How to Add Email Subscriptions to Your WordPress Blog: An Expert‘s In-Depth Guide

As an experienced webmaster managing WordPress sites for over 15 years, I can tell you that email subscriptions are one of the most valuable assets you can build.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share insider tips and hard-won lessons to help you add email signups on your WordPress site and grow your subscriber list.

Why Email Subscriptions Are Critical for Your WordPress Site

Let‘s first look at some key statistics that highlight the importance of email for your website:

• Email generates 40x more revenue per contact than social media (McKinsey)

• Over 80% of internet users check email daily (Radicati Group)

• Email has an average ROI of $38 for every $1 spent, the highest of any marketing channel (DMA)

Beyond the numbers, here are 5 key reasons why you need to allow email subscriptions on your WordPress site:

1. Build a loyal community – Email converts visitors into engaged, loyal followers of your brand.

2. Increase repeat traffic – Email subscribers visit your site more often. Send new content updates directly to their inbox.

3. Generate sales – Strategic email campaigns can effectively promote products/services and generate more revenue.

4. Gather feedback – Interact directly with your audience. Ask for feedback to improve.

5. Own your data – You control your email subscriber list data, unlike social media.

Clearly, email marketing delivers results. Next I‘ll explain how to set it up on your WordPress site.

Step 1 – Selecting an Email Marketing Service

The first step is choosing an email service provider (ESP) to handle sending emails and managing your list.

Here are the top options for WordPress sites along with key considerations:

• Mailchimp – The most popular ESP with free plans. Extremely easy to use but advanced features require paid plan.

• Constant Contact – Long-time leader focused on small business marketing. Affordable pricing.

• ConvertKit – Made for online creators and info products. More advanced email features.

• SendinBlue – Generous free plan. Ideal for both marketing and transactional email.

• MailerLite – Very simple and budget-friendly for getting started. Scales to grow.

I recommend Mailchimp for beginners because of the generous free plan and the easiest learning curve. But choose the ESP that best fits your needs and budget.

Step 2 – Creating Your First Email List

Once signed up for your ESP, the next step is creating your first email list. Think of this as the "container" that will hold all your subscribers.

Here are the specific steps to create your first list in Mailchimp:

1. Go to Lists and click the "Create List" button

2. Enter your list name and any other details

3. Make sure the type is set to "Regular"

4. Choose your default values for the sign up form

5. Click "Create List" again and your new list is ready!

You can create multiple lists later to segment your subscribers. But one list will do when starting out.

Step 3 – Adding a Subscription Form to Your WordPress Site

Now that your list is created, you need to add a sign-up form to your website so visitors can subscribe to your email list.

There are a few different ways to add a subscription form in WordPress:

1. Using a Dedicated Plugin

The easiest method is to use a plugin that adds opt-in forms with a few clicks. Here are some top options:

• Mailchimp for WordPress – Official plugin that seamlessly integrates Mailchimp.

• Bloom – Elegant forms with conversion optimization features.

• OptinMonster – Conversion focused tool with popups and other high converting form types.

For this example, we‘ll use the Mailchimp for WordPress plugin:

1. Install and activate the plugin

2. Connect your Mailchimp account on the settings page

3. Go to Forms, select your list, choose a form style

4. Copy the shortcode and paste into any page, post or widget

That‘s it! Your form is now embedded and will start collecting subscribers.

2. Use Mailchimp‘s Built-In WordPress Forms

You can also easily embed a form directly from your Mailchimp account.

Go to your list, click Emails > Signup Forms. Pick a style, customize, and copy the code generated.

Paste that form code into a WordPress page, post or widget using a shortcode, HTML widget, or HTML block.

This method doesn‘t require a plugin. But you have less customization options.

3. Build Your Own Custom Form

For complete customization over your form design and fields, build your own subscription form manually:

1. Create an HTML form with fields for name, email, and Mailchimp‘s required hidden attributes

2. Add custom CSS styling to match your brand

3. Use AJAX to post the data to Mailchimp‘s API on submit

4. Validate fields and handle errors on the front end

This approach gives you unlimited form design options and control. But it requires more development work.

Step 4 – Sending Your First Email Broadcast

Once your form starts collecting email subscriptions, it‘s time to engage those subscribers by sending your first email broadcast.

Here‘s how easy it is to create and send an email campaign in Mailchimp:

1. Go to Campaigns and click "Create Campaign"

2. Choose a template or blank email to design from scratch

3. Customize the content, images, branding to match your site

4. Select the list(s) to send to and hit "Send" or schedule for later

That‘s all it takes to get your first email out. Analyze the open and click-through rates in your campaign report. Use that data to improve your future emails.

Growth Strategies: How to Get More Email Subscribers

While adding one subscription form is a start, you‘ll want to grow your email list much faster.

Here are my top tips for getting more email subscribers as an experienced webmaster:

• Offer an opt-in incentive – e.g. discount, coupon, free downloadable resource. This provides value in exchange for their email address.

• Include email forms in multiple locations – headers, footers, sidebar, blog posts, etc. The more places you ask, the more signups.

• Promote your newsletter across all channels – social media, YouTube, podcasts, etc. Add signup links everywhere.

• Encourage sharing – Ask subscribers to share your opt-in offer with friends and followers to expand reach.

• Use popups and other high-converting campaigns with tools like OptinMonster. These convert abandoning visitors into subscribers.

• Personalize your call to action copy to resonate with your audience and convey direct benefits.

• Add "Subscribe" CTAs in relevant blog posts so readers can easily signup for more on that topic.

The key is trying different tactics and constantly testing to determine what works for your particular audience. Avoid buying email lists which will hurt deliverability.

Focus on providing value, and your email subscriber list will continue to grow.

Final Thoughts

Adding email subscriptions allows you to forge lasting relationships with your audience.

This guide provided actionable steps on getting started from choosing an ESP to embedding signup forms to sending your first broadcast.

Consistency and value are key. Use your email list community to take your WordPress site to the next level!

Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions on setting up email marketing for your website. I‘m happy to help fellow webmasters succeed online.