OptinMonster: 7 Ways to Increase Your Sales

You know what ? OptinMonster, this is a really great plugin for WordPress that helps boost conversions on your site. Whether it’s to grow your email list or increase your sales, it seems to have it all. Lots of marketing pros use it to convert their visitors and monetize their traffic.

One great thing about OptinMonster is that it works not only on WordPress, but also with other CMS and many autoresponders. If you are looking for a service that easily integrates with most web tools, it's a good choice. Plus, it offers plenty of customizable templates, so you can create forms that really fit your branding. There are different campaign types that allow you to implement almost any marketing strategy.

But anyway, let’s take a closer look at OptinMonster. In this article, I’ll give you my opinion on this WordPress plugin so you can decide whether it’s right for you or not.

What is OptinMonster?

OptinMonster is really a tool that simplifies lead generation on your site. It is a SaaS service, so you can use it directly from your browser without installing anything on your computer. It has a dedicated plugin for WordPress, which makes it super popular among users of this CMS. But what's cool is that it also works very well with other platforms like Shopify or ThriveCart.

Currently, over 1,2 million websites use it to convert their traffic into signups or customers. Whether you have a blog, a business site or an e-commerce, this plugin can really help you generate more leads. Once you have created your OptinMonster account, you can set up a lot of automations like:

• A pop-up promo when someone is about to leave your site.
• A subscription form in each of your blog posts.
• Content reserved for members who log in with their email.
• A persistent bar to highlight certain articles.

And you can easily manage all of this from your account and integrate it into your site. What's great is that the software is packed with features that give you a lot of freedom in terms of design and triggers. OptinMonster has many other features that we're going to explore together. I would even say that it's the software the most complete in its categorye.

On the other hand, the small downside is that it can be expensive. Sometimes you have to go for a slightly expensive plan to access certain features, and you may not need all of that. So, it's not necessarily a solution to recommend to everyone.

Key Features of OptinMonster

OptinMonster has a ton of features that will really appeal to web marketing pros. Some of the coolest tools include the 2-step opt-in, the ability to create custom pop-ups based on visitors' geolocation (using their IP address), A/B testing, and even displaying a form when someone is about to leave your site (and it works on mobile too!).

Plus, there’s a super easy-to-use visual editor with a drag and drop system to create your forms. And that’s not all! There are about twenty animations and sound effects to capture the attention of Internet users. You can also offer exclusive content (like content reserved for logged in members) and even add countdowns. It really allows you to let your creativity run wild and create a sense of urgency to collect even more leads.

OptinMonster is a powerful lead generation and conversion optimization tool that can truly transform the way you interact with your online visitors. Here are some of its key features that I recommend you consider.

1. Creating Pop-ups and Forms

One of the most popular features of OptinMonster is the ability to create custom pop-ups and signup forms. You can choose from different templates and adapt them to your site’s visual identity. This makes the user experience smoother and more engaging, increasing the chances of visitors signing up for your newsletter or taking other desired actions.

There are options for every taste:

• Pop-up: The form is displayed on the screen after a certain time or depending on the user's actions. The pop-up can cover the entire screen or only a part of it.
• Floating bar: the form appears in the header or footer of the site, whether persistent or not.
• Persistent box when scrolling the page: the form remains visible on the screen even when the user scrolls through the content.
• Playful wheel and “scratch” buttons: an engaging format that gives the user a feeling of winning and luck.

Gamification formats are particularly effective and will leave a lasting impression on your users. To my knowledge, there is no other solution capable of achieving this effect (feel free to correct me in the comments if I am wrong).

There are templates suitable for all types of forms, as well as various significant events of the year such as Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, etc. Being designed by conversion experts, these templates guarantee an excellent rendering.

2. Segmentation and Targeting

OptinMonster allows you to segment your audience and target specific groups with tailored messages. For example, you can show special offers to returning visitors or those who spend a certain amount of time on a page. This personalized approach can significantly improve your conversion rates.

3. A / B Testing

Another key feature is A/B testing. This allows you to test different versions of your campaigns to see which ones work best. By analyzing the results, you can adjust your strategies to maximize the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. It’s a smart way to continually optimize your results.

