Bing's 3D logo

How to Create High-Converting Retargeting Campaigns for Bing Ads

If your goal is to maximize ROI from Bing Ads, retargeting is one of the most powerful strategies you can deploy. Simply put, retargeting allows you to reach users who have already interacted with your brand—whether by visiting your website, engaging with your content, or even abandoning a shopping cart. Unlike broad targeting, retargeting focuses on audiences that have already shown interest, which naturally increases conversion rates. Boost your Bing Ads ROI today with expert Bing Ads services!

In this article, we’ll break down exactly how to create high-converting retargeting campaigns for Bing Ads, step by step, so you can turn hesitant prospects into paying customers.

Understanding Bing Ads Retargeting

Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to understand how Bing Ads retargeting works. Bing calls this feature Universal Event Tracking (UET) combined with audience targeting. The UET tag is a small piece of code placed on your website that tracks user behavior and builds audience lists. Once installed, you can create highly customized retargeting campaigns targeting specific actions, such as:

  • Visitors who viewed a product page but didn’t make a purchase

  • Users who added items to the cart but abandoned checkout

  • People who visited high-value pages like pricing or service pages

This granular data allows you to craft campaigns tailored to each audience segment, which is key to higher conversion rates.

Pro Tip: If your UET tag isn’t installed correctly on all pages, you could miss critical tracking data. Double-check your implementation and test it before launching campaigns.

Step 1: Define Your Retargeting Goals

Before creating your first retargeting campaign, you need to clearly define what success looks like. Bing Ads retargeting campaigns can serve different purposes, and your strategy should align with your goal. Common objectives include:

  • Driving conversions: Targeting users who visited product or pricing pages

  • Increasing engagement: Encouraging users to return to content or blog posts

  • Reducing cart abandonment: Focusing on users who abandoned checkout

By setting clear goals upfront, you can segment audiences more effectively, craft compelling ad copy, and select the right bidding strategy.

Example: If your goal is to reduce cart abandonment, your campaign should target users who added items to the cart in the last 7–14 days, with ads offering incentives like discounts or free shipping.

Step 2: Segment Your Audience for Maximum Impact

One of the biggest mistakes advertisers make is treating all visitors the same. High-converting retargeting campaigns are built on audience segmentation. Here’s how to approach it:

2.1 Segment by Behavior

Not all visitors behave the same way. Consider segmenting audiences based on:

  • Pages viewed: Product pages vs. blog pages

  • Duration of visit: Users who spent 30+ seconds vs. 5 seconds

  • Engagement level: Clicked on multiple pages vs. bounced immediately

This allows you to tailor ads that resonate with each behavior type.

2.2 Segment by Purchase Intent

Visitors closer to the purchase stage need different messaging than casual browsers. Typical purchase-intent segments include:

  • Cart abandoners

  • Product page viewers

  • Pricing page visitors

Tip: Use dynamic remarketing to show the exact product or service the visitor engaged with, increasing the likelihood of conversion.

2.3 Segment by Demographics and Device

Bing Ads allows you to layer demographics, location, and device targeting on top of your retargeting lists. This is crucial for optimizing performance:

  • Mobile users may respond better to short, visually compelling ads

  • Desktop users may prefer detailed content and CTA-driven ads

  • Targeting specific age groups or locations can increase relevance

Segmenting in multiple dimensions helps you deliver more personalized campaigns that convert better.

Step 3: Craft High-Converting Ad Creatives

Once you’ve defined your audiences, the next step is crafting ad creatives that grab attention and drive action. Retargeting ads must be highly relevant to the user’s previous interaction. Here’s how to do it effectively:

3.1 Use Dynamic Ads

Dynamic Ads automatically pull in the products or services users viewed on your website. For e-commerce, this is a game-changer because it reduces friction between interest and conversion.

3.2 Create Compelling Messaging

Your messaging should address the user’s intent and provide a reason to return. Examples:

  • Highlight special offers or discounts

  • Emphasize urgency with limited-time promotions

  • Reinforce benefits of your product/service

Pro Tip: Avoid generic messages like “Come back to our site.” Instead, focus on value: “You left your favorite shoes in the cart—grab them before they’re gone!”

