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How to Create a Popup in Magento Quickly

  • Conversion
  • 6 min read

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Do you have a Magento store but haven’t explored the power of popups yet? You might be leaving money on the table.

Pop-ups aren’t just flashy distractions—they’re proven tools for boosting conversions, building your email list, and keeping visitors engaged. The best part? You don’t need to be a developer to get started!

In this guide, we’ll break down why popups matter, show you two simple ways to create them in Magento, and share tips for designing popups that your visitors will actually love.

Let’s get started!

Why use popups in your Magento store?

Pop-ups often get a bad rap for being annoying. But when done right, they’re highly effective. 

Here’s why they’re worth considering:

  • Second chance to convert: Many visitors leave your web pages without making a purchase. Popups give you a chance to re-engage them with a timely offer or reminder.
  • Efficient list-building: A newsletter popup is one of the fastest ways to grow your email or SMS subscriber list.
  • Decreasing distractions: By focusing attention on a single offer, pop-ups can guide users toward a specific action, like signing up for a newsletter or completing a purchase.
  • High ROI: With minimal effort, popups can deliver substantial returns by nudging customers toward high-value actions.

What options do you have to create a popup on Magento?

When it comes to popups, Magento offers two primary approaches:

  1. Using Magento’s default CMS options: Great for simple, no-frills popups.
  2. Installing a dedicated popup extension: Perfect for advanced designs, targeting, and analytics.

We’ll explore both so you can choose the right method for your store.

1. Using Magento’s default options

Magento’s built-in tools are a solid choice if you want something quick and basic. These work best for simple messages like announcements or temporary promotions.

How to create a popup with Magento’s CMS:

  1. Navigate to widgets: In your Magento Admin Panel, go to Content > Widgets.
  2. Add a new widget: Select the widget type and configure it to display on specific pages or during set times.
  3. Publish: Save your changes and the popup will appear as configured.
Go to the Modal widget and select a widget type you prefer to make your popup display.

You can set the widget to appear on specific pages or at certain times, depending on your store layout and audience.

While this method is straightforward, it’s not ideal for more complex needs. You’ll miss out on advanced features like behavioral targeting, design flexibility, and performance tracking. 

If those are deal-breakers, it’s time to consider a popup extension.

2. Using a free or paid popup Magento extension

Magento extensions unlock powerful capabilities, turning simple popups into strategic tools with the help of a popup extension. You’ll gain access to features like advanced triggers, analytics, and highly customizable designs.

And here comes OptiMonk, which is a popular popup builder choice amongst store owners.

OptiMonk is a standout popup extension for creating professional-grade popups in Magento.

It offers:

  1. Drag & drop editor: Our industry-leading drag-and-drop editor allows you to create stunning, branded popup campaigns quickly.
  2. Use case library: We provide ready-made templates for a wide range of use cases, incorporating proven strategies like discount codes, limited-time offers, gamification, and personalized product recommendations.
  3. A/B testing: Launch new experiments in seconds to find the best headlines, offers, or combinations of messages.
  4. Personalization: Craft tailored messages for your key customer segments, ensuring each individual receives the most relevant and engaging experience.
  5. Analytics: Our built-in revenue analytics ensures that you’re optimizing for real sales, not just leads.

How to create a popup window using OptiMonk?

Ready to create your first popup form with OptiMonk’s popup content editor? Let’s get down to it. 

Step 1: Install the OptiMonk extension

Visit the Adobe Commerce Marketplace and download the OptiMonk extension. Follow the installation guide to get it up and running.

Install OptiMonk's popup extesion to create a display popup on your Magento site.

Step 2: Select a popup template

OptiMonk offers pre-designed templates tailored to various goals, like cart abandonment recovery or lead generation. 

Select one that aligns with your campaign to display popups that capture attention and drive conversions effectively.

Step 3: Customize your popup

Using OptiMonk’s drag-and-drop editor, tweak your popup design. Add images, change fonts, and align colors to your branding.

Create highly targeted popups in OptiMonk's popup builder, and customize popup content.

Step 4: Set triggers and targeting options

Decide when and where the popup will appear. For instance:

  • Exit intent: Display when users move their cursor to close the page.
  • Scroll-based: Show after users scroll a certain percentage of the page.

