Although they’re not as ubiquitous as they once were, website pop-ups are still part of the online experience. Sometimes they take over the entire screen; other times they only occupy a small bit of real estate. In all forms, pop-ups aim to directly engage site visitors and encourage them to take action.
Why do site owners use pop-ups? Because they’re a tool for conversion rate optimization. Data from DiviFlash and OptiMonk suggests that pop-ups can boost conversions by anywhere from 4% to 11%. Here’s an overview of online pop-up boxes and some website pop-up examples you can mimic on your own site.
What is a website pop-up?
A website pop-up is a window that overlays on a webpage to capture a site visitor’s attention. In some cases, a pop-up appears as soon as the page loads, but in other cases it appears when the user begins scrolling or when they spend a certain amount of time on the page.
Pop-up campaigns vary in how much they disrupt the browsing experience. At one extreme, lightbox pop-ups dim the other elements on the page, drawing the user’s attention entirely to the content of the pop-up. For a less intrusive experience, some site owners use slide-in pop-ups, which slide into view at the side of the screen, often the bottom right corner. Exit intent pop-ups appear only when a user’s behavior indicates they are close to leaving a webpage.
Many websites use pop-ups as a lead magnet; these pop-ups encourage new visitors to share their email address or phone number in exchange for a reward such as a coupon code. Others, like upsell pop-ups, encourage customers to add more, or pricier, items to an existing online shopping cart.
Typically, a pop-up window remains on the screen until the visitor clicks a button to close the window or engages with the pop-up. Some time-based pop-ups close on their own—but not until website visitors have had a good, long look at them. In either case, it’s easy to create your own pop-ups for your website or online store. When you build your site with Shopify and use apps from its app store, you can access numerous pop-up templates to jumpstart the design process.
How to use website pop-ups
- Welcome new visitors
- Capture emails
- Capture phone numbers
- Upsell or cross-sell
- Prevent users from bouncing
- Prevent cart abandonment
- Encourage impulse buys
- Collect feedback
The term “pop-up” describes an array of graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can appear atop a standard webpage. Here are the best ways to leverage pop-ups for your online business:
Welcome new visitors
The welcome pop-up is the first pop-up form a visitor might encounter when navigating to a website. It appears on a landing page, a splash page, or a homepage, where it greets new visitors in a distinctive brand voice and, often, a promotional offer like a discount code or free shipping offer.
Capture emails
This pop-up features an email opt-in form to generate leads. Users provide an address to get a discount, receive a free gift, or simply to subscribe to a newsletter for updates from the brand.
Capture phone numbers
Brands that leverage SMS marketing might prefer to capture phone numbers rather than email addresses.
Upsell or cross-sell
This pop-up functions by promoting related or higher-value products to customers who have already shown interest in buying a specific item.
Prevent users from bouncing
Certain user behavior (e.g., mouse movements, scrolling) can indicate that someone might close their browser window or navigate away from a webpage. An exit intent pop-up triggers in response, offering a reason to stay, such as a discount code.
Prevent cart abandonment
A site can also trigger pop-ups when a user is about to leave a shopping cart without purchasing. These cart abandonment pop-ups remind the user of the items left in their cart. They may also offer a discount code to nudge people through the final stage of the sales funnel.
Encourage impulse buys
Adding countdown timers to pop-ups creates a sense of urgency, as users attempt to claim an offer before the pop-up window expires.
Collect feedback
This pop-up may appear after a user has completed an ecommerce purchase. It asks for feedback about the shopping experience. You can also use these surveys on lead generation forms, asking users what product categories they’d like to learn more about.
Website pop-up examples
Here are some of the best pop-up examples on the internet to inspire ideas for your own ecommerce business:
Bambi Baby

The welcome pop-up for Bambi Baby, a specialty furniture retailer, offers visitors a chance to receive a refund on their order in exchange for their email. The design includes explanatory text and a simple Sign Up button.
United By Blue

United By Blue uses a lightbox pop-up that stands out as the webpage behind it dims. The pop-up offers a 15% discount code in exchange for an email address, and the messaging around the call to action leans into the brand’s promise to remove one pound of trash from waterways for every item purchased. The copy aims to compel environmentally minded consumers with the idea that their purchases help make a difference in the world.
World of Books

World of Books opts for a more subtle pop-up on its ecommerce website. Its slide-in pop-up appears in the lower left-hand corner of the screen, leaving most of the real estate for ecommerce listings. This pop-up ad example may appeal to business owners who don’t want pop-ups overtaking their site pages.
Gymshark

When you add an item to your cart on Gymshark’s ecommerce site, a lightbox pop-up appears that shows products other shoppers purchased. This type of pop-up is a great way to use the momentum a customer has built up after adding something to their cart—they’re buying a pair of running shorts, why not tack on a tank top for the full fit?
Flourist

Organic flour purveyor Flourist uses a slide-in pop-up that comes from the right side of the screen to offer a 15% discount to new customers.
Taza Chocolate
Mobile users click pop-ups, too. This Taza Chocolate pop-up shows how the same message renders on both desktop and mobile devices. The desktop version seeks to acquire email addresses in exchange for a one-time discount.

On mobile, Taza offers the same discount, but the pop-up takes up the entire screen and asks for a mobile number instead of an email.

Given the explosion of mobile ecommerce (more than 50% of ecommerce purchases will be made on mobile devices by 2027), leveraging mobile pop-ups makes a lot of sense.
Website pop-up examples FAQ
What is an example of a pop-up notification?
An example of a pop-up notification is a box that overlays on a computer screen offering a 15% discount in exchange for entering your email address.
How do I make a pop-up message on my website?
You can make a pop-up message on your website by using a website builder or pop-up tool that offers customizable pop-up templates. Some sites add custom JavaScript and HTML code to trigger the pop-up based on user behavior. Shopify users can also leverage pop-up building software found in the Shopify App Store.
Are pop-ups good for websites?
Pop-ups can help websites boost their customer conversions. Different studies have indicated they boost conversions by roughly 4% to 11%.