Why use exit intent popups on Shopify? 10 best tips for exit popups

A customer is about to leave your Shopify store without making a purchase. It’s a common scenario, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. Enter the exit intent popup—a powerful tool that can turn potential missed opportunities into conversions. If you’re wondering how to add a pop up on Shopify and want to explore why exit intent popups are valuable, you’re in the right place.

Instant offers a Shopify product page builder that can make adding these popups a breeze, helping you re-engage visitors and boost sales.

Table of Contents

• What is an exit intent popup?

• Step-by-step guide on how to add a pop up on Shopify with Instant

• Why should you use Shopify exit intent popups on Shopify?

• 9 Examples of exit intent popup

• 10 Best practices for using exit intent popups on Shopify

• 10 Best apps for creating an exit popup for Shopify store

• Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify product page builder

What is an exit intent popup?

Exit-intent popups are your last-ditch effort to keep a visitor from leaving your site without taking action. Using clever detection technology, they sense when a user is about to leave and quickly flash a compelling offer or message that might change their mind. 

These popups are versatile. You can show them to anyone, anywhere on your site. That’s why online businesses love them for reducing cart abandonment, growing email lists, and getting feedback from visitors. It’s like having a savvy salesperson who knows the perfect time to step in before a customer walks out the door. 

How do exit popups work? 

When we talk about tracking, we're talking about a small script running on your website. This script is like a hawk, watching where the user’s mouse moves. If it sees the cursor heading out of the active area toward the address bar or the back button, it’s time for the popup. 

This action is the visitor’s way of saying, “I’m done here,” which is why the exit-intent script kicks in. It’s an intuitive, almost instinctive system. You don’t have to worry about being intrusive, either. The popup appears only when visitors are about to bail, so it’s not interrupting their browsing experience. 

Do exit-intent popups work on mobile?

Exit-intent popups can be used on mobile. They work differently. Instead of tracking a mouse, they focus on user behavior. For example, if someone switches tabs or hits the back button, that signal triggers the popup. It’s all about adapting to the user’s environment. And with more and more people using their phones to browse, having mobile-friendly exit popups is a smart move.

Step-by-step guide on how to add a pop up on Shopify with Instant

Why should you use Shopify exit intent popups on Shopify?

You’ve got them on your Shopify store, but then, poof, they’re gone. Shoppers browse without buying and rarely return. Exit-intent popups detect when visitors are about to bounce and hit them with a last-minute offer they can’t resist. It’s your shot to recover potential lost sales with compelling offers like discounts or free shipping. 

Make it a persona, and think about their cart and browsing history. Offering a 10% discount on a product they were eyeing can seal the deal. These popups act as your last line of defense, saving sales that might otherwise slip through the cracks. Research shows that exit-intent popups can persuade 10–15% of visitors to stay and take action.

Turn browsers into buyers

Exit popups are like psychological magnets. They excel at creating urgency, a powerful driver of action. When visitors feel the pressure of a time-sensitive offer or exclusive discount, they’re more inclined to buy. You can tailor these messages to align with user behavior, such as pages visited or time spent. 

By doing so, you increase the chances of resonating with their interests. Research indicates that well-designed exit-intent popups can boost eCommerce store conversion rates by up to 20%. Get ready to watch your sales soar.

Learn what’s bugging your visitors

Exit-intent popups aren’t just for keeping visitors around. They’re also a goldmine for understanding what makes them tick. Use them to collect feedback and ask why visitors are leaving. 

Track interaction rates to identify which messages or offers are the most effective. Leverage this data to optimize your marketing campaigns, improve product offerings, and enhance the user experience. The insights you gather can help you implement targeted improvements that resonate with your audience.

Lower your bounce rates

High bounce rates can be a death knell for your store. They indicate that visitors are leaving without taking any meaningful action. Exit-intent popups intervene at this critical moment by offering compelling reasons to stay. Encourage exploration by suggesting related products or directing users to engaging blog content.

Enticing incentives like discounts, free trials, or exclusive content can motivate visitors to linger and explore more. By reducing bounce rates, you improve engagement metrics and signal to search engines that your website offers value, potentially boosting your SEO rankings.

Create stunning Shopify pages without coding

Instant is a user-friendly Shopify product page builder that empowers eCommerce teams to create advanced pages without coding. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly design high-converting landing pages, blog posts, and product sections. 

Try Instant's Shopify product page builder today!

