Utilize Pop-Ups and Banners: Use well-timed pop-ups or banners on your site to encourage visitors to subscribe.
Your singular objective should be to get people on your list. That’s an even more important objective than generating a sale.
You want to find as many ways as possible to put your newsletter subscription offer in front of people.
I use a plugin called Bloom that comes with my theme, Divi. Bloom allows me to create as many popups as I like with custom placement on the page, as well as custom placement by pages. It also allows me to split-test anything from colors, to design to message.
Using pop-ups and banners on your website to grow your email marketing list can be highly effective if done strategically. These tools grab visitors’ attention and encourage them to subscribe. Here’s how you can maximize their impact:
1. Offer a Valuable Incentive
Create a compelling reason for visitors to join your list. Offer lead magnets like free ebooks, exclusive discounts, webinars, or access to premium content. Display this incentive prominently on your pop-ups and banners.
Example: “Sign up now and get 20% off your first purchase!”
2. Use Exit-Intent Pop-Ups
Trigger a pop-up when visitors are about to leave your site. Exit-intent technology detects when users move their cursor toward the browser’s close button and displays a final offer to keep them engaged.
Example: “Wait! Before you go, grab your free guide to [topic]—just enter your email!”
3. Keep It Simple and Focused
Avoid overwhelming your audience with too much information. Use concise, clear language and a single call-to-action (CTA). Ensure the design is clean and matches your website’s style.
Example: “Join our newsletter for weekly tips and updates—Sign up now!”
4. Use Timed Pop-Ups
Set your pop-up to appear after a visitor has spent a certain amount of time on your site or scrolled a specific percentage of the page. This ensures they’re already engaged before being asked to subscribe.
Tip: A delay of 10–20 seconds works well for most websites.
5. Place Banners Strategically
Position banners in high-visibility areas, such as the top of your homepage, below blog posts, or in the footer. Use banners to remind visitors about the benefits of subscribing to your list.
Example: “Stay in the know! Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tips, and exclusive offers.”
6. Personalize Your Messaging
Tailor your pop-ups and banners based on visitor behavior. Use cookies or analytics to display relevant offers. For example, show returning visitors a different pop-up than first-time visitors.
Example: “Welcome back! Join our VIP list for exclusive updates and rewards.”
7. Use Gamified Pop-Ups
Make the experience fun by adding a gamification element, like a spinning wheel or scratch card. Visitors must enter their email to participate and win a discount or freebie.
Example: “Spin the wheel for a chance to win up to 30% off—enter your email to play!”
8. Leverage Mobile-Friendly Design
Ensure your pop-ups and banners are optimized for mobile users. Use smaller sizes and simple CTAs that don’t overwhelm smaller screens. Mobile-friendly designs ensure a smooth user experience.
Example: “Tap here to get your free download—no spam, just value!”
9. Create Urgency
Add a sense of urgency to encourage immediate action. Highlight limited-time offers or exclusive deals in your pop-ups and banners.
Example: “Sign up within the next 24 hours to get 15% off your order!”
10. Test and Optimize
Regularly test different designs, copy, and timing to find what works best. Use A/B testing to refine your pop-ups and banners for higher conversions.
- Conversion rate (percentage of visitors who subscribe)
- Engagement rate (how many users interact with the pop-up)
- Bounce rate (ensure pop-ups don’t cause visitors to leave your site)
11. Stay Compliant
Ensure your pop-ups and banners comply with privacy regulations like GDPR or CAN-SPAM. Be transparent about how you’ll use visitors’ email addresses and provide an easy opt-out option.
12. Show Social Proof
Add credibility by including subscriber counts or testimonials in your pop-ups and banners. People are more likely to join when they see others benefiting from your emails.
Example: “Join 10,000+ subscribers who get our weekly insights!”
By implementing these strategies, you can use pop-ups and banners to effectively build your email marketing list without disrupting the user experience.
