How to Increase Email Signups with Shopify Popups

Email signups are one of the few growth levers you can control long-term. Algorithms change, ad costs climb, attribution gets messy—but an owned list keeps paying you back with repeat purchases, winback flows, and launches that don’t depend on the next CPM spike.

Shopify popups are the fastest way to grow that list because they meet shoppers at the exact moment they’re deciding: “Do I trust this store?” and “Is this worth it?” Done well, popups don’t feel like interruptions—they feel like helpful offers.

This guide breaks down practical, conversion-focused ways to increase email signups with Shopify popups, including what to offer, when to show it, how to keep it mobile-friendly, and how to test your way to better results.

Why email popups still work (and why they matter more now)

Popups get a bad reputation because many stores use them as blunt instruments. But when you treat them as part of your conversion optimization system—targeted, relevant, and respectful—they perform.

According to Shopify’s breakdown of email popups, email popups have an average conversion rate of 4.01% and are a key way to collect first‑party data. That “first‑party” part is the point: as third‑party tracking becomes less reliable, your email signups become the cleanest path to consistent revenue.

Shopify also highlights that personalized campaigns convert better than generic ones and that discounts can dramatically increase signup rates—useful context when you’re deciding whether your popup should be “Join our newsletter” or “Get 10% off your first order.”

If you want the bigger picture—how lead capture fits into the future of ecommerce—Shopify’s guide on building a lead capture strategy for ecommerce is a solid reference for why list growth is more than a nice-to-have.

The popup types that drive the most email signups

Not every popup should be a “newsletter popup.” The highest-performing stores use different formats depending on intent.

1) Welcome popups for new visitors

A welcome popup is your default list builder: it targets first-time visitors and gives them a reason to stay connected.

Best use cases

• New visitors landing on product pages or collections
• Brand-new stores that need list volume quickly
• Stores with strong value props (quality, guarantees, free shipping thresholds)

What makes it convert

• A specific benefit (not just “Subscribe”)
• Minimal form friction (email first; optional fields later)
• A clear next step after submission (code reveal, confirmation, or “Check your inbox”)

2) Exit-intent popups to capture “almost lost” traffic

Exit-intent popups are designed to convert people who were about to leave anyway—so they’re perfect for lead capture without tanking on-page experience.

Shopify cites research showing popups can increase conversions, and their guide on exit-intent popup best practices explains why this format is so effective at saving abandoning visitors.

High-converting exit-intent angles

• “Want 10% off before you go?”
• “Get restock alerts + early access”
• “We’ll send a quick size guide” (for apparel)

3) Spin-to-win popups for shoppers who like a little fun

Gamified popups can feel less like a demand and more like a mini‑experience. They also let you vary the reward (5%, 10%, free shipping, gift) without making your brand look like it’s always discounting.

If you want a deeper look at the psychology and templates behind this format, check out Spin-to-Win popups for Shopify.

4) Flash-sale or timed-offer popups

These are especially useful when you have real urgency (seasonal collections, limited runs) or a reason to “bookmark” the store.

Smart approach: collect the email signup first, then deliver the offer by email as well. That way, the popup drives immediate action and strengthens your email channel for the next campaign.

Offers that increase email signups (without training customers to wait for discounts)

A discount can work brilliantly, but it shouldn’t be your only tool. The goal is to match the offer to what the shopper actually values.

Use a discount strategically

Shopify’s research notes that discounts can drive significantly more signups than non-discount asks (source). That doesn’t mean “always discount.” It means:

• Use discounts for first-time visitors who show purchase intent
• Keep the discount modest (enough to tip the decision)
• Protect margins by adding conditions (minimum spend, bundles)

Try non-discount lead magnets

These often produce higher-quality leads (people who want the brand, not just the deal):

• Early access to drops
• Restock alerts for sold-out variants
• A quick buying guide (skin type quiz, size chart, “which model fits?”)
• VIP perks (points, member-only gifts)

Make the copy specific

Compare:

• “Join our newsletter”
• “Get weekly skincare routines + 10% off your first order”

Specificity is conversion optimization in plain language.

Timing and targeting: how to show fewer popups and get more signups

Most popup underperformance comes down to one thing: showing the same message to everyone.

Use behavior-based triggers

Start with triggers that match intent:

• Time on site (5–12 seconds): good for welcome popups
• Scroll depth (30–60%): great for content-heavy pages
• Add-to-cart but no checkout: ideal for cart-related offers
• Exit intent: best for saving abandoning visitors

Segment by page type

Different pages need different asks:

• Homepage: brand promise + light offer
• Collection pages: category-specific value (e.g., “Get a fit guide”)
• Product pages: variant-specific incentives (restock alerts, size help)
• Cart: reassurance + checkout-focused help (shipping, returns, small incentive)

Personalize the offer when you can

Shopify points out that personalized campaigns convert better than generic ones (source). Even simple personalization counts:

• “Get 10% off your first order” (new visitors)
• “Get notified when this size returns” (variant-level)
• “Free shipping at $50—want the code?” (cart threshold)

If you’re looking for more targeting ideas, the examples in 5 proven ways to boost conversions with Shopify popups map nicely to real storefront behavior.

