Most marketers rely on popups to collect email subscribers, and we’re all for it. But if that’s all you’re using popups for, chances are you’re leaving money on the table.
When done right, popups can drive sales directly and funnel visitors to your checkout.
Food for thought: 59% of shoppers look for discount codes before making a purchase online.
Rather than forcing would-be buyers to scramble for a deal, popups are the perfect opportunity to put your discounts front-and-center.
If you haven’t started scoring popup promotions yet, don’t panic. We’ve got you covered.
In this guide, we’ll go over 19 discount popup examples, why they’re effective, and ways to roll out similar promotions on your site.
Let’s dive right in.
19 sales promotion examples to inspire your next popup
There is no one-size-fits-all tactic to promote your special discount with a popup.
Below we’ve broken down a variety of offers, promos, and popups you can use to level up your marketing.
Free shipping popups
A staggering two-thirds of consumers look up free shipping thresholds on websites before adding items to their carts. Including free shipping as part of your discount popups is a smart move not only for grabbing visitors’ attention but also for increasing the value of any given order.
Let’s take a look at some examples below.
1. Entice shoppers with free shipping and an eye-popping discount (SwissWatchExpo.com)
What this popup does well:
- The countdown timer creates a sense of urgency—pushing visitors to act now rather than later.
- It has a simple but effective color scheme. The black and white contrast makes the popup design striking and easy-to-read.
- The “Get My $100 OFF” Call-to-Action (CTA) button is powerful.
- The customized “No thanks…” opt-out makes website visitors think twice before sleeping on this deal.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- You could test the value and type of discount ($100 off + free shipping—versus just the $100 off or just the free shipping).
- Consider alternatives to the Unique Selling Proposition (USP).
2. Combat cart abandonment with a free shipping surprise (ProspectorKnives.com)
What this popup does well:
- Again, a countdown timer is a fantastic way to generate urgency and action.
- Simplicity. The popup manages to present multiple offers (free shipping and a discount) without overwhelming visitors.
- It has a great message to reduce cart abandonment and prevents skeptical shoppers from bouncing.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- The offer needs an A/B test to calculate the ideal value for the deal (based on a defined discount strategy).
- The countdown timer details could “pop” a bit more with larger text or a contrasting color scheme.
- The same goes for the call-to-action CTA button. A contrasting color could make it stand out more.
3. Boost your average order value by offering free delivery (Oka.com)
What this popup does well:
- The discount is based on order value. It appeals to those customers who are looking for that free shipping threshold.
- The offer appears to customers from specific countries via geotargeting. This creates a more personalized experience.
- It has an upfront and honest message about their email list opt-in (“…You can unsubscribe at any time”).
- The CTA button contrasts well with the popup copy.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- They could improve readability by changing the background image.
- The popup would be more striking if they used a simpler layout.
Popup discount code and coupon examples
2020 was a big year for online shoppers. In fact, 92% of shoppers in the US scouted for coupons before making purchases.
Those numbers don’t lie. Coupons are a time-tested method to drive sales, and they still work brilliantly. That’s why they’re perfect for your popups.
Let’s check out some examples below.
4. Build your list with a discount code opt-in (Jonquil.com.au)
What this popup does well:
- A tasteful fullscreen message. It’s on point with their brand and site design.
- Works to get email subscribers while simultaneously encouraging website visitors to convert.
- It has a welcoming copy (“join the . . . family”) and unique CTA text.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- There are tons of fonts being used on the popup and it could be confusing. A/B test the title with the font from the CTA.
- You could also A/B test the form field with a single field (email address). Although some visitors are happy to fill out more fields in pursuit of a deal, doing so might cause others to bounce. You won’t know until you test for yourself!
5. Offer a discount code in exchange for an email subscription (ProspectorKnives.com)
What this popup does well:
- It helps to build your email list and encourages future orders with a discount code at the same time.
- The selling proposition is crystal clear.
- Great use of color in both the CTA and the percentage-off (20%) in the offer.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- Extending the signup form with a name field to allow for personalization.
- The background image is too busy and could take the visitor’s attention off of the offer. Consider how intense the image is and whether it overwhelms your visitors.
6. Hook up your new customers with an exclusive discount (Zooji.com)
What this popup does well:
- It has a unique and colorful design (perhaps the most stylish of our discount popup examples).
- The image naturally drives attention toward the offer itself.
- It captures the brand’s tone and voice.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- The button could be larger or contrast more with the background color.
- Additional features such as countdown timers could help decrease cart abandonment without taking away from the existing ad.
7. Engage visitors with a multi-step popup (CharmsToTreasure.com)
What this popup does well:
- Two-step popup: the form appears to the most engaged users who have already clicked “YES.”
- Effective use of a question in the title (makes it less likely for visitors to say “no”).
- Excellent color choices to highlight the offer and CTA.
