Creating Your First Popup: Complete Builder Guide

Ready to create your first popup? This in-depth guide will take you from selecting a template to publishing a high-converting popup campaign. Whether you're building an email capture form, promotional banner, or interactive spin wheel, you'll learn everything you need to master EngagePop's powerful visual builder.

Table of Contents

1. Starting Your Popup: Templates vs. Blank Canvas
2. Understanding the Popup Builder Interface
3. Working with Builder Elements (38+ Components)
4. Designing Your Popup Layout
5. Configuring Display Settings
6. Setting Up Triggers
7. Advanced Targeting Rules
8. Styling and Customization
9. Adding Forms and Collecting Data
10. Preview and Testing
11. Publishing Your Popup
12. Best Practices and Tips

---

Starting Your Popup: Templates vs. Blank Canvas {#starting-your-popup}

When you click "Create Popup" in your dashboard, you'll have two options: start with a professionally designed template or build from scratch.

Option 1: Using Pre-Built Templates

EngagePop offers 7+ categories with multiple templates in each:

1. Newsletter Templates

Perfect for email list building with proven high-conversion designs:

• Simple email capture forms
• Two-step opt-in designs
• Social proof integrated layouts
• Exit-intent email popups

When to Use:

• Building your email list
• Blog subscriber acquisition
• Content upgrade downloads
• Weekly newsletter signups

2. Sales & Promotional Templates

Eye-catching designs for discounts and special offers:

• Percentage discount announcements
• Dollar amount off promotions
• Free shipping offers
• Limited-time sale alerts

When to Use:

• Flash sales and limited offers
• First-time visitor discounts
• Cart abandonment recovery
• Seasonal promotions

3. Black Friday/Holiday Templates

Seasonal designs that create urgency:

• Holiday-themed graphics
• Countdown timer integration
• Gift and promo code displays
• Festive color schemes

When to Use:

• Black Friday/Cyber Monday
• Christmas and New Year sales
• Valentine's Day promotions
• Any seasonal campaign

4. Countdown Timer Templates

Time-sensitive offers that drive immediate action:

• Evergreen countdown (resets per visitor)
• Fixed deadline countdown
• Daily deal templates
• Flash sale announcements

When to Use:

• Limited-time offers
• Product launches
• Event registrations with deadlines
• Creating scarcity and urgency

5. Gamification Templates

Interactive experiences that boost engagement:

• Spin-the-wheel designs
• Mystery gift reveals
• Scratch card concepts
• Interactive prize popups

When to Use:

• First-time visitor engagement
• Email capture with incentive
• Increasing time on site
• Making opt-ins fun and memorable

6. Announcement Templates

Clean, professional designs for important updates:

• Product launch announcements
• Feature release notifications
• Company news
• Event invitations

When to Use:

• New product/feature announcements
• Webinar invitations
• Policy updates
• Important company news

7. Upsell/Cross-sell Templates

Smart recommendation designs:

• "You might also like" layouts
• Bundle deal presentations
• Complementary product suggestions
• Upgrade offer designs

When to Use:

• E-commerce product pages
• After adding to cart
• During checkout process
• Post-purchase thank you pages

Option 2: Starting from Blank Canvas

Choose the blank canvas when you:

• Have a specific design vision
• Want complete creative control
• Need a unique layout not covered by templates
• Are building a branded experience

Blank Canvas Popup Types:

• Popup (Modal): Center-screen overlay
• Banner: Top or bottom of screen
• Slide-In: Slides from corner or side
• Fullscreen: Takes over entire viewport
• Embed: Inline content on page

---

Understanding the Popup Builder Interface {#builder-interface}

The EngagePop builder is divided into four main areas:

1. Left Sidebar: Elements Panel

Contains 38+ draggable elements organized by category:

• Content Elements (heading, text, image, video, button, divider, spacer)
• Form Elements (email form, input, checkbox, rating, wheel)
• Interactive Elements (countdown, social links, coupon code)

2. Center Canvas: Visual Editor

Your popup preview with:

• Drag-and-drop functionality
• Click-to-edit text
• Resize handles for elements
• Live preview as you build
• Grid guidelines for alignment
• Device preview modes (desktop, tablet, mobile)

3. Right Sidebar: Settings Panel

Context-sensitive settings that change based on:

• Selected element (when element is clicked)
• Popup settings (when no element is selected)
• Display options, triggers, and targeting

4. Top Toolbar: Actions

Quick access to:

• Save draft
• Preview
• Publish/Unpublish
• Device switcher (desktop/tablet/mobile)
• Undo/Redo
• Popup name editor

---

Working with Builder Elements (38+ Components) {#builder-elements}

Let's explore every element available in EngagePop's builder and when to use each.

