Hi all, I run a site for booking local workshops like cooking classes and art courses. We get around 8,000 visitors a month, but the conversion rate is super low, under 0.5% actually book or sign up.
Traffic is steady, but most people just leave without taking action. I heard exit-intent popups can help, but I’m not really sure how to use them or what works best.
Would love to see some exit intent popup examples or ideas to help keep visitors from leaving and turn them into leads.
Hello @amari-fioravanti
Thanks for sharing your question with the Popupsmart Community!
First of all, exit intent popups convert. Better yet, one of the most effective ways to convert and engage your customers is to show exit popups. How?
Let me tell you about the scenarios of our direct customers; after they started displaying the exit intent popup, they saw a 341% increase in email list subscribers, 290% increase in lead generation efforts, 53% of abandoning visitors back, and a 4.1% increase in sales conversions. Encouraged?
Yes? You can follow the best practices for exit intent popups with the no-code popup builder, Popupsmart.
No? Then, let’s explain exit-intent popups better.
To remove all the question marks in your mind, I’m sharing exactly what exit-intent popups are, how they work, and showing as many examples as possible.
Exit-intent means tracking the mouse movements and scrolling behavior of website visitors and detecting when a visitor is about to leave your website. So, an exit intent popup is popped up when a visitor decides to leave your site.
It is used to collect more forms, generate more email subscribers, and reduce cart abandonment by showing a popup once a visitor’s cursor leaves the frame of your website.
What if there is no courser movement like in mobile devices?
When a visitor comes to your landing page and scrolls up quicker than scrolling down, the exit popup will appear to prevent the user from going back to previous page results.
Exit intent overlay is an excellent opportunity to present an exclusive offer for a product if you target the right pages, the right audience, at the right time.
They work perfectly on landing pages, commercial websites, and online e-commerce stores.
Let me clarify the above statement above.
A user visits an e-commerce website and decides to leave without any conversions.
If you show them an exit intent popup with an irresistible offer that provides higher value than your landing page, they are more likely to purchase an item from your store.
Or if a visitor comes to your store and adds a few products to the cart. Then, they decide to leave to do some research about the same products from other online stores.
Voila, an exit intent popup appears and offers a “40% off” coupon code that expires within 10 minutes. Congratulations, you have a new order!
With an exit-intent popup, you can save abandoned carts and increase your revenue by up to 30%.
Furthermore, I do not recommend that you show exit intent popups to those who have already taken action because it may annoy your customers!
Of course, the conversion rate may vary according to your business type, store quality, or your target market, but if you are not displaying exit popups, you’re leaving a lot of money on the table.
Let’s have a look at 55 successful exit-intent popup examples and explain the exit popup hacks that boost visitor engagement.
1. Lush
Lush created an unmissable design to attract attention, and their humor makes you subscribe right away!
2. Mic
This popup appeared on articles about Trump on mic.com. It is very visible and very relevant to its context. An example of thinking smart!
3. JCrew
J Crew team does a great job of presenting their value proposition with a minimized opt-out choice: submit an email address for accessing exclusive sales.
4. Zendesk
Zendesk aims to regain its visitors who have checked their pricing plans by offering a free product demo with an exit-intent popup.
5. GQ
GQ designed a minimalistic and slick exit-intent popup. Rather than providing a sign up for their general email list, the popup appears depending on what content their visitors were looking at most recently.
6. Skullcandy
Skullcandy includes negative language, “No, I hate saving money,” aiming to persuade visitors to accept their offer. Great sense of humor!
7. CoSchedule
The progress bar alludes that your customers are halfway to receiving a reward. Coschedule does a good job of persuading its visitors with the Zeigarnik effect.
8. Skin Science
Skin Science creates an exit-intent popup appealing to an emotional need by using the words “VIP Insider.” They also provide value in their offer.
9. Milledeux
Clothing retailer Milledeux evokes positive feelings to get visitors’ email addresses when they are abandoning their carts.
10. Zutano
Zutano offers a coupon code for their about-to-leave visitors to make sure they will return to the store.
