How To Use a Newsletter Subscription to Drive Conversions

Your new website looks like a million bucks, and those traffic numbers have been impressive. But growing your brand doesn’t stop there.

You start wondering how to improve your online presence and connect more deeply with your audience.

With the vast amount of brands vying for the same target audiences, it’s easy for users to land on your webpage, look around, and then poof—vanish into thin air never to visit again.

But what if there was a solution to keep them returning for more? 

You could build a loyal community of fans who can’t wait to hear from you every week.

Yes — enter the humble email newsletter subscription.

Okay, this may sound a bit old school, but hear me out. In 2023 alone, an insane 4.5 billion emails were sent using the mighty beehiiv platform. That’s 4.5 billion opportunities to reach your audience, build a loyal following, and create a genuinely invested community in what you offer.

When you add a catchy and user-friendly newsletter sign-up form on your website, you’re essentially extending a VIP invitation to your audience. This gives them a front-row seat to your latest updates, exclusive content, and insider scoops.

What Is A Newsletter Subscription?

Imagine a friend of yours who is super personable and hip. When you guys go out together, everyone gravitates towards them because they are up on the latest trends, events, and news about a specific topic.

Now, imagine instead of asking your friend for updates, they offered to send you a weekly newsletter straight to your inbox, keeping you in the loop without any extra effort on your part. Sounds pretty sweet, right?

That scenario is essentially what a newsletter subscription is—VIP ACCESS to getting the inside details delivered directly to your email consistently.

The newsletter subscription - a little digital doorway that opens up a world of possibilities!

Now, as a savvy business owner, you can turn that connection into something truly special. Imagine regularly sliding into your subscribers' inboxes, sharing the latest scoop, exclusive content, and all the juicy updates they crave. 

This is your chance to cultivate a devoted community, nurture meaningful connections, and really understand your audience on a deeper level.

It's a win-win partnership, really. You have this beautiful exchange where your subscribers stay connected, feeling like valued members of a big family, while you have the privilege of deepening those relationships and making sure your brand remains at the forefront of their minds. 

Plus, with the right approach, those newsletter exchanges can become the stuff of legend - entertaining, informative, and downright delightful.

Benefits of Having a Newsletter Subscription on Your Website

There are over 4 billion email users worldwide, and with businesses and brands competing daily to reach these users—creating an email newsletter subscription for your brand can be brilliant.

When your brand creates an email newsletter subscription, it can boost your brand awareness and loyalty and be a lucrative financial opportunity.

Below, we have compiled a list of benefits to building a newsletter subscription on your website.

Building a Loyal Community

Creating a sense of belonging is crucial in building a loyal community. You can invite visitors to join your exclusive club by offering a subscription option on your website.

One of beehiiv’s content creators who believes heavily in the power of a community is Mady Maio. Maio founded the Camber App, a social and community-driven version of Google Maps. The app brings you closer to places you’ll love through the people you know.

When asked about starting a newsletter, Maio said, “There is a lack of these types of localized newsletters. Some community calendars exist, but they don’t get into those cool pop-ups and takeovers and things happening around the city [LA]. So, we started our newsletter, which is LA Happenings with Camber.” 

Creating a loyal community fosters a sense of loyalty and turns one-time visitors into devoted followers.

To build a loyal community, here are four tips to consider:

1. Provide value: Offer valuable content that your subscribers cannot find anywhere else. Whether it's exclusive discounts, early access to new products, or informative articles that can help your subscribers in their personal or professional lives.

2. Engage with your community: If your subscribers leave comments and messages, respond to them. You will provide a personalized level of attention and learn about their needs, preferences, and opinions, which can help you create content that resonates with them.

3. Foster a sense of community: Like the famous saying, “Birds of a feather flock together,” fostering a space for like-minded individuals, you create a safe environment for everyone to bond with your brand and strengthen your community’s loyalty.

4. Be consistent: Consistency is critical in building a loyal community. This means regularly publishing content, responding to messages, and engaging with subscribers. 

Monetizing Opportunities

If we’re being honest, we love all the heartfelt emotions and camaraderie that can happen when you build a community and provide value to your audiences, but there’s no denying the appeal of a little extra cash flow.