Content Elements

1. Heading Element

Creates attention-grabbing headlines.

Properties:

• Text content (editable inline)
• Font size (H1-H6, or custom)
• Font weight (100-900)
• Font family (system fonts + Google Fonts)
• Color picker
• Text alignment (left, center, right, justify)
• Line height
• Letter spacing
• Custom CSS classes

Best Practices:

• Keep headlines under 10 words
• Use H1 for main headline only
• Create hierarchy with H2/H3 for subheadings
• Use action words ("Get", "Discover", "Claim")

Example Uses:

• "Get 20% Off Your First Order"
• "Join 50,000+ Subscribers"
• "Limited Time: Free Shipping"

2. Text Element

For body copy, descriptions, and paragraphs.

Properties:

• Rich text content
• Font size and family
• Color and background
• Text alignment
• Line height
• Padding and margins
• Custom CSS

Best Practices:

• Keep copy concise (2-3 sentences max)
• Focus on benefits, not features
• Use bullet points for multiple items
• Match tone to your brand voice

3. Image Element

Display photos, logos, illustrations, or graphics.

Properties:

• Image upload (JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, SVG)
• Alt text (for accessibility and SEO)
• Width and height (px, %, auto)
• Alignment (left, center, right)
• Border radius (for rounded corners)
• Link URL (make image clickable)
• Object fit (cover, contain, fill)

Best Practices:

• Optimize images before upload (< 200KB recommended)
• Use WebP format for smaller file sizes
• Always add descriptive alt text
• Use high-quality images (2x resolution for retina displays)

Common Uses:

• Product photos
• Brand logos
• Trust badges
• Feature illustrations
• Hero images

4. Video Element

Embed video content from YouTube, Vimeo, or custom sources.

Properties:

• Video URL (YouTube/Vimeo)
• Autoplay (on/off)
• Loop video (on/off)
• Muted by default
• Show controls
• Custom thumbnail
• Aspect ratio (16:9, 4:3, 1:1)

Best Practices:

• Keep videos short (under 2 minutes)
• Always mute autoplay videos
• Add custom thumbnail for better CTR
• Use videos sparingly (can slow popup load)

Use Cases:

• Product demonstrations
• Testimonial videos
• Explainer content
• Brand story videos

5. Button Element

Call-to-action buttons that drive conversions.

Properties:

• Button text
• Button action (submit form, close popup, go to URL, open popup)
• Link URL and target (same window, new tab)
• Button size (small, medium, large, custom)
• Colors (background, text, border)
• Hover effects (color changes)
• Border radius
• Padding and margins
• Icon (optional, before/after text)
• Full width option

Best Practices:

• Use action-oriented text ("Get Started", "Claim Offer", "Download Now")
• Make buttons large enough to tap on mobile (min 44x44px)
• Use contrasting colors that stand out
• Limit to 1-2 buttons per popup (primary + secondary)
• Position primary button prominently

Button Text Examples:

• ❌ "Submit" → ✅ "Get My Discount"
• ❌ "Click Here" → ✅ "Start Free Trial"
• ❌ "OK" → ✅ "Yes, I Want This!"

6. Divider Element

Horizontal lines to separate content sections.

Properties:

• Line style (solid, dashed, dotted)
• Line thickness (1-10px)
• Color
• Width (%, px)
• Margins (top and bottom)

Use Cases:

• Separating header from body
• Dividing different offers
• Creating visual breathing room

7. Spacer Element

Adds vertical spacing between elements.

Properties:

• Height (px)

Best Practices:

• Use spacers instead of margins for consistent spacing
• Mobile spacing: 20-30px between sections
• Desktop spacing: 30-50px between sections

Form Elements

8. Email Form Element

Pre-built email subscription form with validation.

Properties:

• Placeholder text
• Button text
• Required field (on/off)
• Email validation
• Input styling (colors, borders, padding)
• Error messages
• Success action (show message, redirect, close popup)

Pre-built Features:

• Automatic email validation
• Anti-spam protection
• Submit button included
• Loading state
• Error handling

Best Practices:

• Use motivating placeholder ("Enter your email for 20% off")
• Clear button CTA ("Get Discount" vs "Submit")
• Add privacy note ("We respect your privacy")

9. Input Field Element

Collect any type of text data from visitors.

