Marcus Richards
Lightboxes are the most common type of pop-ups. You have probably seen them before: when a lightbox appears, the background of the browser is usually dimmed, so all attention will be focused on information in a pop-up. In most cases, they are used to collect data for the newsletter.
What is a lightbox?
Lightboxes are pop-up window overlays that appear on top of a web page, blocking out some of the content while dimming the background. This ensures that the site visitors cannot interact with other content on the website until they take action — click a button, fill out a form in a pop-up or exit it. A usual pop-up can appear anywhere on the screen, a lightbox most often appears right in the center.
When and How to Use a Lightbox on Your Site
Faced with notifications and pop-ups regularly, many of us seem to have developed the ability to automatically ignore them, or just leave the site right away. Let’s take a closer look at how to effectively use lightboxes on your website:
1. Don’t show the pop-up to site visitors immediately
Consider why visitors would subscribe to your mailing list if they don’t even know what your brand is.
2. Customize lightboxes to appear on a contextually relevant website page
You can customize a specific page to display your lightbox. For example, if you want to invite visitors to subscribe to your blog, make sure a lightbox appears when they are on the blog page, not the home page. If you want to offer customers a discount, your lightbox should appear when they are on the webshop page.
3. Consider adding an exit pop-up
These are overlays that only appear when a visitor is about to leave your site. They are seen as a powerful way to boost conversions. Exit pop-ups can help stop visitors from leaving your site by offering them the relevant up-to-date content and convincing them to subscribe to your mailing list or just stay on the site.
4. Refrain from pop-ups when users are in the process of completing their tasks
This will interrupt the flow of visitors and the overall navigation of the site. For example, if users are in the process of scheduling an appointment on your online booking engine, they don’t want to be interrupted by other information halfway through.
5. Pop-ups are great for capturing attention, but they can also be distracting
Minimize your use of pop-ups by displaying certain items or messages in an alternate format. For example, if you have a non-commercial website and want visitors to donate, it would be just as effective to include a “Donate” button on the menu that stays in place as you scroll.
The same applies to the submission of error messages when an online form is filled out incorrectly. Pop-up warning signs are often used in such cases, but a simple message or a red warning sign can also get the message across without making a user annoyed.
Lightbox Design for Online Success
The design of the lightbox should attract attention, so there is no need for intricate details. Instead, opt for a clear, bold look. Make sure the text is easy to read against the background in terms of size and color contrast.
- Use clear, direct language
Make sure the message you want to convey is easy to understand. Of course, you can always add a little personal text that reinforces the brand’s character.
- Use a visual hierarchy in text
Determine the central message of your pop-up and ensure it’s the most prominent text element in your design. For example, if you offer a 10% discount, this information should be highlighted by bigger letters and a white frame around it.
- Stay true to your brand
You want your lightbox to stand out, but not like an eyesore. Make sure the visual language is consistent with the rest of your site’s design in terms of color palette, font, and overall look.
- Make your call to action button noticeable
Usually there should be only one button that users have to click on in your pop-up — and that’s often a “Register” button or any similar button. Make it stand out with a dominant color that contrasts the background, or by accentuating its border.
- Explain what you want from a visitor
Users should instantly understand what exactly you expect from them. Depending on the context, terms like “sign up” or “subscribe” are common, but you can also add a touch of personality with phrases like “keep me posted” or “join the fun.”
- Consider adding an eye-catching element that matches your brand
Images are great for capturing attention and engaging website visitors, as well as setting a certain mood. You can find one that complements the message you convey but make sure it doesn’t obstruct or interfere with the text.
If you struggle with creating a beautiful lightbox, you can always seek help from professional designers who can handle the task with ease.
Conclusion
While some pop-ups might be annoying and intrusive, others can enhance user experience and boost leads or sales. Lightbox pop-ups, in particular, can help draw visitors’ attention to important information or offers , be it a content update, a discount code, or an email subscription.
