10 types of overlay – and how to use them to build an effective full-funnel strategy
Website overlays are powerful tools for engaging visitors and driving desired outcomes – such as to make a purchase or sign up to a newsletter. Understanding the different types and how to use them to target all stages of the shopper journey will help you build an effective full-funnel strategy, and enhance the sales potential of your website.
Here are ten common overlay types and when to deploy them:
1. “Welcome Mat”: Sometimes a full-screen overlay, target new visitors to make a strong first impression or highlight your most important offers. It’s ideal for showcasing your brand’s unique value proposition.
2. Exit-Intent Overlay: Trigger this when a user is about to leave your site. It’s perfect to rescue cart abandonment, capture leads or offer special discounts to keep shoppers on the purchase path.
3. Time-Delayed Overlay: Set this to appear after a shopper has spent a certain amount of time on your site. Use it to engage users who have shown interest by browsing for a while, or redirect them back to their original product search, for example.
4. Scroll-Triggered Overlay: Activate this when a user reaches a specific point on your page. It’s great for offering content upgrades or related product recommendations.
5. Bundling/Upsell Overlay: You can influence a buying decision by offering rewards that complement an item in the basket – and boost AOVs in the process.
6. Gamified Overlay: Implement this to add an element of fun and interactivity. A great way to offer purchase incentives or data collection, such as ‘spin the wheel’ campaigns, product quizzes, or seasonal competitions.
7. Video Overlay: Deploy this to showcase product demonstrations, testimonials, or brand stories. It’s effective for capturing attention and conveying complex information quickly.
8. Survey Overlay: Use this to gather customer feedback or conduct market research. It’s best used after a user has had a chance to interact with your site and has completed set actions to ensure it doesn’t distract from the conversion goal.
9. Social Proof Overlay: Showcase customer reviews, testimonials, or user statistics. This builds trust and can be particularly effective on product pages or during the checkout process.
10. Broadcast Overlay: Use this to highlight important news, limited-time offers, or upcoming events. It’s perfect for creating urgency or informing regular visitors about updates.
By strategically implementing these overlay types you can personalise the shopper experience, boost engagement, and drive higher conversions on your website. Remember to always test and optimise your overlay campaigns for maximum effectiveness, and to ensure seamless shopper journeys.
Whether your goal is to increase sales, boost AOVs, acquire new customers, manage inventory, or all of the above, our intelligent technology and technicians (including CRO experts and designers) can help you achieve them – book a demo to or download our case studies to learn more.
