How to Create a Popup in Concrete CMS?

My entire website is built on Concrete CMS, and recently, I’ve heard that popups can significantly grow your email list and improve CTRs.

So, does Concrete CMS offer popups? Absolutely!

There are two ways to create a popup in Concrete CMS: using the built-in maker or a popup tool like Picreel.

We’ll also discuss the differences between Concrete CMS’ popup builder and Picreel as a standardized popup tool. In fact, here’s how my Picreel popup looks within Concrete CMS:

Before we get into that, here’s the difference between using Concrete CMS’s own popup vs a standardized popup tool.

In my experience, I recommend using Picreel for the following reasons:

• Multi-platform support: Picreel works across multiple platforms, ensuring your popups remain functional even if you switch platforms.
• Better customization options: Picreel offers extensive customization options, allowing you to create visually appealing and highly effective popups.
• Advanced targeting options: With Picreel, you can use advanced targeting options to reach your audience more effectively.

Nevertheless, in this tutorial, I will show you step-by-step how to create a popup using both methods.

Method 1: Using Concrete CMS’s Built-in Popup

Concrete CMS offers a built-in popup maker. Here’s how to use it:

1. Access your Concrete CMS dashboard by logging in with your admin credentials.

2. From the top menu, go to the “Dashboard” to access various site management options.

3. Go to “Blocks” and click on “Add Block Type.” Select “HTML” or “Content” to create a block that will serve as your popup content.

4. Use the block editor to create the content for your popup. This can include text, images, forms, or any other content you want to display.

5. Add the block you created to the page by dragging and dropping it into the desired area.

6. Set up display conditions for the popup. You can choose to display it based on user actions, page load, or specific triggers like button clicks.

7. Go to the “Design” or “Header/Footer” settings of your theme to add custom scripts.

8. Click “Publish Changes” to make your changes live.

Method 2: Creating a Popup Using Picreel

Picreel is a powerful popup maker that works across multiple platforms, providing you with a versatile solution for creating popups. Here’s how you can create a popup using Picreel:

1. Sign up for a free Picreel account and log in.

2. Go to the “Campaigns” menu and click “New Campaign” from the top right. You can select the templates option from the drop-down or start from scratch.

3. From the templates menu, choose the type of popup you want to create.

4. Once you select the design, customize it according to your preferences.

5. Configure your targeting and trigger options to specify when and where you want your popup to appear.

6. Click “Save” to activate your popup.

Embedding Picreel HTML Code Inside Concrete CMS

To embed a Picreel popup on your Concrete CMS website, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to campaigns and click “View Code.”

2. Click on the code to copy it.

3. Go to the page where you want to embed the custom HTML code.

4. Click the “Edit” button in the toolbar at the top of the page. Click on the “+” icon to add a new block.

5. In the “Add Block” dialog, scroll down or use the search function to find the “HTML” block.

6. In the HTML block editor, you can paste your custom HTML, JavaScript, and CSS code.

7. Click “Publish Changes” to make your changes live.

Which Is a Better Method: Method 1 or 2?

Keeping a long-term view, Picreel is probably better because your popup tool remains intact despite your changing platforms.

You get more sophisticated popup options and more triggers. Picreel comes with a forever-free plan for startups and small businesses and allows you to create unlimited popups with all premium features. I feel the free version does the job; however, you can always look for paid options that start as low as $9.99/month.

On the other hand, if you prefer to use the limited options available with Concrete CMS’s built-in popup without incurring any additional integrations, it can still serve your needs just fine.

Remember, the goal is to create compelling popups that drive user engagement and conversions, regardless of your chosen method. Ultimately, the choice is yours.