The use of pop-ups are great for engaging users. You can generate generating leads, offer special discounts, offer free samples or add people to your newsletter. The downside is they could cause users to leave your site if they are met with intrusive pop-ups when they initially land on your site. This is like walking into a grocery store and having someone pushing a new product sample on you as soon as you walk in the door. Or, it could be the perfume kiosk that exists in malls. You walk around them and avoid eye contact because all you want to do is buy what you came for and get out. Think about your user experience.
• When is the best time to display your pop-up?
• Is it after they have read a particular section of content?
• Is it after they have spent a certain amount of time on your site or a particular page?
Pop-ups can be useful tools but think strategically about where it should be displayed. You don’t want site visitors to leave before you give them a reason to engage with your pop-up.