Mastering Retargeting Ads for Shopify: Step-by-Step Guide
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Mastering Retargeting Ads for Shopify: Step-by-Step Guide
Running ads without retargeting is like pouring water into a leaky bucket. šø Most Shopify store visitors donāt convert on their first visitāand thatās where retargeting ads come in.
Whether itās abandoned carts, product views, or just site visitsāretargeting allows you to stay top-of-mind and bring those shoppers back to complete the sale.
In this step-by-step guide, weāll show you exactly how to set up high-converting retargeting ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google for your Shopify store.
š What Are Retargeting Ads?
Retargeting ads are shown to people who have already interacted with your brand but didnāt convert. These can include:
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Website visitors
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Product page viewers
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Add-to-cart users
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Checkout abandoners
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Email subscribers who didnāt buy
The goal? Re-engage and convert.
šÆ Step 1: Set Up the Right Tracking Tools
To run retargeting campaigns effectively, you need clean, accurate tracking.
ā Install These First:
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Meta Pixel (for Facebook & Instagram)
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Google Ads Conversion Tag + Google Analytics 4
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Optional: Google Tag Manager to manage all tracking in one place
Pro Tip: Use Shopifyās native integrations to connect Meta and Google tools quickly.
š Step 2: Segment Your Audiences
Segmenting helps you tailor messages based on user behavior.
Here are must-have custom audiences for retargeting:
| Segment | Platform | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| All Website Visitors (30 days) | Meta, Google | Awareness campaigns |
| Product Viewers | Meta, Google | Product reminders |
| Add to Cart but No Purchase | Meta, Google | Cart recovery |
| Checkout Abandoners | Meta | High-intent follow-ups |
| Past Purchasers | Meta, Google | Upsell, cross-sell, LTV boost |
āļø Step 3: Create Retargeting Ad Creatives
The ad copy and creative should match where the user left off.
š For Cart Abandoners:
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āStill thinking it over?ā
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Show product image + discount
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Add urgency: āOnly 2 left in stock!ā
š For Product Viewers:
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Highlight reviews and benefits
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Use carousel ads with product images
šļø For Previous Customers:
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āYou might also likeā¦ā
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Offer bundle deals or loyalty perks
Visual Tip: Use UGC, reviews, or lifestyle images instead of generic photosāthey build trust.
š± Step 4: Set Up Campaigns (Platform by Platform)
š¹ On Facebook/Instagram (Meta):
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Create Custom Audiences from your Pixel data
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Use Advantage+ Retargeting or manual campaign setup
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Set campaign objective: Sales or Conversions
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Budget: Start with 15-20% of your total ad spend for retargeting
š¹ On Google:
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Use Google Ads + GA4 audience lists
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Run Display Ads or YouTube Video Retargeting
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Use Dynamic Remarketing for product-based retargeting
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Campaign type: āStandard Displayā or āPerformance Maxā
š§Ŗ Step 5: Test & Optimize
Always test multiple variables:
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Creative formats: carousel, video, static
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Offer types: discount vs no discount
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Audience windows: 7 days vs 30 days
Track These Metrics:
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Click-through rate (CTR)
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Conversion rate
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ROAS (Return on Ad Spend)
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Frequency (keep it < 3 to avoid ad fatigue)
š§ Bonus Tips:
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Exclude recent purchasers from retargeting to avoid wasted spend
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Use countdown timers or limited-stock messages to increase urgency
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Layer retargeting with email flows for a full-funnel approach
ā Final Thoughts
Retargeting isnāt optionalāitās essential for Shopify store profitability. With the right setup, it can be your highest ROAS ad strategy.
Focus on the behavior behind the visit, serve tailored messages, and optimize continuously.
š Need Help With Retargeting Ads?
At RootSyntax, we build custom, data-driven retargeting strategies for Shopify brands that want to scale smart. From Meta to Google, weāll make sure no lead goes cold.
š Letās set up your most profitable ads yet. Book a free strategy call