20+ Exit-Intent Popup Examples [Guide 2024]

We love exit popups.

Why?

Because they’re so powerful—businesses collect emails 11 times faster when they add them to their websites.

In this post, you’ll see some of those high-performing exit popup campaigns. So, without further ado, let’s review examples of exit-intent popups.

Table of contents:

• What is exit intent popup?

• How exit-intent popups work

• How to make exit intent popups

• Exit intent popup examples

• Exit popup best practices

What is an exit-intent popup?

Exit-intent popup is a popup that uses the exit-intent detection technology to detect when visitors are about to leave the website and make a final offer to encourage them to convert or continue browsing.

Exit popups can be shown to every visitor, on every page, so online businesses use them to reduce cart abandonment, build email lists, and collect website feedback from visitors.

If you'd like to add exit intent campaigns to your website, try Wisepops, a top-rated exit popup app (4.9 stars on Shopify and Capterra):

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How do exit popups work, exactly?

An exit popup software adds a short script to the website to track a visitor’s mouse movements, paying particular attention to where the cursor goes. It looks for exit intent triggers continuously, which typically means noticing when a visitor moves the cursor outside of the active area on the browser.

That’s because, to the exit intent technology, such action suggests that the visitor:

• Might have decided to type in another URL into the browser’s address bar,

• Close the current tab or switch to another one, or

• Wants to click the browser’s Back button and return to another page.

Since doing any of the above would result in them leaving the site, the exit intent script triggers a popup to appear.

Are exit popups effective?

On average, exit intent popups convert about 2.87% of visitors:

Although exit intent popups are not the most effective, the top 10% of exit campaigns, however, convert up to 19.63% of visitors.

So—

But how come displaying a message to a leaving visitor in exit pop ups works so well?

Logically, people should ignore it and move on, right?

Well, that’d be true, except for one little detail – the “pattern interrupt” technique used by exit popups:

An exit popup interrupting a person’s action to leave the site makes them more likely to stop and consider the message.

Contrast that with the way traditional ways to generate leads, relying on a person to notice the message, and you’ll see why popups deliver much stronger results.

Exit-intent popup examples

Let’s start with exit opt-in exit popups, popups designed to collect emails. I've added the best practices to these exit intent popup examples, too.

1. OddBalls: a unique discount code

With this exit intent popup example, OddBalls encourages customers to buy. There's a unique discount code, so the brand also tracks how effective this exit intent popup campaign is.

I’d like to specifically point out the stunning background (which is in line with the website’s design).

2. TOMS: a first-order discount

This exit popup example is special because it contains a countdown to create a sense of urgency—a proven technique to get conversions.

3. Death Wish Coffee: a phone number signup

This is the best example of an exit-intent popup with an attention-grabbing image. Combined with a valuable offer, it’s just an awesome example from a unique brand.

4. Madsen Cycles: an amount-based discount

Why not add animation to an exit-intent popup? That’s what the folks over at Madsen Cycles probably thought and came with this popup—definitely worth our attention.

5. PRESS Heathfoods: a discount & helpful content offer

What I especially like about this exit-intent popup example is the copy. The headline asks us to see what the brand has to offer before closing—that’s clear and straightforward. Also, the discount amount is written in bold, so we understand how we can benefit right away.

6. Blume: a promo code for new customers

A simple, straightforward, and well-designed exit popup with a lot of value. The Blume’s example perfectly blends in with the overall website’s design.

Blume is also one of the most successful businesses using Shopify. Find out how stores like Blume succeeded: Shopify success stories.

7. Hallow: a special limited-time offer

Here’s an interesting exit intent popup from an SaaS business. Hallow, the most popular Catholic prayer app, had a special offer around lent: a 90-day free trial.

To promote the offer, they featured their influencers on the exit intent popup. This campaign drove 32,533 visitors to the app signup window!

8. World Of Watches: a discount for new customers

This e-commerce site went for a full-size exit popup (a good way to make sure the visitors won’t miss it). And the visual they added made it simply stunning. They also included a visible discount to convince the most reluctant users to subscribe.

