Setting up an email list is one of the most important steps on the road to website success. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t realise just how important it is, and therefore fail to do so for a long time after creating their WordPress website.

Current statistics say that over 70% of people who visit your website won’t ever come back unless you can get them to subscribe to your emailing list. Once someone is subscribed to your list there is a fair chance of them returning sometime in the future and who knows – they might even become a regular visitor!

There are a number of very good options when it comes to setting up an email marketing list that is directly linked to your WordPress website. Our favourite is definitely OptinMonster. Although it isn’t free, and can be somewhat difficult to get your head around to begin with, it is an extremely useful tool for all web developers once it is mastered.

What is OptinMonster?

The best thing about OptinMonster is its extreme versatility and the sheer number of features that it offers. Sure, you might have to pay for some of these features, but it will be worth every cent – I promise!

Some of the things that OptinMonster offers include:

• Different Optin options.
• Well designed and attractive sign up forms.
• Precise targeting, including different sign up options for specific pages.
• Decent analytics that can help you make informed decisions about your Optin campaigns, including which sign up options are working and which ones aren’t.

Getting started with OptinMonster is actually extremely easy. First, you need to install the plugin on your WordPress dashboard. Next, head over to the OptinMonster website and choose the plan that you think is the best for you. Link your accounts using an API key, and you’re already halfway to a great email list!

You then need to create Optin forms for your website. This is simple, and can be done in a matter of seconds if you are in a rush. Customize your Optin to your heart’s content, and then save it to the page(s) you want it to show up on. It is a little more complex than this, but you get the idea.

Sending Your First Email:

Once you have set up your Optin campaign and a few people have started subscribing, it is time to think about sending out your first email. Pay careful attention to what sort of things you put in your emails. If they seem to spammy or irrelevant, you will find that people might start unsubscribing relatively quickly.

A good idea can be to send a welcome email as soon as someone signs up. This can help them get started on your website, and can increase your community appeal. Try and make them feel welcome, and encourage them to engage with and explore your website.

Final Word:

A website without a decent email list has a very small chance of being successful. If you would like to build the next big thing on the internet, you need to spend a lot of time setting up efficient, appealing email marketing campaigns. OptinMonster is a great option when it comes to doing this, and it can help you get the most out of your site while encouraging people to return after their first visit.