Retargeting
Track Behavior Across Devices and Retarget Interested Users

The path to a purchase is rarely a straight line on a single screen. Someone discovers you on a phone during a commute, reads more on a tablet that evening, and buys from a laptop at work. To market well in 2016 you have to follow that journey across devices and gently bring interested people back.
Why single-device tracking falls short
If you only measure one device, you miss most of the story. The phone visit looks like a bounce and the laptop sale looks like it came from nowhere. Cross-device tracking stitches those moments together so you can see how interest really builds.
Track behavior across devices
- Use logged in accounts where possible, since a sign-in links sessions reliably.
- Lean on analytics and ad platforms that support cross-device reporting.
- Focus on the full journey, not the last click, when you judge what works.
Retarget interested users
Retargeting shows ads to people who already visited or engaged, wherever they go next. Because these people know you, the ads work far harder than cold impressions. The key is relevance and restraint.
- Segment by intent: a product page viewer is warmer than a homepage visitor.
- Match the message to what they saw, not a generic banner.
- Cap how often the ad shows so you remind without annoying.
- Exclude people who already converted, and sell them something new instead.
Key takeaways
- ✓Buyers move across devices, so your measurement should too.
- ✓Retargeting works because it reaches people who already know you.
- ✓Segment by intent and cap frequency to stay helpful, not creepy.

Digital Strategist
Valon Badivuku is a Digital Strategist at ThisCom, helping brands get seen and become visible online through strategies that turn attention into lasting growth.
All articles by Valon Badivuku →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between retargeting and remarketing?+
The terms are often used interchangeably. Retargeting usually refers to showing ads to past visitors across the web, while remarketing is frequently used for re-engaging contacts by email. Both aim to bring interested people back.
Is cross-device tracking a privacy concern?+
It can be, which is why transparency and respect matter. Use clear privacy notices, honor opt-outs, rely on consented and logged-in data where you can, and avoid overly aggressive frequency that makes people uncomfortable.
Related articles
How to Measure Email Marketing ROI (The Metrics That Matter)
Open rate is no longer reliable. Here are the email metrics that actually map to revenue, and how to calculate the ROI of your email program.
Read →Email MarketingA/B Testing Your Emails: A Practical Framework
Stop guessing what works. A simple, disciplined A/B testing process turns your email program into a system that improves with every send.
Read →AnalyticsSmarter Analytics for Small Teams: Fewer Numbers, Better Decisions
Most small business dashboards report a lot and decide nothing. Here is how to pick metrics that change behavior, plus the GA4 settings that quietly delete your history if nobody changes them.
Read →Related reading
- Email Marketing
Email Marketing for Small Business: The Complete 2026 Guide
The famous $36-per-$1 return is a self-reported survey figure, not a promise. Here is how a small business actually builds an email program that reaches the inbox and drives revenue, from list to automation to metrics.
- Email Marketing
How to Build an Email List From Scratch (Without Buying One)
A permission-based email list is your most valuable marketing asset. Here are the lead magnets, opt-in forms, and tactics that grow it ethically and fast.
- Email Automation
Welcome Email Sequences That Convert New Subscribers
The welcome sequence is the highest-engagement email you will ever send. Here is a proven structure to turn new subscribers into customers automatically.
- Email Automation
Email Automation 101: Workflows Every Small Business Should Set Up
Automated email flows run 24/7 and drive a large share of email revenue. Here are the core workflows every small business should set up first.
- Email Automation
Abandoned Cart Emails: Recover Lost Revenue on Autopilot
Most online carts are abandoned before checkout. A well-built abandoned-cart flow recovers a meaningful share of that revenue automatically.