Practical Sales Training™ > How To Get Attention > Exit Intent
Exit Intent
What Is It
Exit intent happens when someone moves their mouse cursor toward the top of the screen. That movement signals they might be about to leave the site.
That single movement is a genuine warning sign. So it gives you one last chance to say something, before the visitor disappears entirely.
Why Does It Work
It works because it’s a form of behavioural messaging. You get the right message to the right person at exactly the right time.
Most messages compete for attention at random moments. But this one arrives at the one moment that guarantees attention, right before someone clicks away.
How Can You Use It
Add The Popup Itself
Putting this into action is simple enough. Add an exit intent popup to your website. Use a plugin, or ask your web developer to build one for you.
Decide What To Show
Once the popup exists, decide what actually appears inside it. Common options include:
- Discount codes
- Lead magnets and email list signups
- Links to genuinely useful resources
- Special offers and deals
When It Works Best
It works best on ecommerce sites, where a visitor leaving without buying represents a genuinely lost sale. A well timed offer can turn that moment around.
It’s also effective for capturing email signups. A visitor about to leave has far less to lose by handing over an address than by committing to buy.
When It Becomes Dangerous
Exit intent becomes annoying fast if it triggers too aggressively, or interrupts someone who was never actually leaving. So false positives damage the entire experience.
It’s also risky if the popup offers something wildly different from what the visitor was actually looking at. A mismatched offer feels like noise, not help.
Common Mistakes
Showing It Too Often
Triggering the same popup on every visit annoys returning visitors quickly. So limit how often any one person sees it.
Making It Hard To Close
A popup with a hidden or tiny close button frustrates people. It happens right at the moment you’re trying to win them back. Make dismissing it effortless.
Offering Something Generic
A vague, one size fits all message wastes this rare moment of attention. So tailor the offer to whatever the visitor was actually browsing.
Exit Intent – An Example
Ecommerce Popups
Most websites, particularly ecommerce sites, use exit intent popups to offer discounts, or promote lead magnets and mailing lists. It’s become a genuinely standard part of the online buying journey.
A small discount at exactly the right second often turns a near miss into a completed sale instead.
See also
