So, you've got a local business, right? Like a bakery, a plumber, or maybe a cool little boutique. You want more people to find you, and more importantly, come through your door or book your service. That's where retargeting comes in. It's basically showing ads to people who've already checked out your website or interacted with your business online. Think of it as a friendly nudge, reminding them you exist. But with so many options out there, figuring out the best retargeting platforms for local services can feel like a puzzle. Let's break down some of the top contenders.

Key Takeaways

• Retargeting platforms help you show ads to people who've already visited your website, encouraging them to come back.

• Using these platforms can really boost your sales and get more people interested in what you offer.

• Google Ads and Facebook are popular choices because so many people use them.

• Some platforms, like Meteora, are great for local businesses because they focus on ads based on location.

• Choosing the right platform depends on your business and who you're trying to reach.

1. Google Ads

When you're thinking about getting more local customers to come back to your business, Google Ads is a pretty solid place to start. It's like having a digital billboard right where people are already looking for services like yours. You can show ads specifically to people in your town or even just a few neighborhoods over. This means you're not wasting money showing ads to folks who can't actually visit your shop or use your services.

The real power here is reaching people who have already shown interest. If someone visited your website, maybe they looked at your services page or added something to a cart but didn't buy, Google Ads lets you show them ads again. It's a gentle nudge, reminding them, 'Hey, remember us? We're still here and we've got what you need.' This is super effective for local service businesses because it keeps you top-of-mind when they're ready to make a decision.

Here’s a quick look at how it works:

• Set up your audience: You can create lists of people who visited specific pages on your website or spent a certain amount of time there.

• Create your ads: Design ads that are relevant to what they were looking at.

• Choose where they see ads: Google has a huge network of websites and apps where your ads can appear.

• Track what works: See which ads are bringing people back and adjust your strategy.

It's all about being seen by the right people at the right time. For local businesses, this means focusing your ad spend on your actual service area, which is a smart way to use your budget. You can get started with Google Ads and target specific areas right here.

You can use Google's tools to build lists of people who have interacted with your business online. This way, you're not just throwing ads out there randomly; you're showing them to people who have already shown some level of interest. It's a more focused approach that often leads to better results for local businesses trying to get repeat customers or new leads from their community.

2. Facebook

Facebook is a giant when it comes to reaching people online, and for local service businesses, it's a pretty solid bet for retargeting. Think about it: almost everyone you know is probably on Facebook, scrolling through their feed. That means there's a huge pool of potential customers who might have already checked out your website or interacted with your business in some way.

Getting started with retargeting on Facebook isn't too complicated. You'll need to put a little piece of code, called the Facebook pixel, on your website. This pixel tracks visitors and what they do, like which pages they look at. Once that's set up, you can create ads specifically for people who have already shown interest. For example, if someone looked at your "plumbing services" page but didn't book an appointment, you can show them an ad reminding them about your services.

Here’s a quick rundown of why it’s good for local businesses:

• Massive Audience: Billions of people use Facebook every month. Even if your service area is small, there's a good chance many of your potential customers are active users.

• Targeting Options: Beyond just retargeting website visitors, you can also retarget people who have engaged with your Facebook page or Instagram profile.

• Dynamic Ads: These ads can automatically show people the exact products or services they viewed on your site, making the ad feel very relevant.

• Cost-Effective: Like most ad platforms, Facebook uses a pay-per-click model, so you only pay when someone actually clicks on your ad. It’s free to set up the ads themselves.

The key is to make your retargeting ads feel helpful, not annoying. Remind people why they were interested in the first place, maybe with a special offer or a quick reminder of the problem you solve.

3. AdRoll

AdRoll is a solid choice if you're running an online store or any business that relies heavily on its website. It's designed to help you get back in front of people who have already shown interest in what you offer. Think of it as a digital nudge to remind them about that thing they looked at but didn't buy.

What's neat about AdRoll is that it lets you create ads and then shows them across different places online. It connects with big networks like Google, Facebook, and Instagram, so your ads can pop up where your potential customers are already spending time. This broad reach is key to bringing people back.

• Customizable Ads: You can tweak your ad designs and who sees them.

• Cross-Channel Reach: Ads appear on various websites and social media platforms.

• Integration: Works with major ad networks you might already be using.

• Performance Tracking: See how your retargeting efforts are doing.

They offer a free version, which is good for trying things out, and paid plans start pretty affordably. Plus, there's a 90-day trial on paid plans, giving you plenty of time to see if it fits your business before you commit.

