How We Tripled Conversion — Just by Changing the Timing of the Wheel

When should you show the spin-to-win wheel: immediately, after a delay, or on exit? Discover how choosing the right trigger can boost conversion by 290%. A practical guide for Widgenta.

We Thought “The Earlier, The Better”

Here’s what we used to do: A user lands on the site. After 3 seconds — bang! — the spin-to-win wheel pops up: “Spin and win!”

Our logic was simple:
— the sooner we offer the game,
— the higher the chance they’ll spin it.

But the data slapped us in the face:
Conversion rate: 4.2%.
Is that good? No. It could be much better.

So we asked ourselves: When is the user actually ready to play?

Not at Entry — But at the Moment of Trust

We ran an A/B test with three different triggers using Widgenta: 

Yes, you read that right. +290% increase in conversion — just by changing the timing.

Why does this happen?

On Entry: “Who Are You and What Do You Want?”

The user has just arrived.
They haven’t yet figured out:

• who you are,
• what you offer,
• whether they can trust you.

And you’re already asking them to play.
This isn’t gamification.
It’s pressure.

After 30 Seconds: “I’m Already Interested… What If I Get Lucky?”

If you wait 30 seconds, the user has time to:

• read the headline,
• view the product images,
• check the price,
• almost make a decision.

At this moment, the wheel acts as a conversion accelerator:
“You were already about to buy. What if you also win something?”

💡 Tip: Set a delay of 15–30 seconds — the perfect balance between engagement and patience.

Exit-Intent: “I’m Leaving… Wait, What’s That Prize?”

The most powerful moment is when the cursor moves toward the close button.
The user has already decided to leave.

Then — click:
“Wait! You have a chance to win a discount.”

This isn’t just a widget.
It’s a lifeline.

Results:
— 12.1% conversion rate,
— 89% return rate among those who were leaving.

When and Where to Show It: Trigger Checklist

Choose your trigger based on your goal:

✅ On Entry (with delay) — Goal: Fast Email Collection

Best for:

• single-purpose landing pages
• lead magnets (checklists, guides)
• new brands with low initial trust

Tips:

• Offer a high-value prize (discount, gift)
• Delay: 15–30 seconds — lets the user “look around”

✅ On Any Page — Goal: Personalization

Best for:

• e-commerce (product pages)
• SaaS (user dashboard)
• blogs (after reading an article)

Tips:

• Use different prizes per page:
  • On a product page — discount on that item
  • In cart — free shipping

✅ Exit-Intent — Goal: Recovery + Conversion

Best for:

• anyone losing visitors
• e-commerce with abandoned carts
• highly competitive niches

Tips: Use personalization: “You viewed [product] — get a discount on it”

How to Test It Yourself: A 1-Day A/B Test

Set up 2–3 triggers in Widgenta:
— delayed entry,
— on a specific page,
— exit-intent.

Run the test on 50% of traffic (the other 50% is the control group).
Wait for 3,000–5,000 unique visits for statistical significance.

Check analytics for:
— CTR on the “Spin” button,
— conversion to target action,
— time on site.

Keep the winning variant.

💡 Fact: One client increased conversion from 5.3% to 14.7% — simply by showing the wheel not immediately, but after 25 seconds, once the user had already read about the benefits.

The Key Is Not Location — It’s Timing

It doesn’t matter where the wheel appears — top, center, or corner.

What matters is when it appears.

• Show it before trust is built — it hurts.
• Show it after interest — it helps.
• Show it at the moment of exit — it saves.

 Ready to Find the Perfect Moment?

Set up your spin-to-win wheel with precise triggers today on Widgenta

P.S. The smartest brands don’t just add a widget. They embed it into the customer journey. Are you still placing it “just because”?