You may have read how pop-ups can turn readers off. I’ve read figures as high as 95% of people hate pop-ups. Personally, I have have found some of the pop-ups to be quite intrusive especially on mobile. However, that was until I discovered the Hello Bar.
But more and more people have been using these creative pop-ups on their blogs and websites.
Surely I was holding out back in early 2015.
But then I read Neil Patel’s post on Growing your traffic by 20,000 visitors a month and how the Hello Bar plays a crucial part of that. I had to check it out.
Today the Hello Bar offers more than the pop up model it did years ago.
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Pop Ups Increase Your Subscriber List
The Hello Bar is so easy to install and use that I just had to test it out. The best part was that the results were immediate! I had not been getting new subscribers of late.
With the addition of the Hello Bar pop-up I began to get new subscribers daily! Now as Donna Merrill has said in comments elsewhere is that “Our Blogs are our property and social media is rented space”. She is so right!
We need to have people at our blogs/websites and our subscribers bring them back to our own properties.
Back in 2015 shows the chart I had received in 14 days. 1 new subscriber per day. Of course my blog doesn’t have as much traffic as Neil Patel but this is much better than what the blog here was doing previously generating subscribers here.
Over the years I went without it and then recently added it back on as it really works!
AB Testing
I also like that you can very easily do A/B testing with different wording and offers on your pop-ups via the Hello Bar. It literally took me less than 5 minutes to do 2 A/B tests this morning.
If I could easily figure it out I’m sure YOU will be able to as well. And it is for FREE. They do offer a paid program with more bells and whistles if you want.
When I was on the growth plan I added another bar over on my Twitter Jail story.
What Others Say About Those Annoying Pop-Ups
I did a little more research on these marketing pop-ups and found a great video on his post by Derek of Social Triggers who says “You are an idiot if you do NOT use pop-ups to increase your email list.”
Derek is in agreement with Neil Patel.
I love #GDPR, but I absolutely hate #cookieconsent #popups.
— Juho Friman (@commafakir) March 28, 2019
If the Internet wasn't already spoiled, now it most certainly is.
I'm not a fan of #popups. Don't use 'em. But if you want to… https://t.co/i1gGEVrKhm
— Kim Scaravelli (join me @kimscaravelli on Threads) (@KimScaravelli) March 24, 2019
Not that my little visit will change anything but #Bloggers, if u have 8 million popup #ads I have to close or scroll around to read ur blog, I’m not reading ur blog. I’ll find that info elsewhere. I literally couldn’t exit a page Bc there were so many #popups appearing :/
— CuriousLaura (@Lad10x) March 27, 2019
Should You Use the Hello Bar?
Beth from Copyblogger had this to say about it: There is no question that po-pups “work” — but to what end? We’re not willing to risk the relationship with our audience for a spike in opt ins. I guess Copyblogger is not in agreement with Neil Patel.
Rob at the Evergage Blog on his post to the Secret to Pleasant Pop-ups says that they work but you really need to have an x on them so users can quickly close them up. Give them an easy exit and your readers will appreciate it.
An easy exit is the x where people can click to easily exit off the pop-up.
The #1 search on Google for pop-ups is for annoying pop-ups followed by how do I stop the pop-ups. It is ironic that people find them so annoying but also use them often at the same time.
As you can tell I’ve gone back and forth using the Hello Bar here on Inspire to Thrive. No one wants to lose viewers today!
The Push Notifications Available
Hello Bar’s push notifications keep your audience engaged and informed in real time. Once someone visits your site, they can subscribe to receive updates.
These notifications pop up directly on their device, ensuring your message stands out even outside the browser. You can customize messages to fit your brand, alerting users of sales, blog updates, or new content.
Hello Bar makes it easy to set your schedule, so notifications go out when they’re most likely to catch your audience’s attention. Want more clicks?
The tool can target specific user actions or times, ensuring relevance. It’s a straightforward way to keep your audience in the loop.
Newer Lead Quizzes by Hello Bar
Lead quizzes by Hello Bar are simple tools to grow your email list efficiently. These quizzes engage users by asking relevant questions, keeping them interested throughout.
You don’t need any tech skills to set them up; it’s straightforward with Hello Bar’s user-friendly interface. As users complete the quiz, they receive personalized results which naturally leads them to opt-in to your email list.
It’s a smart way to drive interaction and build your audience without feeling pushy. Want to expand your reach? Try creating a quiz that resonates with your audience’s interests and needs.
Check The Analytics
Hello Bar analytics help you understand how well your site banners and pop-ups perform. They track how many people see your message and how many take action, like clicking through or signing up.
The data shows exact numbers, allowing you to tweak the design or message for better results. You can compare different versions to see what works best.
It’s about knowing your audience and making informed changes. Want to know how effective your calls-to-action are? Check the metrics and get clear answers.
Make adjustments on your blog or website based on real interactions, not guesses.
Conclusion of the Hello Bar
Hello Bar offers simple yet powerful tools to capture attention and drive action. Don’t miss the chance to make the most of your site traffic.
Start experimenting with Hello Bar. How will you use it to enhance your user experience?
However, I decided back in 2022 to not use as many pop-ups on the site to annoy you, my readers. I may reconsider it for 2025 as I love the other features like push notifications and lead quizzes.
FAQs: The Impact of the Hello Bar and Neil Patel’s Influence
What is Hello Bar?
Hello Bar is a tool for website pop-ups that helps boost conversions by capturing email leads and driving traffic to specific pages. It offers customizable templates to match your website’s design.
Why did Neil Patel recommend it?
Neil Patel advocates for Hello Bar because of its effectiveness in increasing engagement and capturing leads without intruding on the user experience.
How does Hello Bar improve conversion rates?
Hello Bar grabs visitors’ attention with targeted messages, CTAs, or promotions. This intercepts potential drop-offs and turns them into actionable leads.
Are pop-ups effective, or do they annoy visitors?
Pop-ups can be effective if used sparingly and contextually. They should offer real value—like exclusive offers or useful updates—to avoid frustrating users.
Can Hello Bar be customized to fit my brand?
Yes, Hello Bar allows extensive customization options, including colors, text, and design, to ensure it aligns with your brand identity.
Does Hello Bar work with all website platforms?
Hello Bar integrates easily with various platforms, including WordPress, Shopify, and many others, ensuring seamless functionality across sites.
Is it difficult to set up Hello Bar on my website?
Setting up Hello Bar is straightforward. It requires placing a simple code snippet on your website. The platform guides you through the process.
Does Hello Bar offer targeting options?
Hello Bar features advanced targeting based on user behavior, location, or device type. This helps deliver relevant content to the right audience.
How can I measure the success of my Hello Bar campaigns?
Hello Bar includes analytics tools to track views, conversions, and engagement. These insights help refine strategies to maximize effectiveness.
Are there any costs associated with using Hello Bar?
Hello Bar offers a free basic version, but premium plans with advanced features and higher traffic allowances are available for a fee.
What’s the best practice for using pop-ups without harming SEO?
Use pop-ups wisely by ensuring they don’t cover content immediately or interrupt the user’s journey. Google penalizes intrusive interstitials, so focus on value and timing.