- The subtle arrow adds style and draws the visitors’ eyes to the CTA button.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- A sticky bar could appear after someone fills out the form to remind them about the offer.
- “10% OFF” could be as bold as the “YES” text.
8. Keep visitors from bouncing with a can’t-miss discount (MyKinin.com)
What this popup does well:
- Cozy background and style: stylish font and color choices.
- Makes a straightforward offer to new customers (hint: your popup discount doesn’t have to be rocket science).
- Doesn’t require much effort on the part of the visitor (think: single field opt-in).
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- Add a “Name” field to allow for personalization.
- A/B test dollar amounts compared to a percentage discount.
9. Encourage immediate action with a time-sensitive special offer (CellPhoneCenter.com)
What this popup does well:
- Bright, complimentary color choices (including the red arrow which pushes website visitors to the CTA).
- The CTA button text creates a subtle sense of urgency.
- Great use of “power words” throughout the copy (i.e. “Today,” “Save,” “Easy,” “Now”).
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- All of the popup text could be uppercase for the sake of consistency and grabbing visitors’ attention.
- A variant without a background picture could drive more attention to the special offer.
10. Make new customers feel like they’re getting an awesome deal (PurePetFood.co.uk)
What this popup does well:
- It has a brilliant, playful design.
- Does double-duty of building your email subscriber list while encouraging shoppers to buy.
- Unique offer: you can order a test product with a discount that can lead to future orders.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- The “20% OFF” text and “TRIAL” button could be more vivid.
- It’s not clear how to use the code: “Should I use the coupon code upon checkout or not?”
- The coupon code is displayed before signing up. This could ultimately hurt the conversion rate and performance of the popup if visitors are redeeming the code without opting in.
11. Present first-time customers with a crystal clear offer (Natural-Fertility-Info.com)
What this popup does well:
- It has a modern and clean design.
- Minimal copy: meanwhile, the offer highlights the text in bold.
- The CTA button is vivid and has a clear message (plus—the simplicity of the single-field opt-in is great for collecting email addresses).
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- The call-to-action button and text could pop more: brighter colors and a bolder typeface would be a good starting point.
- Consider adding a “Name” field to allow for personalization.
- The first line of text could be uppercase for consistency.
12. Put a simple, no-frills discount front-and-center for website visitors (Pond5.com)
What this popup does well:
- Bright and modern design with excellent colors and fonts.
- The company logo fits nicely in the design.
- The CTA button is clear and bold.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- The button text could be stylized with a custom call-to-action phrase instead of “SUBSCRIBE NOW.”
- The popup could work well as a fullscreen message.
- Removing the background picture could draw more attention to the offer.
Limited-time offers
Popup promotions centered around urgency and scarcity are popular for a reason. That is, they encourage immediate action and make your offer feel like it’s too good to miss.
Coupled with the right offer and creative elements, these are among the best popups for sales promotions.
13. Build anticipation and drive sales with a countdown timer (MMAWarehouse.com)
What this popup does well:
- Deliberate design that matches the website’s branding.
- Implements a countdown timer to create urgency and reduce cart abandonment.
- Excellent color choice for the CTA button. The pop of red makes visitors want to click it.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- The coupon code should only be visible after the customer has clicked on the button (to accurately measure conversions).
- They could A/B test a slightly different background color to make their offer stand out more.
14. Tap into your visitors’ FOMO (fear of missing out) (SoggyDoggyDoormat.com)
What this popup does well:
- Ensures that visitors only see the best offers in the store.
- Their limited-time offer creates FOMO.
- Simple and clean design (the light and dark contrast is easy-to-read).
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- The button color could be brighter.
- The text could explain the benefits or specifics of the offers.
15. Reduce cart abandonment with a countdown offer (TapestryGirls.com)
What this popup does well:
- The bright color scheme forces visitors to pay attention to the offer.
- Their bold offer is easy-to-understand.
- The countdown timer nudges visitors to act ASAP.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- The opt-out text could be more legible.
This popup is powered by OptiMonk! Check out how Tapestry Girls saw a 50% increase in conversions after taking advantage of our platform.
Seasonal campaigns & Black Friday popups
It’s no secret that holiday ecommerce is booming as consumers flock to Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other seasonal sales.
Holidays represent an ideal time to run sales promotion popups and are a massive opportunity to boost sales for any ecommerce site.
Check out these seasonal popups below.
16. Delight your seasonal shoppers with gamified popups (EasyologyPets.com)
What this popup does well:
- Unique spin-the-wheel popup which is suitable for the design and season.
- Provides multiple promotions for everyone’s needs (and prevents customers from combining them).
- Playful and fun: doesn’t feel like a traditional promo.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- You could A/B test the color of the button in the center.
- Experiment with positioning of the copy (size, too) and CTA.
17. Highlight your hottest deals (Beddingstock.com)
What this popup does well:
- The Black Friday/Cyber Monday promotion makes the popup time-sensitive.
