The 'Wait, Don't Go' Strategy That Actually Makes You Money
Imagine this: A potential customer in Carindale is looking for a plumber. They find your website, click around for thirty seconds, and then move their mouse toward the 'X' at the top of the screen. They’re about to leave and probably call your competitor down the road.
Now, imagine if the second they moved that mouse to leave, a small, friendly message popped up saying: "Wait! Mention this message for 10% off your first call-out."
That person who was about to disappear forever just became a lead. That is what we call an 'exit message' (or what the tech types call an exit-intent popup).
Most Brisbane business owners I talk to hate popups. They think they’re annoying. And look, if they’re done poorly, they are bloody annoying. But if you do them right, they are the cheapest way to get more phone calls without spending an extra cent on advertising.
In this guide, I’m going to show you how to use these messages to stop losing customers and start making more money from the people already visiting your site.
Why Most Websites Are Leaking Money
You pay for your website, you might pay for Google ads, and you definitely spend time making sure your business looks good online. But the reality is that about 95% of people who visit a local business website leave without calling or sending an enquiry.
If you have 100 people visit your site and 95 leave, that's a lot of wasted opportunity. If your website isn't making money, it's usually because you aren't giving people a reason to stay or a reason to give you their details before they vanish.
An exit message is your 'safety net'. It’s your last chance to grab their attention before they go back to Google and find someone else.
Three Simple Offers That Turn 'Leavers' Into 'Callers'
You don't need to be a marketing genius to make this work. You just need to offer something the customer actually wants. Here are three things we’ve seen work for dozens of Brisbane businesses:
1. The Immediate Discount
This is the king for tradies and service businesses. The Message: "Don't go! Get $20 off your first service when you book today." Why it works: It gives them a reason to stop shopping around. If they were on the fence about the price, you just solved it.2. The 'Price Guide' or Checklist
People love knowing what things cost or what they need to look out for. The Message: "Leaving? Grab our free '2024 Kitchen Renovation Price Guide' so you don't overpay." Why it works: You get their email address, and they get something helpful. Now you can follow them up later.3. The 'Let Us Call You' Option
Sometimes people leave because they’re busy or they didn't find your phone number fast enough. The Message: "Can't find what you're looking for? Enter your number and we'll call you in 10 minutes." Why it works: It shows great customer service before they've even hired you.How to Set This Up Without Breaking Your Brain
You might be thinking, "This sounds like a lot of technical work." It's actually not. If you have a WordPress site or even one of those AI website builders, there are simple tools that do the heavy lifting for you.
You basically tell the tool: "When the user moves their mouse to close the tab, show this box."
What it will cost you: Most good tools for this cost between $15 and $40 a month. If that one tool saves just one job a month, it has paid for itself five times over.
How long until you see results: Usually within 24 to 48 hours. If people are visiting your site, they will start seeing the message immediately. You’ll know pretty quickly if your offer is working by how many people start clicking it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid (Don't Be That Guy)
I’ve seen a lot of local businesses mess this up. Here is what NOT to do:
Don't make it hard to close: If someone really wants to leave, let them. Don't hide the 'X' button. That just makes people angry at your brand. Don't ask for too much info: Just ask for a name and a phone number or email. If you ask for their home address, mother's maiden name, and shoe size, they’ll just leave. Don't show it on every single page: If they've already seen it on the home page, don't show it again on the 'About Us' page. It gets old fast.
What Should You Do First?
If you want to try this out, here is your game plan:
1. Pick an offer: What’s one thing you can give away that costs you very little but is valuable to a customer? (A discount, a guide, a free quote). 2. Write the words: Keep it simple. "Wait! Before you go..." 3. Install a tool: Ask your web person to add an 'exit intent' plugin, or do it yourself if you handle your own site. 4. Test it: Open your site in a private window, move your mouse to the top, and see if it pops up.
Is This a Waste of Time?
Look, I’ll be blunt. If your website gets three visitors a month, this won't save you. You need people coming to the site first. But if you’re already getting traffic—maybe you’re running ads or you’ve been in business in Brisbane for years and have a solid reputation—this is the easiest way to stop losing customers who are right on the edge of buying.
I’ve seen a landscaper in Chermside increase his enquiries by 30% just by adding a "Get a Free Quote Before You Go" message. He didn't change his ads; he didn't change his prices. He just caught the people who were about to walk out the door.
Summary for the Busy Owner
What is it? A message that appears only when someone is about to leave your site. Why do it? To turn leaving visitors into paying customers. Cost: Cheap ($15-$40/month).
- Time to results: Immediate.
Want us to handle your website and marketing so the phone actually rings? Contact us at lmgroup.au/contact and let’s get to work.