40+ Different Types of Popups: The Ultimate Guide

Popups have the potential to transform your website traffic into leads. In fact, a well-timed popup can convert up to 11.09% of your website traffic.

You can convert more by understanding the different types of popups and using the right ones strategically.

In this guide, you will find a complete list of popup types with detailed descriptions to help you make the most of them.

How Many Types of Popups are There?

There are over 40+ popup types available that you can use on your site to boost conversions. However, these popups vary in format, purpose, and functionality.

To help you gain a better understanding, we have categorized the popups into three main categories: display, goal, and trigger. 

8 Types of Popups Based on Display & Interactivity

1. Lightbox Popup

Lightbox popups are boxes that appear over the top of a webpage, covering the main content. They are often used to display images, videos, or other content in a larger, more focused view.

Best Use Cases:

• Ideal for collecting visitor details like email addresses.
• Product showcases, display limited-time offers or important announcements.

2. Floating Bar Popup

Floating bar popups are thin bars that appear at the top or bottom of the screen and stay visible as users scroll. These website popups don’t cover the main content, so users can continue browsing while still seeing the messages in the popup.

Best Use Cases:

• Great for notifying users about important updates.
• Display time-sensitive discounts or deals to encourage immediate action.

3. Fullscreen Popup

As the name suggests, fullscreen popups take over the entire browser screen, blocking all content underneath. This makes them effective tools for capturing immediate user attention and encouraging users to take specific actions.

Best Use Cases:

• Ideal for collecting visitor info in exchange for a valuable offer.
• Perfect for announcing large promotions or running contests.
• Best for welcome mats, special offers, interactive experiences.

4. Yes/No Popup

Yes/No popups are a simple yet effective way to present a binary choice to users. By offering just two options, these popups reduce cognitive load, making it easier for users to make quick decisions.

Best Use Cases:

• Prompt different products or offers
• Best for survey questions, quick polls, A/B testing.

5. Slide-In Popup

Slide-in popups appear from the sides of the screen, typically triggered by specific user actions. They are less disruptive than fullscreen popups, so visitors can keep browsing the site while still seeing important messages or offers.

Best Use Cases:

• Encouraging users to subscribe to a newsletter.
• Suggesting related products or upsells.
• Highlighting limited-time deals or discounts.

6. Wheel Popup (Gamified Popup)

Wheel popups are game-like interactive elements that feature spinning wheels with different prize options. They create engaging experiences that encourage users to take action.

Best Use Cases:

• Generate leads by asking users for their contact information before they spin.
• Offers instant rewards or discounts for immediate conversions.

7. Video Popup

Video popups display video content that plays automatically or when triggered by user interaction. They are dynamic ways to engage visitors and can lead to higher conversions.

Best Use Cases:

• Product launches or tutorials.
• Promotional campaigns highlighting features and benefits.
• Event recaps or testimonials from customers.

Note: Explore some of our video popup design examples that you can use for inspiration and even download for free.

8. Multi-Step Popup

Multi-step popups make complicated tasks easier by breaking them down into simple steps. This helps users feel less overwhelmed and makes it more likely they will complete the task, leading to more conversions.

Best Use Cases:

• Lead generation forms require multiple inputs (e.g., name, email, preferences).
• Surveys that gather detailed feedback in stages.
• Onboarding processes for new users or customer

22 Types of Popups Based on Goal

9. Informational Alert Popup

Information alert popups are a great way to let users know about new updates or announcements. These popups keep users informed without bothering them or asking for immediate action.

Best Practices:

• Product updates, new content, or system alerts.
• Notify visitors about limited-time discounts or flash sales.

10. Recent Activity Notification

Recent activity notifications inform users about actions taken by others on the site, such as recent purchases or sign-ups. These popups create a sense of urgency and social proof, encouraging users to take similar actions.

Effective Timing: 

• Display these notifications during peak traffic to maximize visibility and impact.

11. User Login

User login popups allow users to log in directly within the popup window. This allows users to log in to their accounts and access personalized experiences or exclusive content without being redirected to a separate login page.

Implementation Tip:

• Use this popup after users have browsed a few pages.
• Trigger the popup if a user shows interest in specific content that requires login access.

