Pop This

For a week or two in the 90’s, people probably thought web pop-ups were a pretty nifty feature.

Along with sites that flash Flash and flash again (yours doesn’t, right?), pop-up love petered out, since it interrupts the web speed world.

Browsers block many pop-ups by default. Probably because no one enjoys a digital smack in the face. When I get my print magazines I immediately tear out all the heavy-paper ads that interrupt my article reading, which is the offline equivalent of blocking ads. Bonus – you burn calories tearing the ads out.

Setting a pop-up to go off when someone first comes to your site has a pushy salesperson feel. "Hey! How you doin'?!  Whatcha looking for? See anything you like? How ‘bout this new baby – runs like a charm." (Check the body language out in the photo).

But…. done right, pop-ups can help build a following. Done right. That would be after a visitor has spent some time on your site, getting to know you. You can then have an exit pop-up in a new window, thanking them for their interest, and offering up something they may want.

You haven’t overshot the new relationship and you’re practicing good netiquette. People may be interested in your offer and you’ve provided a thank you and a polite nudge.

After a visitor has been on a site for awhile, some companies provide, in a small pop-up, an offer to type-chat with a service person if you have any questions about their product or service as you're gathering info. Not in your face or prematurely pushy, but help if needed.

Nicely popped.

 

Photo credit: sdpitbull on Flickr

Comments

[Russ]

You are so right... me no like pop ups! However, I like the exit pop up concept. Not nearly so bothersome. "Digital smack in the face" - that's a good one! :)