How to add a modal popup on Shopify using Shopify's native features

You’ve spent hours designing your Shopify store, perfecting every detail, and now you’re ready to draw in those eager customers. But how do you grab their attention without being too pushy? Enter the world of modal popups. These handy tools can showcase special offers, capture emails, or guide visitors through your store. Though adding one might seem daunting, it’s quite simple. This article will walk you through how to add a pop-up on Shopify using its native features to elevate your store without breaking a sweat.

Consider using Instant’s Shopify product page builder to make the process even smoother. This tool streamlines the creation of popups, ensuring they align perfectly with your brand and business goals.

Table of Contents

• What is a modal popup?

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

• Modals VS Popups

• How to add a modal popup on Shopify using Shopify's native features

• 7 Best apps to add a modal popup on Shopify

• 7 best practices for using modal popups on your Shopify store

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

What is a modal popup?

A modal popup is like a spotlight on the web page, grabbing your attention and holding it there. When it appears, everything else fades into the background. Before you can continue browsing, you have to interact with it. Whether filling out a contact form, signing up for an email list, or completing a quick survey, modals demand your focus. They often appear as overlays, blocking the rest of the content until you engage with them. You can return to the rest of the page once you've done what the modal asks or dismissed it.

Why use modal popups on your Shopify store?

Modal popups on your Shopify store can be your secret weapon for boosting engagement. These little windows are perfect for drawing attention to essential actions or information. They help visitors focus on what you want them to do, whether signing up for a newsletter or learning about a special offer. By doing this, you can guide them toward taking action that benefits both you and them. For example, a modal popup offering a discount in exchange for an email signup can keep users on your site longer and increase their chances of purchasing.

How modal popups benefit your business

Modal popups can work wonders for your Shopify store. They can increase session time by encouraging users to engage with your business, improve visibility by helping you capture email addresses, and provide clear directions with a strong call to action. You can boost conversions and achieve your marketing goals by guiding users toward the next step. Modals can also benefit users by offering discounts, exclusive information, and more. When used strategically, modal popups can be a win-win for you and your customers.

What are the different types of modal popups?

Modal popups can take many forms, each serving a different purpose. Contact forms allow users to get in touch with you quickly and easily. Email signups can help you build your subscriber list and keep users engaged with your brand. 

Brief surveys can provide valuable insights into user preferences and behaviors, while security checks can confirm user identity and ensure data privacy. Choosing the right modal popup type for your goals can enhance the user experience and achieve your desired outcomes.

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

Modals VS Popups

When it comes to grabbing attention on your Shopify store, you've got options like popups and modals. But what's the deal between these two? A popup is a small overlay that appears when a user interacts with an element on the page. It doesn’t boss you around; you can continue interacting with the page content. Think of it as a gentle nudge. 

A Modal is the big boss. It takes over the screen and demands immediate attention. You can’t click anywhere else until you deal with it. Modals are used to display important info or get input from the user. They’re more in-your-face than popups, making them super effective for actions that need a quick response.

Why Modals demand immediate action

Unlike popups, modals don’t wait around. They grab focus and don’t let go until you interact with them. You can't click around the page or do anything else until you deal with the modal. It’s like a stop sign that you can’t ignore. This makes Modals perfect for situations where the user needs to decide or provide information before moving on.

How design separates modals from popups

Design-wise, modals look different from popups. They usually have a semi-transparent background that dims or blurs the page content. This makes it clear that the user must focus on the modal first. Popups might not have this feature, allowing users to engage with the page content more freely. This design element is crucial for ensuring the user knows the priority of the modal. Looking to elevate your Shopify store’s design? Consider Instant, a user-friendly Shopify product page builder. With its drag-and-drop interface, you can create customizable and advanced pages without coding know-how. Try Instant's Shopify product page builder today!

How to add a modal popup on Shopify using Shopify's native features

1. Setting up a Shopify modal popup: Getting started

Shopify offers multiple ways to create popups, and you can adapt them to suit your needs. Start by deciding what you want your popup to achieve. Are you collecting emails or promoting a sale? 

Once you’ve figured out that, it’s time to get technical. Shopify gives you the tools to make this as simple or complex as possible. You can go the straightforward route by modifying your theme's code. This method is quick and doesn’t require any extra apps.

2. Editing your theme code without the headache

Begin by logging into your Shopify admin dashboard. 

• From there, navigate to Online Store, then Themes. 

• Click Actions and select Edit Code to open your theme's Liquid files. 

You’ll create a new snippet for your popup, which you can call my-popup.liquid. In this snippet, use HTML with Liquid placeholders. This combo lets you add dynamic content to your popup. You’ll also need to add some CSS for styling and JavaScript for interactivity.

3. Bringing it all together on your site

Insert this new snippet into your product templates or wherever the popup appears. Let’s say you want a simple contact form popup. You’d include a modal layout, a design that matches your site, and a button that reveals the contact form when clicked.

7 Best apps to add a modal popup on Shopify

1. Instant: The comprehensive Shopify page builder

Instant is your go-to tool if you're looking for a user-friendly Shopify product page builder. This app empowers eCommerce teams and agencies to create advanced pages without coding. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly design and publish high-converting:

• Landing pages

• Blog posts

• Product pages

• Sections

Instant also offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing online store performance and increasing conversions. 

Try Instant's Shopify product page builder today!

2. Rivo Popups (Formerly TYDAL): Perfect for beginners

Rivo Popups is a great place to start if you're new to Shopify pop-up apps. This dedicated app excels at capturing emails with its Shopify email capture popup feature. You’ll appreciate the beginner-friendly editor, allowing you to create campaigns quickly. Rivo supports automatic and manual discount codes to help you collect emails efficiently.

