How to Add a Popup on WordPress to Skyrocket Engagement?

Don't let the idea of adding a popup overwhelm you! We’ve simplified the process so you can easily add popups to your website.

Do you want to engage your audience with those little nudges on your website, surprising them with messages like "Hey, don’t miss this!" and compelling them to take action? Popups are interactive windows that grab users’ attention just when your website needs it! Whether you want to encourage visitors to sign up for your newsletter, showcase a limited-time offer, or simply guide people to another important page, pop-ups do the trick! 

But here’s the best part: you don’t need to be a coding whiz to learn how to add a popup on WordPress. 

In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through the easy process of adding pop-ups using plugins—no coding required!  From lightbox pop-ups to exit-intent pop-ups and timed pop-ups, there’s no dearth of options to improve your site. 

And with all the great pop-up plugins out there, you can set everything up in a snap, fully customizable to your heart’s content! Ready to make your site pop? Let’s explore how to easily add pop-ups to your WordPress site!

Which Popup Plugin is the Best?

When adding popups to your WordPress website, choosing the right type of plugin is crucial for ensuring that your popups are not only functional but also well-designed and aligned with your site’s overall aesthetic. Most plugins offer excellent customization options, making it easy to create popups that enhance user engagement. 

WordPress popup plugins often come in different types of editors, each offering various levels of customization, functionality, and ease of use. Here are the 5 best WordPress popup plugins you should consider-

Here’s a detailed explanation of the best WordPress popup plugins- 

Bloom 

Bloom is developed by Elegant Themes and is known to offer visually stunning email opt-in forms. From popups to inline forms, this tool has got you covered. The best part? It integrates seamlessly with top email providers, allowing you to grow your email list effortlessly. If you already trust and use Elegant Themes, Bloom is a no-brainer!

Omnisend

Omisend is not just one of the most popular WordPress popup builder plugins but rather a comprehensive SMS and email marketing platform. Along with adding popups, this tool lets you segment audiences, automate campaigns, and get detailed analytics. An exceptional feature of this plugin is that it lets you create a popup in WordPress as per consumers’ behavior. You can create popup windows like exit intent, time on page, etc. to ensure the users are not annoyed!

TrustPulse

If you’ve ever seen those notifications like “Sarah from New York just bought this product,” that’s TrustPulse in action. This plugin uses social proof to build trust and nudge visitors into action. It’s easy to set up and can be customized quickly. With TrustPulse, your site will definitely look like a hub of activity, boosting credibility and conversions.

Thrive Leads

With a drag-and-drop editor, Thrive Leads lets you create aesthetically appealing popups, sticky ribbons, and slide-ins without any coding skills. It also comes with powerful targeting options and in-depth analytics to fine-tune your strategy. Overall, it is a powerhouse that delivers both style and substance.

OptinMonster

OptinMonster is a fan-favorite for turning visitors into subscribers and customers. Its exit-intent technology helps you catch users before they leave. The plugin offers a variety of forms—lightboxes, slide-ins, and full-screen welcome mats—and advanced targeting options to hit the right audience at the right time.

Also Read: Make your Website Mobile-Ready with WordPress Plugins- Here’s How!

Steps on How to Add a Popup on WordPress

After diving deep into research and hands-on experimentation, we’ve curated a list of powerful WordPress popup plugins that make creating popups a breeze. All of the plugins listed above have a similar process of creating popups and are simple to use. 

Among these standout options, we will be using Omnisend to guide you step-by-step through the process of adding an attention-grabbing popup box on websites. So, here’s how you can turn your site into a conversion powerhouse effortlessly:

Setting Up Omnisend

Step 1: Sign Up or Login 

On your browser, search omnisend.com and open the website to begin the process. Login to the website or sign up if you do not already have an account. 

Step 2: Setup Your Store

Once you have logged in to your account, you will now be required to set up your store on Omnisend. Choose your e-commerce platform from the different options available- Shopify, Woocommerce, Adobe Commerce, and others. 

Now that you have set up your store, you can go over to the WordPress website and install the plugin. This plugin will help you create and manage a popup form on WordPress to improve user engagement. 

*Please note- we have selected Woocommerce store for this tutorial 

Installing Plugins on WordPress 

Step 1: Open WordPress.com, login to your account, and then choose the ‘plugin’ option from the list at the right side of your screen. 

Step 2: Search ‘Omnisend’ in the search bar and select the required plugin as per your requirements. This is a great option for creating a free popup for websites with minimal effort. 

Step 3: Upon selecting the plugin (In this case- Email Marketing for WooCommerce by Omnisend) you will now land on a page that offers full information about the plugin. Scroll down through the page and understand the relevant information. Once satisfied- click on the ‘get started’ option and initiate the process of creating a free popup for the website. 

Adding Popup to Boost Sales

Step 1: If you're wondering how to add a popup in WordPress, this step sets the foundation. After adding the plugin, you will now be required to log in to your WordPress account and fill in the details about your store. Finally, give permission to Omnisend to access your WooCommerce store and get started. 

Step 2: Now, log in to your Omnisend account and click on the Forms tab. Next, click on the Create Form button. 

Step 3: You will now see a default WordPress popup form on your screen. You can edit this form by customizing form fields and layout options. 

Step 4: Once done, you can press the publish button and your popup will be ready! You can also opt for the automation options offered by Omnisend to streamline your work further. 

How We Shortlisted the Best Popup Plugins for WordPress

Now that you know all about how to make a popup on WordPress, the next big question is which popup plugin is the right choice for you?  While drafting this guide for you, we researched and tested the plugins, and here’s how we came up with our top 5 choices- 

Ease of Use

The first and foremost consideration for us was the ease of use offered by each of these plugins. From installing the plugin to actually designing, we thoroughly tested each one to ensure their easy functionality. The plugins that we have listed here offer simple drag-and-drop builders, pre-designed templates, and much more. 

Customization Options

Next, we evaluated the customization options offered by these plugins. We reviewed their ability to design different types of popups. We also tested if these plugins offered the option to adjust colors, fonts, animations, and more. 

Targeting and Triggering

We looked at how well the plugins allow targeting specific audiences and triggering popups. Features like exit intent, time delays, page-level targeting, and behavioral triggers were tested to see if they worked seamlessly.

Integration with Other Tools

We checked the plugins’ ability to integrate with email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, HubSpot), CRM tools, and other third-party software. Smooth and quick integration was a must for better usability.

After Testing the Plugins, These are the Popup Types to Choose From

So far, we have learned all about how to add a popup to a website. Now, let us understand the different types of popups that you can add to boost user engagement on your website.

Popups for WordPress sites can be divided into two broad categories: 

By Function

These popups are categorized by their design and actual appearance on the screen. The main function of this type of popup is on the user’s experience and direct interaction with the customer itself. 

By Goal

These popups are categorized based on specific goals. Each popup is targeted to help you achieve specific marketing objectives. 

Final Verdict!

For anyone wondering how to add a popup on WordPress, the process is simple, effective, and rewarding! With the help of powerful plugins, you can create visually appealing and highly targeted popups that align with your website goals. 

Remember, the key to success is balance—design popups that engage visitors without disrupting their browsing experience. Test different styles, monitor performance, and optimize your strategies to maximize results. Whether you're running an eCommerce store, a blog, or a business site, popups can be a game-changing tool when implemented thoughtfully.