Here’s the Deal: Popups Work (If You Use Them Right)
You might love them. You might hate them. But guess what? Popups still convert!
We've built some of the top-selling premium themes available on the Shopify Theme Store, and every single one of them comes with high-converting popup features baked right in. No extra plugins. No added cost. Just tools that work. After helping hundreds of Shopify stores grow, I can tell you this, popups, when done right, can skyrocket your email list and drive serious revenue, but you must design with your customers needs in mind.
In this guide, you’re going to see 23 popup examples that are actually driving results for real Shopify stores in 2025. I’ll also walk you through best practices to help you copy what works, without annoying your visitors.
Why Popups Still Crush It on Shopify
You’ve got traffic. That’s great. But are you capturing it?
Here’s what makes popups so effective:
- They grab attention without making the user leave the page.
- They guide the visitor’s next step — whether that’s a purchase, signup, or upsell.
- They integrate perfectly with Shopify tools like email marketing, cart recovery, and product recommendations.
Still not convinced? According to OptiMonk, smart popups can boost conversion rates by over 42%.
Alright, now let’s look at the types of popups that are getting the job done.
The Top 5 Types of Popups That Convert
1. Exit-Intent Popups
Visitors about to leave? Don’t let them go without a reason to stay.
Use an exit-intent popup that offers:
- A one-time discount
- A free shipping code
- Or just a reminder of what they’re missing
💡 Bonus Tip: Make the CTA urgent. Something like “Wait! Grab 15% Off Before You Go.”
2. Timed Popups
Show these 10–20 seconds after someone lands on your site.
Why? Because if they’re still around after that, they’re probably interested.
Offer a quick win:
- 15% off
- Email subscription with a freebie
- New arrival alerts
3. Scroll Popups
Trigger this when someone scrolls down, say, 60% of a product page.
It shows they’re interested, so it’s the perfect time to say:“Hey, want to save 15% on this?”
4. Spin-to-Win Popups (Gamified)
People LOVE games. That’s why spin-to-win popups work.
Offer:
- Discounts
- Free shipping
- Bonus products
Keep it fun. Just don’t overdo it or you’ll kill your brand’s trust.
5. Fullscreen Popups
These are bold. They take over the whole screen.
Use them during:
- Product launches
- Holiday promotions
- Flash sales
Pro tip: Add a countdown timer and watch your conversions spike.
Building Your Email List with Popups
This one’s obvious but critical.
You NEED an email list. Why? Because email drives repeat purchases. And it costs you zero to email your list.
What works:
- A welcome discount (like 10% off your first order)
- A lead magnet (like a free guide, checklist, or sample)
- A subscriber-only offer
Make sure it looks great on mobile, too. Most of your traffic is coming from phones.
Recover Lost Sales with Cart Abandonment Popups
This one’s a no-brainer.
Cart abandonment rates on Shopify hover around 70%. That’s a lot of money left on the table.
Use exit-intent popups that trigger when someone leaves with items in their cart.
Here’s what to offer:
- A reminder: “You left something behind”
- A discount: “Complete your order now and save 15%”
- A trust-builder: Add reviews, free returns, or security icons
Create Urgency with Countdown Popups
People buy when they feel like they’ll miss out.
Use countdown timers in your popup to push urgency:
- “Sale ends in 02:47:13”
- “Only 7 left in stock!”
This taps into fear of missing out (FOMO), and it works like magic.
Personalized Popups = More Sales
Generic popups are dead. Use data to customize what people see.
Segment your visitors by:
- Location
- Pages viewed
- Cart value
- Returning vs. new visitors
Example: Show a returning customer a bundle offer based on what they’ve already bought.
Increase AOV with Product Recommendation Popups
This is a killer strategy.
Use popups to upsell or cross-sell:
- “Add this for 30% off”
- “Buy together and save”
You can use Shopify apps like ReConvert or LimeSpot for this.
Seasonal Popups
Capitalize on holiday traffic with themed popups.
Make them festive. Make them relevant.
Run seasonal offers for:
- Black Friday
- Cyber Monday
- Valentine’s Day
- Summer clearance events
And don’t forget to use urgency!
Popup Design Tips That Work in 2025
- Keep it simple. One CTA. One offer.
- Make your button stand out (use contrast colors).
- Stay on-brand with fonts, colors, and tone.
Bad design kills conversions. Clean design wins.
Timing & Triggering: When Should Your Popup Appear?
It’s not just about what your popup says. It’s about when it shows up.
Smart triggers to test:
- Time delay (10–30 seconds)
- Scroll depth (50–70%)
- Exit-intent
- Cart activity
A/B test everything. Your audience will tell you what works.
Copywriting That Sells
Great copy is everything.
Use clear, punchy headlines like:
- “Wait! Don’t Miss This”
- “Want 10% Off Right Now?”
- “Only 3 Left — Order Now!”
And always include a strong CTA button.
Best Shopify Popup Apps (Ranked)
- OptiMonk – Best for advanced targeting
- Privy – Great for email + SMS integration
- Justuno – Solid analytics
- Poptin – Easy drag-and-drop builder
Test a few and see which fits your store and goals.
Don’t Forget Compliance (GDPR)
If you’re collecting data, make sure you’re playing by the rules.
- Include a checkbox for consent
- Link to your privacy policy
- Use double opt-in if needed
It’s not just about avoiding fines. It builds trust.
Wrap-Up: Here’s What to Do Next
Popups aren’t annoying if they’re relevant.
The brands that win? They personalize. They test. They focus on value, not just attention.
So here’s your next step:
- Pick 2–3 popup types to test this week
- Choose one offer for each (discount, freebie, upsell)
- Set up smart targeting triggers
- Launch. Test. Improve.
Simple.
More leads. More sales. Less guesswork.
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