Say you go to a website, eager to explore. A few seconds after you hit the landing page, this floating box appears. You see this kind of offer: “Join our mailing list and get a free report”

It’s a pop-up form. What do you think?

Do you mind? Do you sign up? Do you hate it? Do you back out pronto?

Well, most people hate pop-up ads, even when they promote something like a free newsletter.

Usability expert Jakob Nielsen did a study and found the #1 most hated advertising technique is “pop-ups in front of your window”. 95% of people feel “negatively” or “very negatively” about them.

The popup ad is often the #1 most hated among ad techniques.

But, pop-ups seem to get results.

On the Marketing Experiments Blog, Austin McCraw tells the story of a website re-design that tested the effectiveness of a pop-up form against an on-page form. Even when the signup form was on the banner, the pop-up outperformed the form in getting people to opt into the offer. The pop-up was 63% more effective than the banner-placed form.

“I’m pretty sure I dislike pop-ups,” McCraw says. “That is why it is important to get beyond gut feelings and test” he concludes.

For some kinds of websites, a pop-up form may work better to build your list than a static form. It may also send a lot more people off in a huff. There is no right or wrong answer to the question: “Should you use pop-ups to get people to join your mailing list?”

If you really want to encourage opt-ins without resorting to annoying methods, you can. There are many ways to encourage people to sign up - lots of people - without pop-up forms.

Here are 9 ways to optimize your on-page signup box, without popping anything.
1. Place a signup form in a sidebar or box.
2. Position the signup box at the top right column. Make sure it’s above any other sidebar content
3. Offer a free benefit-loaded kit, guide or goody when someone joins.
4. Make the text on the form’s button say something besides “submit” Here are some great alternatives stolen from websites I admire:

• “Get free access”
• “Subscribe me!”
• “Sign me up today”
• Create a very short, mouthwatering title above the signup form, like:
• - “Find better ideas faster”
• - “Powerful uses for free tools”
• - “Free how-to kit”

6. Make the form look good. Use color and shape to give the button some enticing contrast against your background.
7. Say how easy it is to unsubscribe. Say it’s very easy.
8. Tell us you’ll never share our email with anyone
9. Offer your free giveaway everywhere you can:

• - in your email signature
• - on your Facebook page
• - in your social network profiles & updates
• - in press releases and articles

Finally the most important rule. Spend time building great content. People really want to help themselves. Use this self-interest to your advantage. Speak to the problems your visitors face, and how you help avoid mistakes and enjoy greater success.

The power of your content itself to inspire signups is the best proof that you’re on solid ground with your target market.

Joanne Masterson helps business owners launch a full-fledged site ready to fly. Not just a site that’s ‘up.’ But one with design and content that’s primed to build a business from day 1. She’ll help you use free email-list building tools to put powerful strategies in place for more signups. And she will do everything possible to help you align your message with what your market really wants and needs at http://www.bluejprojects.com.