How to build an effective newsletter signup page

You can choose to display your newsletter signup form on your site or blog via a popup, on the sidebar, or on a dedicated landing page. Popups are very intrusive and can annoy visitors. Though sidebars are quite popular, they don't convert very well. Therefore, the best option would be to create a dedicated landing page.

Here are some tips for building an effective newsletter signup page:

Use a newsletter service

There are many email marketing services out there that can help you build your email lists, create professional-looking emails and schedule the sending of your newsletters. Once you have signed up with any of these services, you will get a code which you can embed on your newsletter signup page to create a form.

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You can then customise the form according to your preference. Some providers such as GetResponse even have a landing page feature which allows you to create a high converting and mobile-friendly sales page.

Outline the benefits

Before someone decides to join your mailing list, they would want to know what is in it for them. Therefore, you need to make it very clear on your signup page how subscribers will benefit. Let them know what kind of information they will receive and how it will add value to their lives. Don't forget to mention how often emails will be sent. To enhance your chances of getting more subscriptions, you could offer a free gift which can be downloaded immediately when someone signs up.

Get rid of navigation

Don't make the mistake of having menus anywhere on your signup page. Your visitors might be tempted to click on the links and thus be directed elsewhere. Therefore, it would be advisable to eliminate all the navigation elements, or at least minimise them. This will enhance the chances of your visitors reading through the content and clicking on the subscribe button.

Use a video

Besides just having text on your newsletter signup page, you could consider including a professionally produced video. The best thing about videos is that they allow you to make a personal connection with your audience. As a result, people are more likely to respond positively to your message and signup for your newsletter. It would be advisable to upload your video first on sites such as YouTube or Vimeo, and then embed the link on your blog or site.

Add trust elements

If someone visiting your site has never heard about you, they might not trust you very easily. As a result, they are less likely to signup for your newsletter. One of the best ways of winning the trust of such people is by including some trust elements on your signup page. For instance, you can display testimonials and quotes from already existing subscribers. However, avoid the temptation of using testimonials that are not genuine. You can also win the trust of visitors by including 'as seen on' logos showing prominent places where your site or blog has been featured before.

Use a basic layout

The most effective newsletter signup pages are those that have a simple layout. Preferably, use a one or two column structure with minimal elements. This allows your visitors to focus on your message with little distraction. However, when using two-column layouts, your copy should be shorter than when using one-column layouts. Make sure your form remains visible at all times so that the visitor can sign up whenever they feel ready.

Include disclaimer links

Even though having menus on your signup page is not advisable, you could consider including privacy policy and disclosure links. Depending on what kind of business you are involved in, having such links might be required by law. To avoid distracting your visitors, it would be advisable to display such links in your footer line.