The clue is in the name really. A popup is an additional window that opens up on a web page. This can either happen automatically or can be triggered by a user action. Popups are usually used as a means of targeted advertising.
Why use popups?
Popups often get a bad rap. Customers tend to find them annoying and, as such, many businesses are reluctant to use them for fear of driving people away. This is a mistake though. While excessive popups will definitely harm your numbers, using them sparingly can be a great way to drive sales. There are five main types of popup, each with their own pros and cons. Let’s take a look.
Click popups
Click popups are additional windows that are activated by the user clicking a link. As the only type of popup that is opened voluntary, they tend to be the least intrusive. They have a better conversion rate than other types of popups because, if somebody has clicked a link, you can assume that they have some interest in your product or service. The downside is that users can simply choose not to click the link, and so may never see your advert.
Timed popups
A timed popup will automatically activate after a set period of time. Timing is everything here. If you set a timed popup to open too early, you risk spooking the viewer. Leave it too late, and they may leave the page without seeing the popup. A good way to improve your timing is to check your Google Analytics and see how long the average user spends on your page. You should then set the timed popup for a few seconds before the average user leaves.
Scroll popups
A scroll popup will appear when a user has scrolled through a certain percentage of your page. This makes them a highly effective choice as they will only appear to readers who are already somewhat invested.
Entry popups
An entry popup appears as soon as your page is opened. This is a risky choice because immediate popups can look like spam and make a page seem untrustworthy. However, they can be very useful in promoting things such as short-term special offers as they create a sense of “get it while you can” urgency.
Exit popups
Exit popups appear when a user is about to leave your page. This is calculated by measuring mouse movements to predict when a user is about to close a tab. An exit popup runs the risk of seeming a bit desperate, but it does give you one final chance to make a sale. An effective exit popup will give the user a new reason to stay on your page, such as a special offer or benefit that they weren’t previously aware of.
We have been using ‘POPTIN‘ which we have found really useful for our website. If you would like to know more about how to use pop-ups/ Poptin for better lead generation and better influencing content, contact us or check out our Circulate video.
