Alternatives to landing page popups
When a user visits a website. They have intent. This intent is based upon the purpose of your website.
To keep visitors happy, websites should permit users to achieve their goals without impediment, swiftly.
I would speculate to say that zero users actually want to see a 'popup for X' when they arrive on your webpage.
Popups are annoying, distracting and are often presented at the worst possible moment, attempting to force something upon your visitors.
Here are some alternatives:
I want to offer visitors a discount code
Do it at the checkout, when you know your user is closer to completing their purchase. This will increase the chances of your visitor adding more items to their cart and give them a warm fuzzy feeling. Alternatively, offer a voucher code once a sale has taken place.
I want people to join my mailing list
Nobody wants more e-mails. Signing up to a mailing list should be elective. Don't slap a popup front-and-center, grabbing at their e-mail address. It smacks of desperation. Have a visible form on your page so users can choose freely. If your site is good, they'll come looking.
I have to show Cookie popups
Full screen cookie opt-in popups are horrible (aka Cookie walls). Like torture, you'll do anything to make it stop. In this case, by consenting into oblivion. A persistent footer is the preferable option here. You want visitors to enjoy your website - making the experience arduous makes visitors think twice before visiting again. Fortunately the EU are taking steps to change the way cookie consent is handled. It's rare anybody actually consents, we just click to get rid of the annoying message.
I have a new feature to show off
Use contextual visual nudges in the right place, at the right time. New search feature? Add visual clues as part of the UI, indicating that a new feature is available. Visitors should be allowed to continue towards their goal without having their journey interrupted.
Thomas -