Properties:

• Field label
• Placeholder text
• Input type (text, email, number, phone, URL)
• Required/optional
• Default value
• Min/max length
• Pattern validation (regex)
• Custom error messages

Input Types:

• Text: Names, comments, feedback
• Email: Email addresses with validation
• Number: Quantities, ages, amounts
• Phone: Phone numbers with formatting
• URL: Website addresses

Use Cases:

• First name + last name collection
• Phone number capture
• ZIP code collection
• Company name
• Custom question responses

10. Checkbox Element

Single or multiple checkboxes for consent or options.

Properties:

• Label text
• Checked by default (on/off)
• Required field
• Checkbox size and color
• Label position (left/right)
• Multiple checkboxes (group)

Common Uses:

• Terms and conditions consent
• Newsletter opt-in
• Product preference selection
• Privacy policy agreement
• Marketing consent (GDPR compliance)

GDPR Best Practice: "☐ I agree to receive marketing emails from [Company]. You can unsubscribe at any time."

11. Rating Element

Interactive star rating for feedback.

Properties:

• Number of stars (1-5 or 1-10)
• Default rating
• Star color (empty and filled)
• Star size
• Required field

Use Cases:

• Customer satisfaction surveys
• Product reviews
• Service feedback
• Experience ratings
• Exit surveys

12. Wheel Element (Gamification)

Interactive spin-the-wheel for prizes.

Properties:

• Number of segments (4-12)
• Segment labels (prize names)
• Segment colors
• Win probabilities per segment
• Spin button text
• Winning popup message
• Coupon code display

Segment Configuration: Each segment has:

• Label (e.g., "20% OFF", "Free Shipping")
• Color
• Win probability (%)
• Associated action (show coupon, redirect)

Best Practices:

• Include 1-2 high-value prizes (10-20% win rate)
• Majority should be mid-value (50-60% win rate)
• Add 1 "Try Again" segment (20% rate)
• Require email before spin for lead capture

Example Wheel Setup:

1. 30% OFF - 5% chance (high value, rare)
2. 20% OFF - 15% chance
3. 15% OFF - 25% chance
4. 10% OFF - 30% chance
5. Free Shipping - 20% chance
6. Try Again - 5% chance

Interactive Elements

13. Countdown Timer Element

Create urgency with time-sensitive displays.

Properties:

• Timer type (evergreen, fixed date, daily reset)
• End date/time (for fixed countdown)
• Duration (for evergreen, e.g., 15 minutes)
• Display format (days, hours, minutes, seconds)
• Label text ("Offer ends in:", "Sale ends:")
• Number colors and style
• Label colors
• Expired action (hide popup, show message, redirect)

Countdown Types:

1. Fixed Deadline:

• Counts down to specific date/time
• Same for all visitors
• Best for: Flash sales, event registrations, product launches

2. Evergreen Countdown:

• Starts when visitor first sees popup
• Personal deadline per visitor
• Resets after expiration
• Best for: Ongoing offers, creating urgency without actual deadline

3. Daily Reset:

• Resets every 24 hours
• Same time each day
• Best for: Daily deals, midnight sales

Best Practices:

• Always honor your countdown deadlines
• Use evergreen for ongoing campaigns
• Show countdown prominently
• Add urgency text ("Only 3 hours left!")

14. Social Links Element

Display social media icons with links.

Properties:

• Social platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, etc.)
• Icon style (colored, monochrome, outlined)
• Icon size
• Spacing between icons
• Hover effects
• Link URLs for each platform

Use Cases:

• Building social following
• Cross-platform engagement
• Sharing content
• Community building

15. Coupon Code Element

Display discount codes with copy functionality.

Properties:

• Coupon code text
• Display style (dashed box, solid box, badge)
• Copy button text ("Copy Code", "Click to Copy")
• Copied confirmation message
• Colors and styling
• Auto-apply option (for e-commerce)

Best Practices:

• Make code easy to read (avoid ambiguous characters)
• Add expiration date
• Include usage instructions
• Consider auto-apply for better UX

Element-Level Features (Available on All Elements)

Every element supports:

Visibility Controls:

• Show/hide on desktop
• Show/hide on tablet
• Show/hide on mobile

Positioning:

• Margins (top, right, bottom, left)
• Padding (top, right, bottom, left)
• Alignment (flex properties)

Advanced:

• Custom CSS classes
• Custom element ID
• Custom inline CSS
• Custom JavaScript events
• Z-index control
• Element locking (prevent editing)

---

Designing Your Popup Layout {#popup-layout}

Popup Container Settings

Size and Dimensions

• Width: Fixed (px) or responsive (%)
  • Desktop: 500-800px recommended
  • Tablet: 90% of screen
  • Mobile: 95% of screen
• Height: Auto (content-based) or fixed
• Max width: Prevents popup from being too wide
• Max height: Enables scrolling for long content