11. Xero Shoes
Xero Shoes popup creates a sense of urgency and only appears to those who have something in their cart.
12. Roadside Vapes
Roadside Vapes genuinely designed an exit-intent popup with emotional appeal and also offered 10% off to make their visitors come back.
13. Casper
An online mattress retailer Casper shows an exit-intent popup and gives the user a way to earn a fair discount by filling out a short survey.
14. Sivana
Sivana provides a coupon code in the exit-intent popup to users who try to leave the checkout page without any conversions.
15. Pricefalls
Pricefalls catches users with an exit-intent popup, which lets them know the order has not been placed. They use reasonably polite and a little presumptive language.
16. KBauthority
KBauthority approaches its users as they would like to help users continue their tasks in the future rather than merely asking them to sign up for their newsletter.
17. Green Mountain Mustard
Green Mountain Mustard achieved a great job by showing a message that is amplified by a 10% discount and includes humor.
18. Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan plays on its users’ curiosity very well! Visitors give their emails in return to get those makeup hacks with extra ‘secrets.’
19. Canvas Factory
Canvas Factory offers a massive discount, which is very tempting. If massive discounts are sustainable in your store, then why not try it?
20. Which Test Won
Which Test Won designs a minimal and attention-grabbing exit-intent popup to put across value to visitors.
21. Aestheticare
A medical spa center Aestheticare intercepts users with an exit-intent popup that could resonate with website visitors.
22. Gr8t Fires
Gr8tFires, a gas and wood-burning fireplace provider, offers an “installation cost calculator” to their abandoning visitors because their sales cycle is a bit long and requires knowledge about the aspects of the products.
23. Backlinko
Backlinko has used a negative CTA in its exit-intent popup, which successfully establishes the fear of missing out effect in website visitors.
24. Matthew Barby
Matthew Barby includes an appealing mockup of his Growth Hacking eBook and uses an image of the product in his exit-intent popup.
25. Quick Sprout
One of the most significant objections of shoppers is the regret of purchase. Neil Patel overcomes this issue by including a money-back-guarantee on the exit-intent popup.
26. Baby Age
Baby Age makes the buying process easier by including a link to shoppers’ checkout pages. There is no additional action required to complete the purchase. Perfect!
27. Booking
Booking uses an exit-intent popup during the reservation process to show how many other visitors are looking at the same offer. It is a good method to encourage the desired action.
28. Diamond Candles
Diamond Candles offers free shipping to card-abandoning users to encourage them to complete the checkout process.
29. Snack Nation
Snack Nation offers a free sample box to obtain a chance to engage with their prospects and to sell more in the future.
30. Graphic Stock
Web Designer Depot offers seven days of free downloads to attract the attention of leaving users and encourage them to shop.
31. Muubaa
Muubaa reinforces the desirability of their clothing by providing some social proof on their exit-intent popup.
32. VisualDNA
Visual DNA presents quizzes to gather audience insights. Their website users take quizzes to learn who they are in psychological theory. Brilliant!
33. Klient Boost
Klient Boost uses the “pile of poo” emoji in their exit-intent popup to make their visitors smile. Evoking positive feelings will take them up on the parting offer.
34. Social Triggers
Social Triggers try to increase their conversions with the help of the psychology of choice: when people have a choice of not doing something, they are more likely to want to do this thing. Clever idea!
35. Dog Lovers
Dog Lovers affect their website visitors with social proof and emotional triggering approach in their exit-intent popup. Believe me; it works very well!
36. Site Point
Site Point is also using social proof in their exit-intent popup to make them think, “Over 100,000 web developers cannot be wrong; let me try!”
37. Timothy Sykes
Timothy Sykes displays his “Top Trader” badge in the exit-intent popup; hence authority is a powerful sense to maximize conversions.
38. Kindlepreneur
Arrows help the reader comprehend information better than written directions due to selective attention. Kindlepreneur uses arrows on their exit-intent popup to direct viewers’ attention towards the call to action.
