What is Exit Intent Popup? 6 Examples & Best Practices [2025]

You know that moment when a visitor is just about to leave your site? That’s your chance to turn things around.

Exit intent popups swoop in at the perfect time, using smart behavior tracking to deliver a message or offer right before they click away.

Here’s the kicker: studies show you can “save” 10 to 15 percent of those lost visitors with the right exit-intent strategy.

That’s not just a number—that’s real potential to recover sales, cut down on cart abandonment, and boost your conversions.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what exit intent popups are, show you examples that work, and share actionable tips to get the most out of them.

Let’s get started.

What Is an Exit Intent Popup?

Exit intent popups are a powerful way to keep your visitors engaged when they’re about to leave your site. These popups basically work by tracking your cursor movements or other behavior patterns to detect when you’re heading for the exit button.

Right then, a message or offer appears, giving you a reason to stay or take action.

The goal is simple: stop potential losses.

Whether it’s offering a discount, capturing an email address, or collecting feedback, exit intent popups give you one last chance to connect before someone clicks away.

Why Are Exit Intent Popups Effective?

Now that you know what exit intent popups are, let’s talk about why they’re so effective and why you should seriously consider using them.

• Prevent cart abandonment: If someone’s about to ditch their shopping cart, a popup offering free shipping or a discount can be just the nudge they need to finish checking out. It’s like saying, “Hey, don’t leave! Here’s a little something to make your day.”
• Capture leads for email campaigns: Exit popups are perfect for grabbing email addresses. You can offer something valuable—like a free guide or an exclusive deal—and grow your email list effortlessly. Leverage an SPF generator to ensure your emails reach your audience’s inbox and build trust with your subscribers
• Re-engage visitors with targeted offers: These popups let you deliver personalized offers based on what someone’s been browsing. It’s a smart way to bring them back for that item they weren’t sure about.
• Get valuable insights through surveys: Popups asking quick questions, like why someone’s leaving, can give you the answers you need to improve your site and keep visitors around longer. A survey platform can support these efforts seamlessly.
• Offer exclusive deals to close the sale: A time-sensitive discount or bonus can create just the right sense of urgency to make someone act before they leave.

After seeing how they can prevent cart abandonment and capture leads, it’s clear these popups directly impact conversions.

How exit-intent popups increase conversions?

Let’s look at some numbers that show how effective they really are.

• Shockbyte, a game server hosting company, used OptinMonster’s exit popups and more than doubled their sales conversions. That’s the kind of boost every business aims for.
• Reliablesoft.net saw a staggering 300% increase in conversion rates with just one well-placed exit-intent popup. Sometimes, a single popup can make all the difference.
• On average, companies targeting exit intent engage about 7% of their visitors. That might not seem huge, but when you think about how many people visit your site daily, it adds up to significant results over time.

The stats speak for themselves. Exit intent popups give you a practical way to stop losing potential customers and start turning more visitors into leads or paying customers.

6 Examples of Exit Intent Popups That Work

You’ve seen how exit-intent popups can increase conversions, but knowing how to apply them is key.

Let’s dive into six proven exit intent popup examples that not only grab attention but also drive real results.

Example 1: Discount Offers to Recover Abandoned Carts

Discount popups are a powerful way for you to win back visitors who are ready to leave without completing their purchase.

Imagine this: a customer is browsing your online store, adds a few items to their cart, but then hesitates at checkout. Instead of watching them leave, you show a popup offering a 10% discount or free shipping.

This little nudge could be the difference between an abandoned cart and a completed order.

Macy’s frequently uses exit-intent popups to offer discounts like “Sign up for 25% off your first purchase,” targeting visitors who might leave without buying.

You can use Cart Lift to make this process easier. It lets you set up targeted discount offers that appear just as your visitor is about to leave.

Example 2: Limited-Time Offers

Creating urgency can push visitors to act faster. Limited-time exit-intent popups work by offering a deal that expires soon, like “Get 20% off if you check out in the next 10 minutes.”

These popups play on the fear of missing out, a psychological trigger that’s proven to drive conversions.

For example, seasonal sales or flash offers often use this strategy to boost last-minute sales. The ticking clock not only grabs attention but also motivates you to complete your purchase quickly.

Shein uses time-sensitive offers during seasonal sales. When visitors try to leave, they might see a popup saying, “This deal ends in 1 hour—get 20% off now!

Example 3: Content Upgrades for Lead Generation

Not everyone who visits your site is ready to buy right away, and that’s totally fine. You can still turn them into a lead by offering something valuable.

Picture this: someone is reading your blog about, say, improving productivity. Just as they’re about to leave, they see a popup that says, “Want our free checklist for boosting productivity? Enter your email to download it now!”

This kind of offer works because it feels helpful and relevant. You’re giving them something they actually care about while capturing their email. Now, you’ve got a lead you can nurture with more valuable content until they’re ready to convert.

