What is a pop-up ad?

If you’ve had the chance to surf the internet for any longer than a couple of weeks, you’ve probably come across a pop-up ad or two. This sort of advertisement is one of the most classic types of ads on the internet, and it is particularly common to come across them on websites.

Still, there are several different versions of pop-up ads, and pop-up elements are used for more than just advertising nowadays. That is why in this article, we will reveal the most important things to know about pop-up ads, why they are used, and we will even sprinkle in a couple of pop-up ad strategies.

What is a Pop-up Ad?

A pop-up ad is a type of online advertisement, focused on directing traffic to other websites.

Pop-up ads are considered to be effective since they appear at the center of the screen and capture the attention of the visitor. If the visitor wants to stop seeing the ad, these ads often require an action like closing the pop-up window. Therefore, this also gives them a reputation for being some of the most annoying types of advertisement.

The real-life equivalent of pop-up ads would be the people who walk up to you to give you a pamphlet, advertising an event or product. Although you did not ask for the pamphlet and you are probably not interested in the event or product which is being recommended to you, the person will not go away unless you accept or decline taking it.

Key Takeaways

Pop-up ads are a common type of online advertising which uses windows and messages that pop up to grab the attention of the visitor

This type of advertisement owes much of its popularity to the good performance, which is caused by its high view rate

Pop-up ads can be caused by adware or malware, in which case an antivirus should be used, combined with a browser refresh

How to Define Pop-up Ads?

Pop-up ads come in many different forms, like pop-up banners, pop-up browser windows, or even a subtype called pop-under ads, which do not appear in the foreground.

Wikipedia defines pop-up ads as a form of online advertisement that suddenly appears (pops up) in the foreground of the visual interface.

Pop-up ads are generally made using JavaScript or with the help of Adobe Flash, and they may be inserted onto websites through different vulnerabilities or holes in browser security. Their invasive nature is what has made many browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and the Brave browser to include pop-up blocking elements which are enabled by default.

Why are Pop-up Ads Important?

Although some may consider them to be a relic of the past, the fact that pop-up ads are still around proves just how effective they are in advertising. The fact that they require the viewer to take an action like clicking a close button makes them so potent in grabbing the attention of users.

There are, however, some important considerations to keep in mind if you plan on using pop-up advertising in your marketing efforts.

Pop-up ad blockers

Even though the basic premise of pop-up ads is to get the attention of users by popping into their field of view, sometimes even by blocking other parts of a web page in doing so, many web browsers have introduced options to block pop-up ads.

This form of advertising is less profitable nowadays because it is so easy to block pop-up ads through web browser add-ons and default browser options. red panel

This means that website visitors will never see an ad unless they disable certain browser options which are keeping the pop-up ads out of view.

Pop-up ad performance

Given the fact that pop-up ads are often perceived as annoying and used by shady websites, pop-up ads have developed a stigma around them. So how do pop-up ads perform so well?

Simple! Pop-up ads have a 100% view rate due to the fact that they can only be closed after they are seen. Even with a small conversion rate of 2 or 3%, their view rate gives them a competitive edge. green panel

What Are The Best Pop-up Ad Strategies?

Since most people will be inclined to close the pop-up ad almost as soon as they see it, the offer in your advertisement must be up to par with the best out there. Here are some tips to use when picking out a pop-up ad strategy.

Offer a discount

For someone who may be interested in the product your pop-up ad is offering, a limited-time offer might be the push they need to click on the ad and see what you have to offer. A common strategy in pop-up ads is offering a first-time buyer discount or new user discount on a product or service.

Give something for free

Although it may sound counterintuitive, offering something like a guide, a book or a free video can entice a person enough to see more of what your pop-up has to offer. A free demo video may let the visitor see more of what they are interested in, making the visitor trust you more and helping you make the sale.

Additional Tips & Tricks

  • Online marketing is an effective way to increase revenue, but try not to overwhelm your landing page with annoying ads, as this can deter visitors
  • Some website visitors will have a negative attitude towards all pop-up ads due to previous experiences with malware or adware which can cause pop-up ads to constantly appear, making the browser almost impossible to use
  • It can be useful to adjust your site settings so that a popup ad appears when users try to close the website, as a last-ditch effort at making a conversion

Now You Know What a Pop-up Ad is!

Pop-up ads are a form of online marketing, which has been around for almost as long as the internet itself. Pop-up ads may appear in many different forms such as YouTube ads, website banner ads, ads inside a browser of an android device, and more.

You learned what pop-up ads are, why they are important, strategies for pop-up ads and you’ve got a few tips & tricks in your pocket. With all this knowledge and information, it’s up to you now to determine if pop-up ads are the marketing approach you need to take for your company or organization.