39. Crazy Egg
Crazy Egg assumes that a visitor wants to buy one of their plans and does not try to sell a webinar at all. Interesting approach, but it may work!
40. Marie Forleo
Marie Forleo designs an exit-intent popup that emphasizes certain words with the color pink so that people attract more attention to those words than an opt-in box at the bottom.
41. World of Watches
WOW displays a full-screen exit-intent popup that makes sure visitors won’t miss the proposal. The visual is simply stunning and also includes a visible discount amount to encourage even the most reluctant people to subscribe to their newsletter.
42. Leesa
A $100 discount is a great way to arouse the interest of website users. Leesa shows an exit-intent popup that perfectly matches with their visual identity.
43. Hidrate Spark
Hidrate Spark includes practical elements such as a discount, sense of urgency, testimonial comment, and a definite call to action to create an irresistible exit-intent popup.
44. Basic Outfitters
Basic Outfitters presents a catchy headline, a content reminding the benefits of subscribing, and a stunning visual design in their exit-intent popup.
45. Style Runner
Style Runner adds all the ingredients of conversion-ready exit-intent popup like a discount, a sense of community, a call to action highlighting the benefits of subscribing their newsletter.
46. Tim Ferris
Tim Ferris encourages clicking on the desired call to action button in bold red typo and discourages clicking on opt-out in a simple and small typo.
47. Ryan Robinson
Ryan Robinson positions his email newsletter signup as a free course rather than simply presenting the exit-intent popup as a lead generation form. Wonderful marketing!
48. General Assembly
General Assembly influences website visitors’ mind by presenting the curriculum for their Digital Marketing class with an exit intent popup. It provides value very well.
49. Everlane
‘Free shipping’ is an alternative to discount code offer. Everlane provides free shipping to non-cookied visitors in their exit-intent popup to drive conversions.
50. Taft
Taft presents an exit intent popup that gives a sense of speaking directly to their users in a retail store. Very good!
51. Pet Flow
Pet Flow is aware that nobody in their target audience can resist a cute pug saying that subscribe to hear from us. Smart and relevant!
52. Help Scout
Help Scout uses a powerful persuasion tool, social proof, which makes their visitors say that “They have 72,588 subscribers. Am I missing something valuable?”
53. Bounce Exchange
Bounce Exchange leverages loss aversion in their exit intent popup because they know losing money is more painful than receiving money.
54. Zodeys
Who does not like to play? Zodeys presents an entertaining game in the form of a wheel exit intent popup that can be spun out in exchange for a visitor’s email address. Smart idea to generate leads!
55. Copy Hackers
Copy Hackers display a deal in their exit intent popup: a video course access in exchange for the email address of a leaving visitor. Interesting!
I hope this answer has given you some clear ideas about exit popups and how to use them to boost your conversions.
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Which was your favorite exit-intent popup example? Let me know 
Hey @ecesanan I really appreciate you taking the time to explain, plus all those examples!!!
My favorite example has to be Zodeys with the spinning wheel game. It’s fun, interactive and not pushy. I can see this working well for my audience, but since workshops are about experiences rather than products, discounts don’t feel like the best fit for my site.
What kind of offer do you think would attract my audience? I’m wondering if something like a “free trial lesson” or “invitation to a private workshop” would work instead?
I’d also love to hear your ideas on tips and best practices to help me increase the conversion rate of the exit popup I’m going to create.
I’m glad the examples were helpful Since you’re offering experiences (like cooking and art workshops) instead of products, you’re right!
Here are a few suggestions that might suit a service-based business model more effectively:
Such offers turn a casual browser into a lead because they get a taste of what you provide, and it sets your business apart from a run-of-the-mill “10% off” approach.
Encouraging an “opt-out” can actually boost conversions. Why? Because it makes users feel like they have a real choice. For example:
It sounds so counterintuitive that people often think twice before opting out. You’re subtly reinforcing your offer’s value and giving them a light nudge toward a “Yes.”