3.3 Test Multiple Ad Formats

Bing Ads supports text ads, image ads, and responsive ads. Test different formats to see which performs best with your audience:

  • Text Ads: Great for straightforward offers

  • Image Ads: Excellent for visual products or services

  • Responsive Ads: Automatically optimize layout and size for better performance

Testing multiple ad types ensures you capture attention in the most effective way.

Step 4: Optimize Your Landing Pages

Even the best retargeting ad can fail if the landing page doesn’t convert. For high-performing campaigns, your landing page should align closely with the ad message and provide a seamless user experience.

4.1 Keep Messaging Consistent

If your ad promises a discount on a product, the landing page should immediately display that product with the discount applied. Consistency reduces friction and confusion.

4.2 Simplify the Conversion Process

Minimize form fields, reduce unnecessary navigation, and make CTAs prominent. Every extra step between ad click and conversion increases the chance of drop-off.

4.3 Use Trust Signals

Add elements like reviews, testimonials, guarantees, and security badges to increase credibility and confidence in the purchase decision.

4.4 Optimize for Mobile

Many users will interact with your retargeting ads on mobile devices. Ensure your landing pages are fast-loading, responsive, and easy to navigate on all screen sizes.

Step 5: Implement Smart Bidding Strategies

Bidding strategy is a critical factor in campaign performance. For retargeting campaigns, you want to focus on maximizing conversions while controlling cost-per-acquisition (CPA).

5.1 Manual CPC vs. Automated Bidding

  • Manual CPC: Gives you more control over bids for specific audience segments

  • Enhanced CPC / Target CPA: Lets Bing automatically adjust bids for higher conversion potential

5.2 Bid Adjustments

Bing allows you to adjust bids based on:

  • Device type

  • Location

  • Time of day

For example, if you notice conversions spike on mobile devices during evening hours, increase bids for that segment to capture more conversions.

5.3 Frequency Capping

Avoid overexposing your audience to the same ad. Frequency capping ensures users see your retargeting ads a limited number of times, preventing ad fatigue and wasted spend.

Step 6: Leverage UET for Granular Insights

The Universal Event Tracking (UET) tag is not just for building audiences—it’s a goldmine for understanding user behavior and optimizing your campaigns. By tracking specific actions on your website, you can gain insights into which visitors are most likely to convert.

6.1 Track Key Events

Set up UET to track events such as:

  • Add to cart

  • Checkout initiated

  • Form submission

  • Time spent on page

This allows you to identify high-intent users and prioritize them in your retargeting campaigns.

6.2 Create Custom Audiences

Using UET data, you can create highly specific audiences, for example:

  • Visitors who spent more than 3 minutes on a product page but didn’t purchase

  • Users who viewed multiple product categories

  • Returning visitors who haven’t converted in 30 days

Custom audiences let you tailor messaging for different segments, which improves relevance and conversion rates.

6.3 Analyze Drop-Off Points

UET can reveal where users drop off in the funnel. For instance, if most visitors abandon at checkout, you can run retargeting campaigns with incentives like free shipping or limited-time discounts to recover lost sales.

Step 7: Build Sequential Retargeting Funnels

Sequential retargeting—or retargeting in stages—guides users through the conversion journey instead of bombarding them with a single message. This strategy works particularly well for higher-ticket items or complex services.

7.1 Awareness Stage

Target visitors who are familiar with your brand but haven’t engaged deeply yet. Ads should focus on benefits, social proof, and educational content rather than pushing for an immediate sale.

Example: “Discover why 10,000 customers trust our software.”

7.2 Consideration Stage

Once users engage with your content or browse products, target them with comparison-based messaging, testimonials, or case studies to nurture interest.

Example: “See how our solution saves businesses 20% on operational costs.”

7.3 Conversion Stage

For high-intent audiences, serve ads designed to drive action—limited-time offers, free trials, or product demos.

Example: “Complete your purchase today and get 10% off!”

Sequential retargeting increases relevance at each stage, reduces wasted spend, and improves conversion rates across the funnel.

Step 8: Implement A/B Testing to Maximize Performance

Even the most well-crafted retargeting campaigns can be improved. A/B testing allows you to compare different versions of ads and landing pages to find what works best.

