The majority of people who visit your store leave without buying, and many will not return. An exit-intent offer is a last, well-timed message shown as a visitor is about to go. Done right, it recovers sales you would otherwise lose. Done wrong, it is the popup everyone hates.
What counts as exit intent
On desktop, it is the cursor moving toward the browser bar or back button. On mobile, it is signals like rapid upward scrolling or a period of inactivity. The idea is to catch the moment of leaving, not to interrupt someone who is still shopping.
Offers that actually work
- A first-order discount for new visitors who have not bought yet.
- Free shipping if they are close to the threshold.
- An email capture in exchange for a small perk, so you can follow up.
- A reminder of what is in the cart, with a direct link back to checkout.
How to not be annoying
- Show it once per visitor, not on every page.
- Trigger on genuine exit signals, not five seconds after arrival.
- Make it easy to dismiss, and remember that they dismissed it.
- Lead with value. A useful offer is welcome, a nag is not.
Pair it with your cart strategy
Exit intent is one layer. It works best alongside clear shipping expectations, a visible returns policy, and a free-shipping progress bar that reduces the reasons people abandon in the first place. Prevent the exit where you can, and recover it where you cannot.
Catch leaving shoppers with the right message
Flexibar shows targeted bars and offers by page and behavior, so you can present a last-chance nudge without spamming everyone.
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