4. Easy Integrations

OptinMonster easily integrates with many email marketing platforms, CRMs, and other tools. Whether you use Mailchimp, HubSpot, or WordPress, you can sync your data effortlessly. This allows you to manage your contacts and campaigns consistently and efficiently.

5. Analytics and Reports

Finally, the tool offers advanced analytics features. You can track the performance of your campaigns in real-time and get detailed reports. This helps you understand what’s working and what’s not, allowing you to adjust your strategies accordingly.

Display rules and triggers

After selecting a form format and adjusting its design, you can set the display rules and the various triggers that will be visible on the screen of your site visitors. With OptinMonster, it is possible to select the pages on which each form will be displayed. Given the variety of formats available, it is essential to keep good control over this, as some pages may require a particular design.

The software also allows you to set a delay before a popup is displayed. OptinMonster can detect when a user is inactive: displaying a popup to welcome them back can be a great way to get their attention.

If you want to run seasonal campaigns, you can set up certain pop-ups to appear only on specific dates. In addition, OptinMonster is able to distinguish new visitors from regular visitors and know their geographic location. This feature is very useful for adapting the message and improving the conversion rate.

In the field of e-commerce, there is no shortage of features. The software offers specific options that allow, for example, to display a form based on the amount of the visitor's basket or the products it contains. This is an excellent way to inform the Internet user that they could benefit from free delivery if they add an additional product, or to suggest an additional item to the one already in their basket.

How to create a campaign?

Before you start designing your campaign, it’s essential to clearly define its objective. What action do you want visitors to take when they discover your campaign? Do you want them to sign up for your email list, visit a page on your site, or download a file? Your objectives will guide the content of your campaign.

After a visitor clicks a button or fills out a form, the action that follows is determined by the Success Action of your campaign elements.

Let's say we want to create a campaign with Popups, select Popup as the campaign type. You will see the templates available for this campaign type; choose one to start creating your campaign.

Next, browse the campaign templates to find one that works for you. Once you've identified a campaign you want to use, click the Use Template button. For this example, we will choose the model Small Business Saturday. On the next screen, give your new campaign a descriptive title and assign it to the sites you want it to appear on, then click the Start Creating button.

When you first go into the builder to edit your new campaign, you'll be greeted with the Design view. This is where you'll be able to customize the text, fields, and other essential elements of your campaign.

There are multiple ways to customize your campaign to your needs. For this first approach, we’ll take a simple approach by focusing only on changing the text in the Optin and Success views so they align with your offer. We’ll also make adjustments to the optin fields and button. Once you get the hang of changing these elements, you’ll find that all other aspects of the design work in a similar way, allowing you to create any design you want!

Edit Text

Include text elements in your campaign to introduce your offer to visitors and guide them on what actions to take. A common feature of pop-up campaigns is to include a catchy headline to grab visitors’ attention, followed by additional text that provides more details.

To customize the style of your text (including font style, weight, spacing, color, etc.), simply select the text in any block you want to edit. This will bring up the text editing toolbar, allowing you to adjust the styles to your preferences.

Edit Field

You can use optin fields to collect information about the leads you’ll send to your email service provider. OptinMonster’s native integrations allow you to collect name, email address, and phone number. You also have the option to add a privacy statement and a checkbox.

Next, you’ll use Display Rules to define when, where, and to whom your campaign will be visible on your site. In other words, Display Rules determine the triggers that will make your campaign appear in front of visitors. You can create a multitude of display rule configurations, ranging from simple to complex, depending on your specific needs.

Publish the Campaign

The publish view is where you will do a final review of all the details of your campaign before publishing it to your site! When you create a new campaign, it is by default "paused" and will not appear on your site. When you are ready, you will be able to publish or push it to your website, allowing it to be visible to visitors who trigger it.

To publish your campaign, follow these steps:

From the publish view, you can perform a final check to ensure your campaign is ready to launch. The campaign publish summary gives you a helpful checklist of items to review.

Gray circles next to items indicate that an item is not yet configured. This doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem, especially if you plan to leave some options unconfigured. We recommend evaluating each option each time you create a new campaign before publishing it.

You can also use the live site preview and inspection features from the publish view to evaluate and test your campaign before publishing it.

Article to read: WP Rocket: Best WordPress Object Caching Plugin

How much does OptinMonter cost?