8.1 Test Ad Creatives

Experiment with:

  • Headlines: Which grabs attention better?

  • Images: Product photos vs. lifestyle images

  • CTAs: “Buy Now” vs. “Get Started Today”

Run tests for each audience segment to identify which combinations resonate most.

8.2 Test Landing Pages

Small tweaks can make a huge difference:

  • Button placement and color

  • Headline messaging

  • Form length and layout

  • Mobile responsiveness

Measure conversion rate, bounce rate, and time on page to identify the winning version.

8.3 Track and Iterate

A/B testing is an ongoing process. Continuously analyze results and make incremental improvements. Over time, these optimizations compound into significantly higher ROI.

Step 9: Monitor Performance Metrics

High-converting campaigns require data-driven decisions. Bing Ads provides extensive metrics to measure performance, and understanding these is critical for ongoing optimization.

9.1 Key Metrics to Track

  • Click-Through Rate (CTR): Measures how compelling your ad is to retargeted users

  • Conversion Rate (CVR): Tracks the percentage of clicks that result in a desired action

  • Cost Per Conversion (CPA): Helps ensure campaigns remain profitable

  • Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): The ultimate indicator of campaign effectiveness

9.2 Identify Underperforming Segments

Break down metrics by audience, device, location, and ad format. If certain segments underperform, adjust bids, creatives, or messaging accordingly.

9.3 Optimize Frequency

Keep an eye on ad fatigue. If CTR drops or conversions stagnate for a segment, refresh creatives or reduce exposure. This prevents wasted spend and maintains engagement.

Step 10: Scale Your Winning Campaigns

Once your retargeting campaigns are optimized and delivering results, it’s time to scale. Scaling is about increasing conversions without drastically increasing CPA.

10.1 Expand Audience Size

  • Broaden retargeting windows (e.g., from 7 days to 30 days)

  • Include similar audiences or in-market audiences provided by Bing Ads

10.2 Increase Bids Strategically

Raise bids for high-performing segments to capture more traffic. Focus on audiences with the highest conversion likelihood to maintain profitability.

10.3 Cross-Channel Retargeting

Consider extending retargeting campaigns beyond Bing Ads to include:

  • Microsoft Audience Network

  • LinkedIn Ads (via LinkedIn-Bing integration)

  • Email marketing campaigns for warm audiences

Multi-channel retargeting reinforces your message and increases the probability of conversion.

Step 11: Avoid Common Retargeting Mistakes

Even experienced marketers can make mistakes that reduce performance. Some pitfalls to avoid include:

  • Not segmenting audiences: Treating all users the same lowers relevance.

  • Overexposing users: High frequency without variation leads to ad fatigue.

  • Ignoring mobile optimization: A large portion of Bing traffic comes from mobile users.

  • Neglecting landing page alignment: Ads and landing pages must match in messaging and design.

  • Failing to track conversions: Without proper UET setup, you can’t optimize effectively.

Avoiding these mistakes ensures your campaigns are efficient, cost-effective, and high-converting.

Conclusion

Creating high-converting retargeting campaigns for Bing Ads requires a strategic approach, from UET tracking to audience segmentation, ad creative, and landing page optimization. By implementing sequential funnels, A/B testing, and ongoing performance analysis, you can turn browsers into buyers and maximize ROI.

Retargeting is not a set-it-and-forget-it strategy—it’s a continuous cycle of testing, analyzing, and refining. With careful planning and execution, Bing Ads retargeting campaigns can become your most profitable advertising channel.

Ready to skyrocket your Bing Ads conversions? Get professional help setting up and optimizing retargeting campaigns today!

Marketing LTB's logo with red background and white font

About Marketing LTB

Marketing LTB is a full-service marketing agency offering over 50 specialized services across 100+ industries. Our seasoned team leverages data-driven strategies and a full-funnel approach to maximize your ROI and fuel business growth. 

Bill Nash's face

About the author, Bill Nash

Bill Nash is the CMO of Marketing LTB with over a decade of experience, he has driven growth for Fortune 500 companies and startups through data-driven campaigns and advanced marketing technologies. He has written over 400 pieces of content about marketing, covering topics like marketing tips, guides, AI in advertising, advanced PPC strategies, conversion optimization, and others.

From Statistics