This is where the monetization opportunities of a newsletter subscription really shine.

The subscribers who have already handed you their email address by signing up for your newsletter have already said, “Yes, I want more from you!” Use this.

There are many different ways to monetize your newsletters—below are two effective ways:

Offer Exclusive Content: You can offer premium or exclusive content to your subscribers at a fee. This can be e-books, courses, or webinars that provide value to your subscribers.

Use beehiiv’s Ad Network: beehiiv offers an Ad Network on its platform that lets publishers and creators easily monetize their newsletters. The Ad Network gives newsletter creators access to sponsored opportunities and allows them to choose to accept or decline payments.

The anonymous creator and founder of the newsletter Inverse Cramer, a newsletter about investing and providing investment advice opposite of Mad Money’s Jim Cramer, had this to say about beehiiv’s ad network:

“I see the ad network and how easy it is for newsletters to monetize with really strong opportunities. Now, it’s way easier if you’re on beehiiv and you want ads in your newsletter.”

Nurturing Leads and Driving Conversions

Your brand or business has been around for a few months now, and you have a group of eager subscribers anticipating your next email. They crave wisdom, information, or even a behind-the-scenes look into the heart of your business.

This is the power of email newsletters—keeping your subscribers and users hooked, curious, and hungry for more.

But it’s not just about getting email addresses; your goal is to create a tight-knit community, nurture relationships, and start a digital space where your audience feels seen and appreciated.

When you add a newsletter sign-up on your website, you are inviting strangers into your home, allowing them to stay informed about your latest products and offerings, and participate in something more profound than just a transaction.

Step-by-Step to Adding a Newsletter Subscription to your Website

There are many ways to incorporate a newsletter subscription into your website.

Some websites have simple editor plugins that you install on the backend, while others have more complex integrations.

Whichever option you have will depend on the strategy of your next step—choosing your email marketing platform.

1. Choose Your Email Marketing Platform

The key to a seamless newsletter subscription on your website is choosing the right email marketing platform for your needs.

There are many different email marketing platforms. Finding the right one depends on your marketing and business goals.

Below are two platforms that are at the top of their class:

beehiiv

If you want to scale your business with email campaigns, beehiiv is your best option. The platform has all the standard features, like designing, monetizing, and analyzing your campaigns. However, beehiiv's strong suit is growth, offering growth tools like referral programs and premium sponsors in ad networks.

ConvertKit

ConvertKit focuses on audience segmentation and personalization. It caters specifically to bloggers, podcasters, and online entrepreneurs, making it a valuable asset for building a loyal following.

2. Set Up Your Email List

You can set up your email list once you have your chosen email marketing platform.

If you have an email list from another source, you can easily upload it to your chosen platform. If you’re using beehiiv as your designated email marketing platform, follow the steps below to import your email list:

1. Have your email list in a CSV file.

2. Log into your beehiiv platform and, go to the left-hand panel, click Settings > Publication.

3. Click the Import Subscribers tab.

4. Click the black Start Import button.

5. Select Upload a CSV file.

6. Click Import Subscribers.

Viola, you have now imported your email list and can start creating high-quality content.

Once you have imported your subscribers to your platform, you should organize and segment your email list to ensure targeted and effective email campaigns. Segmentation allows you to tailor content based on subscriber preferences and behaviors, ultimately enhancing engagement.

If you have an entirely new publication on beehiiv, it’s time to put on your designing cap and create a subscription form.

3. Design and Customize Your Subscription Form

By default, if you’re using beehiiv for your publication, your main subscribe form will be on your website and look like this: (insert photo of the subscribe home page)

If you need additional subscription forms for your website or landing pages, you can follow these steps to create them on beehiiv:

1. Log into your beehiiv dashboard and go to Settings > Publication > Subscribe Forms.

2. Click Create New Form.

3. Fill out the form details that you want to appear on the subscription form.

4. Determine where to send people after they submit the form or showcase a success message.

5. Save your finished form.

6. Click View to see your form.

beehiiv offers user-friendly customizing options for your subscription form to meet your website's color, logo, and brand aesthetics.