The more you tailor your exit popups to specific segments, the more relevant they will be. Below you can see how to group your visitors by traffic source and exit intent targeting with Popupsmart:
We tend to think of exit-intent triggers as mouse movement, but on mobile, it’s often about scroll direction or browser back taps.
Luckily, Popupsmart can detect that behavior on mobile and display your popup accordingly. Just ensure your design is responsive so the content is just as crisp on a phone as on a desktop.
Even if you’re selling experiences, scarcity still works wonders. You might say something like:
I mentioned in a previous Community content that the percentage of people make purchases due to FOMO is 60. You can also jump into this conversation for more statistical proof. When visitors realize opportunities are limited, they’re more likely to reconsider leaving without signing up.
Persuasive words like “Wait!” or “Before you go…” can disrupt the user’s exit and spark curiosity. An inviting headline, followed by the benefit of your offer, can convince them to stick around a bit longer. For example:
This short moment can open the door to a sign-up or booking.
The best way to discover which words, images and offers connect the most with your audience is to test your popups.
Regularly review your popup stats in Popupsmart to see which version resonates best.
Tools like Google Analytics and your email marketing platform can help you connect these dots. Popupsmart has built-in analytics as well, making it simpler to monitor performance, see which version of your popup is working best, and continue to optimize over time.
Hey girls, I’ve been following your conversation and wanted to add a few more insights about exit-intent popups and why they can be so powerful for businesses like yours.
I wanted to share some case studies to show how exit popups have drastically increased conversions for businesses across different industries (even though they offer products rather than experiences, the principle is the same).
These examples might spark more ideas on how to adapt exit popups for your workshop bookings:
Shockbyte (e-commerce/gaming)
Reports that 52% of its sales now come from visitors who interacted with their exit-intent popup. Essentially, they catch people just as they’re leaving and offer them a small incentive (like a discount), which doubled their sales conversion rate.
Even a simple message or offer at the right moment can turn would-be abandoners into buyers (or in your case, workshop participants).
Reliablesoft.net (digital services)
Saw a 300% increase in its overall conversion rate with a well-timed, single exit-intent opt-in form. (Source: 40 Exit-Intent Popup Strategies)
You don’t necessarily need multiple popups to see big wins. One carefully positioned exit popup with clear messaging (“Sign up for a free mini lesson” or “Claim your seat now”) can do wonders.
DorukNet (corporate services)
Turkey’s first internet service provider used exit-intent and multistep popups with Popupsmart to boost lead generation. One popup campaign reached a 1.75% conversion rate with 137 new leads, while another multistep form achieved a 37.98% conversion rate, helping DorukNet grow its customer base and reduce exits. (Source: DorukNet’s Journey to Increased Leads & Lowered Exit Rates)
Vegetology (online retail)
Almost doubled their email signups to 13.8% after adding a more personalized exit-intent popup. The additional leads translated to a 21% boost in total sales, as those new signups later made purchases. (Source: How Vegetology Boosted Its Email Signups)
The more aligned your offer is with what visitors actually want, the more likely they’ll sign up. For your workshops, highlight an exclusive experience or a valuable free resource.
Avon (retail)
Achieved a 150% jump in online sales and cut cart abandonment by 16.5% after rolling out targeted exit-intent offers. (Source: How Avon Hungary Increased Revenue)
Avon used promotions and special deals, but you could adapt a similar approach: “Before you go, snag a private invite to our next cooking workshop!” This sense of exclusivity can reel people back in.
Reducing Bounce/Abandonment
Exit popups can “save” around 13.5% of visitors who were otherwise going to leave. For instance, one company cited a 20% drop in cart abandonment by highlighting a small benefit on their checkout page. (Sources: How Kiss My Keto Decreased Their Cart Abandonment Rate, 21 Proven Exit Popup Formulas)
If you notice people leaving your schedule or workshop details page, an exit-intent popup could offer a free mini session, early notifications, or a sign-up for your “insider’s list.”
The thread across all these examples is straightforward: once you capture the user’s attention just before they leave, and present them with a truly compelling reason to stay or come back, you’ll see more leads and bookings.
