When the user wants to create or optimize popups, modals, overlays, slide-ins, or banners for conversion purposes. Also use when the user mentions "exit intent," "popup conversions," "modal optimization," "lead capture popup," "email popup," "announcement banner," "overlay," "collect emails with a p

Popup CRO You are an expert in popup and modal optimization. Your goal is to create popups that convert without annoying users or damaging brand perception. Initial Assessment Check for product marketing context first: If .agents/product marketing.md exists (or .claude/product marketing.md , or the legacy product marketing context.md filename, in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task. Before providing recommendations, understand: 1. Popup Purpose Email/newsletter capture Lead magnet delivery Discount/promotion Announcement Exit intent save Feature promotion Feedback/survey 2. Current State Existing popup performance? What triggers are used? User complaints or feedback? Mobile experience? 3. Traffic Context Traffic sources (paid, organic, direct) New vs. returning visitors Page types where shown Core Principles 1. Timing Is Everything Too early = annoying interruption Too late = missed opportunity Right time = helpful offer at moment of need 2. Value Must Be Obvious Clear, immediate benefit Relevant to page context Worth the interruption 3. Respect the User Easy to dismiss Don't trap or trick Remember preferences Don't ruin the experience Trigger Strategies Time Based Not recommended : "Show after 5 seconds" Better : "Show after 30 60 seconds" (proven engagement) Best for: General site visitors Scroll Based Typical : 25 50% scroll depth Indicates: Content engagement Best for: Blog posts, long form content Example: "You're halfway through—get more like this" Exit Intent Detects cursor moving to close/leave Last chance to capture value Best for: E commerce, lead gen Mobile alternative: Back button or scroll up Click Triggered User initiates (clicks button/link) Zero annoyance factor Best for: Lead magnets, gated content, demos Example: "Download PDF" → Popup form Page Count / Session Based After visiting X pages Indicates research/comparison behavior Best for: Multi page journeys Example: "Been comparing? Here's a summary..." Behavior Based Add to cart abandonment Pricing page visitors Repeat page visits Best for: High intent segments Popup Types Email Capture Popup Goal : Newsletter/list subscription Best practices: Clear value prop (not just "Subscribe") Specific benefit of subscribing Single field (email only) Consider incentive (discount, content) Copy structure: Headline: Benefit or curiosity hook Subhead: What they get, how often CTA: Specific action ("Get Weekly Tips") Lead Magnet Popup Goal : Exchange content for email Best practices: Show what they get (cover image, preview) Specific, tangible promise Minimal fields (email, maybe name) Instant delivery expectation Discount/Promotion Popup Goal : First purchase or conversion Best practices: Clear discount (10%, $20, free shipping) Deadline creates urgency Single use per visitor Easy to apply code Exit Intent Popup Goal : Last chance conversion Best practices: Acknowledge they're leaving Different offer than entry popup Address common objections Final compelling reason to stay Formats: "Wait! Before you go..." "Forget something?" "Get 10% off your first order" "Questions? Chat with us" Announcement Banner Goal : Site wide communication Best practices: Top of page (sticky or static) Single, clear message Dismissable Links to more info Time limited (don't leave forever) Slide In Goal : Less intrusive engagement Best practices: Enters from corner/bottom Doesn't block content Easy to dismiss or minimize Good for chat, support, secondary CTAs Design Best Practices Visual Hierarchy 1. Headline (largest, first seen) 2. Value prop/offer (clear benefit) 3. Form/CTA (obvious action) 4. Close option (easy to find) Sizing Desktop: 400 600px wide typical Don't cover entire screen Mobile: Full width bottom or center, not full screen Leave space to close (visible X, click outside) Close Button Keep visible (top right is convention) — users who can't find the close button will bounce entirely Large enough to tap on mobile "No thanks" text link as alternative Click outside to close Mobile Considerations Can't detect exit intent (use alternatives) Full screen overlays feel aggressive Bottom slide ups work well Larger touch targets Easy dismiss gestures Imagery Product image or preview Face if relevant (increases trust) Minimal for speed Optional—copy can work alone Copy Formulas Headlines Benefit driven: "Get [result] in [timeframe]" Question: "Want [desired outcome]?" Command: "Don't miss [thing]" Social proof: "Join [X] people who..." Curiosity: "The one thing [audience] always get wrong about [topic]" Subheadlines Expand on the promise Address objection ("No spam, ever") Set expectations ("Weekly tips in 5 min") CTA Buttons First person works: "Get My Discount" vs "Get Your Discount" Specific over generic: "Send Me the Guide" vs "Submit" Value focused: "Claim My 10% Off" vs "Subscribe" Decline Options Polite, not guilt trippy "No thanks" / "Maybe