Which platform suits your needs? Let’s find out.

Choosing the right platform is key to retargeting success. Here are the best options for 2025:

• Google Display Network: Reach a vast audience with text, image, or video ads—great for broad targeting.
• Facebook/Instagram Ads: Meta's platforms excel in graphic-heavy ads, which are ideal for e-commerce and B2C with detailed segmentation.
• LinkedIn Ads: Perfect for B2B, targeting by job role or industry.
• YouTube Video Ads: Engage users with skippable or non-skippable video ads, great for storytelling.
• Programmatic Platforms (AdRoll, Criteo): Automate ad buys across multiple channels for efficiency.

Each platform has unique strengths, so select based on your audience and goals.

The right platform boosts your reach. Want to tailor your approach? Check out these campaign options.

Retargeting is not universally applicable. Here are four types of retargeting campaigns, along with their respective advantages and benefits.

Customize your strategy with these:

• Pixel-Based Retargeting: Tracks visitors, targeting warm leads for higher conversions.
• List-Based Retargeting: Uses CRM lists for personalized ads, boosting loyalty.
• Dynamic Product Ads: Shows exact viewed products, lifting e-commerce click-through rates.
• Sequential Retargeting: Builds a narrative across ads, guiding users through the funnel.

Diverse campaigns match your goals. How do you target the right people? Let’s dive in to segment your audience.

You definitely know that all website visitors are not the same. Dividing your audience ensures your ads hit the right people with the right message. Here’s how:

• New Visitors vs. Cart Abandoners: Awareness ads for newbies, discounts for abandoners.
• Returning Visitors vs. Newsletter Readers: Warm leads vs. educational content.
• High-Intent Segments: Target pricing/checkout users for better ROAS.
  Use Google Analytics 4 to spot high-value behaviors.

Segmentation sharpens your ads. Next, let’s launch your first campaign. Here’s your step-by-step guide.

Are you prepared to target website visitors with retargeting? Follow the 4 easiest steps to launch your first campaign:

1. Install the Pixel 

Add the tracking pixel from your chosen platform (e.g., Google Ads or Meta Pixel) to your website’s code. Use a tag manager for simplicity.

2. Set Audience Rules

Define your target audience, which may include all visitors, product page viewers, or cart abandoners. Set a time window, like 30 or 90 days.

3. Design Ad Creatives

Craft appealing ads with clear visuals and accurate messaging. For example, highlight a discount (25% off) for cart abandoners.

4. Launch and Monitor 

Set your budget, launch the campaign, and track performance metrics like click-through rate (CTR) and conversions.

After all, if you still feel confused with the process, you can connect with our ad experts.

A simple setup kicks off your success. Want to maximize results? Check these best practices.

Boost impact with these proven tips:

• Frequency Capping: Limit ads to 3–5 times weekly to avoid annoyance.
• Create Urgency: Use “24-hour sale!” to spur action.
• Customize by Stage: Awareness ads for newbies, conversion ads for intent users.
• A/B Test Creatives: Test headlines or images for resonance.
• Exclude Converters: Avoid wasting budget on past buyers.
  

Example: A brand tested two CTAs, boosting clicks by 20%.

Smart tactics lift your campaign. Hopefully you are curious about results? Let’s look at a success story.

Retargeting delivers results—studies show a 70%–80% conversion boost. 

An e-commerce brand targeting cart abandoners with dynamic ads saw a 35% sales increase in one month. Picture this: a shopper abandons a cart, sees a timely ad, and buys—turning “almost” into “done.”

Proven results make retargeting a must. Now the question is, Google or Facebook—which is better? Let’s compare.

Choosing between Google Ads and Facebook for retargeting? Here’s a quick comparison:

Feature	Google Ads	Facebook Ads
Cost	CPC: $0.50–$2.00	CPC: $0.25–$1.50
Audience Types	Broad, cross-platform  (websites, apps)	Social media users, interest-based
Ad Formats	Banners, text, video	Image, carousel, video, stories
Conversion Potential	High for search-driven audiences	High for visual, impulse-driven purchases

Choose based on your audience.

Retargeting ads turn fleeting visits into loyal customers, bridging the gap from “almost” to “done.” With 2025’s AI-driven tools, you can segment smarter and personalize ads, boosting ROI and brand recall. 

Start small, optimize relentlessly, and watch every click pay off.

Ready to reclaim your 95%? Launch your campaign today or connect with our PPC expert at mediusware.com for a free audit.