Popups remain one of the most effective web tools for capturing attention and driving conversions. This comprehensive guide will explore the top popup builders for elevating your marketing efforts.
The State of Popups in 2023
Popups have come a long way from annoying interruptions with blinking alerts and flashing graphics. When used strategically, they now reliably deliver results:
- Popup conversion rates average 3-5X higher than non-popup forms
- Exit intent popups alone lift conversions by 300-500%
- Ecommerce sites using popups have achieved 25-40% increases in average order value
Businesses in every industry have embraced popups to engage visitors and motivate desired actions.
Some of the most common applications include:
- Welcome and onboarding prompts
- Lead generation and email capture
- Highlighting sales, coupons and promotions
- Offering support chat or scheduling demos
- Conducting surveys and research
- Following up on abandoned shopping carts
- Rewarding social sharing and referrals
- Newsletter registration
- Webinar and event promotions
- Next-best-action and website guidance
- Recapturing exiting visitors
With roots dating back decades, popups enjoyed a renaissance thanks to major usability improvements. Transitioning from annoying "adware" to value-added tools centered around visitor experience explains their current popularity.
Popup Types and Best Practices
The most effective popups balance capturing user attention with delivering relevant, timely messages. Common options include:
Modal Overlays remain thepopup type, featuring a centered window over website content. They command attention for promotions or visitor engagement. Best practices include keeping content concise and actionable.
Bars stick to one side, usually the top or bottom, staying visible while visitors scroll. Keep messages short and scannable for these persistent popups.
Content Locker Popups hide some of your content until an email or details are entered. Since they delay access, ensure information requested provides adequate value in exchange.
Spin to Win and Prize Wheels encourage interaction while offering giveaways, discounts, or other incentives. The gamification makes them popular when well-executed but overuse will fatigue visitors.
Countdown Timers build urgency around limited-time promotions with time-based displays. Be sure to test thoroughly so the pressure enhances conversions rather than raising frustration with a short ticking clock.
Exit Intent targets users who trigger mouse movements signaling they plan to leave a page. These popups deliver offers to re-capture their attention, working best when personalized and relevant.
Scroll-Based and Smart Popups tie appearance to how far down visitors scroll on a page or time spent reading. Set triggering appropriately — too soon annoys users while waiting risks missing the opportunity.
Thoughtful implementation centered on delivering value earns popups a featured role driving conversions well into the future according to experts.
Why Invest in Popup Builder Software?
Creating effective, responsive popups requires more than basic design skills for most businesses. Dedicated popup builder platforms provide essential tools to maximize results such as:
-
Hundreds of professionally designed templates suitable for common business use cases allow launching popups tailored to converting visitors fast
-
Drag and drop editing enables easy customization and updates without coding knowledge
-
Advanced targeting and triggers based on visitor attributes and behaviors personalize popups and optimize timing
-
Integrations with email marketing, CRM, chat, and other software keep popups synchronized with campaigns while importing vital data like subscribers to exclude from signup prompts
-
Detailed analytics reveal the popups delivering the highest opt-in and conversion rates
-
Audience segmentation allows presenting tailored offers matched to individual visitor interests for the highest relevance
-
Automated workflows instantly pass contact details to email funnels or execute other actions to accelerate sales
-
Split testing determines the optimal popup layouts, offers, content and settings
The leading solutions essentially act as online campaign managers uniquely focused on maximizing popups.
Must-Have Features in Popup Builders
With popups playing such a prominent role delivering results for top brands, makers compete fiercely on capabilities. Here is what to look for when comparing options:
Design
- Hundreds of templates for every use case
- Drag and drop builders requiring no coding or design expertise
- Image galleries and libraries for visual content
- Custom styling matched to branding
- Animation options boosting engagement
Targeting and Triggers
- Scroll depth, time on page and exit intent triggers
- Geo, device, traffic source and other visitor targeting
- Schedule and frequency capping controls
- Prior conversion and page visit logic
- Wildcard hiding popups once viewed
Integrations
- Email marketing platforms: Mailchimp, Hubspot, Klaviyo
- CRMs and sales: Salesforce, ActiveCampaign
- Analytics: Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel
- Chat tools: Drift Chat, Crisp, LiveChat
- Ecommerce platforms: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce
Optimization
- Built-in split testing
- Real-time stats revealing top performing popups
- Heatmaps showing engagement
- A/B testing subject lines and content
- Auto apply changes lifting metrics
Support and Onboarding
- Detailed knowledge bases and documentation
- Active user community and forums
- Webinars and video tutorials
- Quickstarts for rapid implementation
- Developer APIs extending capabilities
The above represent table stakes in enterprise and mid-market popup providers. Where vendors differentiate comes down to ease of use, flexibility in applying these tools, and overall quality and performance.
Head-to-Head Comparison of the Top 15 Popup Builders
The following snapshot charts the leaders in popup software against key evaluation criteria:
| Solution | Templates | Builder | Targeting | Triggers | Integrations | Analytics | Support | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConvertBox | 500+ | Drag & Drop | Advanced | All major | Top email and chat tools | Heatmaps and stats | Academy & Forum | Free to $49/mo |
| Privy | 200+ | Drag & Drop | Ecommerce focused | Exit intent & scroll | Shopify emphasis | Campaign tracking | Documentation | Free to $99/mo |
| OptinMonster | 100+ | Drag & Drop | On-site | Exit intent pioneer | Top email tools | Campaign stats | Community & University | $0/mo to $199/mo |
| Popup Builder | 300+ | Visual editor | Some advanced | Time and scroll | WordPress only | Heatmaps | Docs & videos | Free to $199/yr |
| Poptin | 50+ | Drag & Drop | GeoIP, cookies | Pageviews | Major platforms | Basic stats | Knowledgebase | Free forever plan |
In-depth analysis of the relative strengths and ideal use cases for each follow in the next section. Those just starting out may wish to consider one of the forever free options first before upgrading based on needs. Businesses managing multiple large campaigns should short list the enterprise-focused platforms designed to scale.
