Shopify Popup Tutorial: 3 Ways to Add Pop-Ups (2025 Guide) + Email Capture Setup

Popups still work in 2025—but only when they’re done with intent. Shoppers will happily trade an email address for something valuable (a discount, early access, shipping perk), and that’s why email capture is still one of the highest‑ROI tactics for Shopify stores. According to Shopify’s guide on email capture best practices, clear value, simple forms, and smart timing make the biggest difference.

This guide walks through three practical ways to add popups to Shopify—native, app-based, and theme-based—plus a complete email capture setup you can implement today. You’ll also see how to connect those popups to your email list and improve results over time.

If you want context on tools before you implement anything, you might also like this roundup of Shopify popup apps and a quick list of email list growth ideas.

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Why popups still matter for email capture in 2025

Email is one of the few channels you actually own, and popups remain the fastest way to grow it. Shopify notes that high‑converting popups focus on a single offer, minimal fields, and clear timing—especially with exit‑intent behavior and conditional targeting. Their article on exit‑intent popups emphasizes that the best results come from clear incentives, short copy, and ongoing A/B testing.

Popups are also versatile. You can use them for:

• Welcome offers and first‑purchase discounts
• Cart abandonment nudges
• VIP signup or early access
• Flash sales and product drops
• Spin‑to‑win or gamified offers

If you want a broader strategy beyond popups, this guide to boosting conversions with Shopify popups pairs well with the steps below.

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Method 1: Use Shopify’s native tools (Forms + email marketing)

Best for: minimal setup, no extra apps, simple offers

Shopify offers a basic, native option for popups using Shopify Forms (where available) and Shopify Email for capture and follow‑up. It’s a good starting point if you want a low‑maintenance setup or need something lightweight.

Step-by-step setup

1. Open your Shopify admin Go to Apps > Shopify Forms (if installed) or install Shopify Forms from the app store if it’s not already present.

2. Create a new form Choose Popup as the form type. Name it something obvious, like “Welcome Offer Popup.”

3. Add your email field Keep the form short. Email only is ideal for fast conversion. Shopify recommends minimizing fields to reduce friction, especially on mobile.

4. Set your offer and copy Be specific: “Get 10% off your first order” performs better than vague benefits.

5. Choose targeting rules Typical options include:

   • Show after X seconds
   • Show on exit intent
   • Show once per session

6. Publish and verify Preview the popup, test on mobile, and submit your own email to confirm it reaches your list.

Pros

• Simple and quick
• No additional app costs
• Built‑in Shopify integration

Cons

• Limited design and targeting
• Basic analytics
• No advanced A/B testing

If you need more control or advanced targeting, Method 2 is better.

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Method 2: Use a Shopify popup app (most flexible)

Best for: advanced targeting, A/B testing, multiple popup types

Apps are the most common way to create popups because they give you control over design, timing, and segmentation. Omnisend’s guide on three Shopify popup methods highlights apps as the most flexible option for conversion optimization and audience targeting.

Step-by-step app setup

1. Choose a popup app Look for features like exit‑intent, A/B testing, personalization, GDPR compliance, and built‑in integrations.

2. Install and connect Install the app, then connect it to Shopify and your email platform (Klaviyo, Mailchimp, Shopify Email, etc.).

3. Create a campaign Pick a popup type:

   • Welcome popup
   • Exit‑intent popup
   • Spin‑to‑win
   • Flash sale banner

4. Design the popup Match your brand colors and add a single, clear CTA. Keep the copy tight:

   • “Get 10% off”
   • “Unlock early access”

5. Set targeting and triggers Examples:

   • Exit intent on desktop
   • 15 seconds on site
   • Only on product pages
   • New visitors only

6. Integrate email capture Map the email field to your list and apply a tag (e.g., “popup-welcome”).

7. Enable A/B testing Test two offers, or two designs, and watch conversion rates.

Why choose a popup app?

Tools like Revenue Boost are built for this use case, with smart triggers, spin‑to‑win options, GDPR compliance, and testing baked in. If you want to compare options before committing, check out this list of best Shopify popup apps for 2025.

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Method 3: Add a popup using custom theme code

Best for: custom design, developers, zero dependencies

If you’re comfortable with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you can build your own popup directly into the theme. This gives you complete control over styling, animation, and behavior.

