A few weeks ago, I delved into the topic of website sounds and whether or not they are pleasant for visitors. I suggested that automatically playing audio on websites annoys people and should only be used in specific industries.
Similarly, I often receive requests to add pop-ups or “pop-unders” to websites. These intrusive ads grab your attention and promote a specific product or service. However, they can also be quite bothersome to site visitors. Numerous usability studies have shown that these ads create negative feelings toward the browsing experience and can even lead to a lack of trust in the brand.
Like sounds, it might be a good idea to poll your target audience before implementing pop-up ads. I conducted a poll within my network, and here are the results:
Here are some of the comments that accompanied the poll:
It’s important to note that closing pop-ups by clicking the “X” can sometimes initiate a script containing a virus. Instead, go to your task manager and close the browser by ending the task.
As you can see, the majority of my network does not like pop-ups. While only 12 percent mentioned blocking pop-ups, there are likely more unaware that their browsers already have pop-up blockers enabled by default.
Regardless of your survey results, it’s worth considering how you feel about pop-up ads interrupting your search for information or a purchase. These insights can help you determine whether they fit your website well.
In conclusion, it’s essential to be mindful of the user experience when deciding whether or not to incorporate pop-up ads on your website.