9 Examples of exit intent popup

1. Leesa.com: A gentle nudge

Leesa.com has mastered the art of subtlety. Rather than a hard sell, their exit popup gently says, “Wait, don’t go.” It’s a nudge, a simple reminder that your journey isn’t over. This soft approach often engages visitors without overwhelming them, leading to more email captures and future interactions. It's a smart tactic that feels more like a conversation than a sales pitch.

2. Mobile Fun: Discounts that delight

Mobile Fun knows how to keep visitors interested. Their exit popups redirect users to high-converting pages and toss in a discount code for signing up. This dual approach boosts engagement and makes users more likely to convert. It’s a win-win, offering value while retaining potential customers.

3. J.Crew: Enticing with perks

J.Crew’s exit popup is a blend of simplicity and sophistication. By inviting visitors to join their passport program, they offer an immediate 15% discount alongside long-term perks and points. The vibrant design and enticing CTA make this popup hard to resist. It’s about adding value and making customers feel like they’re part of something exclusive.

4. Brooks Brothers: Encouraging bigger baskets

Brooks Brothers takes a different route by offering a “buy more, save more” discount. This exit popup incentivizes larger purchases, creating urgency and encouraging customers to complete their transactions. It’s an effective way to increase average order value and revenue, all while ensuring the customer feels they’re getting a better deal.

5. Nike: Personalized interactions

Nike uses exit popups to gather information to tailor marketing campaigns. They can send personalized promotions by asking for email addresses, birth dates, and shopping preferences. If a user often buys running shoes, Nike can send targeted emails about new releases or sales. It’s about connecting with the customer on a deeper level.

6. Zutano: Appealing with simplicity

Zutano’s exit popup offers a straightforward $10 discount without asking for personal information. This no-strings-attached offer is both appealing and effective. The design aligns with the brand’s image, making it attractive and engaging. It’s a simple yet powerful way to retain visitors who might otherwise leave without purchasing.

7. Everlane: Minimalist appeal

Everlane’s approach is all about simplicity. Their exit popup offers a 10% discount for email sign-ups, with a clean and minimal design that reflects the brand’s identity. This strategy allows them to segment new visitors based on preferences and behavior. It’s a streamlined approach that aligns with their overall brand ethos.

8. Bloomberg: Creating urgency

Bloomberg’s use of a countdown timer in their exit popup is a classic tactic for creating urgency. By offering a 30% discount on an annual plan, they encourage users to act quickly. This approach not only boosts conversions but also promotes long-term commitment. It’s about leveraging scarcity to drive action.

9. Kiss My Keto: FOMO in action

Kiss My Keto’s exit popup uses FOMO to prevent cart abandonment. If a user tries to leave with items in their cart, they’re offered an additional 15% discount if they complete the purchase within 15 minutes. This tactic creates a sense of urgency and prompts quick decisions, effectively reducing abandonment rates.

10 Best practices for using exit intent popups on Shopify

1. Bold pop-up design: Grab attention without distracting

Crafting an exit intent popup that stands out is crucial. Use bold, clean designs that captivate without overwhelming. A full-screen layout with large text ensures your call-to-action is visible. Avoid clutter; the focus should be on the message, not the design elements.

2. Actionable headlines: Speak directly to visitors

When creating headlines for exit popups, avoid clichés like “Wait, Don't Go!.”Use language that communicates urgency and value. A headline like “Free Shipping Today Only!” clearly communicates the benefit of staying. Your visitor is about to leave, so your message must be concise and compelling.

3. An attractive offer: Make it worth their while

Visitors are more likely to engage with exit popups if they offer something of value. Consider incentives such as discounts, free shipping, or exclusive content. These offers can boost your subscription rate significantly. While offering discounts may reduce margins in the short term, they can lead to long-term customer loyalty.

4. Clear call to action: Guide the visitor

Your call-to-action should be direct. Make sure the popup is relevant to the page it's on and that the action you want the visitor to take is clear. Use simple, actionable language like “Get Discount Now” to encourage engagement. Ensure the process is smooth and leads to the collection of contact information.

5. A limited-time offer: Create urgency

Adding a sense of urgency to your offer can significantly increase conversions. Consider using a countdown timer or emphasizing that the offer is limited to a specific timeframe. This encourages visitors to act quickly rather than putting off their decision.