Position on Screen

• Center: Classic modal position (default)
• Top Center: Banner-style at top
• Bottom Center: Bottom banner
• Top Left/Right: Corner notifications
• Bottom Left/Right: Slide-in style
• Custom: Specify exact position (X, Y coordinates)

Background and Styling

Popup Background:

• Solid color
• Gradient (linear or radial)
• Background image
  • Upload image
  • Background size (cover, contain)
  • Background position
  • Background repeat
• Background video
  • Video URL
  • Autoplay, loop, muted
  • Opacity overlay

Border and Shadows:

• Border radius (0-50px for rounded corners)
• Border width and color
• Box shadow
  • Horizontal offset
  • Vertical offset
  • Blur radius
  • Spread radius
  • Shadow color and opacity

Overlay Settings

The overlay is the darkened area behind the popup:

• Overlay color: Usually black or dark gray
• Opacity: 0-100% (50-70% recommended)
• Blur effect: Blurs background content (0-20px)
• Close on click: Allow clicking overlay to close
• Disable page scroll: Prevent scrolling behind popup

Multi-Column Layouts

Create sophisticated designs with columns:

Column Configuration:

• Number of columns (1-4)
• Column gap (spacing between)
• Column widths (equal or custom ratios)
• Column alignment (top, center, bottom, stretch)
• Mobile behavior (stack or maintain columns)

Use Cases:

• Image left, form right
• Two-column comparison (Free vs. Pro)
• Three-part features showcase
• Split-screen designs

Example Layout:

+----------------------------------+
| [Image/Video]  |  [Form]         |
| 50% width      |  50% width      |
|                |  - Heading      |
|                |  - Text         |
|                |  - Email Field  |
|                |  - Button       |
+----------------------------------+

Multi-Step Popups (Wizard Flow)

Create multi-page popups with steps:

Step Configuration:

• Add multiple steps (pages)
• Navigation buttons (Next, Previous, Submit)
• Progress indicators:
  • Dots style
  • Progress bar
  • Step numbers
  • Custom labels

Progress Indicator Settings:

• Position (top, bottom, inside content)
• Active color
• Inactive color
• Size and spacing

Navigation Buttons:

• "Next" button text and style
• "Previous" button text and style
• "Submit" button for final step
• Button positions

Use Cases:

• Multi-question surveys
• Segmented lead capture (1. Interest, 2. Details, 3. Preferences)
• Quiz funnels
• Onboarding flows

Example 3-Step Flow:

1. Step 1: Question ("What's your main goal?") + Options
2. Step 2: Contact info (Name + Email)
3. Step 3: Preferences (Checkboxes)
4. Thank You: Confirmation message

Close Button Options

Placement:

• Top right (standard)
• Top left
• Inside content
• Bottom
• Custom position

Style:

• Icon only (X, ×, or custom icon)
• Text button ("Close", "No Thanks")
• Icon + text combination
• Size and color customization

Behavior:

• Always visible
• Hide close button (force engagement)
• Show after X seconds
• Close on ESC key

---

Configuring Display Settings {#display-settings}

Animation Effects

Entry Animations:

• Fade In (smooth opacity)
• Slide In (from top, bottom, left, right)
• Zoom In (scale from center)
• Bounce In (playful effect)
• Flip In (3D rotation)
• No animation (instant)

Animation Duration:

• Fast (200ms)
• Normal (400ms)
• Slow (600ms)
• Custom (100-2000ms)

Exit Animations:

• Same options as entry
• Can be different from entry animation

Frequency and Display Rules

Show Frequency:

• Always: Every page load
• Once per session: Until browser closes
• Once ever: Using cookies (1 day to forever)
• Once every X days: Set custom frequency (e.g., 7 days)
• Once every X hours: Shorter frequency (e.g., 24 hours)
• X times total: Maximum impressions (e.g., 3 times max)

After Conversion:

• Stop showing immediately
• Continue showing (for multi-goal popups)
• Show different popup
• Show thank you message

After Closing:

• Respect frequency setting
• Don't show again this session
• Show again after X minutes (for persistent campaigns)

Priority Settings

When multiple popups can show on same page:

Priority Levels:

• Highest (1)
• High (2)
• Normal (3)
• Low (4)

Priority Logic:

• Popup with highest priority shows first
• After closing, next priority can show (if allowed by frequency)
• Prevents popup overload

---

Setting Up Triggers {#trigger-setup}

Triggers determine when your popup appears. You can combine multiple triggers (popup shows when ANY trigger condition is met).

1. Page Load Trigger

Shows popup immediately when page loads.