In-Depth Reviews of the Top Popup Builder Platforms
Combining firsthand experience and aggregated user reviews, here are the capabilities standing out for the leading popup software solutions:
ConvertBox
Overview: ConvertBox leads popup builders in ease of use while still delivering advanced features found in enterprise tools. It stands out for the large gallery of professionally designed full page and modal templates.
Key Strengths
- 500+ pre-made templates for the fastest custom popups
- Real-time behavior targeting and maps
- Top commercial email and analytics integrations
- Free tier supporting basic features
Ideal For: Medium to large companies wanting beautiful popups without needing designers. Has the advanced tools to scale while remaining easy to master for marketers.
Privy
Overview: From the same makers as SaaS ecommerce platform GearBubble, Privy optimization focuses on Shopify merchants. It provides spin wheels, exit intent formats, and other popups to boost product engagement.
Key Strengths:
- Specialized features for Shopify stores
- Gamification and interactive options
- Automations for cart abandonment
Ideal For: Any merchant selling products through the Shopify platform. Provides the most commerce-applicable templates and workflows.
OptinMonster
Overview: An early pioneer in exit intent and advanced on-site targeting, OptinMonster remains a trusted platform among experienced marketers. Known for innovation and tools that maximize control.
Key Strengths:
- Pioneered exit intent technology
- Advanced on-site targeting with proprietary tools
- Code-free builder and hundreds of templates
- Integrates with every top email and CRM platform
Ideal For: Sophisticated email marketers and user experience experts able to leverage advanced tools for personalized popups.
Popup Builder
Overview: Top WordPress popup plugin from code Canyon with 200,000+ active installs. Offers both free and paid plans expanding features.
Key Strengths:
- Designed just for WordPress sites
- Highest user rating among WP popup plugins
- Basic free version available
- Add otherBuilder extensions as desired
Ideal For: Website owners running their sites on WordPress that want a popup plugin matching their platform. Allows upgrading capabilities over time.
Key Factors When Choosing Popup Software
The above reviews reveal a robust selection of proven perfomers in converting website traffic, no matter your business model. Keep the following in mind when deciding on the right solution:
Aligning Features to Goals
Carefully consider the formats and functionality needed to execute your popup strategy before comparing vendors on capabilities:
-
Beginners benefit most from ease of use, extensive templates, and straightforward workflows from creation to display rules to metrics reports.
-
Advanced segmentation and targeting based on deep visitor data allows personalized, dynamic content matched to individual interests and behaviors. This requires robust platforms like OptinMonster and ConvertBox.
-
Gamification and wheel popups lend themselves to specific use case like giveaways, lead generation challenges, and referral programs.
-
User experience focus makes solutions from HelloBar and JotForm good options where simplicity and matching existing brand style are priorities.
Specialized platforms like Privy (Shopify stores) and Popup Builder (WordPress sites) optimize formats and automations around those platforms.
Support and Documentation
Ensure sufficient training resources are available beyond self-service for your team‘s skill level. Consider turnaround times for support tickets and availability via live chat for quicker answers to platform questions.
Learning Curves
If a non-technical marketing team will manage popups, ease of use makes a significant difference in uptake and performance. Expect some ramp up learning advanced segmentation and personalization features.
Budget
Pricing can range widely from free standalone tools to complete suites bundling email and analytics exceeding $1,000 monthly. Factor both immediate and longer term costs around desired capabilities.
Scalability
The platforms relying on external code installs and focused on simplicity often hit limits on visitor volume they can support. Opt for enterprise solutions able to handle heavy site traffic and complex, personalized popups if anticipating growth.
Carefully weighing each element above ensures your organization realizes the full revenue potential from deploying the technologies explored in this guide.
The Future of Popups
Popups are far from fading as an impactful web capability. Looking ahead, expect:
-
Continued improvement blending automation and personalization to deliver hyper-targeted, relevant messages matched to individual user actions and interests
-
Tighter platform integration with broader marketing and sales tech stacks, especially CRM and email
-
Evolution enhancing vs. interrupting user experience through smarter triggers, less disruptive formats and nuanced targeting
-
Increased reliance on popups for lead generation/nurturing, conversion rate optimization and customer retention
-
Testing and innovation around new formats like embedded widgets offering help and support assistance
For those implementing thoughtfully, popups will reliably connect brands with receptive audiences. Selecting software providing flexibility keeps you confident of maximizing opportunities now and in the future.
Wrap Up and Key Takeaways
The breadth and innovation across popup builders enables brands across industries to drive results. One solution from this guide can likely meet your specific business needs and budget.
General best practices span:
✔ Start by testing the forever free tools focusing on simplicity and lean feature sets
✔ Progress to midmarket platforms like ConvertBox and OptiMonk providing advanced workflows beyond basic popups
✔ Turn to OptinMonster and enterprise tools for more complex segmentation, personalization and analytics
✔ Ensure support for desired email and other external integrations
✔ Select templates, triggers and display rules aligning popups to your goals
✔ Continually test and optimize based on detailed performance data
Delivering well-timed, relevant messages earns popups a featured role in digital experiences and marketing results. The plethora of capable tools reviewed here help brands large and small capitalize on their potential.
What has your experience been leveraging popups? Which challenges or recommendations would you add around these software solutions? Please join the conversation below!