Key features include:

• An exit-intent email popup

• Auto-generated discount coupon codes

• A sticky coupon bar

• Basic popup timing and display rules. 

It's perfect for Shopify entrepreneurs aiming to build their email list with an exit-intent popup. Best of all, it's free to install and use.

3. Poptin popups: Campaign automation and chat widgets

Poptin offers solid automation features for creating basic and advanced campaigns, like exit-intent popups with custom offers. One standout feature is the chat widget, providing customer support for your store visitors, something not commonly found in other Shopify pop-up apps.

Key features include:

• A drag-and-drop builder

• SEO- and mobile-friendly popups

• Campaign analytics

• Basic targeting features

• A/B campaign testing

Poptin is best suited for small to mid-sized Shopify stores. It's free for up to 1,000 monthly visitors, with paid plans starting at $25 monthly.

4. Privy: A comprehensive marketing suite

Privy is more than just a Shopify popup app; it's a full-fledged marketing suite. While popups are part of its offerings, Privy also allows for email and SMS marketing, making it a robust choice. It includes major popup types like exit-intent and spin-to-win and targeting features to reach the right customers.

Key features include:

• Various popup types

• Exit-intent technology

• An analytics dashboard

Ideal for small and medium-sized businesses, Privy is free until you collect 100 email subscribers. Paid plans start, with one example being $45 monthly for 3,000 subscribers and SMS marketing.

5. Optimonk: Advanced analytics and templates

Optimonk is an advanced Shopify popup builder with a rich history in the market. It helps you create diverse campaigns to convert visitors and share promotional messages. The app's template gallery is a standout feature, offering over 300 premade options.

Key features include:

• Auto-generated coupon codes

• visitor targeting by cart value

• Device

• Location

And a shopping quiz popup that personalizes product recommendations. It's best for Shopify stores seeking advanced popup capabilities. Optimonk is free for 15,000 pageviews, with pricing starting at $39 per month beyond that.

6. Seguno popups: Simple yet effective

Seguno is an excellent choice for making announcements, capturing emails, and guiding traffic to specific pages. It's designed with small Shopify stores in mind, offering core features without complexity.

Key features include: 

• A popup editor within the Shopify dashboard

• Templates for common eCommerce popups

• Display rules for personalization

• Integration with email and SMS marketing apps

Segundo is free for one popup campaign, with pricing at $10 for every 10,000 views after that.

7. Sales notification popup: Boost Social proof

Are you looking to boost sales with real-time notifications? Sales Notification Popup lets you display messages like new orders or abandoned carts to build social proof. Unlike traditional popups, these notifications appear in the lower-left corner of the screen.

Key features include:

• Notifications of new orders

• Abandoned carts

• Recent visitors

• And more

• All in real-time

You can customize positions, times, and delays and track conversions with UTM parameters. It's perfect for small Shopify stores looking to increase sales with social trust. The sales popup is free, but other notifications require a $6.99 monthly fee.

7 best practices for using modal popups on your Shopify store

1. Less is more: Don't overdo the number

While modal popups can boost your Shopify store’s engagement, restraint is essential. Imagine walking into a store and being bombarded from all angles. Overloading visitors with popups will only drive them away. Choose one popup that aligns with your current objectives. Keep it focused and effective.

2. Balance attraction and annoyance: Avoid being intrusive

That discount popup is tempting but can also turn people off if it’s too aggressive. Timing is everything. Don't bombard visitors with endless windows. Offer messages that are helpful, relevant, and easy to dismiss. Make them feel welcome, not overwhelmed.

3. Make it personal: Use a personalized approach

People love feeling special. Personalization can significantly enhance customer relationships. Greet returning visitors with a warm “Happy to see you again” or use their name if logged in. Tailored recommendations can also make the shopping experience more enjoyable and boost sales.

4. Keep it short: Concise and to the point

No one wants to read an essay when they’re shopping. Your popups should convey their message in seconds. Avoid long paragraphs and unnecessary details. Use visuals to support the message and keep it simple and direct.

5. Respect their space: Enable users to close them

Imagine visiting a site and getting stuck with a modal you can’t dismiss. Don’t trap your visitors. Allow them to close the popup easily if they're not interested. It keeps them engaged and reduces bounce rates.

6. Guide them clearly: Use clear instructions

Instructions within your modal should be crystal clear. If you want users to take action, keep the process straightforward. Avoid overwhelming them with options or complex directions. Simplicity is your ally here.

7. Test and refine: Improve your pop-ups with A/B Testing

A/B testing might seem tedious, but it’s essential for finding what resonates with your audience. Launch two variations and see which performs better. Sometimes, a small tweak in timing or design can make all the difference.  

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

Adding a pop-up to your Shopify store can significantly boost conversions and engage visitors. Start by choosing a pop-up app from the Shopify App Store options like:

• Privy

• Klaviyo

• OptiMonk

Offer a variety of templates and customization features. Once installed, head to the app's dashboard, where you can design your pop-up using a user-friendly editor. Customize the look, behavior, and targeting rules to fit your store’s needs. After finalizing the design, set the trigger conditions like exit intent or time on the page, then publish. This seamless process integrates the pop-up with your Shopify store without any coding required.

Elevate your store with Instant

Instant is your go-to tool if you're looking for a user-friendly Shopify product page builder. This app empowers eCommerce teams and agencies to create advanced pages without coding. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly design and publish high-converting:

• Landing pages

• Blog posts

• Product pages

• Sections

Instant also offers seamless integration with Figma and other eCommerce tools, making it a versatile choice for enhancing online store performance and increasing conversions. Try Instant's Shopify product page builder today!