Settings:

• Delay: 0-60 seconds (e.g., show after 3 seconds)
• Immediate (0 seconds) vs. delayed

Best For:

• Critical announcements
• Welcome messages for new visitors
• High-priority offers

Caution:

• Immediate popups can be intrusive
• Recommend 2-5 second delay minimum

2. Exit Intent Trigger

Detects when visitor is about to leave the page.

How It Works:

• Tracks mouse movement
• Triggers when cursor moves toward browser top (to close tab or change URL)
• Desktop only (no mouse on mobile)

Settings:

• Sensitivity (low, medium, high)
• Delay after page load (prevent immediate exit intent)
• Maximum triggers per session

Best For:

• Last-chance offers
• Cart abandonment reduction
• Email capture before leaving
• Survey requests

Pro Tips:

• Add compelling offer (discount code)
• Use urgency language
• Make offer exclusive to exit intent

3. Scroll Trigger

Shows popup after visitor scrolls a certain percentage of page.

Settings:

• Scroll percentage (0-100%)
• Direction (scrolling down only)

Recommended Percentages:

• 25%: Early engagement, high reach
• 50%: Moderate engagement, shows interest
• 75%: High engagement, very interested visitors
• 100%: Reached end of content (best for content upgrades)

Best For:

• Blog subscriber popups (50-70%)
• Content upgrades (75-100%)
• Related product suggestions
• "Enjoying this article?" messages

4. Time on Page Trigger

Shows popup after visitor spends X seconds on page.

Settings:

• Delay (seconds): 5-300
• Active time vs. total time
  • Active: Only counts when tab is active
  • Total: Counts even if tab is in background

Recommended Timing:

• 10-15 seconds: Quick engagement (risky)
• 30 seconds: Standard timing (balanced)
• 60 seconds: High engagement visitors
• 120+ seconds: Very engaged visitors

Best For:

• Email subscriptions (30-60 seconds)
• Surveys for engaged visitors (60+ seconds)
• Special offers after showing interest

5. Click Trigger

Shows popup when visitor clicks specific element on page.

Setup:

• Add CSS class to clickable element: engagepop-trigger-[popup-id]
• Or add custom selector

Example:

<button class="engagepop-trigger-abc123">
  Get Your Free Guide
</button>

Best For:

• Two-step opt-ins (high conversion)
• Gated content access
• Video/image lightboxes
• Product quick views

Advantages:

• User-initiated (not intrusive)
• Higher conversion rates
• Intentional engagement

6. Inactivity Trigger

Shows popup when visitor stops interacting with page.

Settings:

• Inactivity duration (10-120 seconds)
• What counts as activity (mouse move, scroll, click, typing)

Recommended Timing:

• 15-20 seconds: Re-engage quickly
• 30 seconds: Standard inactivity period
• 60+ seconds: Visitor likely distracted

Best For:

• Re-engagement messages
• "Still looking?" offers
• Help/chat offers
• Survey requests

---

Advanced Targeting Rules {#targeting-rules}

Targeting rules determine WHO sees your popup. You can combine multiple rules (popup shows only when ALL rules match).

Page Targeting

Include Pages:

• All pages (site-wide)
• Specific pages (exact URLs)
• URL contains (partial match)
• URL starts with (e.g., /blog/*)
• URL matches regex (advanced)
• Homepage only

Exclude Pages:

• Thank you pages
• Checkout pages
• Account/profile pages
• Specific URLs

Examples:

Include: /blog/*          → All blog posts
Include: /products/*      → All product pages
Exclude: /checkout        → Hide on checkout
Exclude: /thank-you       → Hide after conversion

Visitor Targeting

New vs. Returning:

• New visitors only (first-time)
• Returning visitors only (came back)
• All visitors

Cookie-Based:

• Has not converted yet
• Has not seen this popup
• Custom cookie conditions

Geographic Targeting (Pro/Business):

• Countries (include/exclude list)
• Regions/States
• Cities
• IP-based detection

Examples:

• Show to US visitors only
• Exclude EU for specific offers
• Target specific states
• City-level promotions

Device Targeting (Pro/Business)

Device Types:

• Desktop only
• Tablet only
• Mobile only
• Desktop + Tablet
• Any combination

Operating Systems:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• iOS
• Android
• Specific versions

Browsers:

• Chrome
• Safari
• Firefox
• Edge
• Opera
• Internet Explorer

Screen Resolution:

• Minimum width (e.g., 1920px+)
• Maximum width (e.g., < 1024px)
• Specific ranges

Traffic Source Targeting (Pro/Business)

Source Types:

