Merchants Share: Our Favorite Popup Designs of the Year

Key takeaways

• Popups work because they match shopper intent during high-pressure seasons—such as timers, exclusives, and themed designs—make urgency feel natural, not pushy.
• Different popup formats serve different goals, from list growth (spin-to-win), to product discovery (recommendations & quizzes), to bigger cart sizes (upsells).
• The brands winning with popups focus on relevance, fun, and timing, using personalized offers, helpful nudges, and seasonal context to create a smoother shopping experience.

When you think "popup," you probably picture an annoying window that jumps out at you the moment your mouse moves toward the top of the screen. But if done right, popups are a terrific tool for ecommerce.

They catch attention, grow your list, and give your shoppers a little push to buy something, especially during high-pressure, seasonal sales.

Instead of just saying you should use popups, we’re going to show you why. Below are six examples of real-world seasonal popups from ecommerce brands that get it.

1. The Countdown Popup

Why it works: This one's built on urgency. With a ticking timer and a limited-time, hefty discount (up to 85% in this case), it’s practically impossible to ignore. There’s something about a ticking clock that compels people to act fast.

Try this if: you’ve got a big promo planned. Black Friday, site anniversary, or your cat’s birthday sale. Add a countdown, slap on a discount, and hit launch.

2. The Spin-to-Win Popup

Why it works: Gamified popups give users a reason to engage beyond signing up for a discount. The prize adds a dopamine hit to their discount, and it feels like fun, and not marketing.

Try this if: You want to grow your email list fast and make your brand feel less “faceless ecommerce” and more “fun and clever.” Works great during holidays when people already expect games, giveaways, and chaos.

3. The Product Recommendation Popup

Why it works: This one is a double whammy. It shows shoppers what’s trending and what’s on sale, so they’re not aimlessly strolling through your site like it’s a virtual Costco. It speeds up the decision-making process, plus sneaks in a little FOMO on trending products.

Try this if: You have a big catalog and want traffic to flow toward top sellers, holiday favorites, or gifts, but you don’t want users to have to scroll through 37 different category pages. It’s like having a helpful salesman, but without the awkward upsell.

4. The “Early Access List” Popup

Why it works: This popup isn’t begging for emails. It offers something more exclusive, like early access to a seasonal product drop. People crave feeling like an insider, especially when it means they get dibs on a product before the Cyber Monday stampede begins.

Try this if: You’re dropping a limited line of products or seasonal product lines. It builds excitement, earns you goodwill, and gives you an edge before your competition’s 14th “final sale” hits.

5. The Upsell Popup

Why it works: Instead of waiting until checkout to suggest a complimentary product or another item, this popup hits the shopper mid-browse.

No hard sell. Just a nice tip. And if the suggestion is relevant to the product they’re already looking at, it transforms from an aggravating sales suggestion to a timely idea. Smart and smooth.

Try this if: You’ve got add-ons, bundles, or accessories designed to increase your average order value. Perfect for your seasonal promotions when people are already in the “treat myself” mentality. Bonus if your products lend themselves naturally to layering and upgrading (i.e., skin care, fashion, or tech).

6. The Quiz Popup

Why this works: People love talking about themselves. And when the questions are easy and directly tied to their shopping goals, they’re more likely to complete them and convert. Plus, you’re acquiring zero-party data that can power future personalized campaigns.

Try this if: You sell products that need some level of customization (like skincare, supplements, or apparel), or if your catalog is big enough that new shoppers might feel overwhelmed. It’s also perfect for gift-heavy seasons like the holidays, Valentine’s Day, or Mother’s Day, when decision fatigue is real and guidance is golden.

Why Seasonal Popups Still Work

Popups catch people at prime moments, like when they land, when they try to leave, or when they’re just randomly clicking through your “About Us” page. But timing isn’t everything. Design, copy, and strategy are just as important.

Seasonal popups do three big things:

1. Set context: A holiday-themed popup reminds people there’s a sale going on or that something special is happening.
2. Drive urgency: Timers, “limited quantity,” and “ends tonight” messages work better during seasonal events because people expect scarcity.
3. Grow your list: Even if someone doesn’t buy, you can still capture an email. That’s gold for your Q4 game plan.

Popups That Drive Serious Click-Worthy Conversions

Popups are a tricky thing to pull off. Do them badly, and everyone gets annoyed. Do them well, and you can be raking in leads while you sleep.

Start with one of these examples and test from there. Add a little holiday pizazz, a clear offer, and a CTA that doesn’t sound like a robot wrote it.

You’ve got this. And if not? Talk our experts at Privy to get started on your popup strategy today.