Design that converts (especially on mobile)

A popup that looks fine on desktop can feel unbearable on a phone. If mobile is most of your traffic (it usually is), your popup UX is your signup rate.

Some industry benchmarks emphasize how much mobile performance matters. Popupsmart’s benchmark report notes that mobile campaigns can drive more conversions than desktop (source). Whether your store matches that delta or not, it’s a reminder to treat mobile as the default.

Keep the layout frictionless

• One field first: email
• Large tap targets
• Clear close button
• Avoid tiny legal text blocks (link to policies instead)

Use imagery thoughtfully

Wisepops reports that popups with images can convert better than those without (source). The key is to make the image do a job:

• Show the hero product
• Reinforce the benefit (bundle photo, “before/after,” lifestyle)
• Build trust (badge row: free returns, warranty, shipping)

Match the popup to your brand

A popup shouldn’t look like it was glued onto your site.

• Use your type scale
• Keep the CTA language consistent with your brand voice
• Avoid neon colors unless that’s your identity

For practical mobile UX patterns that don’t annoy shoppers, use Mobile popup design patterns that convert as a checklist.

Keep it compliant (and still high-converting)

Email signups touch privacy laws and platform expectations. You don’t need to turn your popup into a legal document, but you do need to be clear.

Simple compliance best practices

• Be explicit about what they’re signing up for (offers, updates, restocks)
• Link to your privacy policy
• Use appropriate consent language where required
• Store consent details when your tooling supports it

If you want a practical, Shopify-specific checklist, GDPR-compliant popups for Shopify lays out what to include and where.

A/B testing: the fastest way to grow email signups without guessing

Conversion optimization gets much easier when you treat your popup like a product: iterate, measure, improve.

What to test first (highest impact)

1. Offer (10% vs free shipping vs early access)
2. Trigger (time vs scroll vs exit intent)
3. Audience (new vs returning, page type)
4. Creative (image vs no image, headline variations)
5. Form friction (email only vs email + SMS)

Metrics to track beyond “popup conversion rate”

A popup can generate a lot of low-quality leads. Track:

• Signup rate by device (mobile vs desktop)
• Revenue per subscriber over 7/30 days
• Discount code redemption rate
• Spam/invalid email rates
• Unsubscribe rate from the welcome flow

Tools like Revenue Boost (a Shopify popup app) are built for this style of iteration: running targeted popups (newsletter, spin‑to‑win, flash sales, exit intent), testing variations, and staying mindful of GDPR compliance without making your storefront feel cluttered.

High-converting examples you can adapt

Use these as starting points—then tailor them to your product and margin.

Welcome popup (new visitors)

Headline: “Get 10% off your first order” Subhead: “We’ll also send restocks + member-only drops.” CTA: “Send my code”

Exit intent (product page)

Headline: “Not ready yet?” Subhead: “We’ll email you a quick guide so you choose the right one.” CTA: “Email me the guide”

Restock capture (sold out)

Headline: “Want it when it’s back?” Subhead: “Get a one-time email the moment this size returns.” CTA: “Notify me”

Spin-to-win (browsing)

Headline: “Spin for a surprise perk” Subhead: “Win 5–15% off or free shipping.” CTA: “Spin now”

Common mistakes that quietly kill signup rates

• Showing the popup immediately on page load: it feels like a tax, not an offer.
• Generic copy: “Subscribe” doesn’t tell shoppers what they get.
• No segmentation: the same popup on every page wastes attention.
• Ignoring mobile: cramped layouts and hard-to-close modals cost signups.
• Discounting everyone: you’ll grow the list, but you may lower AOV and conversion quality.

FAQ

What’s a good conversion rate for email popups?

Shopify reports an average email popup conversion rate of 4.01% (source). Your “good” rate depends on traffic quality, offer, and targeting—use A/B tests to beat your own baseline.

Are exit-intent popups worth it on Shopify?

Yes—exit intent is designed to capture visitors who were leaving anyway. Shopify’s exit-intent guide summarizes best practices and why this format helps recover otherwise lost traffic (source).

Will popups hurt user experience or SEO?

They can if they’re aggressive on mobile or hard to dismiss. Keep triggers reasonable, make the close button obvious, and tailor mobile layouts so the popup feels like part of the shopping flow.

Should I offer a discount or a non-discount incentive?

If you need volume fast, a modest first-order discount often converts well. If you want higher-intent leads, try early access, restock alerts, or a short buying guide—then compare downstream revenue per subscriber.

A simple next step

If you want to increase email signups quickly, pick one popup type (welcome or exit intent), write a specific offer, and run two A/B variants for a week. Small changes—especially in offer and trigger—often beat big redesigns.

When you’re ready to scale beyond a single popup, Revenue Boost can help you run smart Shopify popups (newsletter, spin‑to‑win, flash sales, exit intent), test what works, and keep compliance in check—without turning your store into a pop-up minefield.