Shopify Newsletter Popup: Setup, Examples & Best Practices

For any Shopify seller wanting to convert visitors into loyal customers, Shopify newsletter popup is a key powerful tool for making that happen.

Instead of letting visitors leave without engaging, a well-timed popup can encourage them to subscribe for updates, discounts, or exclusive content. Hence, you can build long-term relationships and boost conversions without being pushy.

So that in this guide, we’ll show you how to set up Shopify newsletter popup, inspiring popup examples to learn from and best practices to make yours stand out and convert like crazy.

What is Shopify Newsletter Popup?

A Shopify newsletter popup is a small, customizable window that appears on your store to encourage visitors to subscribe to your email list. It’s one of the easiest ways to collect customer emails, promote special offers, and stay connected even after they leave your site.

These popups usually appear based on triggers, like when a visitor lands on a page, scrolls down, spends a certain amount of time on your store, or is about to exit. You can use them to share discounts, exclusive updates, or product launches, giving shoppers a reason to join your community.

Shopify newsletter popup helps you your subscriber list directly from your store.

Why Use Shopify Newsletter Popup

In short, the main goal of a Shopify newsletter signup popup is to convert casual visitors into potential customers. When done right, it not only grows your email list but also:

• Turns new visitors into repeat customers through consistent communication and special offers;

• Boosts sales conversions with incentives like discounts or freebies;

• Builds brand loyalty by keeping shoppers engaged with updates and promotions;

• Reduces cart abandonment by re-engaging visitors right before they exit.

How to Add Shopify Newsletter Popup

In fact, there’s more than one way to add a newsletter popup to your Shopify store. Depending on your goals, budget, and technical comfort level, you can choose the best suitable method for your needs.

Below are the three methods to help you decide which one fits your needs best.

Method 1: Using the Shopify Forms app

The Shopify Forms app, developed by Shopify, is the most beginner-friendly way to create a Shopify newsletter popup. It’s totally free and integrates perfectly with Shopify Email and automation workflows.

To add Shopify newsletter popup using Forms app: 

Step 1: Install the Shopify Forms app

1. Go to Shopify App Store and search for Shopify Forms.

2. Click Install to add the Forms app to your Shopify store.

Shopify Forms app is totally free to install

Step 2: Turn on the Forms app embed

Before creating your first popup, you’ll need to activate the Forms app embed for your Shopify theme.

To do it:

Go to Online Store and navigate to Themes in your Shopify admin.

Find Themes under Online Store tab

2. Click Customize on your active theme.

Find Customize option in your theme

3. In the sidebar, select the App embeds icon.

Select App embeds icon

4. Toggle on Forms, then click Save.

Toggle on Forms

Important note: If you deactivate the embed later, popup forms will stop displaying on your store unless they’re attached to an inline form.

 

Step 3: Create a popup form

1. Go to Settings > Apps and sales channels > Forms > Open app.
2. Click Create form, then choose Popup form.
3. Enter a name for your popup and click Create.

Enter your popup name

Step 4: Set up display and teaser

Next, choose how your popup will appear:

• Floating popup: Stays fixed in one corner of your store.
• Overlay popup: Covers the screen with a semi-transparent background (you can adjust the overlay color).

Select your popup placement

You can also configure the Shopify newsletter popup teaser: edit the content, position and the title.

This is a brief preview that appears on a website before the full popup is shown.

Configure your popup teaser

Step 5: Customize text, form fields, and styling

Now it’s time to customize your form.

Start with:

• Form settings: edit the title and content.
• Form fields: add fields like company name, first name, or email — depending on your purpose.

Edit Shopify newsletter popup form setting

Next, configure the Success message that appears after someone submits the form. 

In this section, you can choose to:

• Show a confirmation message, or
• Redirect visitors to another page after signup.

Edit the success message to show to customers

Then, adjust the styling of your Shopify email popup to match your brand’s look and feel.

Styling your popup to follow your brand guideline

 You can also add an image if you’d like to make the popup more engaging.

You can add image to your popup for better conversion

Step 6: Set targeting rules and display triggers

In this step, you’ll decide when and where your newsletter popup appears on your Shopify store.

You can set it to display after a visitor spends a certain amount of time on your site or views a specific number of pages.

You can also enable an exit-intent trigger, which shows the Shopify exit-intent popup just as a visitor is about to leave the page, giving you one last chance to capture their email.

