Collect more emails and drive higher conversions with opt-in pop-up forms that appear at just the right moment in the visitor journey.
Start for Free NowLifetime free plan
All features in a free plan
An opt in popup is a small form that shows up while someone’s exploring your website. It’s your chance to offer something useful — like a free download, a discount, or a spot on your email list — without waiting for them to find a sign-up box on their own.
The key difference from embedded forms? Popups are triggered by visitor behavior. They might appear after someone’s scrolled a bit, clicked a button, or hovered toward the exit. That timing makes them perfect for moments when someone’s already engaged. They work especially well when you want to:
Popups work best when they feel like a natural next step — not a disruption. Set them to appear based on real visitor behavior:
Well-timed opt-in popups don’t feel intrusive — they feel relevant. And that’s how they convert casual visitors into subscribers.
A strong opt-in popup is simple and to the point. It focuses on one action — like subscribing or grabbing a freebie — and makes it easy to follow through. It should have:
A clean, branded opt-in popup looks like part of your site — not a random interruption.
A popup opt in form is most effective when paired with a clear, compelling offer. For example, showing a pop-up that offers a discount, ebook, or bonus content on a landing page or blog post can significantly increase conversions. It also works well in:
When a pop-up opt-in is tied to a visitor’s intent — and delivers real value — it becomes one of the most effective ways to capture leads, grow your email list, and power your email marketing funnel.
Here’s a quick way to build a pop-up opt-in form in Claspo that doesn’t just look good — it actually brings in new subscribers.
Head over to Claspo’s template library and choose one that fits your goal. There are more than a thousand designs, including opt in form templates, ready to go, so you won’t need to build anything from scratch. They’re already laid out with clean formatting that works across devices.
If you want to segment your audience from the beginning, look for a template with radio buttons. That way, people can tell you what kind of content they want — making it easier to personalize your emails later.
Once you’ve picked your template, it’s time to give it your own look and feel. Claspo’s editor makes this easy — just drag things around, tweak the colors, switch up the fonts, and adjust the layout until it fits your brand.
Want to change the options in a radio button field? Click on it, head to the General tab, and swap in your own choices.
You can also drop in your own images or grab something from Claspo’s free media library if you’re short on time. And if your site speaks more than one language, you’re covered — just add different languages for translation, and Claspo will automatically show website visitors the right version based on their browser settings.
Now set the conditions for when your opt in popup should show. You don’t want it to pop up the moment someone lands — that’s easy to ignore. A better option is to wait a few seconds (20 is a good default), or display it once a visitor scrolls partway down the page. Exit-intent triggers are also great — they allow your form to appear right as someone’s about to leave.
The goal here is timing. Show a popup opt in form too soon and it gets ignored. Time it right, and people are far more likely to engage.
Once your form looks good, you’ll want to make sure new signups don’t just sit there. Claspo connects with most common platforms — email tools, CRMs, and others — so it’s easy to keep everything in sync. When someone hits ‘subscribe’, their info can go straight into your system. You can send them a welcome message, tag them for future campaigns, or drop them into an automation — whatever works for your setup.
Explore our full library and find the perfect template to launch your next campaign in no time.
No matter what your goal is, there’s a widget for that. Explore pre-designed user-friendly templates and find the perfect fit for your next campaign.
Done well, a pop-up opt-in form can quietly do a lot of heavy lifting. It’s not there to be flashy — it’s there to meet someone at the right moment and offer them something that actually makes sense. Maybe it’s a discount, early access, or just a chance to stay in the loop. The real power of an opt-in pop-up isn’t in the animation or bold fonts. It’s in the timing. It’s in the way it shows up when someone’s clearly interested — not just scrolling for the first time. You’re not begging for attention. You’re catching it because the offer feels natural.
Marketers who get this aren’t throwing pop-ups on every page. They’re thinking about intent. They’re asking: what’s the person doing right now? Why would they want to hear from us again? And when they do it right, they capture email addresses from people who actually want to stay connected.
That’s what this guide is here for — to help you create a popup that doesn’t interrupt, but invites. You’ll get practical tips, honest strategies, and ideas that work whether you’re brand new or just looking to do things a little smarter. No fluff. Just a better way to use a widget that earns its keep. Let’s dive in and build a form that works as hard as you do.
