How to add pop ups on your Shopify checkout page

You know that feeling when you’re about to check out online, and a popup steals your attention? It might be a last-minute discount or a reminder not to leave without everything you need. These moments can make a huge difference in sales, especially if you're running a Shopify store. Adding a popup to the checkout page can boost upsells and reduce cart abandonment. If you’re wondering how to add a pop up on Shopify and make it happen smoothly, you're in the right place.

Instant’s Shopify product page builder can help you add custom popups to your checkout page without the headache.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Shopify’s checkout process

• Why does adding pop ups on your Shopify checkout page benefit your store

• How to add pop ups on your Shopify checkout page

• Examples of effective checkout pop ups

• 8 Best tips for adding pop ups on checkout pages

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

Understanding Shopify’s checkout process

Shopify’s checkout process is a key feature that attracts many to the platform. It’s designed to be smooth and efficient, but there’s a catch: the checkout is hosted by Shopify itself, not on your website. This is unless you’re a Shopify Plus merchant. The checkout process can be hosted on their domain for Shopify Plus users. 

Why does this matter? 

Because the checkout process is where buyer intent is at its peak, shoppers will most likely abandon their cart if something doesn’t feel right. Having control over this stage means you can optimize the experience to guide customers toward completing their purchase. 

Shopify hosts the checkout process

Shopify’s standard checkout is smooth and efficient. However, it’s hosted on Shopify’s servers, not directly on your website. This means that you have limited control over the checkout experience. You can’t add custom scripts or modify the checkout page’s layout. You can customize the checkout with your logo and brand colors and add fields like a phone number or delivery instructions. 

Shopify Plus gives you greater control

The checkout process can be hosted on their domain for Shopify Plus users. This gives them greater flexibility and control over the checkout experience. For example, with Shopify Plus, you can customize your checkout to match your branding, add personalized messages, or even offer last-minute incentives like promo codes. 

Imagine a shopper hovering over the “X” to leave this. This is your chance to present an ungated discount code as a nudge to seal the deal. Little strategies like these can make a big difference in driving conversions.

Why checkout control matters

The checkout process is a make-or-break moment in the customer journey. It’s where buyer intent is at its peak, and shoppers are most likely to abandon their cart if something doesn’t feel right. 

Having control over this stage means you can optimize the experience to guide customers toward completing their purchase. For example, you can use pop-ups to offer last-minute discounts or remind shoppers of items they left in their cart. These little nudges can make a big difference in driving conversions.

Why does adding pop ups on your Shopify checkout page benefit your store

Adding pop-ups to your Shopify checkout page can give your store a serious advantage. These dynamic overlays engage customers at just the right moment, driving higher conversions. Pop-ups grab attention without being overly intrusive, making them a powerful tool for eCommerce success.

Boost Conversion Rates

Pop-ups can significantly improve your store's conversion rates. With an average conversion rate of around 11.09%, pop-ups can help reduce cart abandonment and encourage more completed purchases. For instance, a well-timed pop-up can remind customers of discounts or free shipping, nudging them to finish their order.

Grow Your Email List

Checkout pop-ups are great for building your email list. By offering an incentive like a discount code or gift in exchange for an email, you can secure the sale and gain a way to re-engage that customer later through personalized email marketing campaigns.

Highlight Special Offers

Adding pop-ups at checkout lets you showcase last-minute deals or upsell complementary products. You could display a “Buy 1, Get 1 Half-Off” promo or suggest add-ons that enhance the customer’s purchase, increasing your average order value.

Build Trust and Transparency

Pop-ups can also deliver key information, like shipping timelines or return policies, helping to reassure customers. This added transparency can ease any hesitation at checkout, reinforcing trust in your store.

Personalize the Experience

By tailoring your pop-ups to align with customer behavior, such as highlighting items left in the cart or addressing concerns like payment security, you create a more personalized experience. Personalization boosts engagement and leaves a positive impression.

The Competitive Edge

These small but impactful touches make your Shopify store stand out in the crowded eCommerce world. Checkout pop-ups drive immediate conversions and help build lasting customer relationships.

