Looking for an easy way to keep in touch with website visitors? A newsletter is a powerful tool for website owners to engage with their audience, build relationships, and boost their business. If you have a WordPress website, adding a newsletter is surprisingly easy. In this piece, you’ll learn how to add a newsletter to a WordPress website.
Why you need a newsletter for your WordPress website
A newsletter for your WordPress website can be highly beneficial for several reasons:
1. Audience Engagement
It helps you stay connected with your audience by delivering content directly to their inbox and keeping them informed about updates, news, or new posts.
2. Traffic Generation
Regular newsletters can drive traffic to your site by encouraging subscribers to visit for new content, promotions, or updates.
3. Brand Building
Consistent communication helps in building and maintaining your brand’s identity and relationship with your audience.
4. Monetization Opportunities
You can use newsletters to promote products, services, or affiliate links, providing additional revenue streams.
5. Feedback and Insights
Newsletters can also be a way to gather feedback from your audience through surveys or polls, giving you valuable insights into their preferences and interests.
6. Growth and Retention
By keeping subscribers engaged and informed, you can create loyalty and reduce the likelihood of audience churn.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Newsletter to Your WordPress Site
1. Choose a Newsletter Plugin
The initial step in setting up a newsletter system for your WordPress site is to select a suitable newsletter plugin. Here’s a look at some of the popular options available:
a). Mailchimp for WordPress
This plugin effortlessly connects with Mailchimp, a popular email marketing provider. It connects your WordPress site to your Mailchimp account, allowing you to collect subscribers and handle email campaigns more efficiently. It’s perfect if you already use Mailchimp or prefer its advanced marketing tools and statistics.
b). Newsletter
This is a comprehensive plugin designed to handle both email list management and the creation and sending of newsletters directly from your WordPress dashboard. It’s an excellent choice if you want an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require integration with an external email marketing service.
c). Sendinblue
This plugin integrates with Sendinblue, which provides email marketing, automation, and CRM functionalities. It’s a good option if you’re looking for an integrated approach that combines email campaigns with advanced marketing automation tools.
d). MailPoet
MailPoet enables you to design, create, and send newsletters directly from within WordPress. It offers user-friendly features such as drag-and-drop email editors and automation tools, making it a convenient choice if you prefer managing everything from within the WordPress environment.
When choosing a plugin, consider factors such as the size of your email list, the complexity of your email marketing needs, and any specific features you require, such as automation or detailed analytics.
2. Install and Set Up the Plugin
For this guide, we’ll use the MailPoet plugin, but the process is similar for other plugins.
Install the Plugin
🔸️Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard
Go to your WordPress admin area.
🔸️Go to Plugins
Click on Plugins > Add New.
🔸️Search for the Plugin
Type MailPoet (or the name of your chosen plugin) into the search bar.
🔸️Install and Activate
Click Install Now, then Activate once the installation is complete.
3. Configure the Plugin
🔹️Access the Plugin Settings
Go to MailPoet in your WordPress admin menu.
🔹️Set Up Basics
Follow the on-screen instructions to configure basic settings. You’ll need to enter your sender email address and name, and other configuration options.
🔹️Create a List
Go to MailPoet > Lists to create a subscriber list. This is where you’ll store the email addresses of your subscribers.
🔹️Design a Newsletter
Go to MailPoet > Emails and select Add New.
Choose a template or start from scratch to design your newsletter. Use the drag-and-drop editor to add elements like text, images, and buttons.
4. Add a Subscription Form
▪️Create a Signup Form
Go to MailPoet > Forms. Click Add New to create a subscription form. Customize it according to your preferences (e.g., field options, button text).
▪️Configure Form Settings
Set up what happens after a user subscribes (e.g., show a thank-you message or redirect to another page).
▪️Embed the Form
You can add the subscription form to your site in several ways:
✔Using a Widget
Go to Appearance > Widgets, then drag the MailPoet widget to your desired widget area (e.g., sidebar, footer). Select your form from the widget options.
✔Adding to Pages or Posts
Use the shortcode provided by MailPoet. You can find this under MailPoet > Forms, and then add the shortcode to any page or post using the WordPress editor.
✔Using a Popup
If your plugin supports it, you can create a popup subscription form that appears when users visit your site.
5. Test Your Setup
▪️Preview Your Newsletter
Before sending out your newsletter, preview it to ensure everything looks as expected.
▪️Test the Subscription Form
Subscribe using a test email address to verify that the form works and that you receive the confirmation email.
▪️Check Deliverability
Ensure your emails are delivered to inboxes and not marked as spam. This may involve adjusting email settings and verifying your domain.
6. Start Sending Newsletters
▪️Schedule Your Newsletter
Please set up a schedule for sending newsletters or send them manually as needed.
▪️Monitor Performance
Use your plugin’s analytics features to track open rates, click-through rates, and other metrics. This will help you understand what works and what needs improvement.
▪️Engage and Refine
Based on feedback and performance data, refine your newsletter content and strategies to better engage your audience.
Conclusion
Adding a newsletter to your WordPress site using a newsletter plugin can greatly improve your communication with your audience. By following these steps, you can set up an effective newsletter system that keeps your subscribers informed and engaged. Remember to regularly update your content and analyze performance to continually improve your newsletter strategy.