OptiMonk’s step‑by‑step guide to adding a popup to Shopify highlights this approach for stores that want unique design or advanced personalization without relying on a third‑party app.

Basic structure

You’ll need:

• A popup container in theme.liquid or a specific template
• CSS for layout and animation
• JavaScript to trigger and close it
• A form action to your email provider or Shopify customer list

Example (simplified)

<div id="email-popup" class="popup hidden">
  <div class="popup-inner">
    <button class="close">×</button>
    <h3>Get 10% off your first order</h3>
    <form method="post" action="/contact#contact_form">
      <input type="email" name="contact[email]" placeholder="Email address" required>
      <button type="submit">Unlock 10%</button>
    </form>
  </div>
</div>

Add a script to show the popup after 10–15 seconds or on exit intent. Make sure you include basic GDPR consent if you operate in the EU.

Pros

• Total customization
• No subscription costs

Cons

• Requires developer time
• No built‑in analytics or A/B tests
• Harder to maintain

If you’re not a developer, an app will likely be faster and more reliable.

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Email capture setup: from popup to list (and beyond)

Popups are only half the job. The other half is how you store, segment, and follow up on captured emails. Shopify’s email capture guide emphasizes that value‑driven offers and clean list management are key to long‑term success.

1) Decide where emails will go

Most Shopify stores use one of these:

• Shopify Email
• Klaviyo
• Mailchimp
• Omnisend

Choose one and make sure your popup form or app is directly connected.

2) Use tags or segments

Segment at the point of capture, like:

• popup-welcome
• popup-exit-intent
• popup-spin-to-win

This makes it easy to send tailored flows later.

3) Build a welcome flow

A basic email capture flow:

• Email 1 (instant): Deliver the discount or offer
• Email 2 (Day 2): Bestsellers or social proof
• Email 3 (Day 5): Reminder or secondary incentive

If you want ideas, this article on cart abandonment popups shows how email capture can tie into recovery flows.

4) Track performance

Watch these metrics:

• Popup conversion rate (target 2–5%)
• Email open rate (30–40% typical)
• Discount redemption rate

If you have A/B testing, test the offer first, then the design.

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Popup optimization tips (2025 standards)

These are small changes that add up:

Use a single CTA

A popup with two CTAs splits attention. Keep it simple: one button, one action.

Don’t show it too early

Wait 10–15 seconds or trigger on exit intent. Shopify’s exit‑intent popup guide recommends timing and relevance over immediate popups.

Match the message to the page

If someone is on a product page, offer a product‑specific discount. On the homepage, a general offer is fine.

Keep forms short

Email only. Adding a name field usually drops conversion rates.

Test incentives

Free shipping vs 10% off can be a meaningful difference. Use A/B testing where possible.

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Which method should you choose?

Here’s a quick comparison:

• Native Shopify: Best if you want simplicity and don’t need advanced targeting
• Popup app: Best for growth‑focused brands that want testing and multiple popup types
• Custom theme: Best for custom design needs and developer‑heavy teams

If you want to explore more app options, the guide to best Shopify popup apps for e‑commerce in 2025 goes deeper into features and comparisons.

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FAQ

Are popups still effective for email capture in 2025?

Yes. When the offer is clear and timing is smart, popups remain one of the highest‑performing email capture tactics, especially for first‑time visitors.

What’s the best time to show a popup?

Most stores see better results with delayed timing (10–15 seconds) or exit‑intent triggers rather than instant popups.

Do I need a popup app or can I use Shopify tools?

You can use Shopify’s native tools for basic popups, but apps are better if you want targeting, A/B testing, or multiple popup formats.

How many fields should my email capture popup include?

One. Email only. Additional fields usually lower conversion rates without enough benefit to justify the drop.

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Final thoughts

If your goal is email capture that actually converts, focus on the offer, keep the form simple, and use triggers that respect the shopper’s experience. Apps give the most flexibility, native tools are a quick start, and custom code is best for highly tailored design.

If you want a popup tool that handles smart triggers, A/B testing, and GDPR compliance without a heavy setup, Revenue Boost is a practical option to explore. You can start small and expand as your store grows.