Let’s clear something up: not every pop-up is an opt in popup. There’s a big difference between a form that invites someone to subscribe — and one that traps them with ‘Enter your email or else’ energy. A real popup opt in form gives people a choice. It shows up, usually with a small offer or helpful promise, and says, ‘Hey, want in?’ That might be for a discount, a guide, or early access to something cool. The user gets to decide. No tricks. No guilt. Just a simple yes or no.
That’s what makes opt-ins work — they’re based on permission. You’re not buying a list. You’re not scraping emails from some sketchy third-party tool. You’re building your own list of email subscribers who actually want to hear from you.
Algorithms shift, ad prices climb, social reach goes up and down. But your email list? That’s yours. Every opt in popup that converts is one more direct connection — someone you can reach without begging a platform for attention.
It’s not about flooding inboxes. It’s about using smart email opt-in software to grow your audience in a way that feels good — for you and for your visitors. Because when someone willingly signs up, they’re already halfway to becoming a customer.
That’s the magic of a solid opt-in: no pressure, no noise — just a clear offer that earns attention and builds trust.
Pop-ups can be powerful — or painfully annoying. If they’re timed well, a pop-up opt-in form can help you turn abandoning visitors into subscribers. But if it hits too early or feels like it’s hijacking the browser window, expect a spike in bounce rates. That’s why context is everything.
Imagine someone just landed on your site. They’re still figuring out what you do — maybe skimming your homepage or reading the first paragraph of a blog post. And then BAM — full-screen popup. That’s not helpful. That’s just an interrupt.
Now flip it. They’ve scrolled 70% down the page. Or maybe they’re hesitating at checkout. They move their mouse toward the ‘close tab’ button. That’s your moment. Smart pop-ups use behavioral triggers. Here are a few that tend to work:
Now think about inline forms. These are more like quiet invitations woven into the page — maybe after a blog post, tucked in a sidebar, or beneath product descriptions. They blend into the content and work best when someone’s already paying attention and reading with interest.
The key takeaway? Not everyone’s ready to see a popup right away. But if you match the offer to their mindset — at just the right moment — it can feel less like an interruption and more like a helpful nudge.
Timing isn’t just a good practice to use — it’s the difference between engage visitors and scare them off.
Let’s be frank: nobody wakes up excited to ‘create a popup’. But when you’re building a funnel that actually works, a smart, well-timed opt-in can do more heavy lifting than half your ads. Here’s how to create an opt-in pop-up that doesn’t just show up — it brings results.
1. Start with the ‘why’.
Before touching any builder or design, know your goal. Want to grow your newsletter? Offer a promo code? Launch a giveaway? Your objective shapes everything — from wording to timing to design.
2. Match the message to the moment.
The secret to a high-performing opt-in popup isn’t just when it appears — it’s what it says, where, and why. Ask yourself:
Tailor your offer to the emotional stage your visitor’s in. People don’t always need a discount — sometimes they just want to feel like they’re getting value, time-saving help, or insider access.
Add subtle urgency. ‘This offer’s available today only’ or ‘Just 5 spots left’ taps into the psychology of fear of missing out (FOMO) — and yes, it still works.
“Exit‑intent on listing advice articles (mobile and desktop) worked best when we swapped a static form for a 3‑step micro‑quiz with a progress bar: “When are you planning to sell?”, “Have you spoken to an agent?”, “Where is your property?” The incentive was clear and helpful: “Email me a personalised seller checklist.” This gave instant value and set clear expectations. Across two weeks (n=29,580 sessions), the quiz captured 7.9% vs 4.2% for the control (+88% relative). Mobile completion rose from 54% to 67%. Downstream, booked agent appointments per 100 emails increased 27%. The small friction of steps actually signalled credibility and weeded out tyre‑kickers."
Barbie Ann Jurolan
Head of SEO & Content, Which Real Estate Agent
3. Craft a short, clear message.
No fluff. Just say what they’ll get, like: ‘Get 10% off your first order’, ‘Join our list for weekly insider tips’, ‘Unlock the free ebook’ etc. Look at real opt-in email examples from brands you admire. What pulls you in?
4. Design for all screens.
A beautiful popup on desktop that breaks on mobile? It’s a no-go. Use a builder that lets you preview and adjust for both. You want something responsive, fast-loading, and easy on the eyes — no matter the device.