HubSpot offers free resources like eBooks or templates. For instance, if you’re on a blog post, they might show a popup offering a related guide in exchange for your email. But they do it in a strategic way- instead of putting the popup at the middle of the blog they set it as a side downbar.

Example 4: Feedback Collection Forms

Understanding why people leave your site is just as important as keeping them there.

Let’s say a visitor spends a few minutes on your product page but decides not to buy. Right before they go, a popup asks, “What stopped you from completing your purchase?”

This small question opens the door to valuable insights. Maybe they thought shipping costs were too high or they couldn’t find enough product information. By collecting this feedback, you’re showing them you care about their experience while also gathering data to improve your site. It’s a win for both sides.

Here’s an example that asks the audience if they can spare a few minutes to answer survey questions, that help understand user experience and areas for improvement.

Example 5: Free Shipping or Add-Ons

We all know how much people dislike unexpected costs at checkout. That’s where a well-timed popup can make a difference.

Imagine this: your customer is about to leave because of the shipping fee. Suddenly, a popup appears saying, “Add $10 more to your cart and get free shipping!”

It’s a small nudge that not only encourages them to spend more but also makes them feel like they’re getting a better deal. Or you could offer something like, “Checkout now and get a free gift with your order.”

Quince offers free shipping to visitors through exit-intent popups. When a user shows intent to exit, a popup provides free shipping, incentivizing them to complete their purchase.

Example 6: Newsletter Signups

Just because someone isn’t ready to buy doesn’t mean you should lose them completely.

Let’s say a visitor is browsing your store, checking out your products, but decides to leave. Before they go, a popup appears with an offer like this: “Join our mailing list and get 10% off your first order!”

It’s easy for them to say yes—they get a discount just for signing up—and you get their contact information. Once they’re on your email list, you can stay in touch, share updates, and offer deals that eventually bring them back to make a purchase.

It’s a simple way to keep them connected to your brand.

HeyMaeve uses exit-intent popups to encourage newsletter signups. As visitors are about to leave, a popup offers a discount in exchange for signing up, effectively growing their email list.

However, designing an exit intent popup isn’t just about grabbing attention. It’s about giving your visitors a reason to stay or come back.

Best Practices for Designing Exit Intent Popups

Poorly designed popups can frustrate users and hurt your conversions, while well-crafted ones can turn hesitant visitors into leads or customers. A good design keeps things clear, relevant, and targeted to the visitor’s needs, ensuring they see value right away.

Let’s break down some essential tips to help you design popups that work seamlessly for different audiences and devices.

i. Make the Offer Clear and Valuable

The first thing your popup needs is a crystal-clear offer. Address the visitor’s needs directly and make it irresistible.

A phrase like “Wait! There’s an offer for you!” instantly grabs attention. Keep your message short but persuasive, focusing on why the visitor should act now. Overloading with information can be overwhelming, so stick to one strong offer that’s easy to understand.

ii. Use Different Popups for Different Audiences

Your visitors aren’t all the same, so your popups shouldn’t be either. Segment your audience and craft specific messages that resonate with each group.

For example, returning visitors might see a loyalty discount, while new visitors could get a first-time shopper deal. Tailoring your popups this way ensures you’re speaking to the right person at the right time.

iii. Optimize the Design for Mobile and Desktop

Your popup’s design needs to work flawlessly on all devices. A clunky mobile popup can drive users away instead of drawing them in. Make sure your exit popups are responsive and load quickly. A mobile-friendly design, like a small banner or slide-in, keeps the experience smooth and user-friendly without disrupting navigation.

iv. Set Timely and Relevant Triggers

Timing is everything with popups. Using triggers based on user behavior—like scrolling a certain percentage of the page or moving the cursor toward the close button—makes the popup feel more natural and less intrusive. This approach ensures your message reaches visitors when they’re most likely to act.

v. Add a Countdown Timer

Creating urgency is a proven way to nudge visitors toward action, and a countdown timer does this perfectly.

Whether it’s a limited-time discount or an exclusive offer, a ticking clock triggers FOMO (fear of missing out). It’s a subtle push that motivates visitors to act before they lose the deal.

vi. Test and Optimize Regularly

What works today might not work tomorrow, so it’s crucial to keep testing. A/B test different designs, offers, and messaging to see what gets the best response. By regularly analyzing performance and making adjustments, you can ensure your popups stay effective and relevant.

These best practices help you design exit intent popups that feel helpful, not intrusive, while boosting your conversions.

Final Thoughts

Exit intent popups are more than just another marketing tool—they’re a strategic way to keep your visitors engaged and turn potential losses into opportunities.

When designed with the right timing, clear messaging, and audience segmentation, they can significantly boost conversions and improve customer engagement.

Whether your goal is recovering abandoned carts, growing your email list, or offering irresistible deals, exit intent popups provide a practical solution to help you connect with your audience at critical moments.