4. Add the Form to Your Website

Integrating the subscription form is simple if you use beehiiv as your newsletter platform. beehiiv allows you to create fully customizable external subscribe forms that can be placed anywhere.

Log into your beehiiv account and go to Settings > Publication > Subscribe Forms. Then, you can create the form as stated above. Once you’re done, beehiiv offers three different-styled forms: full width, fixed width, and slim.

You can embed the code within your website.

5. Test the Subscription Process

Test the subscription process to ensure a smooth sign-up experience and the proper functioning of automated emails.

You can identify and address any potential issues before launching your newsletter subscription by conducting thorough testing.

Newsletter Subscription Website Template For Your Inspiration

Now that you understand the benefits of having a newsletter subscription form on your website, the next step is to create one.

First, you should provide valuable and interesting content on your website to wet the palettes of your visitors. Next, it’s time to consider your subscription form.

If you need some inspiration in creating an engaging and functional newsletter subscription form, you have come to the right place.

We will explore effective newsletter subscription website templates that inspire your design and functionality choices.

When creating a subscription form for your website, there are a few things to remember:

Be simple. Short and sweet wins the race. Use clear and concise language and avoid unnecessary fields that could intimidate or confuse your visitors.

Be prominent. Make the newsletter subscription form prominent on your website. You can use contrasting colors or place it in a prominent location, such as the header or sidebar.

Offer Incentives. Give your visitors a reason to subscribe to your newsletter. You can offer exclusive content, a free trial, a discount, or a giveaway.

Personalize the experience. Make the newsletter subscription form match your company's tone and style. This can be done by using images, colors, and fonts that reflect your brand's personality and values.

Here are three examples of effective newsletter subscription form templates:

beehiiv

No bells and whistles, simple and straightforward, beehiiv’s newsletter subscription form is clean and effective. with a field for your audience to enter their email address. You can add your logo and a subtitle that conveys your brand to your audience in a short sentence. This is effective because it allows your audience to fill out the most important thing, their email address. 

Elfsight

Elfsight allows your audience to fill out first name, last name, and email address. Elfsight offers short and to-the-point forms but allows you to add more fields, like topics of interest, to help you better understand your subscribers and provide them with a more personalized experience.

Typeform

Like beehiiv's simple and clean layout, Typeform offers an area for a logo, header title, and subtitle and then a call-to-action button to sign up for the newsletter. The call-to-action button makes the sign-up form effective because your audience sees a button and can’t resist pressing it.

Where to Place Your Newsletter Subscription on the Website

Ah, the age-old question - top, middle, or bottom? Let’s dig into the strategic art of maximizing visibility and boosting those conversion rates by finding the perfect spot for your newsletter subscription form on your website.

Header

The VIP section of your website, right at the top, is where all the action happens. Here, you can find your logo, navigation menu, and other essential items. Placing your newsletter subscription in the header ensures its front and center, catching visitors' eyes as soon as they land on your digital turf.

Footer

Now, let's scroll to the bottom of your site—the cozy corner where links to essential pages and copyright tidbits hang out. Sneaking your subscription form into the footer is a pleasant surprise for dedicated scrollers who reach the end of your content.

Pop-ups

Love them or hate them, pop-ups are like the flashy post-its of website subscriptions. While they may annoy some, they can grab attention and nudge visitors toward the subscribe button.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer regarding where to place your subscription on your website.

Your website's look, feel, and audience preferences will mandate the winning location for your subscription form. It's vital to try different locations and formats to uncover what truly clicks with your visitors.

3 Effective Strategies to Increase Newsletter Sign-ups

Exit Intent Popups

Ever have those little pop-ups that magically appear just when you're about to click away from a website?

Those are the infamous exit intent popups!

Your exit intent popups should swoop in and save the day if a visitor is one click away from saying goodbye and leaving your website. These bad boys are your last chance to woo your visitor into subscribing to your newsletter.

With exit intent popups, you can fortify your offer with a discount code, a freebie, or a peek at your newsletter’s awesomeness. It’s all about giving your audience a reason they can’t resist (call-to-action).

