Here a Pop-Up, There a Pop-Up, Everywhere a Pop-up!
My "part-time" job is a copywriter(WA is my full-time adventure). As such, I do a ton of research on the internet. Nothing frustrates me more than to have a pop-up ad invade the content I am reading.
Some poeple seem to believe that the more ads on their site, the better. I do not subscribe to this logic. I may not be your typical web surfer, but I've been around the web long enough to have a pretty good idea about what people who surf the web are looking for. It is not ads.
If I stop reading the content to click on a pop-up ad, the content was evidently not very engaging. The content is not just an excuse to run ads; it is the meat of the website. Nobody clicks on a website to see what kind of ads are on it. They come to the website because you claimed that the content was revelant to them. It can become pretty obvious pretty quick if all you are trying to do is sell them something; especially if the ads don't relate to the content. The ads must complement the content.
I am by no means against using pop-up ads. They are a very effective tool when used properly. They can kill a website when they are not. Too much ad clutter can make a website look cheesy and unprofessional. Are you trying to help me,or are you just trying to sell me something? If it's the former, kill the clutter and make it easy for me to read and navigate the site. If it's the latter, I'm not interested, even if I am interested. Contrary to what borders on a general consensus, the content is the breadwinner of the site, not the ads.
Recent Comments
9
I was on a site the other day and had 5 ad popups in about 30 seconds - closed the page down...
Having said that, a single opt in popup usually makes me go - oh.. ok, do I want to do this? So I think they are good - with a caveat.....
..... Make the close or no thanks button clear and easy to find - there is nothing worse that having to look for the close button for a popup...
Paul
I 100% agree with you on this! It's annoying and intrusive! I actually have them on my website though I have to admit. The only reason is because an agreement with Google to use my site as a billboard to post advertisements just another way to make a little something extra.
Is that "little something extra" worth the opportunity cost? If they are annoying and intrusive to you, they probably are to the people who visit your site as well. They could actually be costing you more than they pay you.
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I agree!
Popups can put a website forward, but if people
abuse it, it can become a foil. Moderation is key!
Have a nice day!
Ingrid