How Cargo Works and What It Means for South Carolina Advertisers

Cargo is a mobile advertising platform that displays ads on the screens inside gas pumps and convenience stores

Cargo is a digital advertising network that places video and static ads on fuel pump screens, convenience store checkout displays, and other point-of-sale locations. The platform reaches consumers at the moment they are making purchasing decisions—while filling up gas, waiting in line, or browsing a store. For South Carolina businesses, Cargo offers a way to reach local audiences in high-traffic retail environments without the cost of traditional billboard or broadcast advertising.

The ads appear on screens that Cargo installs and maintains at partner gas stations and convenience stores across the state. Advertisers can target specific locations, times of day, and customer demographics. Cargo handles the technical side—uploading creative, scheduling when ads run, and measuring how many people see them—while the business focuses on the message.

Key Takeaways

• Cargo places ads on fuel pump screens and in-store displays at gas stations and convenience stores, reaching customers during shopping moments.
• Advertisers can choose which locations to target and set the dates and times their ads appear, with pricing based on impressions or a flat monthly rate.
• The platform works best for businesses with a local or regional presence, such as restaurants, retail shops, services, and entertainment venues in South Carolina.
• Cargo provides basic reporting on how many people saw each ad, though detailed conversion tracking (whether viewers actually made a purchase) requires additional setup.

Where Cargo ads appear in South Carolina

Cargo screens are installed at participating gas stations and convenience stores, particularly at larger chains and busy locations. In South Carolina, you will find Cargo displays at fuel pumps and checkout counters in high-traffic areas, especially along major highways and in urban centers. The exact number and location of available screens changes as Cargo adds or removes partners, so the first step is to contact Cargo directly or work with a local media buyer to see which specific stores in your target area have active screens.

Placement options vary by location. Some stores have screens only at the fuel pump, while others have displays at checkout, in the store aisles, or on exterior signage. Advertisers can typically choose to run ads at all available locations or narrow down to specific neighborhoods, cities, or even individual stores. This flexibility makes Cargo useful for a restaurant chain wanting to reach customers in one neighborhood, or a statewide business wanting broader coverage.

How to set up and run a Cargo campaign

To advertise on Cargo, you will need to create an account, upload your ad creative (video or static image), and choose your locations and dates. Cargo provides templates and design guidelines to help you format ads correctly for fuel pump screens, which have different dimensions than social media or web ads. If you do not have in-house design skills, Cargo offers design services for an additional fee, or you can work with a local advertising agency that handles Cargo placements.

Once your ad is uploaded and your locations are selected, you set your budget and the dates the campaign runs. Cargo charges either per impression (the number of times the ad appears on screen) or as a flat monthly rate depending on the package you choose. Campaigns can run for as short as one week or as long as several months. You can pause or adjust your campaign at any time through your Cargo account dashboard.

Pricing and budget options

Cargo pricing varies based on the number of locations you choose, how long your campaign runs, and the format of your ad. A small local campaign targeting a handful of stores in one city will cost less than a statewide campaign across dozens of locations. Video ads typically cost more than static images because they take up more screen time and production resources.

Most Cargo campaigns start in the low hundreds of dollars per month for a single location and scale up from there. The platform does not publish a fixed rate card, so you will need to contact Cargo or a local media buyer for a custom quote based on your specific needs. Many small businesses find Cargo affordable compared to traditional radio or billboard advertising, especially if they are targeting a specific neighborhood or city rather than a broad region.

Who benefits most from Cargo advertising

Cargo works best for businesses with a physical location that customers visit regularly or that want to drive foot traffic to a store or restaurant. Quick-service restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, fitness centers, entertainment venues, and local services (dental offices, salons, auto repair) all use Cargo to reach nearby customers. The platform is also useful for events—a concert venue or festival can promote upcoming shows to people in the area weeks in advance.

Cargo is less effective for businesses that sell primarily online, do not have a local presence, or target a very narrow audience. It also works better when your ad has a clear, simple message and a reason for someone to act soon—a discount, a new location opening, or an event date—rather than brand awareness alone.

Measuring results and tracking performance

Cargo provides basic reporting through your account dashboard, showing how many impressions your ad received at each location and on each date. You can see which stores and times of day performed best, which helps you decide whether to expand to similar locations or adjust your schedule. However, Cargo does not automatically track whether someone who saw your ad actually visited your business or made a purchase.

To measure real-world results, you can use other tools: ask customers how they heard about you, track foot traffic to your store on days your ad runs, or use a unique discount code or phone number in your ad so you can count responses. Some advertisers combine Cargo with other local advertising (social media, email, local search) to build a fuller picture of what is driving customers in.

Alternatives to Cargo for local advertising in South Carolina

If Cargo does not fit your needs, other local advertising options include Google Local Services Ads (which appear in search results for nearby customers), Facebook and Instagram ads targeted to your city or neighborhood, local radio sponsorships, and traditional billboards. Each has different costs, reach, and measurement capabilities.

A local media buyer or advertising agency in South Carolina can help you compare options and decide which combination works for your budget and goals. Many businesses find that mixing Cargo with digital channels like social media or search ads creates stronger results than any single platform alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a Cargo ad in just one store?

Yes. Cargo allows you to choose individual locations, so you can start with a single high-traffic store in your neighborhood and expand later. Pricing adjusts based on the number of locations you select.

How long does it take to get a Cargo ad live?

Once your account is set up and your creative is approved, ads typically go live within a few days to a week. Cargo reviews ads to make sure they meet content guidelines before they appear on screens.

What size and format should my ad be?

Cargo provides specific dimensions for fuel pump screens and in-store displays. Most are vertical video (portrait orientation) or static images. Cargo's website and account dashboard show the exact specs, and their design team can help if you need it.

Do I need a professional video or can I use a simple image?

Either works. Static images are cheaper and faster to produce, while video can grab more attention. Many small businesses start with a simple image or short video and upgrade later based on performance.

How do I know if Cargo is worth the cost?

Track how many new customers mention your ad or use a discount code you included in it. Compare the cost per customer acquired through Cargo to what you spend on other advertising. If Cargo brings in more customers at a lower cost than your other channels, it is worth continuing.