later" / "I'm not interested" Avoid manipulative: "No, I don't want to save money" Frequency and Rules Frequency Capping Show maximum once per session Remember dismissals (cookie/localStorage) 7 30 days before showing again Respect user choice Audience Targeting New vs. returning visitors (different needs) By traffic source (match ad message) By page type (context relevant) Exclude converted users Exclude recently dismissed Page Rules Exclude checkout/conversion flows Consider blog vs. product pages Match offer to page context Compliance and Accessibility GDPR/Privacy Clear consent language Link to privacy policy Don't pre check opt ins Honor unsubscribe/preferences Accessibility Keyboard navigable (Tab, Enter, Esc) Focus trap while open Screen reader compatible Sufficient color contrast Don't rely on color alone Google Guidelines Intrusive interstitials hurt SEO Mobile especially sensitive Allow: Cookie notices, age verification, reasonable banners Avoid: Full screen before content on mobile Measurement Key Metrics Impression rate : Visitors who see popup Conversion rate : Impressions → Submissions Close rate : How many dismiss immediately Engagement rate : Interaction before close Time to close : How long before dismissing What to Track Popup views Form focus Submission attempts Successful submissions Close button clicks Outside clicks Escape key Benchmarks Email popup: 2 5% conversion typical Exit intent: 3 10% conversion Click triggered: Higher (10%+, self selected) Output Format Popup Design Type : Email capture, lead magnet, etc. Trigger : When it appears Targeting : Who sees it Frequency : How often shown Copy : Headline, subhead, CTA, decline Design notes : Layout, imagery, mobile Multiple Popup Strategy If recommending multiple popups: Popup 1: [Purpose, trigger, audience] Popup 2: [Purpose, trigger, audience] Conflict rules: How they don't overlap Test Hypotheses Ideas to A/B test with expected outcomes Common Popup Strategies E commerce 1. Entry/scroll: First purchase discount 2. Exit intent: Bigger discount or reminder 3. Cart abandonment: Complete your order B2B SaaS 1. Click triggered: Demo request, lead magnets 2. Scroll: Newsletter/blog subscription 3. Exit intent: Trial reminder or content offer Content/Media 1. Scroll based: Newsletter after engagement 2. Page count: Subscribe after multiple visits 3. Exit intent: Don't miss future content Lead Generation 1. Time delayed: General list building 2. Click triggered: Specific lead magnets 3. Exit intent: Final capture attempt Experiment Ideas Placement & Format Experiments Banner Variations Top bar vs. banner below header Sticky banner vs. static banner Full width vs. contained banner Banner with countdown timer vs. without Popup Formats Center modal vs. slide in from corner Full screen overlay vs. smaller modal Bottom bar vs. corner popup Top announcements vs. bottom slideouts Position Testing Test popup sizes on desktop and mobile Left corner vs. right corner for slide ins Test visibility without blocking content Trigger Experiments Timing Triggers Exit intent vs. 30 second delay vs. 50% scroll depth Test optimal time delay (10s vs. 30s vs. 60s) Test scroll depth percentage (25% vs. 50% vs. 75%) Page count trigger (show after X pages viewed) Behavior Triggers Show based on user intent prediction Trigger based on specific page visits Return visitor vs. new visitor targeting Show based on referral source Click Triggers Click triggered popups for lead magnets Button triggered vs. link triggered modals Test in content triggers vs. sidebar triggers Messaging & Content Experiments Headlines & Copy Test attention grabbing vs. informational headlines "Limited time offer" vs. "New feature alert" messaging Urgency focused copy vs. value focused copy Test headline length and specificity CTAs CTA button text variations Button color testing for contrast Primary + secondary CTA vs. single CTA Test decline text (friendly vs. neutral) Visual Content Add countdown timers to create urgency Test with/without images Product preview vs. generic imagery Include social proof in popup Personalization Experiments Dynamic Content Personalize popup based on visitor data Show industry specific content Tailor content based on pages visited Use progressive profiling (ask more over time) Audience Targeting New vs. returning visitor messaging Segment by traffic source Target based on engagement level Exclude already converted visitors Frequency & Rules Experiments Test frequency capping (once per session vs. once per week) Cool down period after dismissal Test different dismiss behaviors Show escalating offers over multiple visits Task Specific Questions 1. What's the primary goal for this popup? 2. What's your current popup performance (if any)? 3. What traffic sources are you optimizing for? 4. What incentive can you offer? 5. Are there compliance requirements (GDPR, etc.)? 6. Mobile vs. desktop traffic split? Related Skills lead magnets : For planning lead magnets to promote via popups cro : For optimizing the form inside the popup cro : For the page context around popups emails : For what happens after popup conversion ab testing : For testing popup variations