Many business owners neglect to use newsletter signup forms because they’re unsure if they will convert. The problem is that customers often need to see a compelling reason before they’ll take the time and energy to give you their email address and name.
So how do you create an email sign-up form that converts? We’ve compiled this list of tips for creating high-performing signup forms below.
Why Should You Use An Email Signup Form?
The primary benefit of having a signup form is that it gives you a way to contact your audience and build your email list. A well-designed signup form also provides you with potential new lead opportunities. There are also some important secondary benefits, such as the ability to see who’s visiting your website and what pages they’re viewing.
As research shows, most of the newsletter subscribers spend 80% more time browsing your site than other visitors. In addition, they made up to 50% more purchases of your services or products.
Best Practices For High-Performing Signup Forms
The following are tips for creating highly-performing signup forms. Keep in mind that these best practices are based on what performs well on most websites; it might not be the best practice for all websites. You’ll have to test different forms to find out what works just right for your site.
Keep It Simple
No matter how valuable your signup offer is, you’re likely to lose potential subscribers if the form is hard to fill out. Visitors should be able to complete the form without having to jump around. Make sure they don’t have to answer multiple questions in each field. Only collect the information you need and make sure the fields are easy to access with a single click on your website’s signup form.
For example, use progressive questions that allow visitors to enter more information with each question they answer. For example, asking for the visitor’s email address before asking for their name and phone number will reduce the number of forms they have to fill out, making them more likely to subscribe.
Put The Form To The Right Place
Another important tip is to place the signup form on the most relevant pages of your website. You can use the information on your home page or incorporate it into more specific pages. For example, if you sell a product on the home page, you could place the signup form at the bottom of the page.
If you’re promoting an event, show people how to sign up for it in your events section (e.g., “Tickets are now available here,” “Come join us at our next event”). You could also use a lightbox popup or slide-over box along with an arrow or call-to-action button directing people to a particular area of your website.
Tell Visitors Why Should They Subscribe
Another important tip for creating a high-performing signup form is to show visitors why they should subscribe. You can include a benefit in your signup form that you want them to get from subscribing to your email list.
For example, you could offer subscribers the opportunity to download a resource related to their purchase or interest. Or you can provide the opportunity to read an article. You could also offer subscribers the chance to win something when they pledge money or enter into an event. Whatever you offer, make sure it provides a clear benefit for subscribing and makes it easy for people to comprehend what they’re getting when they do so.
Offer An Incentive
An essential tip is to give people the opportunity to get an incentive when they signup for your email newsletter. Consider offering something that they need or want, but remember to make it easy to receive the benefit. You don’t want them to feel like they have to do anything special for you to provide the benefit.
You could also offer gift cards, premium memberships, discounts, or free upgrades for people who signup. You can make it as easy as possible for people to get the incentive, and you’ll see a higher conversion rate.
Include Social Proof
Another essential tip that works great for email marketing is incorporating social proof into your form. Studies have shown that visitors are more likely to subscribe when they see that others have subscribed. That is how social proof works.
Although it’s unlikely, someone will want to subscribe just because they’ve seen others do so, many people like the idea of being part of a group of others who are interested in what you’re offering or promoting.
Use A Catchy Call-To-Action
Another piece of advice for creating a high-performing signup form is to use a call-to-action that’s catchy and simple but not too obvious. The call to action should describe what the visitor needs to do next. Make sure it draws attention to the reason people will subscribe.
Respect User Privacy
You should also respect the privacy of your visitors by asking them only for the information they’ll want to give and nothing they don’t. You can include a link that explains how you’ll use their data (e.g., “For more information about how we will use your information, please check out our privacy policy here”).
The Bottom Line
Getting people to sign up for your email newsletter is the best way to become customers. A well-designed signup form will make it easier for people to join your list and help you learn what they want, what they’re interested in, and where they go on your website. We hope these tips gave you vast information about how to create a newsletter signup form that converts.