• Organic (search engines)
• Direct (typed URL)
• Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
• Email campaigns
• Paid ads (Google Ads, Facebook Ads)
• Referral (from other websites)

UTM Parameters: Match visitors from specific campaigns:

• utm_source (e.g., facebook, google)
• utm_medium (e.g., cpc, email, social)
• utm_campaign (e.g., summer_sale)
• utm_term (keywords)
• utm_content (ad variations)

Referrer URL:

• Came from specific website
• Referrer contains
• Referrer matches regex

Examples:

Show to visitors from Facebook:
  utm_source = facebook

Show to email campaign clicks:
  utm_medium = email

Show to Google Ads visitors:
  utm_source = google
  utm_medium = cpc

Behavioral Targeting (Pro)

Visitor History:

• Visited specific pages before
• Has not visited certain pages
• Number of pages viewed (e.g., 3+ pages)
• Time on site (e.g., 2+ minutes)

Engagement:

• Has submitted form before
• Has clicked specific element
• Has converted before
• Cart value (for e-commerce)

Exclusions:

• Exclude existing subscribers
• Exclude converted users
• Exclude customers (vs. prospects)

Scheduling

Date Range:

• Start date/time
• End date/time
• No end date (ongoing)

Time of Day:

• All day (24/7)
• Business hours only (9 AM - 5 PM)
• After hours only
• Custom time slots

Days of Week:

• All days
• Weekdays only (Mon-Fri)
• Weekends only (Sat-Sun)
• Specific days (e.g., Mondays and Wednesdays)

Timezone:

• Visitor's timezone (auto-detected)
• Specific timezone (UTC, EST, PST, etc.)

Examples:

• Black Friday popup (11/24 - 11/27)
• Business hours chat (Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 5 PM)
• Weekend sale (Sat-Sun only)
• Holiday promotion (12/20 - 12/26)

---

Styling and Customization {#styling}

Built-In Style Options

Every element has visual styling options:

Typography:

• Font family (30+ Google Fonts)
• Font size (px, em, rem)
• Font weight (thin to black)
• Line height
• Letter spacing
• Text transform (uppercase, lowercase, capitalize)

Colors:

• Text color
• Background color
• Border color
• Hover states
• Gradients (linear, radial)

Spacing:

• Padding (inner spacing)
• Margins (outer spacing)
• Individual side control (top, right, bottom, left)

Borders:

• Border width (1-10px)
• Border style (solid, dashed, dotted)
• Border color
• Border radius (rounded corners)
• Individual corner control

Custom CSS

Add custom CSS for complete control:

Element-Level CSS:

/* Add to specific element */
.my-custom-button {
  background: linear-gradient(45deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
  box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
  transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

.my-custom-button:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: 0 15px 40px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
}

Popup-Level CSS:

/* Apply to entire popup */
.popup-container {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
}

.popup-overlay {
  backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
}

Responsive CSS:

/* Desktop */
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
  .heading {
    font-size: 48px;
  }
}

/* Tablet */
@media (max-width: 1023px) and (min-width: 768px) {
  .heading {
    font-size: 36px;
  }
}

/* Mobile */
@media (max-width: 767px) {
  .heading {
    font-size: 28px;
  }
}

Custom JavaScript

Add custom functionality:

Event Tracking:

// Track popup view in Google Analytics
window.EngagePop.on('show', function(popupId) {
  gtag('event', 'popup_view', {
    'popup_id': popupId,
    'popup_name': 'Newsletter Signup'
  });
});

// Track conversions
window.EngagePop.on('submit', function(data) {
  gtag('event', 'popup_conversion', {
    'popup_id': data.popupId,
    'form_data': data.formData
  });
});

Custom Behavior:

// Auto-close after 30 seconds
setTimeout(function() {
  window.EngagePop.close();
}, 30000);

// Set custom property
window.EngagePop.setProperty('userType', 'premium');

// Show based on custom condition
if (localStorage.getItem('returningUser')) {
  window.EngagePop.show('popup-id-here');
}

---

Adding Forms and Collecting Data {#forms}

Form Configuration

When using form elements (email form, input fields):

Form Settings:

• Form name (for organization)
• Submit button text and style
• Success message
• Error messages
• Loading state
• Validation rules

Success Actions:

• Show thank you message
• Redirect to URL
• Close popup
• Show different popup
• Download file
• Run custom JavaScript

Field Validation

Email Validation:

• Format checking (valid email pattern)
• Domain checking (optional)
• Disposable email blocking (optional)

Input Validation:

• Required/optional
• Min/max length
• Pattern matching (regex)
• Number ranges (min/max value)
• Custom validation rules