Instant: Build high-converting Shopify product pages without coding

Instant is a user-friendly Shopify product page builder that allows eCommerce teams and agencies to create fully customizable and advanced pages without any coding knowledge. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users 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!

How to add pop ups on your Shopify checkout page

Looking to add pop-ups to your Shopify checkout page without spending a dime? Shopify’s built-in form builder lets you create simple pop-ups by editing your store’s theme code. Here’s how you can get started:

• Navigate to Online Store > Themes > Edit Code in your Shopify Admin. 

• Open the index.liquid file and insert the necessary popup code within the `<body>` tag. This allows you to customize the HTML structure for headings, text, or forms and style it with CSS. 

• Create a JavaScript file to define how the pop-up behaves, such as when it should appear.

This method is cost-effective and doesn’t require additional apps. It gives you full control over the design and functionality of your pop-ups. It requires technical expertise, as you’ll need HTML, CSS, and JavaScript knowledge. It offers limited features compared to dedicated third-party pop-up solutions.

Coding: A Flexible Option for the Tech-Savvy

Want more flexibility in creating pop-ups on your Shopify checkout page? Custom coding allows you to create a reusable snippet for your pop-ups, providing more freedom than Shopify’s built-in form builder. 

Here’s how you can do it:

• Go to Online Store > Themes > Edit Code in the Shopify Admin. 

• Add a new snippet and name it appropriately (e.g., popup). 

• Insert your custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code to define the pop-up’s design and functionality. 

• Save the snippet and include it in the desired pages of your store.

This method offers flexibility and allows for advanced customization. The reusable snippet makes it easy to integrate the same pop-up across multiple pages. However, it does require coding expertise or assistance from a Shopify developer.

Party Pop-Up Apps: Hassle-Free and Feature-Rich

If you’re looking for a hassle-free experience with advanced features, third-party pop-up apps from the Shopify App Store are a great choice. 

Here’s how you can get started:

• Search the Shopify App Store for a pop-up app that suits your needs (e.g., OptiMonk, Privy, or Poptin). Install the app and review the necessary permissions. 

• Set up your pop-up in the app by customizing its design, behavior, and display rules.

• Preview and publish the pop-up.

These apps are easy to use and don’t require coding knowledge. They often come with advanced features like:

• Analytics

• Segmentation,

• Automation

They offer a variety of templates for faster implementation. However, they may involve monthly subscription fees.

Page Builder: Integrate Pop-Ups with Ease

Shopify page builders like Instant allow you to create and customize pop-ups as part of your page-building process. 

Here’s how you can do it:

• Install the Shopify App Store's page builder app (e.g., Instant). 

• Open the Editor and locate the “Popup” element. 

• Drag and drop the element onto your page. 

• Customize the pop-up's design, behavior, and settings. 

• Publish the page with the integrated pop-up.

This method is perfect for those looking for simplicity and advanced features. Page builders like Instant can save time, provide professional designs, and offer additional tools to improve your store’s overall performance. 

Examples of effective checkout pop ups

1. Stopping Cart Abandonment in Its Tracks

Cart abandonment is a major challenge for eCommerce. When customers stray from the checkout page, a cart abandonment pop-up prompts them back. It uses exit-intent technology to detect when someone is about to leave. It offers a tempting deal like a discount or freebie to persuade them to finish buying. 

Messages like “Wait! Don’t miss out! Complete your purchase now and enjoy 10% off!” can capture attention and reduce hesitation. This tactic is effective because it directly addresses why customers abandon carts, such as price concerns.

2. Boosting Sales with Free Shipping Incentives

A free shipping threshold pop-up can encourage customers to spend more. It calculates how much more they need to spend to qualify for free shipping and updates them in real-time. An example message might say, “You’re just $5 away from FREE shipping! Add more items to save on shipping costs.” 

This approach works because customers would rather buy more items than pay for shipping. You increase the average order value by nudging them to add more to their order while making them feel like they’re getting a better deal.

3. Providing Clarity with Important Information Alerts

When customers reach checkout, important information alerts can give them critical details. These include updates on delivery times, product care instructions, or policies that could impact their purchase. 

For example, a message might say, “Due to high demand, deliveries may take 5-7 days longer. Thank you for your patience!” Addressing potential concerns upfront reduces confusion and builds trust with your customers.

