Here, the IndieCommerce team explains what Google’s recent decision regarding intrusive interstitials on mobile devices means for bookstore websites.

E-mail pop-ups dramatically increase subscribers, but....

IndieCommerce (IC) had previously recommended that members add a MailChimp interstitial (pop-up) to their websites to collect e-mail addresses for their e-newsletters. Both IndieCommerce and American Booksellers Association members that host their websites outside of IC have reported dramatic increases in the number of monthly e-mail subscribers when they use pop-ups.

Due to Google’s decision regarding intrusive interstitials on mobile devices [6], we now have to alter that recommendation. Instead of just having a pop-up, in order to be compliant with Google’s requirements, you should have a pop-up for desktop users and a floating bar for mobile/tablet users. MailChimp does not offer a floating bar option, however, a third party service called MailMunch does and MailMunch integrates with MailChimp. 

Below are instructions on how to create both a pop-up and a floating bar through MailMunch:

BAR OPTION

To configure a bar option for mobile and tablet devices, follow these instructions: 

1. Sign into MailMunch at MailMunch.co [7]. (If you don’t already have an account set up through MailMunch, you will need to create one and may do so through MailMunch Signup [8]. MailMunch offers four different pricing packages that increase with the level of service desired, including a free option. ABA is not suggesting or promoting any level over another.)
2. Select the type of form you want to create: “Topbar” sticks to the top or bottom of your pages.
3. Select a theme for your form.
4. Provide a title for your form (this is the internal title).
5. Select the list that customers who complete the form should be subscribed to. (If you are integrating with Constant Contact, MailChimp, etc., you can leave this set to the default option as you will choose a list through the integration tool.)
6. Select “Create Form.”
7. Configure the form:
   • Message
   • Appearance
   • Fields
   • Behavior — In this step, make sure Desktop device is not selected; select only Mobile and Tablet devices.
   • Integrate
8. Save and continue.
9. Publish the form and select “Finish.”

POP-UP OPTION

To configure a pop-up option for desktop devices, follow these instructions:

1. Sign into MailMunch at MailMunch.co [7]. (If you don’t already have an account set up through MailMunch, you will need to create one and may do so through MailMunch Signup [8]. MailMunch offers four different pricing packages that increase with the level of service desired, including a free option. ABA is not suggesting or promoting any level over another.)
2. Select the type of form you want to create: Pop-up.
3. Select a theme for your form.
4. Provide a title for your form (this is the internal title).
5. Select the list that customers who complete the form should be subscribed to. (If you are integrating with Constant Contact, MailChimp, etc., you can leave this set to the default option as you will choose a list through the integration tool.)
6. Select “Create Form.”
7. Configure the form:
   • Message
   • Appearance
   • Fields
   • Behavior — In this step, make sure the Desktop device is selected and Mobile and Tablet devices is not selected.
   • Integrate
8. Save and continue.
9. Publish the form and select “Finish.”

NOTES:

MailMunch uses cookies to determine if a visitor has seen your Popover, Scrollbox, or Topbar form. Once a user has seen the form and subscribed, they will not be able to see the form again until this cookie expires. If the form was closed manually, it will appear for the same user after the number of days set for “Frequency” (under the “Behavior” step) has passed.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the IndieCommerce team at [email protected] [9].