Error Handling:

• Inline error messages
• Error styling (red border)
• Prevent submission until valid
• Custom error text

Data Collection Best Practices

1. Keep Forms Short:

• 1 field = 20% higher conversion
• 2-3 fields = optimal for most cases
• 5+ fields = expect 50% drop-off

2. Ask Only What You Need:

• Start with email only
• Progressively request more data
• Explain why you need each field

3. Use Smart Defaults:

• Pre-fill known data
• Use geolocation for country/state
• Detect timezone automatically

4. Privacy and Compliance:

• Add privacy policy link
• Include unsubscribe information
• GDPR consent checkbox for EU
• CCPA compliance for California
• Clear data usage statement

Example Compliant Form:

Email: [________________]

☐ I agree to receive marketing emails.
  You can unsubscribe at any time.
  View our privacy policy.

[Get My 20% Discount]

---

Preview and Testing {#preview}

Before publishing, thoroughly test your popup.

Preview Modes

Device Preview:

• Desktop view (1920x1080)
• Tablet view (768x1024)
• Mobile view (375x667)
• Custom dimensions

What to Check:

• Text readability on all devices
• Button sizes (especially mobile)
• Image scaling and quality
• Form field sizes
• Spacing and alignment
• Scroll behavior (if content is long)

Test on Real Devices

Use the preview link to test on:

• Actual phone (iOS and Android)
• Actual tablet
• Different desktop browsers
• Different screen sizes

Testing Checklist:

□ Text is readable on mobile
□ Images load properly
□ Forms are easy to fill on mobile
□ Buttons are easy to tap (44x44px minimum)
□ Popup doesn't cover important content
□ Close button is accessible
□ Animations are smooth
□ Loading speed is fast (< 2 seconds)
□ No horizontal scrolling on mobile
□ Works on iPhone Safari
□ Works on Android Chrome
□ Works on desktop Chrome, Firefox, Safari

Testing Triggers

Trigger Testing Methods:

1. Page Load: Just load the page
2. Exit Intent: Move mouse toward browser top
3. Scroll: Scroll to specified percentage
4. Time: Wait specified seconds
5. Click: Click element with trigger class
6. Inactivity: Stop moving mouse for specified time

Test Each Scenario:

• Does trigger fire correctly?
• Is timing appropriate?
• Does it respect frequency settings?
• Does targeting work (test different devices/browsers)?

A/B Test Planning

Before publishing, plan your A/B tests:

What to Test:

1. Headlines (3-5 variations)
2. Images vs. no images
3. Long vs. short copy
4. Button colors (3-4 colors)
5. Offer amounts (10% vs. 15% vs. 20%)
6. Trigger timing (30s vs. 60s)

Testing Best Practices:

• Test one variable at a time
• Run tests for at least 100 conversions
• Use statistical significance (built-in)
• Document winners and learnings

---

Publishing Your Popup {#publishing}

Pre-Launch Checklist

Before clicking Publish:

Content Review:

□ Headline is clear and compelling
□ Copy is error-free (spelling/grammar)
□ CTA is action-oriented
□ Offer is clearly stated
□ Images are high-quality
□ Links work correctly
□ Form fields are properly labeled
□ Privacy/legal text included (if needed)

Technical Review:

□ Tested on mobile devices
□ Tested on multiple browsers
□ Popup loads quickly
□ Triggers work correctly
□ Targeting rules are correct
□ Forms submit successfully
□ Success actions work
□ Integrations are connected
□ Analytics tracking setup

Settings Review:

□ Display frequency appropriate
□ Priority set correctly (if multiple popups)
□ Schedule is correct
□ Targeting rules exclude correct pages
□ Mobile settings optimized

Publishing

When ready:

1. Click "Publish" button
2. Popup goes live immediately (if scheduled)
3. Monitor analytics dashboard
4. Check real-time impressions and conversions

Post-Launch:

• Monitor first 24 hours closely
• Check for any errors in console
• Verify data collection working
• Review visitor feedback
• Track conversion rates

Making Changes After Publishing

Live Editing:

• Changes to published popups update immediately
• Test changes in preview first
• Consider creating variant instead of editing live popup

Pause vs. Archive:

• Pause: Temporarily stop showing (can resume)
• Archive: Permanently disable (keeps data)

---

Best Practices and Tips {#best-practices}

Design Best Practices

1. Visual Hierarchy:

• Largest: Headline (48-60px)
• Medium: Subheadline (24-32px)
• Smaller: Body text (16-18px)
• Smallest: Fine print (12-14px)