You can customize these pop ups to make sure they scream your brand.

Keep It Short

Another effective strategy to increase subscriber signups is to keep it short and snappy!

The fewer fields you have on your sign-up form, the better. Studies reveal that cutting down from 11 to just 4 fields can boost conversions by 120%!

To up your game, stick to the basics - ask for their name and email.

Keep it simple; keep it effective! 🚀

Why Trust Us

Linda Hwang has extensive experience in B2B marketing and previously worked at a renowned international facilities management company. She played a crucial role in creating effective content and social media marketing plans there. Now, Linda is a marketing consultant who helps small businesses create compelling brand stories.

Remind Visitors Of Subscriber-Only Benefits

Who doesn’t love feeling like a VIP with access to exclusive perks and insider info?

You want your web traffic to not just casually browse your website, and take in all the valuable content. You want your web users to see a teaser for your newsletter and think, I want in on this offer!

The Mariano Rivera of your website—the closer.

The key is to entice without being pushy. Subtle hints strategically placed throughout your site can spark curiosity and leave visitors craving more.

You want your web visitors to remember the benefits of signing up for your newsletter, so how can this be done?

You can achieve this through strategic call-to-actions, intriguing pop-ups, or a playful section on your site teasing the benefits of subscribing.

And remember, don’t underestimate the power of social proof!

Showcasing the growing number of satisfied subscribers enjoying your newsletter creates an irresistible FOMO effect, making others eager to subscribe.

How to Measure the Success of Your Subscribe Forms on the Website?

After you spent the time and effort creating your newsletter subscription form for your website, you may wonder, how do I know whether it’s effective or not?

When it comes to measuring the success of your website's subscription forms, there are several key metrics you can track. 

Metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) help you evaluate the effectiveness of your forms and make data-driven decisions to improve your sign-up rates.

Here are some specific metrics to consider:

Conversion rate: The percentage of visitors who complete the subscription form after landing on your website. A high conversion rate means your form is extremely effective (great news!).

Subscriber growth: The number of new subscribers you acquire within a specific period of time. Monitoring this metric ensures your subscription form drives consistent growth in your email list is essential.

Bounce rate: The percentage of visitors who leave your website after viewing the subscription form without taking any further action. A high bounce rate means your form isn’t doing well with your viewers–fix it.

Time on page: This measures how long visitors spend on your subscription form page. A longer time on the page suggests that visitors are engaged with your form and are considering signing up.

Form abandonment rate: This measures the percentage of visitors who start filling out your subscription form but abandon it before completing it. Check for simplicity and ease of filling out the form by testing different versions.

Final Thoughts

Integrating a newsletter subscription into your website is like unlocking a direct line to your audience. It's your ticket to building strong connections and boosting engagement.

Choosing the right email marketing platform, strategically placing subscription forms, and nailing those sign-up strategies are key steps in making your newsletter shine.

Put your audience first by offering a seamless experience and tempting incentives. This approach builds loyalty and opens up direct marketing avenues for you.

Are you looking for an all-in-one email newsletter solution?

Check out beehiiv! Their subscription form is engaging and super easy to implement across various platforms. Say goodbye to hassle!

Integrate beehiiv's newsletter subscription into your website today, and start enjoying the perks of direct communication with your audience.

Let's make this journey fun and rewarding!

How To Add A Newsletter Subscription To My Website: Frequently Asked Questions

As you perfect your website and newsletter sign-up form, you might have more questions than answers. We got you! 

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you through this exciting process.

How Can I Add a Newsletter Subscription to my Website Using HTML Code?

While some of us aren’t coders, plenty of brand owners and business moguls are comfortable using HTML code.

First thing is choosing an email marketing platform that fits your needs and can generate a form code for you.

Once you have the form code in hand, it’s time to work some HTML magic! 🎨 You will use elements like ‘<form>,’ ‘<input>,’ and ‘<button>’ to seamlessly embed the form right into your website. Picture yourself as an artist adding the final touches to your painting; this is the perfect analogy for this process.

