Using short, simple popups is often the best way to improve the conversion rates of any website. An effective lightbox will give site visitors the information or offers that will compel them the most. You only have a short amount of time to get their attention, so it pays to give them something they want.
The key to using this successfully is to ask visitors to provide only the most relevant information. Limit it to an email address and name, and you'll have visitors giving you exactly what you need to reach them once they leave your site.
One thing it's safe to say about lightboxes is that they are eye-catching. And when you're promoting your brand, this is extremely important. The more traffic your website gets, the more effective a method this is of reaching customers. Lightboxes provide you with an effective way of engaging with them in a way that makes them want to come back.
When you add a popup form to your website, it's easy to customize it for your business. By using them to target your desired demographic, site visitors will feel like the popup was created just for them. This kind of personal connection goes a long way in attracting and retaining customers.
Lightboxes are effective at engaging users when you know how to use them. The more interactive you make them, the better your site visitors will respond. By asking them to provide information you can use to offer them something enticing, you're making it fun for them to engage in communication with you.
As we touched on above, making a personal connection with site visitors is the best way to gain business. So, when it comes to how to make a lightbox, using customizations is a crucial part of its success. A customized lightbox is less likely to turn a site visitor off than one that is clearly generic.
One way to customize your site is by using consistent branding throughout that matches your logo and personality. By using a consistent color palette, you make it easier for visitors to recognize and identify your store and brand.
You may be wondering why color theory matters for web design. The answer is that it is important when creating a lightbox. Using colors that are noticeable but still easy on the eyes may keep website visitors from closing out a lightbox before they even see the information in it. But using colors that represent your brand will help it stick out in the minds of your site visitors.
Lightboxes can also be used to grow your list of email subscribers. It's a proven method for getting website visitors to provide you with their email addresses. If you're going to use a lightbox for this purpose, ensure that it is the only information you are asking them for. When creating one for this purpose, keep in mind you should use only the most important words. Any extra information may turn site visitors off of the lightbox, causing them to close it without providing their email addresses.
One popular use for lightboxes is upselling and cross-selling your products. Include products in your lightbox that complement the product someone is already interested in buying. For example, if they add a skirt to their cart, show them an ad for a blouse that they could pair with it. There are endless possibilities for showing your visitors exactly what else you have to offer them.
Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite tools for lettering, calligraphy, and many other crafts and projects – the light box (“light pad” or “light tablet.”) If you’ve ever wondered how to use a light box, read on.
The post contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.
Years ago, I discovered light boxes (now also called light pads or light tablets) when I began learning calligraphy and lettering.
What is a Light Box?
A light box is basically a thin box or tablet with a translucent surface that is lit from inside. You simply place a sheet of paper on it that has guidelines or an image you want to trace, and then place another sheet of paper on top of that. When you turn on the light, it allows you to see the image on the paper beneath.
How Do I Use My Light Box?
For Lettering
The image from the paper underneath shines through so you can trace it. I used a Tombow Dual Brush Pen (large brush marker) on HP Premium 32 Paper. If your goal is simply to keep your lines straight, another wonderful tool is a laser level.
The practice sheet in the photo above is free at tombowusa.com. Search “lettering practice worksheets” at the site. They’re free to download. I used a Tombow Fudenosuke pen (small brush marker.)
For Dry Embossing, Scrapbooking, Tracing
There are many other art and craft applications for a light box. I used to use mine a lot for dry embossing, but I haven’t done that in a while. (I need to get out my stencils and do some dry embossing!) I’ve used it for scrapbooking, too.
For Pattern Tracing and Quilting
Although I haven’t used mine for sewing (pattern tracing) or quilting, those are some other ways to use a lightbox.
For Kids
Kids love a light box for tracing over lettering or drawings, too.
As you can see, a light box is really fun to have!
I love my LightPad930 because the light is bright LED light that shines through a lot of different papers. It’s relatively thin, so it’s not difficult to store. But, there are many other thinner and less expensive ones on the market these days.
I have seen this newer Huion light pad (below) used by lettering artists on Youtube, and it is very highly rated. The work surface is 16.9 x 12.2, bigger than my LightPad 930. It’s thinner too.
Huion A3 Thin Light Box LED
This one, below, has a smaller work surface than the one above, but is much less expensive.
LITENERGY Portable A4 Tracing LED Light Box, Ultra-Thin
There are quite a few other inexpensive ones on Amazon, too, so do some shopping to get the size and style you want.
You might be able to find a light box at your local craft store.
DIY Light Box
There are even several ways to make your own simple lightbox, and I did this early on.
The easiest way to DIY a light box is to simply place a lamp under a clear table. The light shines up through the paper, and allows you to trace over an example. I have also used a window, (but this doesn’t work for all projects of course.)
Another way to make a DIY light box is to have a translucent piece of plexiglass cut, lean it on some books, and place a lightsource under the plexiglass.
These DIY alternatives are very cost effective, especially if you don’t plan to use it a lot.
My light pads are some of my favorite tools, and I highly recommend them. Have you used one before?
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