2. Color Psychology:

• Red: Urgency, action, excitement (clearance, sales)
• Blue: Trust, security, calm (B2B, finance)
• Green: Growth, success, go (confirm actions)
• Orange: Energy, enthusiasm (CTAs, creative brands)
• Purple: Luxury, wisdom (premium products)

3. White Space:

• Don't cram content
• Give elements room to breathe
• 20-40px padding around edges
• 15-30px between sections

4. Mobile-First Design:

• Design for mobile first
• Enhance for desktop second
• Vertical layouts work better on mobile
• Large tap targets (44x44px)

Copywriting Best Practices

Headlines:

• Clear benefit in 5-10 words
• Use numbers ("Get 20% Off")
• Ask questions ("Want More Traffic?")
• Create curiosity ("The Secret to...")
• Use power words (Free, New, Proven, Guaranteed)

Body Copy:

• Focus on benefits, not features
• Use bullet points
• Keep paragraphs short (2-3 lines)
• Speak directly to visitor ("You'll get...")
• Address objections

Call-to-Action:

• Start with action verb (Get, Start, Claim, Download)
• Be specific ("Get My Free Guide" vs "Submit")
• Create urgency ("Claim Offer Now")
• Use first-person when appropriate ("Yes, I Want This!")

Conversion Optimization Tips

1. Value Proposition: Make it crystal clear what they get:

• "Get 20% off your first order" ✅
• "Special offer" ❌

2. Social Proof:

• "Join 50,000+ subscribers"
• "Rated 4.9/5 by 1,000+ customers"
• Include logos of featured publications
• Show real testimonials

3. Urgency and Scarcity:

• Countdown timers
• "Only 5 left in stock"
• "Offer ends tonight"
• "Limited to first 100 customers"

4. Risk Reversal:

• "No credit card required"
• "Cancel anytime"
• "30-day money-back guarantee"
• "We respect your privacy"

5. Single Focus:

• One clear goal per popup
• One primary CTA
• Don't offer too many options
• Remove distractions

Testing and Optimization

Continuous Improvement Cycle:

1. Launch → Get initial data
2. Analyze → Identify weak points
3. Hypothesize → Form testing theory
4. Test → Run A/B test
5. Implement → Apply winner
6. Repeat → Test next element

What to Monitor:

• Impression rate (% of visitors who see popup)
• Click-through rate (% who click)
• Conversion rate (% who complete goal)
• Bounce rate (% who immediately close)
• Device performance (mobile vs. desktop)

Common Issues and Fixes:

Issue	Possible Causes	Solutions
Low impressions	Targeting too narrow, trigger timing off	Broaden targeting, adjust triggers
High bounce rate	Too intrusive, poor timing, weak offer	Delay trigger, improve headline, better offer
Low conversions	Unclear value, too many fields, weak CTA	Simplify message, reduce fields, improve CTA
Mobile issues	Small text, small buttons, too wide	Increase font size, larger buttons, responsive width

Industry-Specific Tips

E-commerce:

• Show products in popup images
• Include discount code prominently
• Use spin wheel for gamification
• Exit intent for cart abandonment
• Free shipping threshold messaging

SaaS/B2B:

• Offer free trial or demo
• Gated content (whitepapers, guides)
• Case studies and ROI calculators
• Video demos in popup
• Clear next steps

Publishers/Blogs:

• Content upgrades (PDF version)
• Email course opt-ins
• Related article recommendations
• Newsletter signup after 50% scroll
• Exit intent with best content

Local Business:

• Phone number prominently displayed
• Click-to-call button
• Map and directions
• Business hours
• Special offer for first visit

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Conclusion

You now have a complete understanding of EngagePop's popup builder! Here's your quick action plan:

Quick Start (30 minutes):

1. Choose a template matching your goal
2. Customize headline and offer
3. Add your branding (colors, logo)
4. Set up one trigger (scroll 50% or time 30s)
5. Preview on mobile and desktop
6. Publish and monitor

Week 1 Goals:

• Create 2-3 popups for different pages
• Set up basic targeting and triggers
• Monitor analytics daily
• Gather initial conversion data

Week 2+ Goals:

• Launch first A/B test
• Try advanced features (multi-step, wheel)
• Implement learnings from data
• Expand to more pages/campaigns

Remember:

• Start simple, add complexity gradually
• Always test on mobile
• Monitor your analytics
• Keep testing and optimizing
• Respect your visitors (frequency, timing, value)

Happy popup building! Your visitors are waiting to engage.

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Need Help? Check out our other guides:

• Advanced Targeting Strategies
• A/B Testing Masterclass
• Form Integration Guide
• Analytics Deep Dive