9. Leesa: an exclusive code

We love this exit popup. First, because everyone loves a $100 discount. Then, because the popup style perfectly matches Leesa’s visual identity.

The CTA is also very efficient. Does it say “Submit my email” or “Subscribe”? Nope, instead it associates the subscription with a direct benefit for the user. That’s a great example of customer-focused ecommerce copywriting for popups.

10. Hidrate Spark: an offer with a customer review

Hidrate Spark has included all the good elements of an irresistible exit popup:

• Discount

• Some sense of urgency (“If you sign up now!”)

• Testimonial to remind subscribers of the benefits of the product

11. Basic Outfitters: brand news and product alerts

Basic Outfitters have added a catchy headline to their creation, a quick reminder of the benefits of subscribing (including a power word, “surprising”), and an attractive visual. Their exit popup is a good example of how to leverage the exit intent technology in e-commerce.

12. StyleRunner: a discount for new subscribers

If there was any such thing as popup marketing courses, this popup design example should be part of the curriculum. StyleRunner has included all the ingredients for a high-converting exit popup:

• Join the squad” creates a sense of community. You’re not only subscribing, you’re joining a movement.

• The second headline insists on the discount (quick reminder, discount codes are still the best way to help convert customers)

• The copy insists on all the benefits of joining the newsletters and leverages the fear of missing out (who would want to risk missing out on limited-time offers, new arrivals, and flash sales?)

• The call-to-action highlights the immediate benefit of joining the newsletter (getting the offer delivered to one’s inbox)

13. Backlinko: an ebook

This popup by star blogger Brian Dean does a very good job of sharing a problem (“How can I get more visitors to join my website”) and providing an immediate solution.

Notice also how the ebook is presented as a hardcover book. It certainly looks better than a PDF icon, don’t you think?

14. Asphalte: a product survey

An absolutely stunning exit-intent example that complements the overall design of Asphalte, one of the most successful Shopify stores. Note how the text is displayed without some extra background, which decreases readability a bit but focuses the attention on the visual.

15. Delightly: a personalized offer to finish the purchase

Exit intent popups also work well to help recover abandoned carts. In this example, the popup is displayed only to those who are trying to leave the website without finishing the purchase:

16. OverstockArt: a coupon for new customers

OverstockArt uses this exit popup on its blog. Since the company sells quality wall art reproductions, their example has that artsy feel (and a good value for potential subscribers).

17. JarJackets: a wheel of fortune campaign

There’s nothing better than adding a bit of fun to convince subscribers to join. Displaying this spin popup on exit, JJ is sure to engage its visitors and capture their email addresses in no time.

18. Le Creuset: a countdown to drive a sense of urgency

Le Creuset did an amazing job with this beautiful exit intent popup. Their recipe is simple: 50% fear of missing out (thanks to the timer) and 50% good offer (a discount with no minimum order value):

19. GlobeIn: a personalized offer to recover abandoned item

A good offer and a simple call-to-action. That’s what GlobeIn uses to convince shoppers to complete their purchase with this exit popup example:

20. Pixelme: a mystery offer for hesitating customers

It might sound simple but offering “a surprise” can be a very convincing offer. Pixelme.me converts 4.7% of the users who see this exit popup into subscribers. Not bad!

21. Patyka: a free product & delivery

Free shipping is still the primary motivator for purchasing. That’s why this exit intent popup example is so brilliant—provides a strong incentive to complete their order (free shipping + a free product).

But you can only do it by knowing what popup elements to include and how each contributes to the campaign’s success first.

So, let’s talk about that now then.

Exit intent popup best practices

An exit popup must include several critical elements to succeed. In this section, we’ll go through each of them in detail.

Element #1: The offer

The offer is something you promise to give the person if they act on the popup call to action.

You can promise them a discount code, product promotions, promotions or deals. And that they’ll be able to avail of them far before the general public.

You can try convincing them to buy the item they’ve added to the cart with a generous one-time offer. Or deliver the information they sought, in the form of a free downloadable resource, for their email.

