How to Grow Your Email and SMS List Faster (Without Discounts)

Key Points

• Overusing discounts in pop-ups attracts deal-only shoppers and traps brands in a margin-killing cycle instead of building long-term customer relationships.
• High-converting popups focus on clear, customer-first value—like early access, exclusivity, or helpful content—rather than generic “join our list” messaging.
• Contextual, lightweight popups with minimal friction and human-sounding copy outperform one-size-fits-all offers and help grow healthier, more loyal lists.

t’s no secret that discounts work.

Throw up a 10% off pop-up and boom. A new browser joins your list. Easy.

But that person? The thing is that there's a good chance they won't come back.

Unless you give them another discount. And then another.

It turns into a discount loop. Your margins get squeezed, and you wind up attracting folks who only shop when there's a deal dangling in front of them.

It's neither ideal nor sustainable. Probably not even who you want as long-term customers.

So if you’re stuck in that cycle, there’s a better way.

Stop Letting Discounts Do All the Work

We’ve all done it. That quick little pop-up with a code is super enticing. And yeah, it gets signups.

But are they the right kind of signups?

If someone joins your list just for a discount, they’re going to bounce the second you stop offering one. Or worse, they only buy when there’s a sale. Now you’ve got discount-trained customers and slowly dying margins.

Try this instead. Offer something that’s valuable but not a deal

Think:

• Early access to stuff that actually sells out
• A free how-to guide (relevant to your niche)
• VIP access to new products or collections
• Free shipping with no code needed

These feel exclusive without cutting into your profit. And the folks who sign up for those offers? Way more likely to come back.

Make It More About Them, Not You

You’re a small business, and you work hard. You offer a product and have built a brand that you're proud of every day. Your story is a great brand message that customers want to connect with.

But what’s in it for them?

A lot of brands default to language like:

• “Join our newsletter”
• “Stay connected”
• “Support small business”

None of that actually tells the customer what they’ll get. Instead of “join our list,” try:

• “Want first dibs on our next drop?”
• “Get 15% off your first order — no code needed”
• “We only tell subscribers when the good stuff’s back in stock.”

Be clear and specific. Give people a reason to say, “Yeah, okay, that’s worth the click.” More customers will subscribe and keep coming back if they can readily recognize the value proposition.

Don’t Use the Same Popup for Everyone

Every visitor to your ecommerce site is as unique as the products you sell. Someone on your blog, for example, is probably in research mode.

A returning customer browsing product pages? Different mindset. And mobile users? They just behave differently from desktop visitors.

So, why hit everyone with the exact same message?

Set up:

• Blog-specific popups that offer content, not discounts
• Mobile-first SMS popups that trigger after the scroll
• Exit-intent popups only for cart abandoners
• Popups with different timings based on where they are

You don’t need a dozen versions. Just a few variations can make a big difference. Context can always help lead to more conversions.

Only Collect the Customer Information You Need

If your pop-up feels like a DMV form, people are clicking out. And fast.

Nobody wants to give you:

• First name
• Last name
• Email
• Phone number
• Birthday
• ZIP code
• Favorite candle scent

Especially not on the first visit. Start with the bare minimum: An email.

That’s it, and then after they’re on the list, you can ask for more. Maybe phone for SMS. Maybe preferences.

But keep it light up front. Less pressure can lead to more signups. The easier it is to opt in, without feeling like a massive commitment, the more you'll collect.

Try These Pop-up Example Messages (They Actually Work)

If you're still stuck on “what should my pop-up say,” here are a few that convert well without sounding like a robot:

• “Get early access to new drops. No spam, ever.”
• “Subscribers get secret sale links. Just sayin’.”
• “We’ll trade one useful weekly email for your inbox spot.”
• “Don’t miss the next sellout — we’ll tip you off.”

The tone? Human. Slightly casual. Sounds like something a real person typed at 11 pm. That’s the sweet spot.

A Few Other Strategies Worth Testing

These are time-tested, so try them out to see which works out best:

• Add a short sentence under your CTA that explains what they'll get
• A/B test popups with different headlines every few weeks
• Swap “Sign Up” for “Get Early Access” or “Unlock It” — something active
• Use emojis in SMS broadcasts (yes, these still work!)

Don’t overthink your messaging. If it sounds like something you’d say to a friend in a text, you’re probably on the right track.

Also, consider delaying the pop-up by 10 seconds or until they begin to scroll. Give people a second to breathe. Instant popups are like someone asking for your number before you’ve even said hi.

Grow Your Lists Smarter and Faster with Privy

Pop-ups are still your ecommerce site's key to unlocking list-building gold. But, if you're relying too much on discounts or using one-size-fits-all messaging, you're missing bigger opportunities. And you're not actually building a relationship with your audience.

So shake it up. Try new language. Offer something besides 10% off.

Make your messaging sound like it came from a person, not a stuffy corporate office. Customers are looking for something that feels real.

And if you're already using Privy? You've got the tools, so go build something your customers actually want to see.

Ready to grow your list faster with the website tools at your disposal? Try Privy free and start turning more visitors into customers.