popups
The facts
Its description
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 popup," "exit popup," "scroll trigger," "sticky bar," or "notification bar." Use this for any overlay or interrupt-style conversion element. For forms outside of popups, see cro. For general page conversion optimization, see cro.
The description the agent reads to decide when to use it.
When it starts
The agent picks this skill when someone wants to create, fix, or optimize an overlay-style conversion element — a popup, modal, slide-in, sticky bar, or announcement banner — or asks about exit intent, scroll triggers, or email-capture popups. It is also the skill for any interrupt-style conversion element, while plain forms and general page conversion are pointed elsewhere.
Things a person might say (the model's guesses)
- “Our exit-intent popup isn't converting — can you help me fix it?”
- “I want to add an email capture popup to my blog, where do I start?”
- “Should I use a sticky bar or a slide-in for my product announcement?”
A model's summary of when it is used.
What it leads to
- requires product-marketing if the product marketing context file exists line 15
- an alternative: cro for forms outside popups or general page conversion line 3
Other skills this one hands off to, calls, requires or offers instead, as a model read them.
What leads to it
- reverse-engineer-marketing hands off to this for copied funnel pieces reverse-engineer-marketing/funnel-hack.md, line 95
- lead-magnets calls this when the lead magnet is captured through a popup lead-magnets, line 153
- marketing-loops calls this marketing-loops/loop-catalog.md, line 530
- copywriting is an alternative to this for popup copy copywriting, line 3
- cro is an alternative to this for popups/modals cro, line 3
Other skills that hand off to this one, call it, require it or offer it instead, as a model read them.
Licence
MIT, from LICENSE
The terms its author shares it under, which let it be shown here.
Other settings
metadata: version: 2.0.1
More settings at the top of the file, shown as written.
Other files in this skill (1) Close
The text
Most marks come from matching words in the file, so treat them as pointers.
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.
Raw lines 1 to 11Initial 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:
- Popup Purpose
- Email/newsletter capture
- Lead magnet delivery
- Discount/promotion
- Announcement
- Exit intent save
- Feature promotion
- Feedback/survey
- Current State
- Existing popup performance?
- What triggers are used?
- User complaints or feedback?
- Mobile experience?
- Traffic Context
- Traffic sources (paid, organic, direct)
- New vs. returning visitors
- Page types where shown
Raw lines 12 to 40
Core Principles
Raw lines 41 to 421. 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
Raw lines 53 to 60
Trigger Strategies
Raw lines 61 to 62Time-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
Raw lines 92 to 99
Popup Types
Raw lines 100 to 101Email 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
Raw lines 159 to 169
Design Best Practices
Raw lines 170 to 171Visual Hierarchy
- Headline (largest, first seen)
- Value prop/offer (clear benefit)
- Form/CTA (obvious action)
- 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
Raw lines 197 to 204
Copy Formulas
Raw lines 205 to 206Headlines
- 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"
Raw lines 224 to 230
Frequency and Rules
Raw lines 231 to 232Frequency 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
Raw lines 246 to 252
Compliance and Accessibility
Raw lines 253 to 254GDPR/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
Raw lines 268 to 275
Measurement
Raw lines 276 to 277Key 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)
Raw lines 294 to 300
Output Format
Raw lines 301 to 302Popup 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
Common Popup Strategies
Raw lines 322 to 323E-commerce
- Entry/scroll: First-purchase discount
- Exit intent: Bigger discount or reminder
- Cart abandonment: Complete your order
B2B SaaS
- Click-triggered: Demo request, lead magnets
- Scroll: Newsletter/blog subscription
- Exit intent: Trial reminder or content offer
Content/Media
- Scroll-based: Newsletter after engagement
- Page count: Subscribe after multiple visits
- Exit intent: Don't miss future content
Lead Generation
- Time-delayed: General list building
- Click-triggered: Specific lead magnets
- Exit intent: Final capture attempt
Raw lines 339 to 345
Experiment Ideas
Raw lines 346 to 347Placement & 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
Raw lines 348 to 368
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
Raw lines 369 to 389
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
Raw lines 390 to 411
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
Raw lines 412 to 427
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
Raw lines 428 to 436
Task-Specific Questions
- What's the primary goal for this popup?
- What's your current popup performance (if any)?
- What traffic sources are you optimizing for?
- What incentive can you offer?
- Are there compliance requirements (GDPR, etc.)?
- Mobile vs. desktop traffic split?
Raw lines 437 to 447
Related Skills
- lead-magnets: For planning lead magnets to promote via popups
- cro: For optimizing the form inside the popup and the page around it
- emails: For what happens after popup conversion
- ab-testing: For testing popup variations
From coreyhaines31/marketingskills at 88c79f6, 2026-10-30. Skills read by DeepSeek V4.1 Flash on 2026-11-04. Summary and techniques by Claude Opus 5.5 on 2026-11-06.