Set up targeting rules and display triggers to make sure you convert the most customers

You can also utilize these optional features:

• Adding customer tags: Automatically tag new subscribers to segment and target them more effectively in future campaigns.
• Receiving email notifications for new signups: Get notified by email each time someone subscribes through your popup.
• Linking your popup to Shopify automations or workflows: Connect your form to automated email sequences or workflows for instant follow-ups and engagement.

Once done, click Save.

Learn  more: How to Add A Pop-up on Shopify in 2 Easy Ways

Step 7: Preview and activate 

Before your newsletter popup goes live, you can preview it to make sure everything looks perfect.

Once ready:

1. In your form settings, click Turn form on.
2. Your popup status will change from Inactive to Active, and it will start displaying on your store automatically.

Method 2: Using third-party apps

If you want more flexibility and design control, you can think of a third-party Shopify newsletter popup app. Some best options are HulkApps, PowerfulForm, POWR, etc., which offer pre-built templates, advanced targeting rules (like exit-intent popups), and deep integration with popular email marketing platforms.

Here’s how to set up Shopify newsletter popup using third-party app:

1. Go to the Shopify App Store and search for a newsletter popup app that fits your goals.

Choose the preferred Shopify newsletter popup app

2. Choose a template for your Shopify email popup. 

Most third-party apps provide ready-made templates for popups. So your job is to pick one that matches your campaign goal and brand style.

3. Customize your popup

Use the app’s drag-and-drop editor to modify your popup’s text, colors, fonts, and images. Also, add your store logo, write a catchy headline, and include form fields like name, email, or preferences.

4. Set triggers and targeting rules

Decide when and where your popup should appear. Then, set targeting rules to target specific audiences, such as new visitors, returning customers, or users from a particular country.

5. Once your settings are confirmed, activate the Shopify newsletter popup to make it live.

Depending on the Shopify newsletter popup app you choose, you’ll get access to different features such as advanced targeting and behavioral triggers, built-in analytics and A/B testing, and seamless integration with popular email marketing tools. Thus, make sure you pick the one that best fits your goals and workflow.

One interesting thing is that if you’re using a storefront builder app for Shopify like GemPages, there’s a built-in tool that lets you easily create a fully customized Shopify newsletter popup. Just drag and drop the popup element anywhere on your page, no coding needed.

This GemPages popup creation feature gives you full control to personalize every detail, from the popup name, close button style, overlay color, and size, to background design, border shape, and entrance effects like fade or zoom. 

Beyond popups, GemPages helps you build high-converting Shopify stores effortlessly using its drag-and-drop editor and AI-powered design tools. You can start from scratch or use one of the many professionally designed templates made for product showcases, sales funnels, and conversions.

Method 3: Implementing custom code

For brands looking for complete creative control, you can build a custom newsletter popup directly into your Shopify theme using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. With this method, you’ll never have to pay app fees or hit feature walls, and your popup behaves exactly how you design it.

However, it does require solid technical skills and thorough testing, so make sure you or your developer are comfortable working with code.

First, you need to write the code depending on how you want your Shopify newsletter popup to be customized. 

Then, to implement this code to Shopify: 

1. In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes.

2. Next to the Customize option, click the three dots (⋯) and select Edit code.

Go to edit code under themes

3. Under the Sections directory, click Add a new section.

Add a new section to your theme

4. Name your section and paste your custom code.

Add your custom code

5. Once finished, click Save to apply the changes.

Best Practices for High-Converting Shopify Newsletter Popup

Creating a best newsletter popup on Shopify that actually converts takes more than just a nice design. Simple as they seem, popups can easily backfire if not done right. A cluttered layout or unclear message can confuse visitors or even interrupt their shopping journey.

To make sure your Shopify newsletter popup grabs attention and encourages signups, here are some best practices to keep in mind.

1. Offer an incentive that matters

To be honest, “Sign up for updates” message rarely excites anyone. Instead, give people a real reason to subscribe. A small perk like 10% off, a free gift, or early access to new products can make a huge difference. In fact, Shopify discount popup drives over 120% more signups. Just make sure your offer feels special and fits your brand.

2. Write a clear headline and CTA

Even the best popup design won’t work without strong copy. Start with a headline that instantly communicates value. Something short, clear, and aligned with your brand’s tone. For example, instead of “Subscribe to our newsletter,” try “Get 10% off your first order” or “Join the club for exclusive perks.”

Your CTA button should also do more than just say “Subscribe.” Use action words that tell visitors exactly what they’ll get, like “Send me updates,” “Unlock my discount,” or “Start saving now.” Keep it under five words and make it feel rewarding. A great headline and CTA combo is often what turns a casual visitor into your next subscriber.

