You probably have seen a popup, and you may even be using popups in your business.
Although if you are not sure what a popup is then think back, have you been to a page where a form suddenly appears and asks for your information in exchange for a newsletter or a free treat?
Then you now know what a popup is.
You probably have heard a friend complain about popups, or perhaps you’ve even get ticked off a time or two as you were trying to read a web page, and a form suddenly you can’t read the content on the page.
You may think I don’t want to annoy my readers by these popups because it could cheapen the way I brand my product or site and annoy everyone who visits my website.
But don’t jump on the hate bandwagon. Slowly think about it.
If you haven’t tried using the popups on your site that will help build your list. I do encourage you to try them. Since if you are using a popup at the proper time and triggers the pop at the right moment this can significantly increase your signups up to 10 times.
And building a list is a no brainer since you know how valuable a responsive list is.
Popup benefits
If you test popups against sidebar forms and end of post forms, you’re likely to find the popups do far better.
Popups force your visitors to decide on whether or not to get your lead magnet, and in the process, join your list.
They can increase your email subscription rate tenfold.
It is easy to do A/B test them for increased conversions.
And they work on autopilot. Just set a popup and forget about the popup.
Popup problems
However, there is a downside to popups.
They can appear pushy, but you can fix this by loading the popup after a certain number of page views, or a longer length of time on site.
They can annoy repeat visitors, but you can fix this with cookie-based triggers.
And they can interrupt people when they are consuming your content, but you can fix this by using exit intent technology.
The popup strategy
Here’s the thought process behind using popups:
- You write great stuff that brings in traffic.
- Your visitors are impressed with your content, see the popup, and opt-in to get your free lead magnet (report, video, email course, etc.)
- Your visitors are immediately added to your email list, where you send out messages building rapport and transforming them into regular readers who know you, like you and trust you.
- You send them offers to buy solutions to their problems, and you earn money when they purchase.
Things to consider:
If your popup appears too soon, your visitor won’t know yet if your content is worth reading or not and will be less likely to opt-in.
People subscribe for content, especially the content of your lead magnet. That’s why your freebie needs to be laser-targeted to your reader and valuable to them. If it’s something they would consider paying for, then you’re on the right track.
Follow up with more great content via email that builds on the initial lead magnet. You can tack offers on to the end of your emails, but initially, you don’t want to send JUST offers since your readers need time to learn to trust you and your recommendations.
What to look for in a popup solution
I wish I could point to free popup software that does everything you need, but finding a free one is a bit of a challenge.
But if you don’t mind investing a little money, there are some excellent tools available.
When you look for a popup solution, things to consider are:
Is it easy to design the popups? You don’t want to waste a lot of time on this.
Can you set cookie rules, so the popup doesn’t appear on every single page of your site and annoy your visitors into leaving? Some will set the popup only to show once per session personally that is what I do but may not be the most effective. Test for yourself what is the best solution for your websites and pages.
Can you A/B test designs to improve your conversion rate?
Can you segment popups, choosing when and where they appear?
Can you use exit intent to capture readers as they are leaving your page?
Is there basic analytics to tell you what’s working?
And is the solution affordable?
Pop Up Solutions to consider:
Here are the best WordPress Pop up plugins:
- Bloom Email Opt-Ins – I have personally used this one and works well
- Elementor Popups
- HubSpot WordPress Plugin
- Icegram
- Ninja Popups – This one works fine
- OptinMonster
- Popup Builder
- PopUp Domination
- Popup Maker
- Popups
- Sumo List Builder
I encourage you to do your research and find the one that is right for you.
PopUp Tips:
A/B test your visuals – this is the second most important thing on your popup after your headline.
Choose newsletter opt-in or bribe. You can offer a generic opt-in for your newsletter, or you can give the prospective subscriber an ethical bribe. (free report, videos, email series, etc.) Well thought out, targeted bribes tend to do 2 to 3 times better than generic newsletters.
Target your freebie offer to what’s on the page. For example, if the page contains a chocolate cake recipe, offer a book of chocolate recipes or cake recipes. If the page includes an article on controlling garden pests, provide a book for natural gardening remedies. Tailoring your freebie to the page’s content nearly always increases conversions.
If possible, offer a higher grade, paid version of your freebie. For example, if your freebie offers to teach your reader how to do something, offer to sell your subscriber the software that makes the process easier. By having an upsell after your freebie, you can convert some of your initial subscribers into paying customers. Make the offer low cost and tightly aligned with the freebie offer.
Test your popup timing to see what works best. You could have your pop up appear when the page loads, after a specific time, or upon exit. Generally having the popup show up when the page loads work better than having it appear after a specific time or upon leaving the page, but you’ve got to test this out for yourself.
Bottom Line: Popups work and increase the number of subscribers you get from your website.
While you’re thinking of it, do some simple math and figure out what it would mean to your bottom line annually if you doubled or tripled the number of new subscribers you get.
It’s well worth the effort of installing popups on your site.
So that you know, the Power Blog that is includes the Bloom popup plugin. Get the Power Lead System.
