Welcome to the World of Successful Email Marketing
If you’re looking to create an email list for your business but are worried about making common mistakes in email marketing, you’re in the right place. As your list grows, avoiding these mistakes becomes increasingly important. In this article, we’ll walk you through the most frequent blunders in email marketing that WordPress users should avoid, ensuring that your email marketing strategy is both effective and stress-free.
Avoid Depending on WordPress Plugins for Email Marketing
While WordPress does have the capability to send email notifications, it wasn’t specifically designed for sending out email newsletters. Using a WordPress plugin to build your email list can be a risky choice. It may be seen as a violation of your hosting provider’s terms of service, and these mail servers often have strict limits that prevent you from sending all your emails at once. To avoid this issue, start off with a reputable email service provider. Constant Contact and SendLayer are two excellent options to consider.
Don’t Confuse Blog Subscription Tools with an Email List
Plugins like Jetpack and services like Feedly allow users to receive blog posts via email or in their dashboard, but it’s important to understand that this is not an email list. If you want to switch from Jetpack, there are alternatives available such as MailChimp and Aweber. Migrating Jetpack subscribers to an email list is also possible. Check out our detailed tutorial on how to switch from Jetpack subscriptions.
The Power of Email Marketing Should Not Be Underestimated
Many small businesses and bloggers underestimate the significance of email marketing. Instead, they focus on creating new content and reaching out to audiences on social media. However, email marketing is one of the most cost-effective tools at your disposal. Statistics show that nearly 75% of visitors from search engines will never return to your website. By building an email list, you can reconnect with these users, driving them back to your site and ultimately increasing your sales.
Gaining Email Subscribers Requires More Than Guesswork
If your email list isn’t growing fast enough or users aren’t signing up, relying on guesswork won’t help. Instead, use lead generation software like OptinMonster. This tool is designed to quickly help you grow your email list by converting website visitors who are about to leave into email subscribers. Take a look at our case study on how we increased our email subscribers by 600% using OptinMonster.
Finding the Perfect Balance for Email Signup Forms
Having a signup form on your website is a good start, but it might not be enough. Users have short attention spans, and without strategic placement, they may not even notice your form. To improve your lead generation, consider placing multiple opt-in forms in strategic locations on your website. OptinMonster offers various types of forms, such as smart popups, slide-in forms, and after-post opt-ins, to make your signup forms more noticeable. However, be cautious about using too many forms, as it can negatively impact user experience. We recommend combining a static form, such as a sidebar or inline form, with a dynamic form, such as a slide-in, welcome gate, or popup. To ensure steady growth, regularly test and analyze which opt-ins are the most effective for your website.
Engage with Your Email List
Simply collecting email addresses is not enough. To make the most of your email list, you need to engage with your subscribers. Connect your blog’s RSS feed to your email list to notify users whenever a new post is published. This helps users stay up-to-date with your content and promotes brand recognition. Follow our tutorial on how to add an email subscription to your WordPress blog for step-by-step instructions.
Avoid the Temptation of Buying Email Lists
Purchasing an email list is one of the worst mistakes you can make in email marketing. These lists often contain fake or unauthorized email addresses, which can risk your brand’s reputation and potentially violate anti-spam regulations. Instead of wasting money on purchased lists, focus on building an organic and engaged subscriber base.
Utilize Google Analytics to Optimize Your Email Marketing Strategy
Google Analytics provides valuable data that can help you make informed decisions about your email marketing strategy. By installing MonsterInsights, the best Google Analytics plugin available, you can easily track website traffic and gain insights to improve your email list. Follow our guide on how to install Google Analytics in WordPress for step-by-step instructions. Additionally, if you need help tracking email conversions on your website, check out our comprehensive guide on WordPress conversion tracking.
Find the Right Balance for Email Frequency
Sending too few emails can be a mistake, but sending too many can be equally detrimental. It’s essential for users to know what to expect once they sign up. Providing options for weekly, monthly, or daily emails allows subscribers to choose their preferred frequency. If you’re not segmenting your list in this way, you’ll need to find the right balance between a healthy email frequency and an annoying one.
Final Thoughts
By avoiding these common email marketing mistakes, you can ensure that your email list grows effectively and remains engaged. Remember to choose a reputable email service provider, utilize lead generation tools, and find the optimal balance for your email signup forms. Stay connected with your subscribers by sending regular emails, and always prioritize quality over quantity. Building a successful email marketing strategy takes time and effort, but the results will be well worth it.
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