OptinMonster offers several pricing plans depending on the features you want. Here’s a look at the available options:

1. Basic Plan : From $7 per month (billed annually).
2. Plus Plan : From $17 per month (billed annually).
3. Pro Plan : From $25 per month (billed annually).
4. Growth Plan : From $37 per month (billed annually).
5. Business Plan : Pricing on request, suitable for large companies with specific needs.

Prices may vary depending on promotions and options chosen. It is recommended to check the OptinMonster official website for the latest and detailed pricing information.

The Basic plan is perfect for getting started with the tool, as it includes all the essential features. It allows you to use OptinMonster on a website with up to 2 page views per month. This plan includes the majority of form formats as well as a drag-and-drop visual editor. In addition, it offers the ability to manage leads without any restrictions and includes basic integrations such as MailChimp, Sendinblue, Constant Contact, etc.

The Plus plan is available for 2 websites with 10 page views per month. It offers advanced features such as A/B Testing, exclusive content and audiovisual effects (MonsterEffects and MonsterSounds). This plan also provides access to so-called “advanced” integrations such as ConvertKit, AWeber, GetResponse, etc.

The Pro plan can be used on 3 websites with 25 monthly page views. It offers the possibility to create specific mobile campaigns, integrate countdowns and benefit from advanced retargeting rules (exit intent, targeting by device type, etc.).

How to make money with OptinMonter

OptinMonster is a great tool to boost your online sales. Here are seven ways it can help you increase your revenue, while creating a great experience for your customers.

1. Capture Leads with Eye-Catching Forms

Lead capture is a fundamental pillar of any successful sales strategy. With OptinMonster, you can design elegant and fully customizable signup forms, tailored to different sections of your site. Whether pop-ups, floating bars, or embedded forms, these tools are specifically designed to capture the attention of your visitors. By offering attractive incentives, such as a promo code or exclusive content, you effectively encourage users to sign up.

Once you have collected their contact information, you can integrate them directly into your mailing list and engage in targeted communication. This helps build trust from the start, increasing the chances of conversion. In addition, these forms are optimized for all devices, ensuring a smooth user experience, whether on mobile or desktop. By mastering lead capture, you build a solid foundation for your future sales efforts, allowing you to support your prospects until they make a purchase decision.

2. Behavioral Targeting

With OptinMonster, you can set up campaigns that only show when certain conditions are met. For example, if a visitor spends more time than average on a product page without making a purchase, you can present them with a special offer or an encouraging message. This personalized approach shows customers that you understand their needs and are willing to help them.

This can include discounts, product recommendations, or testimonials to build trust. By targeting visitors based on their behavior, you increase the chances that they will make a purchasing decision. Plus, it reduces the risk that they will leave your site without buying anything because you are offering them a solution that is tailored to their situation.

3. A/B Testing to Maximize Effectiveness

A/B testing is a vital method for improving the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. With OptinMonster, you can easily create two different versions of the same campaign to test what works best. For example, you could change the call-to-action text, the button color, or even the image used in a pop-up. By exposing segments of your audience to each version, you can gather valuable data on how each option performs.

This allows you to identify which elements are driving the most engagement and conversions. A/B testing isn’t limited to pop-ups; you can also apply it to landing pages, emails, and other marketing elements. By analyzing the results, you can make informed decisions and continually optimize your campaigns. This data-driven approach allows you to maximize your ROI and ensure that each campaign is as effective as possible.

4. Retargeting Abandoning Visitors

Retargeting visitors who have abandoned their purchase journey is a key strategy for recovering lost potential sales. With OptinMonster, you can create targeted campaigns to encourage visitors who left the site without completing their purchase to return. For example, When a customer adds a product to their cart but leaves the site before completing, a personalized follow-up email with a special offer or a cart reminder can be sent.

By integrating tailored messages, you can remind customers of the products they left behind and motivate them to complete their purchase. In addition, using pop-ups or notifications when they return to the site can remind them of abandoned items. This proactive approach significantly improves the conversion rate by directly targeting customers who have already shown interest in your products.

5. Limited Time Offers

Creating a sense of urgency is a proven technique to get customers to act quickly. With OptinMonster, you can easily set up time-limited offers that grab visitors’ attention. For example, you can offer a special discount that’s only valid for 24 hours or exclusive access to a product for early buyers. By displaying a countdown timer on your site, you create psychological pressure that pushes customers to make an immediate purchasing decision.

