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How To Create A Simple Signup Form In MailerLite

July 1, 2020

MailerLite, Marketing

Ready to start building your email list with MailerLite? This guide walks you through creating a basic, effective embedded signup form, step-by-step. You’ll learn how to customize the form’s design, configure its settings, and get the code to add it to your website. No coding skills required!

TL;DR

Email marketing is a powerful way to connect with your audience directly.

MailerLite offers a free plan and user-friendly tools for creating signup forms.

This guide focuses on creating an embedded form, which you can place directly on your website.

You can customize the form's heading, description, button text, and success message.

You can adjust the form's appearance (width, background, colors).

You can choose between sharing a direct link to the form or embedding it on your website using HTML code.

Disabling double opt-in is generally recommended for maximizing signup rates.

Email marketing remains a highly effective way to reach your audience, build relationships, and drive conversions. MailerLite is a popular platform known for its ease of use and affordability (including a generous free plan). This tutorial guides you through creating a simple embedded signup form.

Getting Started with MailerLite

  • Sign Up/Log In: If you don’t have an account, sign up for a free MailerLite account. If you have an account, log in to your dashboard.
  • Navigate to Forms: In the top navigation menu, click on “Forms.”
  • Create Embedded Form: Click the “Create embedded form” button.
  • Name Your Form: Give your form a descriptive name (for internal use only, e.g., “Newsletter Signup”). Click “Save and continue.”
  • Select Subscriber Groups: Choose the group(s) you want new subscribers to be added to. Click “Save and continue.”

Customizing Your Form’s Content

You’re now in the form editor. Let’s customize the content.

Edit the Heading and Description

  • Hover over the default heading and click the pencil icon.
  • Heading: Change the heading to something compelling (e.g., “Get Free Marketing Tips”).
  • Text: Add a brief description below the heading, explaining the benefits of subscribing. Be concise and persuasive.
  • Click “Save.”

Edit the Button Text

  • Hover over the button and click the pencil icon.
  • In the sidebar, under “BUTTON,” change the text to something action-oriented (e.g., “Sign Up Now”).
  • Click “Save.”

Edit the Success Message

  • Click on “Success message” at the top of the form editor.
  • Hover over the default heading and click the pencil icon.
  • Customize the heading and message to thank subscribers.
  • Click “Save.”

Customizing Your Form’s Appearance

Now, let’s customize the form’s visual style.

Set the Form Width

  • In the sidebar, click “Layout”.
  • Scroll to “Fullwidth” and switch it on.

Add a Background Image (Optional)

  • Click “Background” in the sidebar.
  • Click the image icon next to “Background image.”
  • Click “Upload image.”
    • Choose an image from your computer.
    • Click “Open.”
    • Wait for it to upload, then click “Select.”
  • Click “Save.”
  • To remove: Click the trash can icon next to “Background image.”

Edit Colors

  • Form Background: Under “FORM,” click the color circle next to “Background.” Choose a color.
  • Button Color: Under “CALL TO ACTION,” click the color circle next to “Background.” Choose a color.
  • Text Color: Adjust heading, description, and button text colors as needed.

Finalizing Your Form

  • Review: Carefully review your form’s content and appearance.
  • Save: Click “Next” in the top-right corner.
  • Double Opt-In: Decide whether to enable double opt-in (recommended: OFF to maximize signups).

Using Your Form: Two Options

Option 1: Share the URL

MailerLite provides a hosted landing page for your form. Simply copy and share the URL:

  • On social media.
  • In emails.
  • Anywhere you can share a link.

Option 2: Embed the Form

Embed the form directly on your website.

  • Copy the Code: On the form settings page, find “Embed form into your website.” Choose “HTML code.” Click “Copy code to clipboard.”
  • Paste the Code: Go to your WordPress page/post and paste the code:
    • Classic Editor: Switch to the “Text” tab and paste.
    • Gutenberg: Add an “HTML” block and paste.
    • Elementor: Add an “HTML” widget and paste.
    • Other Page Builders: Use an HTML/code widget.
  • Save/Publish: Update your page/post.

Conclusion

Creating a simple signup form in MailerLite is quick and easy. By customizing the form and strategically placing it, you can effectively grow your email list. Remember to test your form and track your signup rates to optimize your efforts. Email remains a vital marketing channel.