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Smart Retract finds global opportunities

From workshop to worldwide sales: How one Iowan grew his business, with Google tools support

Goals

  • Raise awareness of Smart Retract products around the world
  • Maintain a strong presence abroad, without the need for a physical storefronts
  • Track performance of online marketing campaigns

Approach

  • Used Google Ads to get in front of potential customers
  • Relied on Google Analytics to measure new traffic and conversions from marketing campaigns
  • Built a presence on YouTube to highlight customer support videos

Results

  • Smart Retract ships to customers in over 20 countries, directly from their Iowa factory
  • Google Ads accounts for 30% of sales
  • User reviews on YouTube help drive traffic and conversions

Smart Retract has been designing and manufacturing innovative safety gates for homes and businesses since 2002. One of the company’s best-selling products is Retract-A-Gate, a fully-retractable barrier that prevents kids and pets from escaping. Founder and CEO Marc Pichik first had the idea for the gate while preparing his home for a new puppy. Frustrated with the bulky safety gates on the market, he designed a sleek, simple, and safe alternative. Today, he sells to customers in more than 20 countries.

How Google has helped

  • Google Ads

Marc initially sold his gates to local stores in Iowa. As the company grew, he started shipping directly to customers around the world and began using Google Ads. “Google Ads gives us the online exposure that we need to get the word out there,” he explains. Though Smart Retract does not have storefronts in Europe, they use Google Ads to connect with customers across the continent.

  • Google Analytics

Smart Retract uses Google Analytics to measure the number of visitors generated by their ad campaigns and spot new ways that their site can drive more conversions.

  • YouTube

Smart Retract reaches consumers on YouTube, where happy customers post positive reviews, installation guides, and unboxing videos.

“Google tools allowed us to access international markets since the company’s early days.” Marc Pichik, Founder & CEO

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