Popups That Don’t Annoy—Here’s How to Do It Right

Popups are the digital equivalent of someone interrupting you every few minutes while you're deep into a good book—just when you're getting into it, they jump in, breaking the flow. 

But what makes them so frustrating?

Poorly timed popups – Imagine showing up at a website and seeing a popup before you've had a chance to read the headline. 

Making a pointless offer – Offering a "limited-time 20% discount" to someone who is still unfamiliar with your business may be premature given the different stages at which visitors are in the purchasing process. 

Overly large or intrusive popups – If a discount code or offer box covers too much of the screen without an obvious close button, it can frustrate users and make them leave.

11 Practical Tips To Use Popups That Bring Leads

We cannot just avoid the importance of popups. When done correctly, they can increase leads from 10% to 40%. 

Want to know how? Let’s begin.

Tip #1: Understand When to “Pop Up”

Imagine you walk into a store and the moment you do so, a sales executive asks you to buy a membership card. Annoying, right?

Well, let us just say that timing is everything. Do not popup on your Shopify store with an offer the moment a visitor arrives. Instead, wait to show up when the visitor has shown interest - maybe after they’ve scrolled down a certain percentage of the page or spent a certain amount of time on your site. 

For instance, if a user has been reading about your product for more than 20 seconds, that is a great time to offer a discount code.

Tip #2: Offer Value That Matters

People are more than willing to engage with your brand if you offer something valuable without any cost. Think about this like offering a small freebie at a farmer’s market. If you are selling fresh honey, distributing a free sample can make all the difference in your sales.

In the “digital domain”, your free sample could be anything from offering a discount, a free guide, or a trail.

Example, If you sell skincare products, think about setting up a popup window that reads, “Want 15% off your first purchase? Sign up for exclusive tips on skincare. Make sure it relates to their interests so they won't feel compelled to sign up.

Tip #3: Keep it Simple and Direct

Think about a situation where you are walking by a billboard and you see too many texts written on it. Will you be willing to consume that information? No, right?

Same is with popups. They can become too cluttered if not done correctly. Keep the message in your box plain and clear. Use one or two lines at most, and focus on the main job that you want to accomplish. 

Try something like, "Join for 15% off your first order," rather than, "Join our email list to receive the latest updates, tips, promotions, and exclusive member benefits." This clarity helps you leave a lasting impression while also showing consideration for the visitor's time.

Tip #4: Offer Choices That Respects Visitors

Has there ever been a time when a waiter has asked if you want a dessert and you almost feel pressured to say yes. Do not put that kind of pressure on your customer. 

You can do that by making your popups less intrusive and offering choices that are more respectful. 

For instance, if you have a pop-up window offering to download an ebook, think about including two buttons: "No, thanks" and "Download now." It’s subtle, but it gives visitors a sense of control, which can make them feel more comfortable and less trapped.

Tip #5: Personalize Popups Based on Visitor Behavior

If a friend keeps talking about food, you would probably recommend restaurants or recipes rather than a do-it-yourself home repair guide. Similarly, if a customer has repeatedly viewed your product page without making a purchase, think about adding a popup that reads, “Still thinking about it? Here’s 20% off for you.” 

Alternatively, you might display a popup window giving a newsletter subscription to a visitor who comes on your blog page rather than a product discount.

The popup feels more relevant and less random when it is tailored to the user's browsing habits.

Tip #6: Create an Easy-to-Find Exit Option

If there is no way for you to leave, will you enjoy a conversation? Popups can feel like that if there isn’t an easy way to close them.

To prevent visitors from feeling imprisoned, make sure your popups offer an obvious "X" or "Close" button. They should be free to leave at any time without feeling forced to participate. Actually, making the leave option accessible increases visitor comfort and can ultimately end in higher conversion rates. The ideal strategy is always one that offers the best user experience. 

Tip #7: Use Popups to Solve a Problem

Consider this one as giving a friend a useful tip at the perfect moment. Suppose a visitor is on the brink of leaving your website with things in their cart. By providing a slight discount to entice consumers to finish their purchase, a strategically placed exit-intent pop-up can save the day. 

For instance, “Leaving so soon? Here’s 10% off to help you finish your order!”

Tip #8: Be Creative with the Copy

Generating surprising or light-hearted pop-up messages can actually increase visitor engagement. Instead of saying, “Subscribe to our newsletter,” try something like, “Stay in the loop with exclusive tips and special offers—join our community today!” This approach brings a friendly tone and makes the invitation feel more personal.

Another example could be for an online bookstore: “Ready to discover your next favorite read? Join the club for monthly recommendations and deals.”

This gives the popup personality and increases its recall value.

Tip #9: Test Different Popup Formats

Suppose you throw a dinner party and ask your guests to try a variety of meals to determine which they like most. It's similar to A/B testing your popups. To find the popups that work best for your audience, try experimenting with several types, such as full-screen takeovers, top banners, and slide-ins. 

A gentle slide-in from the bottom, for instance, may work better on mobile devices than a full-screen takeover. You could test one with a bold headline and another with softer language. 

Testing lets you find the best approach for converting leads without being intrusive.

Tip #10: Don’t Overuse Popups

Consider a friend who gives you several calls throughout the day. It can feel like too much at times, don't you think? Using popups excessively can give your visitors the same impression. 

Limit the number of pop-ups to avoid overwhelming them. Probably not every page a visitor navigates to needs to have a pop-up. Alternatively, if you use many popups, set up a delay between them or configure them to appear only once each session. 

Respecting your user's personal space makes it easier for them to interact with your website and raises the possibility that you will actually catch their attention.

Tip #11: Use FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Thoughtfully

A bit of urgency can make all the difference at times. For instance, a popup that reads, "Time is limited! Get 10% off when you sign up—this offer ends tonight!" encourages visitors to take prompt action. But take caution not use urgency tactics excessively. When applied carefully, genuine FOMO can motivate action without feeling forced.

Final Thoughts

These tips, when put into action, can make your popups work more effectively for you, engaging visitors in a way that’s both inviting and respectful. Remember, the key is to use popups thoughtfully—when done well, they can be an effective tool to bring in leads while enhancing the user experience.

Author

Chandni Bhavsar

Chandni, a skilled project manager, brings the perfect blend of creativity and technical know-how to Shopify stores. Her approach to ecommerce stores is all about making the user experience feel like a breeze. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she not only manages projects smoothly but also loves educating others on the latest Shopify trends, helping them keep their stores vibrant and competitive.