---
title: Create Your First Popup
description: "Actually, we're going to *cheat* and use the example popup that comes with Popup Maker. Don't worry. That still counts as making your first popup 😉 **Note**: The example popup is an auto-opening (or time delay) popup. If you need…"
url: "https://wppopupmaker.com/docs/getting-started/create-your-first-popup-summary-guide/"
updated: "2026-08-06"
category: Using Popup Maker / Getting Started
---

# Create Your First Popup

Actually, we're going to *cheat* and use the example popup that comes with Popup Maker. Don't worry. That still counts as making your first popup 😉

**Note**: The example popup is an auto-opening (or time delay) popup. If you need to make a click-opening popup after this tutorial, learn how in our[beginner's guide to triggers](https://wppopupmaker.com/docs/getting-started/a-beginners-guide-to-popup-triggers/#click-open).

Make sure you have [installed and activated the latest version of Popup Maker](https://wppopupmaker.com/docs/getting-started/install-and-activate/) before you start.

Let's go!

## Step 1. Click **Popup Maker** > **All Popups**

![Popup Maker > All Popups wp-admin menu item](https://wppopupmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/pm-popup-maker-all-popups-1-24.png)

## Step 2. Click **Edit** under **Example: Auto-opening announcement popup**

![pm edit example popup](https://wppopupmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/pm-edit-example-popup.png)

## Step 3. Change the popup **headline** (optional)

![Edit the popup title](https://wppopupmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/pm-edit-popup-title-1-24.png)

## Step 4. Change the content

![Edit the popup content](https://wppopupmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/pm-edit-popup-content-1-24.png)

## Step 5. Keep the default **Time Delay / Auto Open** trigger and its **On Popup Close** cookie setting

Before you play around with other trigger types, [read our Add A Popup Trigger guide](https://wppopupmaker.com/docs/getting-started/add-a-popup-trigger/).

![pm keep trigger and cookie](https://wppopupmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/pm-keep-trigger-and-cookie.png)

## Step 6. Keep the default **Home Page** targeting rule

![pm keep home page targeting](https://wppopupmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/pm-keep-home-page-targeting.png)

If you're feeling *comfy*, you can try different [targeting rules](https://wppopupmaker.com/docs/getting-started/popup-maker-glossary-of-terms/#targeting-conditions).

![popup maker targeting dropdown](https://wppopupmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/popup-maker-targeting-dropdown.gif)

## Step 7. Click **Popup Enabled** and then **Update** to go live

![pm click update](https://wppopupmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/pm-click-update.png)

## Step 8. Take it for a test drive

Go to your homepage. After the popup opens, click **CLOSE**. That will [create a browser cookie](https://wppopupmaker.com/conversion-optimization/what-is-a-cookie/), so you won't see the popup for 1 month (default time).

If you reload the homepage, the popup won't display again until you delete the cookie from your browser or open a new **Incognito** window.

![popup maker first popup hello world](https://wppopupmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/popup-maker-first-popup-hello-world.gif)

## Step 9. Celebrate 🎉

You did it! Give yourself a pat on the back and high fives all around.

## What's Next?

If you're hungry for more, be sure to check out the following guides:

- Read [Add A Popup Trigger](https://wppopupmaker.com/docs/getting-started/add-a-popup-trigger/) for more details on adding popup triggers.
- What if you need a popup to open with a click or form submission? Read the **Usage Examples** in [A Beginner's Guide to Popup Triggers](https://wppopupmaker.com/docs/getting-started/a-beginners-guide-to-popup-triggers/#usage-examples) for creating an Auto Open, a Click Open, and a Form Submission trigger (3 most popular triggers).
- Watch a short 6-minute [video tutorial to learn how to launch a popup](https://youtu.be/w5Ez5vWgaKU?si=BprKEqMJYgyBt-1p) when you click on any element on your post or page.
- Visit our [beginner-friendly troubleshooting guide](https://wppopupmaker.com/docs/problem-solving/troubleshooting-your-first-popup/) to learn how to fix the most common popup problems we see.
- Learn what is a browser cookie, how Popup Maker uses cookies, and safe practices for cookies in our [What is a Cookie? blog post](https://wppopupmaker.com/conversion-optimization/what-is-a-cookie/).