You NEED a Pixel - Even if You're NOT Running Ads!

Here’s a critical mistake a lot of business owners make:  they think just because they aren’t running ads they don’t need a pixel.  

IMHO, this is a huge mistake.

Installing a tracking pixel—from Meta (Facebook/Instagram), Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn, or anywhere else—can be your secret weapon for future growth.  📈

And guess what? You don’t even have to be actively advertising right now to start benefiting! 🙌

OKAY, BUT WAIT. WHAT’S A “PIXEL” ANYWAY?

A pixel (sometimes called a “tag”) is a tiny bit of code you pop onto your website. 

It’s like having a helpful little robot quietly gathering information about your customer’s likes and dislikes about your content.  From your website to your social media posts, a pixel gathers data about what resonates –and what doesn’t – with your audience.

Whether it’s the Meta or TikTok Pixel, Pinterest’s Tag, or LinkedIn’s Insight Tag, the concept is the same: it tracks which pages visitors view, how long they stay, and other actions they take.

BUT, WHY DO I NEED IT IF I’M NOT ADVERTISING?

Think of a pixel like a savings account—but instead of money, you’re “depositing” valuable customer data. 

Remember when I said your pixel is like a tiny little robot gathering data about your customer? 🤖 

Every time someone visits your site, the pixel learns something new about them and then keeps track of that information.

 Fast-forward a few months: you decide you do want to run an ad campaign. 

Boom—you’ve already collected a nice little stash of audience insights, instead of starting from zero. 💥💥💥

WHAT CAN I DO WITH ALL THAT DATA?

In a word? LOTS!

1. Retargeting: Nudge Them Gently

Ever browsed a pair of shoes online, only to see them everywhere on your social feeds later? That’s retargeting! 

Your pixel tags people who visited your site, so you can show them ads later. It’s a gentle reminder that “Hey, I saw you checking out that product—come back anytime!”

2. Lookalike Audiences: Meet Your Future Besties

Pixels don’t just track who visited; they also analyze what makes those people tick. That’s how platforms can build “lookalike audiences.” 

Basically, you’re finding brand-new potential customers who have similar online habits and interests as your current visitors. Win-win!

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3. Pinterest? TikTok? LinkedIn? Yes, Yes, and Yes!

Pixels are not just a Meta (Facebook/Instagram) game. Pinterest has its own tag, LinkedIn has an Insight Tag, and TikTok has a Pixel. 

If there’s a platform where you might someday want to advertise, go ahead and add that little snippet of code to your website now. 

Later, when you’re ready to hit “Go” on your campaigns, you’ll have an instant pool of intel about who’s been hanging out on your site and what they like. Kick starting your ad success right from the get-to!

REAL-TIME INSIGHTS - EVEN WITHOUT ADS

Imma keep saying this until the cows come home:  Pixels and Tags aren’t just for ads! 

Using the Google Analytics tag, you can see which products or blog posts are catching people’s attention—and which ones are being ignored. 

This can help you decide where to spend your time and energy.  It can also help you later when you decide you want to run Google or YouTube ads!

Maybe your latest blog post isn’t getting as many clicks as you'd like or normally get, so you tweak your headline or share it more often on social media. Voila—better engagement!

MY HOT TAKE? Pixels and Tags are NECESSARY business tools if you want to be successful in the online world.

Easy to Set Up & Runs Silently in the Background

If the idea of installing code sounds daunting, don’t stress. Most platforms walk you through it step-by-step, or you can ask your web developer or website platform (like Shopify or WordPress) to do it for you. 

This is also a place where YouTube, Google and ChatGPT are your bestest buddy friends.

Or, DM me over on Instagram and tell me you need a video on it and I’ll see what I can do!

Once it’s installed, the pixel goes right to work, silently collecting data—no fuss, no muss, no extra maintenance.  Install it once, collect data forever.

Bottom Line

Installing a tracking pixel now is like planting a seed for future marketing success. ☘️

You’ll gather data about your audience, build remarketing lists, and be all set to launch super-targeted ads whenever you feel ready!  

So don’t wait until you’re in the thick of an ad campaign to add that code—treat yourself to the gift of knowledge by installing your favorite platform’s pixel today. 

Future you (and your bottom line) will thank you!

XOXO,

~Michelle

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