Your final step will be to create an HTML file where you want to place the form. Within this file, you can create a ‘<form>’ element, which allows you to specify the method for sending the form data to the server and the URL where it will be processed.

We have provided an example below:

How Can I Increase the Number of Newsletter Sign-Ups on my Website?

Building your online tribe is more of an art form than a science—it’s all about trial and error and a whole lot of heart.

Placing an exceptional newsletter sign-up form on your website is one effective way for your brand to expand its reach.

Are you ready to get those sign-ups rolling in? Here are some actionable tips to help you out:

Make It Easy to Find: It shouldn’t be a needle in a haystack—don't hide your subscription form! Put it front and center on your website, where your web traffic can’t miss it. You want those sign-ups, so make sure your form stands out and shines.

Show Off Your Fans: Showcase the subscribers you already have to build some serious social proof and entice new sign-ups. Whether it’s the number of loyal fans or testimonials from your biggest supporters, having social proof offers a sense of trust and confidence to your audience.

Use Your Blog: If you have a blog, use it! If you don’t have a blog, start one! When you add an irresistible call to action to your blog posts, you add another layer of advertisement for joining your newsletter, also known as diversifying your marketing strategy.

Team Up with Others: Partner with other businesses for joint giveaways or cross-promote each other's newsletters to reach a wider audience. Using beehiiv as your email newsletter platform gives you growth features, like recommendations and boosts, to expand your reach.

Advertise Wisely: Running targeted ads on platforms like Facebook or Google to attract people who are interested in your products or services for a fee is a strategic way to reach a larger audience and grow your newsletter community.

Test and Tweak: When you test and experiment with different messages, subject lines, and designs using A/B testing tools like Google Optimize or Optimizely, you learn what resonates with your audiences. Using the data, you can continue to refine your approach which will help you improve engagement.

How Can I Make My Newsletter Subscription Compliant with Privacy Laws Like GDPR?

Sometimes, as a growing business, we have blinders; all we see as important is whether we are generating revenue.

That should never be the case.

Customer service should still reign supreme. Making sure your subscribers feel safe when they give you personal information should be crucial to your business strategy. 

Think of your subscribers as your digital family. You want to make sure your family constantly feels safe, heard, and valued every step of the way. 

To do so, you must understand privacy laws and how it protects how personal information is stored, used, and regulated.

Okay, so how does one comply with these laws so they won’t be fined?

For one, you and your business can comply with privacy laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by following these steps: 

1. Before sending newsletters to your subscribers, offer an easy unsubscribe option. 

2. Record consent. 

3. Use a double opt-in system.

It’s that simple. But, why should you do this?

Respecting the trust your subscribers have placed with your brand. After all, they are your digital family, and you should always protect and provide a safe space for your family. 

When you give your subscribers the power to opt-out at any time, keeping clean documentation of when and how they signed up, and confirming their genuine interest, you’re showing them that their privacy and preferences are your top priority.

This translates into your subscribers matter to you.

When you offer a transparent and compliant subscription process, you’re building a foundation of trust and maintaining your brand’s flawless reputation.

What Are Some Common Mistakes To Avoid When Adding A Newsletter Subscription To My Website?

Since we touched upon many positive benefits and highlights of adding a newsletter subscription to your website, we should discuss some best practices and pitfalls to avoid.

Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you attract more subscribers and keep them engaged and excited about your newsletter subscription form:

Don't Overcomplicate Sign-Up. Keep it simple, my friend! Avoid asking for too much info or burying the form. Remember, the goal is to make sign-up as easy as possible so they can join your digital family. 

Communicate Your Value: Clearly explain the benefits of subscribing and why they should be excited to join your newsletter community. Show them a taste of the valuable insights, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes glimpses they would get by joining–entice them with what sets your brand apart from the others.

Optimize for Mobile: With everyone always moving, make your subscription form mobile-friendly and accessible to users on the go. You want your subscribers to have a seamless experience no matter how they access your website. Responsiveness is king!

Clear Call-to-Action: Guide your users with a compelling call-to-action that prompts them to subscribe without confusion. Make it crystal clear what they need to do to join your newsletter and start receiving all the goodies you have in store.