6. Provide the chance to opt-out: Encourage a “Yes”

Including a clear option to decline your offer can boost conversions. Phrasing like "No thanks, I'd rather pay full price" highlights the offer's value and can make visitors more likely to accept it. This strategy satisfies the psychological need for choice while gently nudging visitors toward a positive response.

7. Delay the appearance of the “X” button: Capture attention

To prevent visitors from closing the popup reflexively, consider delaying the appearance of the close button for a few seconds. This tactic gives them time to digest the offer and can increase engagement by 20-30%. When the “X” appears, they may already be interested in the offer.

8. Segment your visitors: Tailor your approach

Segmenting your exit popups based on visitor behavior can increase their effectiveness. Offer different incentives for new visitors versus returning ones or those abandoning their cart. This personalization ensures the offer is relevant and increases the likelihood of engagement.

9. Ensure quick load times: Don’t let visitors slip away

A slow-loading popup is ineffective. Optimize your design for speed by using lightweight text and images. Quick load times improve your popups' performance and enhance your site's overall user experience.

10. A/B test your popups: Find what works

You can’t always predict which designs or messages resonate with your audience. By A/B testing different elements of your popups, you can identify what works best and optimize accordingly. Testing can lead to higher conversion rates, as you continually refine your approach.

10 Best apps for creating an exit popup for Shopify store

1. Get rolling with Instant

Ready to transform your Shopify store's product pages? Instant is a user-friendly Shopify product page builder that helps you design advanced, customizable pages without coding. With its drag-and-drop interface, you can easily create and publish high-converting landing pages, product pages, and more. Give it a try today!

2. Capture attention with Poptin

Poptin is your go-to for creating engaging exit-intent popups on Shopify. This app has features like smart triggers and targeting rules, making it easy to customize your popups based on user behavior. With built-in analytics, you can track performance and optimize your strategy.

3. Simplify with Popup Maker

Popup Maker offers a straightforward way to create versatile exit-intent popups on Shopify. Choose from multiple formats and advanced targeting options to ensure your popups reach the right audience at the right time. Detailed analytics provide insights into performance, making optimization a breeze.

4. Reduce cart abandonment with Popmunk

Popmunk focuses on reducing cart abandonment with eye-catching exit-intent popups. Its intuitive design and effective triggers make it easy to engage visitors just before they leave your store. Customize your popups to match your brand and keep those sales coming!

5. Maximize conversions with OptinMonster

OptinMonster is a powerful tool for creating high-converting popups. Its advanced targeting and real-time behavior automation ensure that your popups reach the right audience. With geolocation targeting, you can personalize popups based on where users are browsing, boosting your conversion chances.

6. Recapture lost traffic with Picreel

Picreel specializes in exit-intent popups designed to recapture lost traffic and improve conversion rates. With a variety of templates and targeting options, you can create effective popups that engage visitors as they leave your store. Email retargeting adds an extra layer of effectiveness.

7. Keep it simple with EasyBox

EasyBox is perfect for those who want to create exit-intent popups without the hassle. Its simple setup and responsive designs make launching popups that look great on any device easy. Integration with Shopify’s marketing tools ensures a seamless experience.

8. Tailor your popups with Adoric

Adoric’s all-in-one popup solution offers intuitive design tools and advanced targeting options. Create visually appealing popups that are tailored to different segments of your audience. With in-depth analytics and A/B testing capabilities, you can optimize performance and boost conversions.

9. Engage users with Wisepops

Wisepops makes it easy to create sophisticated exit-intent popups on Shopify. Its drag-and-drop builder and custom triggers allow you to set conditions for when popups should appear. Detailed analytics provide insights into performance, helping you make data-driven decisions.

10. Focus on email with Amped

Amped’s email-focused popup tool helps you capture emails from visitors even if they don’t make a purchase. With multiple popup styles and targeting options, you can create engaging exit-intent popups that enhance customer engagement. Integration with Mailchimp makes it easy to manage your email marketing efforts.

Optimize your Shopify store for conversions without breaking the bank with Instant's Shopify product page builder

Instant isn’t just a tool; it’s your new best friend in eCommerce design. Imagine shaping your Shopify store without touching a single line of code. That’s Instant. With its drag-and-drop interface, you can create that eye-catching product page or high-converting landing page you’ve been dreaming about. 

And it doesn’t stop there. Instant works seamlessly with Figma and other eCommerce tools to keep everything in harmony. It’s like having a design team in your back pocket, ready to elevate your store’s performance and boost those conversions.