What is a spin-the-wheel popup?
This format doesn’t have one fixed name. Some call it a spin-the-wheel popup, others say spin-to-win or lucky spin. And this name speaks for itself. A spin-the-wheel popup is a gamified opt-in form on a website that attracts the attention of your website visitors and collects their email in exchange for a reward. The spin-the-wheel game mechanic lets you set the reward of your choice, usually, discount codes, free shipping, exclusive gifts, etc.
In e-commerce, gamification isn’t about entertainment for its own sake. It’s about using simple game mechanics — chance, anticipation, reward — to change how users perceive an offer. A discount that’s “won” feels more valuable than the same discount shown in a banner. A small action (like spinning a wheel) breaks passive browsing and pulls the visitor into the interaction.
What spin-the-wheel popup solves & why businesses use it
People love surprises — and that “what will I win?” moment is exactly what makes this type of popup so effective. Instead of asking for an email outright, you're offering a quick, interactive experience with a reward on the other side, capturing engaged email subscribers. Here’s why it works:
The wheel naturally creates a now-or-miss-it moment. Even without hard deadlines, users feel prompted to act immediately — something static signup forms rarely achieve.
A discount revealed through play is perceived as more valuable than the same offer shown outright. That sense of “I won this” makes users more willing to share their email.
- Instant gratification wins
Users see the result right away. No waiting, no vague promises. That immediacy taps into impulse behavior and speeds up decisions.
- Higher-quality subscribers
People who take time to spin the wheel are usually more interested, which means you’re getting more engaged subscribers.
- Attention turns into action
The motion grabs attention; the reward drives action. Simple incentives like discounts or free shipping become much more effective in this format.
Even small wins create a short emotional lift. That moment sticks — and brands that feel enjoyable are easier to remember and return to.
Spin-to-win wheel popup performance benchmarks (2026)
Our benchmarks show a clear performance gap between standard signup prompts and gamified ones. While typical email forms convert around 3.53%, spin-the-wheel mechanics perform at 9.25%, driven by curiosity and instant rewards. And when optimized well, results scale fast: the Top 10% reach 17.98%, with the Top 1% hitting 62.50% conversion rates.
The email capture spin the wheel pop up has proven to convert visitors more effectively than static forms, especially for seasonal promotions. For instance, WHOSE, an accessory brand from Europe, used gamified popups in their Black Friday campaign and got a mind-blowing conversion rate result: from around 3-5% to a massive 50% with the gamified popups. This only proves that this type of wheel pop-up is especially effective for eCommerce websites, where every extra captured visitor can result in increased ROI.
Our benchmarks show a clear performance gap between standard signup prompts and gamified ones. While typical email forms convert around 3.53%, spin-the-wheel mechanics perform at 9.25%, driven by curiosity and instant rewards. And when optimized well, results scale fast: the Top 10% reach 17.98%, with the Top 1% hitting 62.50% conversion rates.
| Winning patterns of Top 25% gamified widgets |
| Pattern & share among Top 25% widgets |
Why this works |
| Popup format — ~73% |
Popups interrupt just enough to be noticed, which matters for games. |
| Centered layout — 61% |
It's instantly readable. Users immediately understand where to look and what to do. |
| Single CTA — 100% |
One clear button keeps the interaction frictionless and avoids decision fatigue. |
| CTA placed at the bottom — ~88% |
Matches natural reading and scanning flow. |
| Visible close button — ~85% |
Users feel in control, which lowers resistance and doesn't hurt engagement. |
| Email-only forms — 56% |
Email is the lowest-friction "currency" users are willing to exchange for a reward. |
| Discount rewards — ~88% |
Discounts are immediately actionable and easy to understand during shopping. |
| Percent-off discounts — ~78% |
They scale with basket size, which makes the reward feel flexible and fair. |
| Promo codes — ~83% |
Codes create a bridge between the game and checkout. The reward feels concrete. |
| No urgency elements — 61% |
The game itself creates enough tension. Extra pressure isn't always needed. |
When & how to use spin-the-wheel popup widget
Spin-the-wheel popups are a versatile tool, but they work especially well for:
- First-time visitors: Use the wheel to make a memorable first impression. New visitors are more likely to engage when there’s something fun and rewarding waiting for them. It’s a great way to turn casual browsers into email subscribers — and even first-time buyers.
- On exit: When a visitor is about to leave, this is your last shot. A spin-to-win popup can re-capture attention. Even if they don’t buy, you might still grab their email for future follow-up.
- Special promos and seasonal sales: Spin-the-wheel popups shine during holidays, limited-time offers, or major sales events. The game element adds excitement to your campaign and creates urgency because prizes are tied to exclusive deals that expire soon.
How spin-the-wheel popup looks
A spin-the-wheel popup typically includes:
- The spinning wheel game element: Users click to spin and see what prize they land on.
- Clearly divided sections with rewards: Every slice of the wheel contains a prize, like a discount, free shipping, or bonus product.
- Email input field: Users must enter their email to spin or to claim the prize after spinning.
- Strong call-to-action: Phrases like “Spin to Win” or “Try Your Luck” make it irresistible to interact.
- Immediate reward display: Instantly informs visitors of their prize to encourage immediate action.