AdRoll acts like a digital assistant, keeping your business top-of-mind for website visitors who might have gotten distracted or weren't quite ready to buy the first time around. It's about consistent visibility without being annoying.

It's a good all-around platform for businesses that want to make sure they're not losing potential customers just because they didn't convert on the first visit.

4. Criteo

Criteo is another big player in the retargeting game, especially if you're looking to get a lot of bang for your buck. They really focus on dynamic retargeting, which means their system can whip up personalized ads, even video ads, based on what people have looked at on your site. Think of it like this: someone browses your plumbing services but doesn't book, Criteo can show them an ad featuring those specific services, maybe even with a special offer.

Their machine learning is pretty advanced, aiming to show the right message to the right person at the right time to get them to convert. This can be super helpful for local businesses trying to grab attention. They also have this thing called predictive bidding, which basically automates the process of deciding how much to bid on ad space, saving you time and potentially optimizing your spending.

Here’s a quick look at what makes Criteo stand out:

• Dynamic Creative: Ads are personalized based on user behavior and viewed products/services.

• Video Retargeting: Ability to create dynamic video ads tailored to individual users.

• Predictive Bidding: Automates ad bidding to optimize spend and performance.

• Machine Learning: Continuously learns and improves campaign targeting and messaging.

While Criteo is known for its powerful dynamic capabilities, it's worth noting that pricing isn't always upfront. You usually have to contact them directly to get a quote, which might be a bit of a hurdle if you prefer to see clear pricing tiers upfront. However, for businesses that can benefit from highly personalized ad experiences, it's definitely worth exploring.

Getting started with Criteo often involves working with their team to set things up, but they do offer a free trial so you can test the waters. It’s a solid option for businesses that want to really hone in on showing specific products or services to people who have already shown interest, which is a great way to market your business in 2025.

5. Mailchimp

Mailchimp is more than just an email service; it's a full-blown marketing platform that can help local businesses with their retargeting efforts. They use AI-powered tools to help you connect with people who have already shown interest in your business. Think of it as a way to gently remind folks about your services after they've visited your website or interacted with your brand.

Mailchimp taps into the Google Display Network, which is pretty massive. This means your ads can show up on a huge number of websites that people visit every day. It's a solid way to keep your business top-of-mind for potential customers in your local area.

Here's a quick look at how Mailchimp can help with retargeting:

• Ad Creation: They offer an ad builder that makes it easier to design ads that encourage past visitors to come back.

• Audience Targeting: You can define specific groups of people to show your ads to, like those who visited a certain page on your site.

• Cross-Channel Reach: While known for email, Mailchimp extends your reach beyond the inbox, using display ads to find people across the web.

The main idea is to bring people back who already know you. It's often easier to convert someone who's already familiar with your business than to attract a completely new customer.

Mailchimp's strength lies in its integrated approach. If you're already using them for email marketing, adding retargeting ads feels like a natural next step. It helps tie your different marketing activities together, making your overall campaign more cohesive and effective for local customers.

6. LinkedIn

LinkedIn might not be the first place you think of for local service businesses, but hear me out. While it's known for B2B connections, its user base is largely professionals in their prime working years, which can be a surprisingly good fit depending on your service. Think about it: if you offer services that appeal to professionals – like financial planning, executive coaching, or even high-end home services – LinkedIn can be a goldmine.

The key is targeting the right people. You can use the LinkedIn Insight Tag on your website to track visitors. Then, you can create specific ad campaigns aimed at people who have looked at certain pages or services on your site. This means you're not just showing ads to anyone; you're showing them to people who have already shown interest.

Here’s a quick look at how it works:

• Install the LinkedIn Insight Tag: This little piece of code goes on your website and tracks visitors.

• Define Your Audience: Based on who visited which pages, you can create custom audiences.

• Launch Retargeting Ads: Show ads specifically to these interested individuals.

It follows a pay-per-click model, so you pay when someone clicks on your ad. It’s a solid option for reaching a professional demographic, especially if your services cater to that market. For businesses looking to connect with a professional audience, exploring LinkedIn advertising is a smart move.

While LinkedIn is often seen as a platform for job seekers and recruiters, its advertising capabilities extend far beyond that. For local service businesses, it offers a unique opportunity to connect with a demographic that might have higher disposable income or specific professional needs that your service can address. It’s about finding the right niche within the professional world.

It’s free to start advertising, and you can really hone in on who sees your ads. This precision can make your ad spend go a lot further, especially if you're trying to reach a specific type of client.