12. Cookie Consent

Cookie consent popups are small windows that appear to inform users about cookies. They ask if users agree to the website using cookies to track their browsing and personalize their experience. These popups help websites comply with privacy laws.

Compliance Reminder: 

• Display this popup when a user first visits your website.

13. Age Verification

Age verification popups are required if you have age-restricted content, such as alcohol-related products or adult material on your site. They are a legal requirement to protect minors from accessing inappropriate content.

Usage Context: 

• Display this popup on pages that contain age-restricted content.

14. Callback Form

Callback form popups allow potential customers to request a call back. This way, you can offer personalized support and answer their questions at a time that’s convenient for you.

Engagement Strategy: 

• Use these popups on service-oriented pages.

15. Coupon Code/Sales Promotion

Coupon code or sales promotion popups are great tools for boosting sales. These popups give you special deals when you take certain actions, like signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase. These popups are useful for ecommerce businesses, online retailers, and more.

Timing Strategy: 

• Show coupon code popup during promotional periods.
• Display this popup when users are about to leave without purchasing.

16. Product Recommendation

Product recommendation popups display items related to a user’s browsing or purchase history. It’s like offering personalized suggestions to help your visitors to discover more products and encourage additional purchases.

Best for:

• E-commerce websites to upsell or cross-sell products

17. Product Availability Notice

With product availability notice popups, you can inform users about the out-of-stock items that have become available again. This will encourage customers to make a purchase once restocked. These popups can be triggered by specific user actions, such as adding an out-of-stock item to the cart or viewing a product page.

Re-engagement Strategy: 

• Remind users about previously viewed products with these popups.

18. Wishlist Popup

Wishlist popups let users save products they like for later. It’s like a virtual shopping cart for their favorite items. By clicking the “Wishlist” button, users can easily return to them anytime.

User Experience Enhancement: 

• Encouraging repeat visits by reminding users of their saved items.

19. Lead Magnet Popup

Lead magnet popups offer valuable resources like eBooks, templates, or checklists in exchange for user email addresses. This is a great way to build your email list and nurture leads.

Conversion Strategy: 

• Display these popups on content-rich pages to capture leads.
• While creating a popup, ensure that the offer is relevant to your target audience. 

20. Email Opt-in Popup

Email opt-in popups encourage visitors to subscribe to your email newsletter. You can offer incentives like exclusive discounts, content, or early access to new products to boost sign-ups to your email list.

Nurturing Tip: 

• Send targeted emails to engage and convert potential customers.

21. Phone Number Option Popup

Phone number option popups ask visitors to share their phone numbers for SMS alerts or marketing. They can be used to send updates like promotional offers, order confirmations, or shipping notifications.

Usage Context: 

• Use these on checkout pages..
• Implement during promotions to send immediate offers or reminders.

22. Survey Forms

Survey form popups collect user feedback on products, services, or website experiences. They help businesses gather insights to improve their offerings and customer satisfaction.

Feedback Timing: 

• Implement these popups after actions like a purchase or specific page visits.

23. Webinar Registration Popup

With webinar registration popups, you can encourage visitors to sign up for upcoming webinars. These popups capture registration details through simple forms which will help you build an email list and generate leads.

Promotion Strategy: 

• Use strong and persuasive language to encourage sign-ups.
• Keep the registration form short and easy to fill out.

24. Pre-Order Signup Popup

Pre-order signup popups let users show interest in products before they are released. These popups collect information like email addresses to notify users when the product is available for purchase.

Launch Timing:

• Show these popups before the launch to capture interest and build a list of potential buyers.

25. Giveaway Popup

Use Giveaway popups to encourage user participation in contests or giveaways by offering attractive prizes. Ask for their email addresses or complete simple actions to gather information for future marketing.

Engagement Strategy:

• Use giveaway popups during promotional campaigns.

26. Countdown Timer Popup

Countdown timer popups create urgency by displaying a countdown to a deadline. They encourage quick action and can boost sales during limited-time offers or flash sales.

Urgency Tip: 

• Implement these during limited-time promotions or flash sales.

27. Cart Abandonment Popup

Cart abandonment popups target users who leave their shopping carts without completing a purchase. These popups offer reminders or assistance to encourage them to return and complete their purchase.

