Shopify Discount Code Popup: Setup Guide

Create the code, build the popup, and reveal it at the right moment — a full no-code walkthrough.

A Shopify discount code popup shows a coupon to the right shoppers at the right moment — a welcome code for new visitors, a flash-sale offer, or a last-chance nudge before they leave. This guide walks through the full setup end to end: creating the discount in Shopify, building the popup, adding the code, and tuning timing and targeting so it converts. No theme code required, and you can do all of it on the free plan.

In short: create a discount code in Shopify → Discounts, install Pop Up Discount by MITS, build a popup and paste the code in, then choose when and where it appears. Decide whether to reveal the code directly or email-gate it to grow your list.

Before you start: what you'll need

  • A Shopify store with admin access (any plan).
  • A discount you want to offer — a percentage, a fixed amount, or free shipping.
  • The free Pop Up Discount by MITS app installed.

Step 1 — Create the discount code in Shopify

The code lives in Shopify itself, so it's tracked, limited, and reported like any other discount. In your Shopify admin:

  1. Go to Discounts → Create discount.
  2. Choose a discount code (shoppers type or copy it at checkout) or an automatic discount (applies in cart with no code).
  3. Set the value — for example WELCOME10 for 10% off — and add limits: usage caps, minimum spend, eligible products, and an expiry date.
  4. Save. Copy the code; you'll paste it into the popup in Step 3.

Keeping the code in Shopify means every redemption shows up in your Shopify reports, so you can measure exactly what the discount code popup earns.

Step 2 — Install the popup app

  1. Install Pop Up Discount by MITS from the Shopify App Store.
  2. Open the app and make sure the app embed is enabled in your theme so the popup can display on your storefront.

If you'd like a screen-by-screen version, our how to add a discount pop up on Shopify guide covers the same steps with screenshots.

Build your discount code popup free — no theme editing required.

Install Free on Shopify

Step 3 — Build the popup and add your code

Now design the message shoppers actually see. A good discount popup is short and leads with the offer:

  • Headline: put the value up front — "Get 10% off your first order".
  • The code: paste your Shopify code (e.g. WELCOME10) into the popup, or set it to reveal after signup.
  • Design: match your brand colours and fonts, add a background image, and turn on the mobile full-screen layout.
  • Fields: keep it to a single email field if you're building a list; drop the form entirely if you just want to hand out the code.

Reveal the code, or email-gate it?

This is the key decision, so it's worth a quick comparison.

ApproachHow it worksBest when…
Show the code directlyThe coupon appears immediately in the popupYou want maximum redemptions and lowest friction on a sale
Email-gate the codeShopper enters their email to unlock the codeYou're building a marketing list alongside the discount
SMS or email choiceShopper picks a channel, then gets the codeYou run SMS and email follow-ups

Most Shopify stores email-gate a welcome discount — you capture a contact and hand out the coupon, so even shoppers who don't buy today become people you can reach tomorrow.

Step 4 — Set timing and targeting

When the discount code popup appears decides whether it converts or annoys. In the app you can control:

  • Delay: hold the popup for a few seconds instead of firing on load. See our guide to the best timing for a popup discount.
  • Page rules: show it on the home page, product pages, cart, or specific collections — and exclude URLs where it shouldn't appear.
  • Frequency: cap how often the same visitor sees it, and stop showing it after they've subscribed.

A safe default for a welcome offer: a 5–10 second delay, once per visitor, suppressed after signup.

Step 5 — Publish and test

  1. Publish the popup to your theme.
  2. Open your store in a private window and confirm the popup appears with the correct code.
  3. Check both desktop and mobile — the layout, the close button, and the code copy.
  4. Run a test order to make sure the code applies the discount at checkout.

Ready to launch? Set up your Shopify discount code popup in a few minutes.

Install Free on Shopify

Tips for a higher-converting discount code popup

  • One clear offer. A single, obvious discount beats a cluttered popup with several choices.
  • Add urgency. A short expiry ("code valid for 24 hours") lifts redemption.
  • Don't interrupt too early. Give shoppers a moment to see what you sell before you ask for anything.
  • Watch bounce rate. A popup that lifts signups but spikes bounce rate isn't a win — measure both.
  • Follow up. Use the emails you collect for a welcome flow so the discount starts a relationship, not just a single sale.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Showing the popup on every page view — set a frequency cap.
  • Forgetting an expiry, so the code circulates on coupon sites forever.
  • Not excluding the checkout page, where a popup can disrupt a purchase in progress.
  • Skipping the mobile test — two-thirds of Shopify traffic is mobile.

Related guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add a discount code to a Shopify popup?

Create the coupon in Shopify's Discounts section, then install Pop Up Discount by MITS, build a popup, and paste the code into it. You can reveal the code directly or unlock it after the shopper enters their email.

Should the discount code popup show the code or email-gate it?

Email-gating grows your marketing list because shoppers give their email to unlock the code. Showing the code directly removes friction and can lift immediate redemption. Many stores test both.

Is a Shopify discount code popup free to set up?

Yes. Pop Up Discount by MITS has a free plan, so you can create and publish a discount code popup without any cost. Paid plans add higher limits and extra features.

Will a discount code popup work with automatic discounts?

Yes. You can either display a coupon code that shoppers copy and paste at checkout, or promote an automatic discount that applies in the cart without a code.

Ready to grow your Shopify store?

Install Pop Up Discount by MITS and launch your first popup in minutes. Free plan available.