Retargeting Made Easy:

How to Bring Back Shopify Customers

In the hyper-competitive world of UK eCommerce, retaining customers is just as crucial as acquiring them. If you’re running a Shopify store, you’ve likely noticed that only a fraction of visitors convert on their first visit. But here’s the good news: the other 98% aren’t lost forever—they just need a well-timed nudge. That’s where retargeting comes in.

When implemented strategically, retargeting can deliver an ROI up to 10x higher than traditional advertising methods, making it a must-have for Shopify store owners. Let’s explore how retargeting works, the best platforms to use, and the trends shaping its future in 2025.

QUICK FIND

1. What is Retargeting?

2. Best Platforms for Retargeting Your Shopify Customers

3. Why Retargeting Works for Shopify Stores

4. GDPR & Data Privacy: Navigating the Latest Rules in Retargeting

5. Winning Retargeting Strategies for Shopify Stores

6. The Future of Retargeting: What to Expect in 2025

7. Why Choose 8th Dial for Your Shopify Retargeting?

what is retargeting?

Retargeting is a digital marketing strategy that focuses on re-engaging visitors who have already interacted with your Shopify store but haven’t converted. Whether they’ve browsed your products, abandoned their shopping cart, or left your site after visiting the homepage, retargeting keeps your brand top-of-mind.

Using cookies, pixel tracking, or first-party data, retargeting identifies these potential customers and serves them tailored ads to encourage them to return and complete their purchase.

Did you know? Retargeted ads have a 10x higher click-through rate (CTR) than regular display ads, making them one of the most effective ways to drive sales.

With 70% of shopping carts abandoned online and most consumers needing 7+ brand interactions before making a purchase, retargeting is a proven way to reduce lost opportunities and maximise revenue.

Best Platforms for Retargeting Your Shopify Customers

Effective retargeting starts with choosing the right platforms. Here are the top options Shopify store owners can use to run powerful campaigns:

Google Ads: The Google Display Network and YouTube are excellent for reaching users with both static and video ads.
Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram): Meta’s platforms offer sophisticated targeting tools to serve personalised retargeting ads where your customers spend the most time.
TikTok Ads: Perfect for younger audiences, TikTok’s short-form videos can be incredibly engaging and effective for retargeting campaigns.
Pinterest Ads: A great fit for lifestyle and visual brands, Pinterest retargeting keeps your products in front of potential buyers.
Email Marketing Tools: Shopify integrations with platforms like Klaviyo and Mailchimp make it easy to retarget customers through abandoned cart emails and product recommendations.

Want to see these platforms in action? Check out our case studies to learn how we’ve helped Shopify store owners achieve incredible results with retargeting.

Why Retargeting Works for Shopify Stores

Retargeting is a game-changer for eCommerce brands because it capitalises on warm leads—shoppers who have already shown interest in your products. Here’s why it works:

Personalised Messaging: Customers are 80% more likely to convert when served ads tailored to their preferences.
Boosted Brand Recall: Retargeting helps reinforce your brand’s presence, bridging the gap between first interaction and purchase.
Higher Conversion Rates: On average, retargeting ads achieve a 10-15% conversion rate, significantly higher than standard ads.
Cost-Effective Results: Retargeting campaigns often deliver a 4:1 return on ad spend (ROAS) or higher, making them one of the most cost-efficient marketing tactics.

GDPR & Data Privacy: Navigating the Latest Rules in Retargeting

As privacy laws evolve, including the GDPR and the UK’s Data Protection Bill, Shopify store owners must ensure their retargeting strategies are compliant. Here’s how to adapt:

Get Clear Consent: Ensure your cookie consent banners are updated, giving users control over what data they share.
Focus on First-Party Data: Rely on customer data collected directly through your site (e.g., sign-ups, purchases) rather than third-party cookies.
Limit Data Collection: Only gather the data necessary for retargeting to comply with GDPR’s data minimisation principle.
Transparency and Control: Keep your privacy policy clear and give customers easy options to manage their data preferences.
Data Retention: Establish policies to delete or anonymise customer data after it’s no longer needed.

By prioritising data privacy, you’ll not only comply with regulations but also build customer trust, leading to better retargeting results.

Winning Retargeting Strategies for Shopify Stores

1. Dynamic Product Ads

Dynamic product ads show customers the exact products they’ve browsed or added to their cart. These ads are especially effective on platforms like Facebook and Google, where Shopify’s integrations make it easy to create personalised campaigns.

Stat to Know: Dynamic ads deliver 36% higher conversions than static ads.

2. Email Retargeting

Email is one of the most effective tools for recovering abandoned carts, boasting a 45% open rate and a 21% conversion rate. Shopify store owners can use email marketing tools like Klaviyo or Mailchimp to automate personalised follow-ups, including product links, limited-time discounts, or free shipping offers.

3. Social Media Retargeting

With billions of daily active users, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest offer excellent opportunities to retarget potential customers. Social media ads blend seamlessly into user feeds, making them less intrusive and more engaging.

4. Omnichannel Retargeting

To maximise reach, combine retargeting ads with other channels:

- Push Notifications: Send time-sensitive alerts about restocks or flash sales.

- SMS Campaigns: With a 98% open rate, SMS is a direct and effective way to re-engage customers.

- Loyalty Programs: Incentivise return visits by offering loyalty points or exclusive discounts.

The Future of Retargeting: What to Expect in 2025

As digital marketing continues to evolve, 2025 promises new opportunities for Shopify store owners to elevate their retargeting efforts.

1. AI-Driven Personalisation

AI-powered tools will refine retargeting by predicting customer intent and serving hyper-personalised ads.

What to Expect: AI could boost ROI by up to 40%, thanks to smarter algorithms that optimise campaign performance in real-time.

2. Video Retargeting

Video content is becoming increasingly popular in eCommerce, and platforms like YouTube and TikTok will play a significant role in retargeting campaigns. Expect brands to invest more in video ads that feature product demonstrations, testimonials, or personalised messages.

3. Privacy-Compliant Retargeting

With stricter data privacy laws, retargeting campaigns will rely more on first-party data. Shopify merchants will need to focus on collecting customer insights ethically, using opt-ins, loyalty programs, and on-site engagement to build their audience.

4. Integration with Emerging Tech

Technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual shopping assistants will offer innovative ways to retarget customers. Imagine serving an ad that lets users virtually try on clothing or see how a piece of furniture fits in their home.

Why Choose 8th Dial for Your Shopify Retargeting?

At 8th Dial, we design retargeting campaigns that don’t just look good—they deliver results. Whether it’s bringing back abandoned shoppers or encouraging repeat purchases, our strategies are built to make an impact.

For example, a recent email remarketing campaign for one of our clients achieved:

74% Open Rate (nearly three-quarters of recipients opened the email, showing strong interest in the messaging)
15% Click Rate (a significant number clicked through to explore the offer further)
10% Conversion Rate (one in ten recipients went on to complete their purchase)

These results highlight how we help eCommerce brands re-engage potential customers and turn lost opportunities into sales.

Want to learn more? Explore our case studies to see how we’ve helped Shopify store owners achieve incredible returns through strategic retargeting.

Let’s Bring Your Customers Back

Retargeting is more than a marketing tactic—it’s the key to converting lost opportunities into loyal customers. With the right strategies and a trusted partner like 8th Dial, you can unlock the full potential of your Shopify store.

Ready to get started? Contact us today and let’s transform your eCommerce business into a conversion powerhouse!