3. Use eye-catching design

Your Shopify newsletter popup should stand out but still feel on-brand. Keep the design clean, colorful, and mobile-friendly, and use visuals that support your message, like a photo of your best-selling product or a happy customer. 

What’s more, popups with images convert almost twice as well as plain ones, so don’t skip the visuals. And remember, even small tweaks in alignment or color contrast can make your popup feel fresh and engaging.

4. Use the right triggers at the right time

No one likes being greeted by a popup the second they land on a website. It’s intrusive and often drives people away before they’ve even looked around. The key is timing. Show your newsletter popup only after visitors have started engaging with your site.

You can experiment with triggers like time on site (8 - 10 seconds), number of page views (after 2 - 3 pages), or scroll depth (once they’ve scrolled 50% of the page). Another great option is exit intent, which displays the popup just before they leave. Smart timing feels natural and can double your conversion rate compared to instant popups.

5 Inspiring Shopify Newsletter Popup Examples to Learn From

If you’re looking for ideas to make the best newsletter popup on Shopify, below are 5 real Shopify brand’s popup examples to learn from.

1. Echt Apparel

This Shopify newsletter popup design nails the classic “discount-for-signup” formula perfectly. Their popup instantly captures attention with a bold “GET 20% OFF” offer, giving shoppers a real reason to share their email. 

Also, the design is clean, visually appealing, and supported by a product image that reinforces brand identity. It’s a great example of how immediate, tangible value can turn browsers into subscribers.

Echt Apparel design is a great example to learn from

2. Outcast Clothing

Outcast Clothing adds a fun twist to its popup by offering customers a chance to win a $10 vacation voucher as a unique incentive that stands out from typical discounts. 

What makes this popup even smarter is how it asks for birthday information, allowing the brand to send personalized birthday emails later on. This is a super clever strategy for building loyalty while keeping data collection engaging.

Outcast Clothing also asks for birthday information

3. The Couture Club

The Couture Club is another great Shopify newsletter popup example you can learn from. It takes a balanced approach by offering 15% off while inviting users to “be the first to know about new collections.” This not only drives signups but also builds anticipation for future launches. 

Their form also includes a gender selection field, helping the brand send more relevant content and product recommendations to each subscriber.

The Couture Club offers customer 15% off deal

4. ALOHAS

ALOHAS’s Shopify popup form template keeps things simple yet effective with a 10% off offer that appears as a small popup in the bottom-left corner of the screen. This unobtrusive placement feels natural and non-disruptive while still catching the visitor’s eye. 

ALOHAS popup appears in the bottom-left corner

5. Evelyn Rose-Boutique

Last on the list, Evelyn Rose-Boutique uses a powerful visual element, which is a countdown timer front and center, to create urgency and motivate instant action. 

Paired with a 10% off discount, the ticking clock psychologically pushes visitors to sign up before time runs out. This combination of scarcity and incentive is perfect for boosting conversions during limited-time offers or seasonal campaigns.

Evelyn Rose-Boutique has a countdown clock

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Newsletter Popup on Shopify

Finally, we also clarify some common mistakes you need to avoid when creating a Shopify newsletter popup to make yours effective: 

• Showing the popup too early: Don’t hit visitors with a popup the second they land on your site. It feels intrusive and can cause them to leave before exploring. Instead, set a short delay or use scroll and exit-intent triggers.
• Using poor design or colors that clash: While your email capture popup on Shopify should stand out, it shouldn’t in a bad way. Avoid busy backgrounds, hard-to-read fonts, or off-brand colors that make your message look spammy.
• Overloading the form with too many fields: Keep it simple. Asking for too much information upfront (like name, phone, birthdate, preferences, etc.) can drive visitors away. One or two fields are often enough.
• Ignoring mobile optimization: Popups that look great on desktop can be frustrating on mobile if not resized properly. Always preview and test across devices to make sure they’re easy to close and read.

Final Thoughts

Once you understand what a Shopify newsletter popup is and how to use it effectively, you’re one step closer to turning every store visit into a lasting customer connection, hence, strengthen brand trust and drive repeat sales.

And if you’re looking to design stunning, high-converting popups and landing pages for your Shopify store, GemPages is here to offer you 200+ CRO templates, all without writing a single line of code.

Lastly, don’t forget to visit GemPages blog, packed with practical guides and eCommerce insights to help you build, optimize, and sell smarter on Shopify.

Shopify Newsletter Popup - FAQs