This type of offer can be especially effective when paired with an email marketing campaign, where you remind subscribers that time is running out to take advantage of the offer. Additionally, limited-time offers can also be used to promote product launches or special events, increasing engagement and excitement around your brand. Ultimately, this strategy can not only increase your sales in the short term, but also strengthen the loyalty of customers who appreciate the exclusive offers.

6. Integration with Marketing Tools

Integrating OptinMonster with other marketing tools is essential for effective campaign management. Whether you use email marketing platforms like Mailchimp, CRMs like HubSpot, or analytics tools like Google Analytics, OptinMonster makes it easy to sync your data. This allows you to centralize your marketing efforts and leverage customer insights to create more targeted and relevant campaigns.

For example, you can segment your subscriber list based on their purchasing behavior and send personalized emails that cater to their specific interests. Additionally, integrations allow you to automate the lead nurturing process, saving you time and allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business. By integrating OptinMonster with your other tools, you can create a cohesive, well-orchestrated marketing strategy that maximizes your chances of conversion.

7. Performance Analysis

Performance analysis is crucial to any successful sales strategy. OptinMonster provides you with detailed analytics on the performance of your campaigns, allowing you to track key metrics such as conversion rate, number of leads captured, and user engagement. With this data, you can identify what’s working and what needs adjustments. For example, if a campaign generates a lot of traffic but few conversions, it may indicate that the message or offer is not compelling enough.

By reviewing the performance of each campaign, you can make informed decisions about how to optimize your marketing efforts. Plus, regular reporting allows you to track your progress over time and adjust your strategy accordingly. Ultimately, performance analysis allows you to maximize your ROI and ensure each campaign is as effective as possible.

Alternatives to OptinMonster

There are several alternatives to our little green monster software that faces fierce competition. Here are the 3 that I recommend the most:

1. WPForms

The first option to consider instead of OptinMonster is WPForms. This WordPress plugin, focused on creating forms, enjoys great popularity, especially thanks to its free version. However, it does not offer as many features. If your needs are simple, this is an adequate choice. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more complete solution, it is better to opt for OptinMonster.

• Type : WordPress Plugin
• Ease of use : Very user-friendly thanks to its drag-and-drop interface, ideal for beginners.
• Features :
• Creation of various forms (contact, registration, surveys).
• Integrations with many email marketing services.
• Pre-designed templates to save time.
• Benefits : Perfect for those looking for a simple and effective solution without a learning curve.

We wrote in one of our previous articles the 7 Features of WPForms Plugin that could make you money.

2. Gravity Forms

Another option to OptinMonster is Gravity. This WordPress plugin is also well-known for lead capture and powerful form creation. While OptinMonster offers more features, Gravity is more affordable, with pricing ranging from $59 to $159 per year.

• Type : WordPress Plugin
• Ease of use : More complex than WPForms, but extremely powerful for advanced users.
• Features :
• Conditional logic to show or hide fields based on responses.
• Integrations with payment and marketing tools.
• Advanced customization options.
• Benefits : Ideal for sites requiring complex forms and advanced features.

3. Bloom by Elegant Themes

There’s also the Bloom plugin, developed by Elegant Themes, the team behind the remarkable Divi Theme Builder. It’s a nice alternative to OptinMonster, although the templates are less elaborate and offer fewer customization options.

• Type : WordPress Plugin
• Ease of use : Accessible, with an intuitive interface, but requires some familiarity with WordPress.
• Features :
• Multiple types of forms (popup, inline, fly-in).
• Subscriber segmentation for targeted campaigns.
• Easy integrations with email marketing services.
• Benefits : Great option for those who want visually appealing forms and segmentation options.

Criteria	WPForms	Gravity Forms	Bloom
Ease of use	Very easy	Complex	Accessible
Features	Various forms	Advanced and customizable	Visual and targeted
Ideal for	beginners	Advanced users	Visual Marketers
Price	Affordable	Higher	Affordable

Choosing between these alternatives really depends on your specific needs. If you are looking for simplicity, WPForms is a great choice. For advanced features, Gravity Forms is unmatched. Finally, if aesthetics and segmentation are your priorities, Bloom might be the best option.