Recovery Strategy:

• Show these when users leave without making a purchase.

28. Content Locker Popup

Content locker popups require users to sign up or provide information to access premium content like eBooks, guides, or exclusive articles. This allows you to capture valuable leads and build your email list.

Value Proposition: 

• Use these popups on high-value content pages.

29. Social Media Follow Popup

Social media follow popups prompt visitors to follow your brand on social media. These popups usually show up after a purchase or interaction, which makes it easy for users to stay connected with your brand.

Engagement Strategy: 

• Use these on thank-you pages after purchases or interactions.

12 Types of Popups Based on Trigger & Targets

30. Exit-Intent Popup

Exit-intent popups show up when a user is about to leave your website. They are triggered by mouse movements toward the close button or tab. These popups offer special deals or discounts to keep users on the site or encourage them to take action.

Engagement Strategy:

• Use compelling visuals and clear calls-to-action to capture attention.

31. Scroll-Triggered Popup

A scroll-triggered popup appears when a user scrolls down a certain part of a page. It’s like a little surprise that pops up, catching their attention. This can be a great way to get them to sign up for your email list or make a purchase.

Timing Tip

• Make these popups appear after users scroll through a certain level of your content.

32. Delayed /Timed Popup

Timed popups, or delayed popups, appear after a certain amount of time has passed since the user has been on the page. These popups help capture user attention after they have had a chance to explore the site.

User Experience Focus

• Time the popups carefully to avoid disrupting the user experience.

33. Scheduled Popup

Scheduled popups appear at specific times or on certain dates. They are perfect for letting users know about events, promotions, or new content at the right time.

Optimization Tip

• Analyze traffic patterns to determine optimal scheduling.

34. Page-Based Popup

Page-based popups show up when a user visits a specific page on your site. They are triggered by the page’s content and offer relevant information, promotions, or actions related to that page.

Content Relevance

• Customize popups based on the page content, like suggesting related products.

35. Location-Based Popup

Location-based popups target users based on their geographic location. They can be used to offer localized deals, promotions, or language-specific content.

Engagement Strategy

• Provide discounts or promotions specific to the user’s location.

36. Cookie-Based Popup

Cookie-based popups appear based on a user’s previous visits or preferences. They help personalize the experience, show targeted offers, or remind users about abandoned carts.

Personalization Focus 

• Utilize past browsing behavior to create highly relevant messages.

37. Re-Engagement Popup

Inactivity re-engagement popups appear after a period of user inactivity to re-engage them. They can be used to offer discounts, promotions, or surveys to encourage further interaction.

Re-engagement Techniques

• Use enticing offers or questions that prompt users back into action.

38. On-Site Follow-Up Popup

On-site follow-up popups help bring back users who have interacted with your site but haven’t finished what they started. They can remind visitors to complete a purchase or take the next step to convert.

Follow-Up Strategy

• Use these popups for upselling or cross-selling opportunities.

39. Click-Activated Popup

Click-activated popups appear when a user clicks on a specific element on the page. They can be used to provide additional information, offer discounts, or collect feedback on specific products or services.

Targeted Engagement

• Make sure these popups offer relevant value based on the clicked element.

40. Device-Specific Popup

Device-specific popups show content that’s customized for different devices like desktops, tablets, or smartphones. These popups make sure the message or design fits perfectly to give users the best experience on their device.

Responsive Design Focus

• Optimize popups for each device type.

41. Entry Overlays/Welcome Mat

Entry overlays or welcome mats appear as soon as someone enters your website. They can greet new visitors, offer special discounts, or ask for email addresses to stay in touch.

First Impression Strategy

• These popups appear immediately upon entering a website.
• Welcome new visitors or offer special discounts.

Conclusion

Now you know ‎what are the types of popups and their best practices as well as use cases. In this guide, we have covered 40+ popup styles, along with detailed explanations, best practices, and much more.

We believe this comprehensive guide will help you to create impactful popup strategies that drive conversions. Now it’s your turn to put this knowledge into action! 

If you are new to creating popups, we recommend checking out our Best WordPress Popup Plugins guide for expert tips and advice on choosing the right plugin for your needs.