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Exit Intent Trigger

The Exit Intent trigger displays your popup when visitors show signs of leaving the page. It's your last chance to capture their attention before they go.

Overview​

PropertyValue
Trigger Typeexitintent
TimingUser moves to leave
User Action RequiredIntent to leave
Mobile SupportLimited

How It Works​

Desktop Detection​

Exit intent is detected when the mouse cursor:

  • Moves toward the browser's close button
  • Moves toward the back button
  • Moves out of the document area (top of page)
  • Moves rapidly upward

Mobile Detection​

On mobile, exit intent is harder to detect. Alternatives:

  • Back button press (limited browser support)
  • Tab switch detection
  • Page visibility change
Mobile Limitations

Exit intent is primarily a desktop feature. Consider alternative triggers for mobile users.

When to Use​

Good Use Cases​

  • Cart abandonment — Save leaving shoppers
  • Last-chance offers — Final discount
  • Content saves — Bookmark or email content
  • Exit surveys — Feedback collection
  • Lead recovery — Capture before they go

When to Avoid​

  • Users clearly not interested
  • Already converted visitors
  • Mobile-heavy audiences
  • Simple informational pages

Configuration​

  1. Go to Behavior tab
  2. Select Exit Intent from dropdown
  3. Configure sensitivity settings

Sensitivity Settings​

SettingBehavior
HighTriggers earlier, more catches
MediumBalanced (recommended)
LowTriggers later, fewer false positives

Delay Setting​

Add delay between intent detection and popup:

Delay: 0-500ms

Small delay prevents accidental triggers.

Display Frequency​

Use CaseFrequency
Discount offerOnce per session
Exit surveyOnce per day
Save cartEach exit
NewsletterOnce per week

Exit intent should typically:

  • Not show repeatedly in one visit
  • Reset after reasonable time
  • Respect user dismissal

Best Practices​

Timing​

  1. Don't be too aggressive — One exit popup per visit
  2. Add slight delay — Confirm intent
  3. Consider page time — New visitors vs engaged

Content​

  1. Acknowledge the exit — "Before you go..."
  2. Offer real value — Discount, resource, save progress
  3. Create urgency — "Limited time offer"
  4. Easy dismiss — Clear close options

User Experience​

  1. Respect user choice — If dismissed, don't repeat
  2. Don't block exit — User can still leave
  3. Quick to close — Multiple close methods
  4. Mobile alternative — Different strategy for mobile

Content Strategies​

The Discount Offer​

Wait! Here's 15% off your order.
Use code: STAY15
[Apply Discount]

The Save for Later​

Don't lose your progress!
[Email my cart] [Continue shopping]

The Content Offer​

Before you go...
Get our free guide: "10 Tips for..."
[Download Free]

The Exit Survey​

Quick question before you go:
What stopped you from [action]?
[ ] Price too high
[ ] Not what I needed
[ ] Just browsing
[Submit]

Mobile Alternatives​

Since exit intent doesn't work well on mobile:

Use Instead:​

AlternativeDescription
Scroll to bottomEnd-of-page trigger
Timed delayAfter X seconds
InactivityAfter no interaction
Back button (limited)Some browser support

Device-Specific Config​

Configure different triggers by device:

Desktop: Exit Intent
Mobile: Scroll 80%

A/B Testing Ideas​

  1. Copy: Different headline approaches
  2. Offer: Discount % variations
  3. Design: Minimal vs detailed
  4. Sensitivity: High vs medium
  5. Timing: Immediate vs delay

Metrics to Track​

  • Trigger rate — How often exit detected
  • Conversion rate — Actions taken
  • Save rate — Abandoned carts recovered
  • Annoyance metrics — Complaints, bounces

Common Patterns​

E-commerce Cart Save​

Trigger: Exit Intent
Page: Cart, Checkout
Content: Discount or save cart
Frequency: Once per session

SaaS Trial Recovery​

Trigger: Exit Intent
Page: Pricing, Features
Content: Free trial reminder
Frequency: Once per visit

Content Lead Magnet​

Trigger: Exit Intent
Page: Blog posts
Content: Related download
Frequency: Once per day

Troubleshooting​

Not triggering:

  • Check desktop browser
  • Verify mouse leaves correctly
  • Test in preview mode
  • Check cookie isn't blocking

Triggering too often:

  • Reduce sensitivity
  • Add delay
  • Increase cookie duration

Not working on mobile:

  • Expected behavior
  • Implement alternative trigger
  • Use device detection

Ethical Considerations​

Exit intent can feel manipulative if overused:

Do:

  • Offer genuine value
  • Respect user choice
  • Limit frequency
  • Make closing easy

Don't:

  • Block the page
  • Guilt-trip users
  • Show repeatedly
  • Hide close options