Keeping users on the site and making them complete the targeted action can be difficult. Various methods and tools can help with this, one of the most popular is the widget and email popups.
Widgets and Pop-ups: What are They?
Widgets are small helper applications whose purpose is to perform a specific task. They have quite extensive properties because their job is to notify, inform and assist. To understand the essence of the widget, remember the signals that notify you of a new message. This is the most popular widget.
Basic Widget Functions
With the help of widgets, you can collect various information visitors are willing to leave, customize the content they see, and simplify their interaction with the site. The main features of the widgets include:
- Grabbing the user’s attention
This is one of the most important functions of the element. The main goal of the site is to sell a product or service, so the forms with which you can collect user data and perform a targeted action should be brought to the fore.
- Collecting information about users
In the forms, you can leave a request for a callback, subscribe to the newsletter, and more.
- Adding interactivity to the site
With the help of widgets, designers create visual content that the user can interact with. It can be various graphs and charts, statistics, and so on. Also, such elements help visualize information and facilitate the perception of content by the user.
- Customizing information to meet user needs
Since the widget is a type of web application, using this element you can customize the content in such a way that the information on the site is optimally tailored to the needs of the client. This is how recommender systems interact with site visitors, displaying blocks after “Read More” articles, and so on.
Pop-ups and Their Importance in the Design
Turning a site visitor into a potential client is the main task of the web resource.During the development of the site, designers are responsible not only for the external appearance of the page, but also for helping entrepreneurs increase conversion through individual interface elements.
Imagine that the site has a unique selling proposition, but for some reason, it does not attract users. Website developers analyze the behavior of visitors and draw appropriate conclusions. For example, if an offer with a promotion is placed at the bottom of the page, and the user has not scrolled below the main screen, a decision may be made to change the location of the promotion or announce it in another way — using a widget.
A pop-up window that displays information about a promotion or a call to action can be a widget. Typically, these windows appear when users first arrive on the site or after a certain amount of time.
Using this widget, you can draw the user’s attention to the promotion, offer to leave contact information in exchange for a discount or promotional code, and so on. This approach allows you to attract new customers — a user who comes back to the site can take advantage of the discount on their first order and potentially become a regular customer.
For customers to pay attention to the information in the pop-up and be enticed to leave their data, the design of the window should be carefully considered. First and foremost, a pop-up should grab attention. Common design elements used are:
- Bright color shades;
- Images of people;
- Large typography;
- Quality illustrations;
- Interactive elements inside the window.
Designers can make an offer in the form of a “wheel of fortune” that rolls out from the left side of the screen, inviting users to try their luck. A good option is to use a pop-up when a user wants to leave the site and moves the mouse cursor to the upper right corner; at this very moment, a pop-up should appear.
If the company has pages and communities on several social networks, place a section with their widgets on the site. In addition to being visually pleasing, it will also be functional. The buttons enable users to subscribe to the company’s account and share information from the site, such as articles, promotions, and images, via e-mail or as a post on their social media pages. In addition, widgets can have a positive effect on SEO, because search engines take into account content reposts and clicks to the site from social networks.
With the right approach, pop-ups can contribute to additional site conversion. When creating pop-up windows, it is important to correctly determine the display time, think over the advertising offer, and design them in a way that engages and captures the user’s attention.
How to Check the Effectiveness of a Widget?
Don’t forget to test widgets and pop-ups with real users. During the design phase, you can create several options and test their impact on clients. Experiment with the size, launch time, and soundtrack (if applicable), offer wording, and leave only effective options.
Also, remember to consider the usability of the site. While it is important to collect contact data for subsequent sales, you should not prevent users from perceiving content with pop-ups or blinking buttons. It is important to maintain a balance and then users will appreciate your consideration.
Conclusion
The advantages of widgets are obvious: when properly configured, they help to interest the audience in special offers, extend the time spent on the site, convince them to make a purchase, and increase both revenue and average check.
Widgets allow you to collect information for the sales department, such as e-mail addresses, and phone numbers, and they can help in building a database for mailing lists. However, it’s vital not to abuse the attention of users — an excess of pop-up windows on the site can be annoying.
To get the desired effect, think through the scenarios for using widgets, analyze user behavior, and regularly refine the design and function of the pop-ups.
