Why Your Newsletter Needs an Unsubscribe Page

We've all been there, drowning in a sea of newsletters that have gone from giving us exciting updates to cluttering our inboxes.

We all know what it’s like to be on the receiving end. So while sending an email, it’s important to ensure your audience does not feel bogged down by another newsletter. That's where an unsubscribe page comes to the rescue!

Unsubscribe pages aren't just about hitting the "unsubscribe" button; they can be so much more. When done right, they can help you get better at your content and even learn more about your audience, their choices, and expectations.

Nobody wants their subscribers to leave them, but to create a safe community, your audience should feel liberated when they interact with you. How can you create an unsubscribe page that's informative, engaging, and respectful? And why should you make one?

This blog is the answer to all your questions!

Do Newsletters Need an Unsubscribe Link?

A well-designed and prominently displayed unsubscribe link can benefit your email marketing efforts by nurturing a loyal and engaged subscriber base.

It is not only a good practice but also a legal requirement in many countries. For example, the CAN-SPAM Act about unsolicited email activity mandates the inclusion of an unsubscribe link in every email you send. These regulations were established to safeguard users from spam and empower them to control their communication with brands through email.

It's also crucial to respect your subscribers' choices and provide them with an easy way to opt out if they no longer wish to receive your emails. This allows them to feel in control of the situation and alleviates any feelings of annoyance or frustration.

You want to be in their inbox and not in the spam. This gives you a clear reason why you need to give your audience the choice to opt-out. Failing to provide this would lead recipients to mark your emails as spam or block you if they wish to discontinue receiving newsletters.

It is essential to safeguard your reputation by proactively addressing the preferences of your subscribers and respecting their choices. Including an unsubscribe link helps maintain a healthy email list.

You get to filter out disengaged or uninterested subscribers, leading to better engagement rates and higher deliverability for your future newsletters. It also demonstrates transparency and builds trust with your subscribers. It is a way of showing them that you value their preferences and are committed to delivering relevant content.

Why trust me: I’ve been a self portrait photographer for 6 years now, and have a community of 17k people on Instagram with an engagement rate of 31%. Having a small, healthy, and engaged community is better than having a large audience with less engagement.

By including an unsubscribe form you can also get insights on why people want to opt out, which will help you get better at the game.

How Do I Add an Unsubscribe Link to My Newsletter?

An unsubscribe link is essential for maintaining email marketing compliance and respecting your subscribers' preferences. By providing a straightforward and convenient way to opt-out, you demonstrate respect for their choices. Follow these steps to add an unsubscribe link to your newsletter:

Choose a User-Friendly Email Marketing Platform

Select an email marketing platform that offers easy-to-use tools for creating and managing your newsletters. beehiiv provides customizable templates and built-in options to add an unsubscribe link as well as an unsubscribe form, effortlessly. Your subscribers get the option to opt-out while you get their feedback. That makes it a win-win!

Design Your Newsletter Template

Create a visually appealing newsletter template that aligns with your brand's aesthetics. Make sure to include a clear call-to-action button or text that stands out. In your newsletter template, place the cursor where you want the unsubscribe link to appear. Most email marketing platforms do provide a dedicated button or feature to insert an unsubscribe link, making the work easier for creators.

Personalize the Unsubscribe Process

Consider customizing the unsubscribe page to gather feedback or offer alternative options before subscribers completely opt-out. For instance, you can provide frequency options, content preferences, or the ability to switch to a different mailing list.

You don’t have to get into the hassle if you sign up for beehiiv as your email service platform. All that you need to do, is just add the “unsubscribe” option from the quick buttons settings while working on your draft and we’ll handle the rest for you.

To build an unsubscribe form you can use the Survey Forms feature on your beehiiv dashboard and customize the form according to your needs. This would help you gain more insights into the performance of your emails.

How Do I Add an Unsubscribe Link to My Email Header?

It is best practice to place the unsubscribe link in the footer, as the header is typically reserved for important information or branding elements, but here's how you can add an unsubscribe link to your email header:

Edit Your Email Template

Go to the section where you can edit your email header or footer. This area typically allows you to modify elements that appear at the top or bottom of every email.

Insert the Unsubscribe Link

Within the email header section, include a concise and prominent unsubscribe link. You can use a simple text hyperlink or a button-style design to make it stand out.

Test and Preview Your Email

Before sending out any newsletters, it's crucial to preview and test how your email appears across different devices and email clients. Ensure that the unsubscribe link in the email header is visible, functional, and accessible on various platforms.

What Is a Typical Newsletter Unsubscribe Rate?

The unsubscribe rate measures the percentage of subscribers who opt-out or unsubscribe from your newsletter over a given period. Along with other KPIs, It is also an essential metric as it helps you gauge the effectiveness of your email campaigns and the overall satisfaction of your subscribers.

While there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to what constitutes a "typical" unsubscribe rate, the average unsubscribe rate is 0.17%. If your unsubscribe rate seems too high or you feel like your engagement is low, here are some common culprits that might be driving your subscribers away:

• Writing lackluster content

• Failing to optimize for mobile

• Attracting the wrong audience

• Failing to deliver on promises

Here’s what you should focus on:

• Conduct content audits

• Prioritize mobile optimization

• Fine-tune targeting strategies

• Deliver on expectations

At beehiiv, our sole focus is to boost your content creation process and be there for creators.

Wearing muliple hats while creating a newsletter can make having a solid grasp on all aspects of newsletters challenging, but with beehiiv as your emailing platform, you get to truly focus on what you love. Leave the rest to us!

Sign up today for free and start emailing, we’d love to have you as a part of the hiiv.