7. Meteora

Meteora is a bit different from the other platforms on this list. Instead of just tracking website visitors, Meteora uses geofencing. Basically, it lets you show ads to people who have been in a specific physical location, like your store or a competitor's business. This is super handy for local service businesses that want to grab the attention of people nearby.

Think about it: someone walks past your pizza place, then later that day sees an ad for your lunch special on their phone. That's Meteora in action. It's all about reaching potential customers when they're physically close to your business. The platform is designed to help make sure you're not showing ads to employees or delivery drivers, which is a smart touch.

• Target users based on physical location visits.

• Serve ads across social media and other websites.

• Filter out irrelevant audiences like employees.

They also have resources to help you figure out how to spend your ad money wisely. Pricing isn't listed upfront, so you'll need to get in touch with them to get the details and set up an account. Meteora's geofencing approach makes it a unique option for local businesses looking to drive foot traffic.

This kind of location-based advertising can be really effective for businesses with a physical storefront. It's a way to connect with people who are already in your neighborhood and might be looking for what you offer.

8. Perfect Audience

Perfect Audience is a platform that really hones in on retargeting. It's built to help businesses get their ads in front of people who've already shown interest, which is super smart for local services. They've got a lot of ad space lined up through partnerships with big names like Google and AppNexus. This means your ads can show up in a bunch of places online.

What's neat is that Perfect Audience doesn't just stick to one type of ad. You can run campaigns on social media too, like Facebook and Instagram, and even integrate with platforms like HubSpot. For local businesses, this cross-channel tracking is a big deal. It means if someone sees your ad on their computer, they might see a related one on their phone later, keeping your business top of mind. They even have a feature that lets you team up with other local businesses that offer similar, but not competing, services. Imagine retargeting each other's customers – it could really open up new leads.

• Connects with major ad networks for broad reach.

• Supports retargeting across social media platforms.

• Facilitates partnerships with complementary businesses.

• Offers cross-device tracking to maintain ad relevance.

They also offer a free trial with some ad credit, so you can give it a whirl without much risk. It’s a solid option if you’re looking to get serious about bringing back website visitors or social media engagers. Understanding how to set up a remarketing campaign for the first time can be tricky, but platforms like this aim to simplify the process. This guide can help you get started with a complete approach to digital marketing.

Perfect Audience focuses on making retargeting work for you, whether that's through broad ad placements or clever partnerships with other businesses. It's about showing the right ad to the right person, even if they're browsing on a different device.

Wrapping It Up

So, there you have it. Picking the right retargeting platform can really make a difference for local businesses trying to get noticed online. Whether you're looking at something like Mailchimp for its all-around marketing tools, Meteora for its cool location-based ads, or others like Criteo, Perfect Audience, and AdRoll, there's a good chance one of these can help bring back those potential customers who almost clicked. It’s all about reminding people you’re there and what you offer, especially when they’re already thinking about it. Don't let those missed opportunities just slip away – give retargeting a try and see how it can help your business grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is retargeting, and why is it good for local businesses?

Retargeting is like putting up a friendly reminder sign. When someone visits your website or interacts with your business online, retargeting helps you show them ads later as they browse other sites. For local businesses, this means you can remind people in your area about your services, encouraging them to come back and become customers.

How does Google Ads help local businesses with retargeting?

Google Ads is a big player because it owns a huge part of the internet. It lets you create special groups of people who visited your site and then show them ads on Google search results and other websites. This helps you reach people who already know about you and might be looking for what you offer right now.

Can Facebook be used for local business retargeting?

Absolutely! Facebook has tons of users, and you can put a small piece of code on your website to track visitors. Then, you can show those visitors ads on Facebook and Instagram. It's a great way to stay in touch with people who showed interest in your business.

What's special about Meteora for local retargeting?

Meteora focuses on something called 'geofencing.' Imagine drawing a virtual fence around your business location. Meteora can show ads to people's phones when they enter that area. This is super useful for getting people to physically visit your store or office.

How do platforms like AdRoll and Criteo help businesses?

AdRoll and Criteo are like all-in-one toolkits. They help you create eye-catching ads and show them to people across many different websites and social media platforms. Criteo is known for using smart technology to show the *exact* right ad to the *exact* right person at the *exact* right time, which can really boost sales.

Is retargeting expensive for small local businesses?

Many retargeting platforms offer free ways to start, like with Facebook or Google Ads. You usually only pay when someone clicks on your ad (pay-per-click). This means you can often try retargeting without spending a lot of money upfront, making it a cost-effective way to find new customers.