The Case Against Popups: I Don’t Love Them!

Now, this might be controversial… I don’t love pop-ups.

You know the ones—those boxes that suddenly appear the moment you land on a website, asking for your email, offering a discount, or worse, blocking your entire screen with a “before you go…” plea.

I’m going to be honest: I find them distracting, annoying, and sometimes even a little infuriating.

Popups are often meant to be helpful—to grab attention, drive signups, or push a promotion—but too often, they do the exact opposite. They interrupt, frustrate, and cause people to leave a site altogether. And isn’t that the last thing we want?

Why Popups Feel So Wrong (To Me)

• They break the flow.
  Good design is about guiding people through an experience with ease. When a pop-up slams into the screen the moment someone arrives, it disrupts that natural flow. It’s like walking into a beautiful store and being asked for your email before you even have a chance to look around.

• They feel pushy, not welcoming.
  Connection is at the heart of great design. Popups often feel transactional—like the website is trying to get something from you before it’s given you anything in return. That kind of pressure can be a turn-off, especially for people who value authenticity.

• They can spark frustration.
  We’ve all been there—trying to click a tiny X on a pop-up, only to accidentally open a new tab or lose our place. It’s enough to make people give up and move on.

• They risk hurting trust.
  When a pop-up demands your attention right away, it can feel like the website doesn’t respect your time. And trust is hard to build when your first interaction feels like an ambush.

But Don’t You Need Popups to Build Your List?

Here’s the thing—I’m not saying you should never invite people to connect, sign up, or explore more.

But it can be done gracefully.

Instead of a pop-up, consider:

• A well-placed call-to-action within your content

• A gentle, sticky bar that offers value without interrupting

• An opt-in at the end of a blog post or on your about page

• A subtle slide-in after someone’s spent real time on your site

These options respect the visitor’s experience. They invite, rather than demand.

My Design Philosophy: Connection Over Interruption

For me, a great website isn’t just about looking good—it’s about how it feels. It should guide people naturally, with clarity and purpose. Popups, especially the in-your-face kind, often feel at odds with that.

I believe in creating digital spaces where visitors want to stay, explore, and engage—without feeling pressured or overwhelmed.

So if you’ve been wondering whether a pop-up is the best way to grow your list or promote an offer, ask yourself:

• How does it feel?

• Does it invite connection? Or does it interrupt it?

There’s almost always a more thoughtful, user-friendly way to reach your audience—and that’s the kind of design I believe in.