All in all, the offer you choose must match two objectives.

One, it has to relate to your marketing objective. For example, if you aim to build the mailing list, you must offer something a person would want to give their email address for.

And two, it must meet the audience’s needs. Think about it, if your audience doesn’t seek in-depth information, then offering a lead magnet will, most likely, fail to deliver significant results.

How do you communicate the offer?

Most commonly, you include it in the headline. However, placing it in the sub-copy or even the call to action would tell the person what’s in it for them equally well.

Element #2: The headline

Of all the popup elements, the headline is the most important one. First, it attracts the visitor’s attention. Without a strong headline, the person will, most likely, click the popup off and leave in a hurry.

On most ecommerce popups, the headline also conveys the offer. It tells the visitor what’s in it for them. And that’s another way it attracts their attention too.

But to summarize, the headline formulas are:

• Direct headlines, explaining the offer. For example: “Get $10 Off Your First Order”

• Question-based headlines that make the visitor stop and think. Example: “Couldn’t find what you were looking for?” or “Want to grow your revenue 3x faster?”

• Command headlines that tell the visitor what to do. Example: “Don’t go!”, “Wait!” or “Sign Up for Free Shipping.”

• The “Reason Why” headlines that explain the benefits of acting up on the offer. Most ideal for promoting lead magnets. For instance, “Why you need a virtual assistant’s help right now.”

• Surprise headlines that include something a person hasn’t expected there. I admit that these can be tricky to create. Example (from Shane Barker, enticing visitors to sign up to the newsletter): “You + Me = Excited”

Element #3: Sub-copy or offer description (optional)

Let me be clear here; you don’t have to include the description on the exit popup. Often, the headline alone can tell a visitor everything about the offer while the call to action entices them to act.

But at times, you may want to include additional information. Perhaps you need to include more selling points to convert a visitor. Or you have to mention the terms and conditions of the offer.

That’s where a description comes in.

Such short copy allows you to extend the information about the offer beyond the headline to convince a person to act.

Element #4: Visuals

Your exit intent popup does not require any visuals to engage visitors successfully. However, studies show that including graphics helps grab a person’s attention and convince them to act. In some cases, images can also help increase conversions.

There are a few reasons for that.

For one, we process visual information quicker than text. A strong visual, therefore, can help communicate the message faster than a lengthy sub-copy.

Overall, here are some best practices for choosing images for exit popups:

• Use images of people to make your popup more trustworthy.

• If possible, choose images of people looking or pointing towards the headline or call to action.

• Otherwise, show products in use to help visitors imagine how it would be to own them too.

Element #5: Placement

The majority of exit intent popups display at the center of the screen.

But that’s not the only place where you could display the popup. You can locate it in any corner of the screen, use the top or the bottom edge of the browser’s window or place it on either side. Finally, you could cover the entire screen with the popup overlay:

But why would you choose a different placement? Because, at times, as studies have shown, using it could yield even better results:

As you can see, an unusual placement might surprise a visitor. The exit intent popup would not only interrupt the person’s pattern of behavior but also, surprise them.

Element #6: The call to action (CTA button)

The call to action tells a person what to do to get the offer and how to do it.

For that reason, most exit popup calls to action feature an active verb relating to the action a person must take. From a simple “Submit” or “Sign up now” to a copy more relevant to the offer – “Get the $10 coupon now” – the button intends to spur action.

Many rules and best practices exist to help write engaging calls to action. Of them all, I believe, simplicity is the most important one.

As long as you keep the call to action short, simple and focusing on the task you want the person to do, it will aid in achieving your marketing objectives.

For inspiration, see the examples of exit intent popups I included in this guide. Most feature a single-word call to action; some include two or three. But rarely you see a popup with a copy longer than a handful of words.

Exit-intent popup examples: wrapping up

We hope this selection of exit popup examples inspired you.

If you think we missed a good exit popup example, feel free to suggest it in the comments, we’ll be happy to add it to our selection.