What Are the Most Effective Retargeting Ad Strategies for UK Online Learning Platforms?

Retargeting ads are a savvy marketing tool that allows businesses to re-engage customers who have previously interacted with their brand. These strategies have seen a surge in popularity, especially among the online learning platforms in the UK. To shed light on this, we delve into the most effective retargeting ad strategies that have been successfully employed by these platforms.

Understanding Retargeting

Retargeting is a form of online advertising that helps keep your brand in front of bounced traffic after they leave your website. It is a strategy based on cookie technology. When visitors come to your website, a small piece of code (often referred to as a pixel) places an anonymous retargeting “cookie” in their browser. This cookie informs retargeting platforms to serve specific ads based on the individual's browsing behaviour.

Contrary to popular belief, not every visitor to your website will make a purchase or sign up for your services on their first visit. Retargeting helps draw these "potential customers" back to your product or service, increasing the likelihood of conversion.

Google Retargeting Campaigns

In the realm of retargeting, Google is a giant you cannot ignore. Google's reach is extensive, and its retargeting campaigns offer a second chance at converting visitors into customers.

Google retargeting campaigns work by displaying your ads to people who have previously visited your site as they browse the web, watch YouTube videos, or read news sites. For example, when users leave your online learning platform without enrolling in a course, your retargeting ads can remind and encourage them to return and complete the enrolment process.

Segmentation is another crucial aspect of Google retargeting campaigns. It allows you to categorise your website visitors based on their behaviour on your site, tailoring your retargeting ads to fit each group. This ensures that your ads are relevant to your audience and increases the chances of conversion.

Facebook Retargeting Campaigns

Facebook, with its billions of users, is another platform where retargeting campaigns can yield significant results. Facebook retargeting works in essentially the same way as Google retargeting. When a person visits your online learning platform but leaves without making a purchase, Facebook can display your ads to them as they browse their Facebook feed.

One effective Facebook retargeting strategy is Dynamic Product Ads. These are ads that automatically promote products to people who have expressed interest on your website. For example, if a visitor browsed a particular course on your platform but didn't enrol, Facebook can display an ad for that exact course to that visitor. Dynamic Product Ads personalise the ad experience for each user, making them more likely to convert.

Email Retargeting

Email retargeting is another powerful retargeting method. Unlike Google and Facebook, which rely on visitors coming to your website, email retargeting allows you to reach out to users directly in their inbox. This strategy becomes particularly useful when you already have a database of existing customers or website visitors who have provided their email addresses.

One example of an email retargeting strategy is sending personalised emails to people who have left items in their shopping cart without completing the purchase. These emails can provide additional information about the product, offer a discount, or simply serve as a reminder to complete the transaction.

The Power of Personalisation

No matter the platform you decide to use for your retargeting campaign, the key to success is personalisation. Tailoring your ads to the specific interests and behaviours of your audience will make them much more effective.

For instance, if a user browsed a particular subject on your online learning platform, retargeting ads featuring courses in that subject will resonate more with the user than generic ads. By personalising your retargeting ads, you not only increase the chances of conversion but also create a more positive and engaging user experience.

In conclusion, retargeting is not just about bombarding users with ads; it's about providing a personalised and thoughtful reminder that adds value to your audience's experience. It's about timing and relevance. When done right, retargeting can help you build a dedicated customer base and drive higher conversions for your online learning platform.

LinkedIn Retargeting Campaigns

LinkedIn, renowned for its professional networking opportunities, also offers unique retargeting solutions. As many online learning platforms cater to professionals looking to improve their skills or change careers, LinkedIn is an excellent platform to target these audiences.

LinkedIn retargeting campaigns work similarly to Google and Facebook. When a user visits your online learning platform, the retargeting pixel will track their activity. If the user leaves without enrolling in a course, LinkedIn can show them your retargeting ads when they next browse their LinkedIn feed.

The secret weapon of LinkedIn retargeting is the Matched Audiences feature. This tool allows you to target website visitors, contacts from your customer databases or CRM, or even specific individuals who fit your defined audience characteristics. By using this feature, you're able to focus your ad efforts on potential customers who have already shown an interest in your online learning platform.

LinkedIn retargeting can be especially fruitful when combined with thoughtfully crafted content that adds value to the user's professional journey. Whether it's a whitepaper on the benefits of continued learning or a case study showcasing the success of a former student, this content can inspire the viewer to revisit your platform and complete the enrolment process.

Retargeting Through Mobile Apps

With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, retargeting campaigns are not limited to desktop devices but have extended to mobile app retargeting. This method involves displaying retargeting ads to users who have interacted with your online learning platform via its mobile application.

Mobile app retargeting can be particularly effective as it allows you to reach your audience wherever they are, at any time. An essential part of this strategy is the deep linking technique. This tactic takes users directly to the app page where they left off, making it easier for them to complete their purchase or enrolment.

This strategy can also incorporate a variety of ad formats, such as interactive ads, video ads, or native in-app ads. By diversifying your ad formats based on the platform and user behaviour, you can increase your chances of drawing your potential customers back to your online learning platform.

Concluding Remarks

In the digital age, retargeting campaigns have emerged as a potent tool for online learning platforms in the UK. They offer a smart and personalised way to re-engage users who have previously interacted with your platform but failed to complete a purchase or enrolment.

Whether it be Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, or mobile app retargeting, each platform presents unique opportunities for reaching your audience and convincing them to take that all-important step of enrollment. The power of these successful retargeting strategies lies in their ability to tailor content to the individual's specific interests and behaviours, providing a customised and engaging user experience.

However, it is vital to remember that retargeting should not seem intrusive. The ultimate goal is to add value to the user's experience, not to bombard them with constant adverts. As such, striking the right balance between reminding your audience about your offerings and providing relevant, valuable content is key to effective retargeting.

Used wisely, retargeting campaigns can significantly boost your conversion rates and help you build a loyal and engaged user base for your online learning platform. They enable you to make the most out of every visitor to your site, turning potential customers into actual customers, and boosting your online platform's growth and success.