Updated January 23, 2023
What is an email opt in form?
When I jump on a strategy call with all my clients to discuss their web design projects one of my questions is, “do you have an email opt in form? Or as I like to refer to it, an irresistible freebie.
I figured I’d explain exactly what the purpose of an opt-in form on a web page is. My job as a Boston web designer is to create a beautiful but more importantly, a strategic website designed to turn visitors into clients and make you money.
There are a number of different tactics I use, such as:
- Designing a clear and concise landing above the fold
- Ensuring there is call to action on each page that relates to your current business goal
- Building with the user experience in mind
- Laying out information and imagery in an eye-appealing manner
- And finally integrating an email opt in form
What is opt-in and why is it important?
Your website is not only designed to showcase your impact and services but to also get people onto your email marketing list. Why? Because your email list allows you to continue the conversation with people who are interested in what you do beyond reading a blog post and leaving and then forgetting about you and never visiting your website again. Your email list allows you to continue the conversation beyond just your website and to build your know, like, and trust factor. And then eventually make offers to help your subscribers solve their problem. That is why an email opt in is important.
How does opt-in email work?
Once people are on your website, besides getting them to take the first step with you in your sales process you also want to get them onto your email list. And how do you do that? With an email opt in ( irresistible freebie) that does the following:
- It’s actionable. You can take action and get results
- It solves a problem or resolves a pain point
- It makes the subscriber be the hero
- And it makes you wonder if you’re giving too much away for free
How many types of opt-ins are there?
There are many types of email opt-ins. It should be designed to attract your ideal client and make sure that the people who sign up want to be there. And it should also discourage the clients you don’t want to work with. You want it to make people go “wow”, this is an incredible resource, and get a taste of what they’ll get when they work with you.
Email opt-in ideas include:
- Tutorials
- How to guides
- Checklist
- Toolkits
- Sneak peeks
- Coupons
- DIY done for your templates
- .pdf’s busting myths and conventional wisdom
- Masterclasses
- The first module of your course
Anything that gives immense value to your visitor and makes them be happy to be part of your email community.
Do you need an opt-in?
In my opinion, if you want to make money with your website, an email opt-in is an excellent addition.
If you don’t have an email opt in or email marketing, don’t worry. It’s easy and free to start. The first step would be to sign up for an email marketing provider. Mailerlite is a great starter platform and you get up to 1,000 subscribers for free. Mailerlite also allows you to set up automation which will be key once you get your email opt-in created.
How to create an email opt-in
Now it’s time to start thinking about what you can create that will offer your community immense value. If it’s a .pdf you’d like to create, head on over to Canva and use some of their design tools. If it’s a video, Loom is great to record your screen.
What does an opt-in page look like?
Once you have both of those pieces set up, it’s time to integrate your email opt-in onto your website. You’ll want to include a Mailerlite signup form on your website that adds subscribers to a group and in turn, will trigger an automation to send an email linking to your freebie.
Once that is all set when someone comes to your website but isn’t quite ready to purchase yet, they hopefully will find tremendous interest in what your irresistible freebie is that they will sign up and be part of your email marketing list. There you can share valuable information and make offers that will help them solve their problems!
Interested to see an email opt in example?
If you’re interested in seeing an email opt in (irresisitible freebie), I invite you to take my website personality quiz. This super fun quiz will tell you how your website can be as one-of-a-kind are you are – *and* give three strategic recommendations you can implement TODAY to see more conversions.
Looking for help with an email opt in on a website?
Integrating email marketing is one of my favorite activities when strategizing the website design for my clients. I’d love to learn more about your and your biz and how I can help. You can learn more here.
