Beggars Can Be Tedious...

13 replies
Yep, I'm complaining again, maybe I'm just old before my time or maybe my head's stuck so far up my ass that I can't see the light for the crap.

I was just wondering if anyone else tuts and harrumphs - when trying to leave a webpage and then finds themself bombarded with pop-up after pop-up. I'm talking about the ones with three or four pop-ups, not just a single one, because they're just about bearable.

  • Yes, I know they're 'supposed' to increase conversions.
  • Yes, I know the price of the product is getting lower with each pop.
  • Yes, I know that at least I'll get something for free at the very end (except for the price of my email address, of course!)
  • Yes, I know that sometimes the offer is great, but...

Personally, I think it smacks of begging!

Anyway, just wondering.

Cheers, Ray
#beggars #conversions #internet marketing #pop up #tedious
  • Profile picture of the author theemperor
    Yes personally I hate it. Just let me leave!

    It makes me never go back to a site, and I won't bookmark it for later if they do that.

    And yes it smacks of desperation, and also of "fly-by-night" money making rather than a solid business to buy from.
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  • Profile picture of the author KarlWarren
    If you tested it and it increased your conversion by 10-20%, would you stop?
    Or would you find a way to blast as much traffic to the site as possible.

    There's an old saying that I'm going to paraphrase:

    If they're not screaming, you're not squeezing hard enough.

    I'm not saying it isn't annoying - but, it's also annoying having crisps and sweets by the supermarket counter when you've got kids with you...

    Thing is, it works - which is why they do it.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
      Karl,

      Originally Posted by KarlWarren View Post

      Thing is, it works - which is why they do it.
      Possibly.

      However, I've been seeing a lot of "lemming" behaviour
      lately... where people implement something because
      they've seen someone else doing it.

      That's a dangerous practice.

      Like all these things, the only way to be sure that a
      particular tactic will increase your conversion rate is
      to test it with your offer and your traffic. Anything
      else is just guesswork.

      John
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    • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
      Originally Posted by KarlWarren View Post

      If you tested it and it increased your conversion by 10-20%, would you stop?
      Or would you find a way to blast as much traffic to the site as possible.
      I wouldn't test it in the first place because I don't like
      the multiple exit-pop process.

      I have a principle in my business that I treat people how
      I like to be treated.

      I couldn't give two flying fecks if it increases my conversion
      or not.

      I choose not to use what I consider slimeball techniques.

      (The offline equivalent of an exit pop is like you going to
      leave a physical store and the owner pulling you by the
      arm back in. One tug maybe, but multiple tugs?).

      Originally Posted by KarlWarren View Post

      There's an old saying that I'm going to paraphrase:

      If they're not screaming, you're not squeezing hard enough.
      That's from the 20th Century old salesman's tripe but true
      book.

      Personally, I don't want my prospects and customers to be
      screaming during my sales process.

      I'm into building a relationship of mutual trust and respect
      where people want to buy from me - without the need to
      resort to sleazy tactics.

      There's more than one way to skin a cat.

      Originally Posted by KarlWarren View Post

      I'm not saying it isn't annoying - but, it's also annoying having crisps and sweets by the supermarket counter when you've got kids with you...

      Thing is, it works - which is why they do it.
      Whether something comes top on a split test nor not
      is not a sole reason to use it.

      I choose to operate my business with a conscience
      instead of just a relentless focus on numbers and the
      bottom line.

      Just because other people are doing it is not necessarily
      a valid reason to use it.

      I do a gut check and ask: Does this technique feel right
      to me?


      If it does, I use it.

      If not, I pass.

      Simple.

      And multiple exit pops are in my Do Not Use category along
      with multiple upsell hell and other wank marketing tactics.

      Dedicated to your success,

      Shaun
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    • Profile picture of the author theemperor
      Originally Posted by KarlWarren View Post

      If you tested it and it increased your conversion by 10-20%, would you stop?
      I wouldn't test it to begin with, I have taste
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      • Profile picture of the author Wonderful Warrior
        Originally Posted by theemperor View Post

        I wouldn't test it to begin with, I have taste

        Oh my! just because you don't agree with a marketing stunt doesn't mean they have no taste.

        It's converting... which means it's perfectly tasteful to some

        We're not talking about popunders and stuff.
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        • Profile picture of the author Vogin
          Well, I think it is annoying for people who knows a thing or two about IM, but general people and "customers only" can be persuaded by such technique. Not that I'd do it, I prefer not to annoy my visitors...
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  • Profile picture of the author Wonderful Warrior
    I have thousands of sites that "I'll come back to later" and never do.

    Popups might be annoying (but the chances of you ever going back to that site are lower than the percentage of people who will sign up for their list)

    However, you will undoubtedly bookmark a site BEFORE you leave and even notice the popups

    So, by erasing the site from your bookmarks is only spiting yourself.. if you really thought the site was worth going back to.

    Back in the good ole days sites would "jam" you and make it where you couldn't use your back button. Now THAT would piss me off.
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  • Profile picture of the author Wonderful Warrior
    Then you can also say Email Marketing is the same...

    Offer a "free report" to get people to sign up for your newlsetter (which most people doing so have no idea they will be receiving email from you for the rest of their lives)

    Most people don't say "Get this this free report AND receive my newsletter whose main purpose is to "spam" you my products or affiliates."

    I do agree that 3 popups is excessive and annoying and a horrible representation.

    But, I don't think it is unethical.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Multiple popups are a sure way to annoy the crap out of people and if that's your goal as a webmaster, go for it, but once I get the hay out of there, I'm not coming back if you use more than one popup and if that one popup doesn't contain a discount, I'm probably not coming back anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gene Pimentel
    I'm in the camp of treating customers with respect regardless of the conversion rate. While you may increase the conversion rate by using this tactic, the loss of future sales is also increased. If you're after quick cash, go for it. But if you're after long-term customer relationships, don't pizz them off. Instead, give them a reason to come back.
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  • I definitely agree, one pop-up is needed, but 4?... What the hell are they thinking?

    "Offer a "free report" to get people to sign up for your newlsetter (which most people doing so have no idea they will be receiving email from you for the rest of their lives)" - Wonderful Warrior
    That's why there always should be unsubscribe button, one push and no more follow-ups.

    Speaking of complaining: I once stumbled across traffic website which was giving away free membership, and when I signed up it gave me same one time offer three times!! Even more - offer itself was HUGE, so I needed to scroll down like 10-15 seconds every time, to push "I understand that this offer will not be available bla bla bla"..that was ridiculous, I never came back
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