#6: Retargeting on Shopify: The Ad Strategy That Tripled My Conversions

Why Retargeting Works (Especially for Small Stores)

You ever feel like your store is haunted by ghosts? Visitors arrive, browse, even add something to cart… and then vanish. No purchase. No email. Just gone.

I used to stare at my analytics like, “Why won’t they just buy!?”

Turns out, I was doing everything except what actually works: retargeting.

When I added retargeting ads to Teka Originals, my conversion rate jumped 3x—and the cost per sale dropped.

So in this blog, I’ll show you:

• How retargeting works on Shopify

• Tools you can use (free + paid)

• Actual ad copy + creatives I used

• A plug-and-play ChatGPT prompt to write your ads

People don’t buy the first time. Especially not from a brand they’ve never heard of.

Retargeting brings them back after they:

• Viewed a product

• Added to cart

• Visited more than once

You’re not advertising to strangers. You’re advertising to warm leads.

And warm leads convert better.

The Basic Setup

You need 3 things:

1. Meta Pixel installed on your store

2. A Custom Audience (e.g. “Viewed product but didn’t purchase”)

3. A Retargeting Campaign with specific, emotional copy

How I Did It

✅ Step 1: Pixel Setup

I installed the Meta Pixel through Shopify’s Facebook channel app. Make sure to track:

• ViewContent

• AddToCart

• InitiateCheckout

• Purchase

✅ Step 2: Built Warm Audiences

In Meta Ads Manager:

• People who viewed product in last 7 days

• Abandoned carts in last 14 days

• Website visitors in last 30 days

✅ Step 3: Made Ad Variations

Here’s my actual ad copy (written by ChatGPT + tweaked):

Ad 1 — Abandoned Cart

"Forget something? It’s still waiting for you 😏 Grab 10% off your first order — we saved your cart."

Ad 2 — Viewed Product Only

"That laugh you almost bought? It’s still here. Funny plaques that make your walls talk — 10% off today only."

Ad 3 — Repeat Visitors

"You came back. So did we. Let’s make it official. Here’s 15% off something you liked."

These ads ran with:

• Product images

• 1:1 video snippets from TikTok

• “Swipe to Laugh” carousels

Results (7 Days)

• ROAS: 5.4x

• Conversion rate: from 1.3% → 3.7%

• CPA dropped by 42%

And these were warm leads that would’ve bounced forever without a nudge.

Free ChatGPT Prompt to Write Your Retargeting Ads

"Write 3 retargeting ads for a Shopify store selling funny personalized plaques. Use humor, scarcity, and emotional hooks. Target: cart abandoners, product viewers, repeat visitors."

Use that in GPT, add your product tone, and you’re done.

Tools I Used (All Easy to Set Up)

• Meta Ads Manager (free)

• Shopify Facebook/IG Channel

• Canva Pro (for carousel and video editing)

• ChatGPT (for every ad I wrote)

Optional but helpful:

• Lucky Orange or Hotjar – see why people drop off

Bonus: TikTok Retargeting

Same principle applies. If you're using TikTok Shop or TikTok Pixel:

• Retarget video viewers

• Add UGC snippets to your ad

• Use trending audio for remarketing

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Warm Leads Go Cold

If someone looked at your product, they’re already interested.

Don’t spend your time begging strangers. Focus on the ones who almost said yes.

Retargeting isn’t just an ad—it’s a second chance. And if you’re not using it, you’re leaving money behind.

Set it up once, test your copy, and let it do the heavy lifting.

Part #5: The Secret Shopify Power Move: Start Email Before You Launch

— Stephen Matthews, Teka Originals