4. Increasing Order Value with Upsell or Cross-Sell Pop-Ups

Upsell and cross-sell pop-ups can encourage customers to add complementary or higher-value items to their orders. When a customer adds an item to their cart, the pop-up suggests related products based on their selection. 

It might say, “Complete your look! Add these matching earrings for just $15.” This strategy takes advantage of impulse buying by offering relevant and convenient suggestions. It’s a win-win: customers discover useful add-ons while you boost sales.

5. Building Trust with Social Proof Pop-Ups

Social proof pop-ups display real-time data, testimonials, or reviews to reassure customers that they’re making a good decision. These pop-ups use live data or preloaded testimonials to show customer activity or feedback about the product. An example message might say, “10 people have purchased this product in the last 24 hours!” Social proof works because people feel more confident seeing others doing the same. Creating a sense of urgency can push hesitant buyers to act quickly.

8 Best tips for adding pop ups on checkout pages

1. Keep emails out of checkout

When customers make it to checkout, they’re ready to wrap things up, not sign up for your newsletter. Asking for their email at this stage can throw them off and increase their chances of abandoning their cart. Save that for earlier shopping experience, like on your homepage or product pages. Focus on pop-ups that help complete the sale. This could be answering questions, offering incentives, or providing useful info to smooth the process.

2. Stay focused: No traffic detours

Distraction is the enemy of conversion. Sending customers elsewhere with a checkout pop-up can derail their buying intent. Everything you show at this point should be about getting them to complete the purchase. Keep the messaging relevant and concise, focusing on supporting the final sale.

3. Use exit-intent pop-ups wisely

Exit-intent technology can be a powerful ally during checkout. When a customer seems ready to leave, trigger a pop-up that gives them a reason to stay. This could be a limited-time discount, a free shipping offer, or a reminder of what’s in their cart. Something like “Wait! Complete your purchase now and get 10% off!” can address hesitation and nudge them toward completing the sale.

4. Highlight free shipping and savings

If you offer free shipping or savings above a certain amount, use pop-ups to remind customers how close they are to hitting that target. This encourages them to add more to their cart. For example, “You’re just $7 away from FREE shipping! Add more to your cart and save on delivery.” It’s a positive nudge that helps them justify spending a bit more.

5. Share important updates

Transparency builds trust. Use pop-ups to share details like shipping timelines, return policies, or product care instructions. For instance, “Heads up! Delivery times may be slightly delayed due to high demand. We appreciate your patience!” This kind of proactive communication can help prevent frustration and reduce cart abandonment caused by uncertainty.

6. Upsell and cross-sell smartly

Done right, upselling and cross-selling during checkout can boost order value. Use subtle pop-ups to suggest relevant products that complement what’s already in the cart. Make sure these recommendations feel helpful, not pushy. For example, “Complete your look! Add this matching wallet for just $15.” Keep it simple, direct, and relevant.

7. Boost confidence with social proof

Social proof pop-ups can help reduce hesitation and build buyer confidence by showing that others are making the same purchase. Highlight customer reviews, real-time purchases, or testimonials. For example, “This item was just purchased by 5 customers in the last hour!” Showcasing demand and satisfaction builds trust and can drive conversions.

8. Keep it simple and unobtrusive

Less is more with checkout pop-ups. Avoid overwhelming customers with multiple pop-ups or designs that disrupt the buying process. Stick to clean, easy-to-read designs that focus on a single message. Make sure pop-ups can be closed quickly to avoid frustrating the user.

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

Are you ready to elevate your Shopify store's checkout experience? Pop-ups on checkout pages are a game-changer. They can boost conversion rates, maintain customer engagement, and increase average order values. 

The trick is to make them relevant and timely. Consider using pop-ups to offer a last-minute upsell, remind customers of a discount code, or encourage them to sign up for your newsletter. But remember, less is more. You want to enhance the experience, not disrupt it.

Meet Instant: The Ultimate Shopify Page Builder

Suppose you're looking to transform your Shopify store without delving into code. In that case, Instant is a user-friendly Shopify product page builder that allows eCommerce teams and agencies to create fully customizable and advanced pages without any coding knowledge. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, users 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!