Sidemessages
Non-intrusive way to deliver a message without affecting the browsing experience.
Sidemessages are an OptiMonk campaign type that appears anchored to the side of your website — left or right — and remains persistently visible as the visitor browses, without blocking or overlaying the main page content. Unlike a popup, which interrupts the browsing experience by covering the page and dimming everything behind it, a sidemessage occupies the peripheral space at the edge of the viewport — the unused area beside your main content column on wider screens. It stays visible throughout the visitor's session for as long as it is triggered and active, meaning the message has sustained exposure rather than a single triggered moment. Sidemessages are built in the same drag-and-drop editor as all other OptiMonk campaign types, support the same elements (text, images, buttons, forms, discount codes), and use the same triggers and targeting conditions. The position — left side or right side, and vertical alignment — is configurable from the Display settings in the editor. A common and effective use case is styling a sidemessage to resemble a chat widget, adding a colleague's photo and name to create the impression of a personal, direct message rather than a promotional overlay.
Key benefits
- Persistent visibility without interrupting the browsing flow. A popup must be dismissed before a visitor can continue browsing — its visibility is intense but brief. A sidemessage stays on screen for the visitor's entire session without requiring any action to clear it, giving the message sustained exposure across multiple page views and browsing actions. Visitors who are not ready to engage on the first page view may notice and act on the sidemessage several pages later — a conversion window that a standard popup cannot maintain.
- Lower friction than a popup for less urgent messages. Not every campaign goal justifies the interruption of a popup overlay. Email list building on a content site, social media follow prompts, newsletter sign-up offers, and light product promotions are better served by a format that the visitor can choose to engage with on their own terms. A sidemessage presents the offer without forcing a decision — the visitor can ignore it, engage with it, or dismiss it without any break in their browsing experience.
- Highly customizable position and appearance to suit any site layout. The sidemessage position — left or right side of the viewport, and vertical placement — is configurable in the Display settings. This means it can be positioned to complement your site's existing layout without competing visually with key content areas. Adding a team member's photo and name to the sidemessage template transforms it into a personal-looking message that feels more like a human touch point than a promotional unit — increasing approachability and click-through rates.
How it works
In OptiMonk, click New Campaign and choose Sidemessage from the campaign type filter on the left. Browse the available templates and select one that fits your goal — email capture, offer promotion, social follow, or feedback collection. Open it in the editor.
Customize the content using the drag-and-drop editor — the same interface used for all OptiMonk campaign types. Adjust text, images, button colors, form fields, and any other elements. To configure the side of the screen where the sidemessage appears, click "Display" in the left navigation bar, then select "Position." Use the screen icon to choose left or right placement and the desired vertical alignment. If you want a personal, chat-like feel, add a colleague's photo and name to the design.
Configure your trigger (time delay, scroll, exit intent, or click), targeting conditions, and frequency rules — exactly as you would for any other campaign type. Click Next to review the Settings summary, then activate the campaign. The sidemessage will appear anchored to your configured side of the screen for qualifying visitors and remain visible throughout their session.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Sidemessage in OptiMonk?+
A Sidemessage is an OptiMonk campaign type that appears anchored to the left or right side of the webpage and stays persistently visible while the visitor browses — without covering the main page content or requiring dismissal. It is less intrusive than a popup and suited for campaigns where sustained, low-friction visibility is preferable to a forced, single-moment impression. Sidemessages use the same editor, triggers, targeting, and integrations as all other OptiMonk campaign types.
What is the difference between a Sidemessage and a Popup?+
A popup appears as an overlay in the center of the screen, dims the surrounding content, and must be dismissed before the visitor can continue browsing — creating a high-impact but brief impression. A sidemessage appears anchored to the side of the viewport, does not block the main content, and stays visible throughout the visitor's session without requiring any action. Popups are better for urgent, time-sensitive messages that require immediate attention; sidemessages are better for persistent, lower-friction offers that benefit from sustained exposure across multiple pages.
Can I control which side of the screen the sidemessage appears on?+
Yes. The position is configured in the Display settings within the editor. Click "Display" in the left navigation bar, then select "Position." A screen icon appears showing the available placement options — you can choose left or right side, and adjust the vertical alignment within the chosen side. The position can be changed at any time without affecting the campaign's content, targeting, or trigger settings.
Can I make a sidemessage look like a chat widget?+
Yes — and this is one of the most effective sidemessage use cases. By adding a team member's photo and name to the sidemessage template, the campaign visually resembles a live chat notification, making it feel like a personal, human message rather than a promotional overlay. This treatment significantly increases approachability and is particularly effective for campaigns that offer help, advice, or a personalized discount — framing the offer as coming from a real person rather than a marketing automation.
Does a sidemessage use the same triggers and targeting as other campaign types?+
Yes. Every trigger type available in OptiMonk — time delay, scroll percentage, exit intent, element click, and inactivity — works with sidemessages, and all targeting conditions apply in exactly the same way as for popups and other campaign types. You configure when the sidemessage appears and who it appears to using the same interface, with the same full range of options: page URL, country, cart rules, Klaviyo segments, cookie targeting, visitor type, and more.
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