Website Popups - A Practical Solution

In just a few seconds, a popup window will appear towards the top right of this page. It's a demo of how to use website popups while respecting your visitors.

The popup displays my newsletter registration. When you see it, you can simply check the box stating you do not wish to see it again and, upon subsequent visits to this page, the popup will not appear.

Website popups have a bad reputation. However, when used appropriately, they can drastically increase registrations and newsletter signups.

There are four rules I have developed for the effective use of website popups.

Make sure your popup does not block important page content.
Make sure your popup does not actually open up a new window in your visitor's browser.
Only use popups to give away valuable free stuff in exchange for an email address.
Make sure your visitors can control whether they see the popup on future visits.

If you can follow these basic rules, you should see a substantial increase in website registrations and newsletter signups. In my own case, I saw a 300% increase in my newsletter signups.

The Ultimate Popup Creator

Although I have a newsletter signup box in the top right of every web page, it can get lost in all the other page information.

Because of this, I wanted to find a way to draw attention to my free monthly newsletter. Although I was hesitant to use website popups, I came across a program that allowed me to create them in a way that wouldn't annoy my visitors.

This program, called the Advanced DHTML Popup Pro, allows anyone (even non-designers like myself) to create great looking popups that catch visitor attention without being annoying. In addition, they allow the visitor to check a box if they wish to never again see the popup.

Here are some of the benefits of using this program.

Instead of opening up a new popup window, the DHTML Popup opens up within your existing webpage. This means that they are immune to traditional popup blockers.
Design options allow for a box the visitor can check if they do not want to see the popup again in the future.
The interface allows non-designers to create professional looking website popups.
Options are available to embed popup movies, surveys, quizzes and much more.

Let's take a brief look at what is involved in creating a popup like the one you saw when first landing on this page.

Popup Creation - An Example

The 'D' in DHTML stands for 'Dynamic.' DHTML allows for website popups to display within your HTML page. This means that the popup window is not actually a new window that opens, but a 'window' within your existing web page. This is why standard popup blockers can't detect it - it's not actually opening up a separate window.

Let's take a quick look at how the Advanced DHTML Popup Pro quickly allows you to create visitor friendly popups.

Step 1: Pick a Template
The first step in using this program is to select from the built-in templates. You'll find quite a few options here, from creating popup surveys to designing tool tips to creating embedded movies that hover in a specified area of your web page.

In this example, I'm simply creating the popup you viewed when you first came to this page. This template is called the "dontshowagaincheck."

Step 2: Modify the Template
Next, you simply modify the dimensions of the popup, the color scheme and text. As you make your changes, you will get to see the effects in real time. This makes it easy to modify and change the popup as much as you want until you are happy with the result.

You can also set how you want the popup to display, from dropping in to zipping over to fading in. You can also have popup slide off the page or dissolve away after a set amount of time.

Step 3: Compile and Upload
Once you're happy with your design, you simply click a button to compile the code and files you will need to upload to your server.

There are four small files that need to be uploaded to the same location as the page that will display the popup. The only thing left is to paste in a few lines of JavaScript code on the page and you are finished. You'll have an instant popup that will minimize visitor annoyance while increasing conversion.

Final Recommendation and Pricing Information

While you may be able to find some free JavaScript code to configure similar styles of DHTML popup, the advantage of paying for Advanced DHTML Popup Pro is the ease of design and the flexibility to quickly and easily change/reconfigure your popups.

In addition, the program provides an almost unlimited use of marketing creativity, from the creation of floating videos to helpful tool tips that are activated when a visitor hovers their mouse over a particular area.

Currently, the program is priced at $39.95 and that allows you to create as many popups as you want on as many websites that you want. In addition, software upgrades are 100% free.

There is a less expensive Lite version for $21.95, but I passed on it once I saw the limited design capability. In addition, the Lite version is not Windows Vista compatible, which is rather odd since Vista is a few years old now.

I'll give you some advanced warning. The manufacturer's website is literally packed with information. While the website could use a little streamlining, it doesn't reflect on the quality of the product. The core product is outstanding, even if it could have used a more marketable name.

If you are looking for a simple, easy-to-use and relatively inexpensive popup solution, look no further. Find out more information on this great product at the manufacturer's website below.

Advanced DHTML Popup Pro