- The contrasting CTA is a can’t-miss.
- The copy highlights the importance and value of the deal (“BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR”).
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- Could be implemented as a multi-step popup with a code reveal.
Product recommendation popups
Product recommendations account for approximately 33% of ecommerce sales. So, it’s a smart move to guide your visitors towards certain items.
You can customize your “suggested item” popups based on your traffic’s browsing behavior.
Let’s check out some product recommendation popups below.
18. Promote your most popular products | Photopaperdirect.com
What this popup does well:
- Intelligent product recommendations are an excellent personalization technique. For example, OptiMonk lets you show off relevant offers to visitors based on past browsing behavior. This includes products they’ve browsed or items they previously added to their cart.
- It offers three relevant products to the customer. It creates a sense of choice (but doesn’t trigger analysis paralysis).
- The attention-grabbing header text hooks more visitors.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- The headline’s color should contrast more to stand out from the background.
- A/B test the value of the discount to maximize engagement (for example, does 25% or 50% off versus a flat dollar amount of $10 or $15 off perform better?).
19. Welcome returning visitors and remind them of their favorite products (TinyBeastDesigns.com)
What this popup does well:
- It has a striking color scheme that matches the brand.
- Recommends a specific product—making the popup seem more personal.
- Presents itself as a clear welcome and helping hand to the visitor.
What could be optimized or A/B tested:
- Product thumbnail could be larger and clearer: experiment with popup and image sizing.
- They could make the X button easier to find with a circle around it or a more noticeable color and or size.
This is another awesome popup powered by OptiMonk! Read more about how Tiny Beast Designs collected 2,200+ sign-ups in a new store using our popup tools.
5 bonus tips for displaying discount popups (without annoying your visitors)
Let’s say you want to use discount popups, and you’re ready to implement them in your store.
To wrap things up, let’s review some of our popup design best practices and considerations to keep in mind before you ramp up your campaigns.
1. Use gamification to make your discount popups feel less “salesy”
Simply put, we’re a big fan of gamified popups here at OptiMonk (see example #16 above).
Why? Gamified popups don’t feel like sales messages. They represent a playful way to engage with visitors while also encouraging them to make a purchase.
If nothing else, gamified popups are fun and out of the ordinary. This is a stark contrast in comparison to so many brands that don’t put much thought into their promotions.
2. Trigger popups based on actual visitor behavior, not “just because”
Think about the user experience when it comes to presenting your discount codes.
Rather than triggering your popup as soon as someone lands on-site, it’s important to give new visitors some time to breathe and browse.
You don’t want to interrupt your site’s navigation or scare anyone away, right?
This speaks to the importance of behaviorally triggered popups. They are shown based on pre-set criteria that you choose.
For example, you can choose popups that will trigger based on how long someone spends on-site or how much they scrolled through a page. This ensures that your popups are seen by the right prospects.
This improves your chance of converting in the process.
3. Keep your popup design and copy as simple as possible
A common thread among the best popups is that they’re not too complicated.
In short, your popups should be easy to understand at a glance. That means:
- Use simple language, separate into brief, punchy statements versus sentences or paragraphs.
- Remove needless images or anything that could otherwise distract visitors.
- Create a clear CTA button that draws in your visitors’ eyes.
- Add a good and noticeable X button so your shopper can “leave” the popup when they want to.
4. Avoid overwhelming visitors with too many form fields
We get it: you want to collect as much information on your leads and prospects as possible.
But doing so can hurt your chances of winning a customer.
Consider that most people are shopping on their mobile devices. They don’t have as much time as when they’re browsing on their computers at home.
There’s a reason why most discount popups simply ask for names and email addresses: fewer form fields are easier on your visitors and more likely to result in actual opt-ins.
5. Make sure your popup design matches your brand and website
No surprises here: any sales popup on your site needs to match the creatives on your site. This includes your logo, color scheme, terminology and brand voice.
Popups should feel like a seamless part of your site’s navigation and not an in-your-face interruption.
Thankfully, putting together stylish, branded popups can be a cinch thanks to tools like OptiMonk.
You can adapt your discount popups based on your unique branding and messaging in no time. Use our Inspiration Library with hundreds of templates to choose from.
Wanna learn more about how to run popups that your customers will love to see and will increase your revenue up to 10 times? Read our Ultimate Guide to Popups.
Which popup promotions make the most sense for your store?
Popup promotions are powerful for driving sales and building brand loyalty.
That’s if you pay attention to the many moving pieces of your promotions.
Hopefully, these discount popup examples can inspire you to create your own for the sake of scoring more sales.
If you haven’t already, make sure to try out the tons of popup customization features baked into OptiMonk. It’s easy-to-use and integrates into your ecommerce site. You’d be surprised at just how quickly you can get your next sales promotion up and running. Create a free account today and follow the examples above!