5. Add form fields — but only what you need.
Name and email are enough for 90% of cases. The more you ask, the fewer people fill it out. And don’t forget the trust bit: include a link to your privacy policy so visitors know they’re in safe hands.
6. Build with tools that don’t make you want to scream.
There’s no need to hard-code or mess with plugins if you don’t want to.
Modern widget builders — like Claspo — gives you visual editors that make it all intuitive — drag, drop, change, publish. In Claspo you can create a popup and launch it in under 5 minutes.
You’ve got a popup — now make it one people actually want to engage with. Design isn’t just about appearances — it’s about how the popup feels to the person seeing it. Can they read it quickly? Does it make sense right away? Is it inviting or pushy? These are the things that decide whether someone engages or just clicks away.
Make it feel natural.
First, let it breathe. A short delay (about 15–20 seconds) before the popup appears gives visitors a chance to orient themselves. It’s a good practice to use — not just for the user experience, but also to reduce bounce rates caused by immediate interruptions.
Position it smartly. Dead center on the screen works when you’ve got a strong offer, but a subtle slide-in (floating box) might feel more user-friendly if you’re going for a softer ask. Just don’t obstruct key content — nobody wants a popup covering the ‘Add to Cart’ button.
Design for attention.
Use eye-catching visuals, but skip the flashing arrows and clashing colors. A clean layout with a strong headline, supporting image (if any), and a clear CTA button is often all you need. The CTA should highlight the value — something like ‘Get My Free Guide’ or ‘Yes, I Want 10% Off’ is more enticing than ‘Submit’.
Add subtle animations if it fits your brand. A soft fade-in or slide is often enough to draw a visitor’s attention without startling the user. Keep the motion smooth and quick. And yes, always include a visible, working close button. It builds trust and makes your popup feel optional — not like a trap.
Build trust with privacy and transparency.
People are more willing to subscribe when they know what’s coming next. Add a small line near the submit button like: ‘We respect your inbox. Unsubscribe anytime’ or ‘You’ll receive occasional emails with offers and tips. We never share your info’.
If your audience includes folks in the EU it’s smart to mention your privacy policy and let people know what they’re signing up for. It builds trust, keeps your email list healthy, and helps you stay on the right side of data protection rules.
Your pop-up offers need to feel like a no-brainer. The best opt-in email examples have one thing in common — they make the trade feel worth it. Here are a few pop-up opt-in ideas that go beyond ‘sign up for our newsletter’ and actually get clicks — organized by what kind of site you’re running.
For e-commerce sites.
‘Get 10% Off Your First Order’ is a classic for a reason. It works. But you can take it a step further:
With these, your opt-in popup becomes more than a form — it’s a limited-time offer on your landing pages that nudges visitors to take action.
For SaaS and tech products.
Visitors to your site are usually comparison-shopping, cautious, or just curious — so your popup has to give them something they can’t get just by browsing. Here’s what actually works:
By offering something specific and helpful — like a sneak peek, trial extension, or bonus resource — your opt-in popup doesn’t just blend in. It speaks to what the person already wants, and makes their next step obvious.
For bloggers and content creators.
Blog readers are already engaged — your goal is to give them a reason to stick around:
The best part? These pop-ups feel less like an ad and more like a helping hand — especially when they appear just as someone finishes reading. It’s not a disruption. It’s a ‘hey, want to take this further?’
Here’s the thing: pop-ups aren’t dead. Bad ones are. A thoughtful popup opt-in form, shown at the right time, with a clear message and a real benefit, can turn your website into a list-building machine. When done right, it doesn’t interrupt — it invites.
So if you’ve been putting off building your list, this is your sign to start. You don’t need to be a developer to launch something that works. A good opt-in pop-up can be built with the same ease as writing a short email — especially if you’re using a visual tool like Claspo. Just choose your goal, set the timing, drop in your message, and you’re ready to go.
Keep it simple. Make it feel like a helpful nudge, not a pushy ad. When the form looks good, shows up at the right time, and offers something people actually want — that’s when things click. One small widget can make a big difference. And yes — it is possible to grow your email list without annoying your visitors. You just have to respect their time, stay clear about what you’re offering, and keep the experience smooth.
You pick the parameters: when it shows, who sees it, and what they get. Whether it's a welcome discount, a lead magnet, or early access to something new, you’ve got full control — and it actually feels fun to build.