Step 5: Launch

Once everything is ready, publish the popup. Monitor its performance to refine your strategy over time.

6 best practices create attention-grabbing popups

Not all popups are created equal. Follow these popup design best practices to maximize their impact.

1. A motivating value proposition

Your popup needs to instantly show value. Why should visitors act? Whether it’s 20% off, free shipping, or exclusive access, make the benefit impossible to ignore. 

For example, instead of saying, “Join our newsletter,” go with something like, “Sign up now and get 20% off your first order!”

Create a similar exit intent popup and add motivating value proposition for your website visitors.

2. Clear message and call-to-action

Popups only have a few seconds to grab attention, so simplicity is key.

Keep your message short, direct, and easy to understand. Explain your offer in one or two lines and pair it with a strong call-to-action (CTA) like “Get My Discount” or “Subscribe Now.”

Avoid overwhelming your audience with too many options or unnecessary details. A single, focused message helps visitors quickly decide to act.

A newsletter subscription form with a strong CTA can work wonders on your exit intent popup.

3. Handle objections and fears

Visitors may hesitate to engage with a popup—maybe they’re worried about spam or unsure of the value. Address these concerns upfront.

Add a note like, “We never share your email address” or, if you’re asking for a purchase, include a customer testimonial or a quick reassurance like “Free returns available!”.

Handle objections and fears on your popup content.

4. Increase FOMO (fear of missing out) 

Scarcity motivates action. By creating a sense of urgency, you can push hesitant visitors to take immediate steps. Use phrases like “Hurry! Limited Time Offer” or “Sale Ends Tonight” to add time pressure.

Countdown timers can be even more effective, visually reinforcing that the clock is ticking. For example, if you’re running a flash sale, a timer showing “02:15:30 remaining” nudges visitors to act before it’s too late.

Display exit popup on your Magento website.

5. Targeted messaging

Popups are far more effective when they’re relevant to the user. Personalization can make all the difference.

For example, a first-time visitor might see a “Welcome! Here’s 10% Off Your First Order” popup, while a returning customer could get a “Welcome Back! Check Out What’s New” or a loyalty reward offer.

Trigger popups, and use targeted messaging when you display popups.

6. User-friendly design

An effective exit intent popup doesn’t frustrate users—it enhances their experience. Stick to a clean, minimalist design with plenty of white space, readable fonts, and colors that align with your brand.

Make sure the close button is easy to find. While you want users to engage, a popup that feels like a trap will backfire. A good design not only catches attention but also ensures the user feels in control.

FAQ

Can I track the performance of Magento popups?

Yes, many popup extensions for Magento include built-in analytics to track views, click-through rates, and conversions. If you use Magento’s default widgets, you may need to integrate with Google Analytics or a third-party tool to measure performance.

Are Magento popups mobile-friendly?

Most modern popup extensions are designed to be responsive, ensuring they display correctly on mobile devices. Always test your popups on different screen sizes to confirm they’re user-friendly and non-intrusive on mobile.

Why isn’t my Magento popup displaying?

Common reasons include:

  • The widget or extension isn’t configured properly.
  • The popup is set to display on specific pages where conditions aren’t met.
  • Conflicts with your store theme or other extensions.

Wrapping up

Creating pop-ups in Magento doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you go with Magento’s built-in tools or opt for a feature-rich popup extension like OptiMonk, the key is to focus on relevance, timing, and design.

Popups are more than a flashy add-on—they’re an opportunity to engage your visitors and drive meaningful actions. With the right strategy, your popups can become one of your most effective marketing tools.

So, are you ready to make your popups work harder for your Magento store?

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What should you do next?

Thanks for reading till the end. Here are 4 ways we can help you grow your business:

Boost conversions with proven use cases

Explore our Use Case Library, filled with actionable personalization examples and step-by-step guides to unlock your website's full potential. Check out Use Case Library

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Written by
Picture of Barbara Bartucz

Barbara Bartucz

Barbara is a Content Marketer at OptiMonk. She takes pride in creating different forms of content, whether it’s an article, a video, or an e-book.
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