Setting Up Email Marketing with WordPress: Using Mailchimp and MailPoet
Email marketing is a powerful way to engage with your audience, and WordPress makes it easy to integrate popular tools like Mailchimp and MailPoet for email campaigns. This guide will walk you through setting up email marketing using both platforms on your WordPress site.
1. Using Mailchimp with WordPress
Mailchimp is one of the most popular email marketing platforms. Here’s how to set it up on WordPress.
Step 1: Create a Mailchimp Account
First, sign up for a Mailchimp account at mailchimp.com. Choose the free plan or any other plan depending on your needs.
Step 2: Install the Mailchimp Plugin for WordPress
- From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for “Mailchimp for WooCommerce” or “Mailchimp for WordPress” (depending on your specific needs).
- Click Install Now and then activate the plugin.
Step 3: Connect Your Mailchimp Account
Once the plugin is activated:
- Go to Mailchimp for WP (or similar plugin name) in your WordPress settings.
- You will be prompted to connect your Mailchimp account. Click the “Get API Key” link, which will take you to Mailchimp.
- In Mailchimp, navigate to Account > Extras > API Keys, and copy the key.
- Paste the API key into the plugin’s settings in WordPress to connect your site to Mailchimp.
Step 4: Create a Mailchimp Signup Form
- In the plugin settings, go to Form Settings and create your email signup form.
- Customize the form fields and design according to your preferences.
- Use the plugin’s shortcodes to embed the form into your posts, pages, or sidebar widget areas.
Step 5: Create a Campaign in Mailchimp
- Go back to Mailchimp and create an email campaign. Select Create > Email > Regular Campaign.
- Choose the audience (the email list) and create your email content using Mailchimp’s drag-and-drop editor.
- Once ready, schedule or send the campaign to your subscribers.
Step 6: Monitor and Optimize
- After sending your campaign, monitor its performance in Mailchimp.
- Review open rates, click-through rates, and unsubscribe rates to refine future campaigns.
2. Using MailPoet with WordPress
MailPoet is another great email marketing tool, but it’s fully integrated within WordPress, making it more convenient for those who prefer an all-in-one solution.
Step 1: Install the MailPoet Plugin
- From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for “MailPoet” and click Install Now, then activate the plugin.
Step 2: Set Up MailPoet
- Once activated, a new MailPoet menu will appear in your WordPress sidebar.
- Click on MailPoet > Settings, and configure the settings, including your sending options (e.g., MailPoet’s built-in sending service or SMTP for your email provider).
Step 3: Create and Manage Email Lists
- Under MailPoet > Lists, create and manage your email lists.
- You can add subscribers manually, import them from CSV, or use forms to collect them directly from your website.
Step 4: Design Your Email
- To create a campaign, go to MailPoet > Emails > Add New.
- Select the type of email (e.g., Regular Email, Welcome Email, or WooCommerce emails).
- Use MailPoet’s drag-and-drop editor to design your email. You can choose from pre-made templates or build your own from scratch.
- Add dynamic content like personalized greetings, product recommendations (if using WooCommerce), or other content tailored to your audience.
Step 5: Add Signup Forms
- MailPoet allows you to easily add email signup forms anywhere on your website.
- Go to MailPoet > Forms and create a new signup form.
- Once the form is created, use the provided shortcode to add it to pages, posts, or widgets on your site.
Step 6: Send and Track Campaigns
- Once your email is designed, select the Send button or schedule the email for later.
- After sending, track open rates, click rates, and other statistics through MailPoet’s built-in analytics.
3. Best Practices for Email Marketing
Whether you choose Mailchimp or MailPoet, there are a few best practices to follow:
- Segment Your Audience: Tailor your messages to specific audience segments (e.g., new subscribers, repeat customers, or people who abandoned their cart).
- Use Clear Calls to Action: Your emails should have a clear goal, such as driving traffic to your blog, offering a product, or encouraging sign-ups.
- Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your emails are mobile-friendly since many users check emails on their phones.
- Test and Analyze: Run A/B tests on subject lines, content, and designs to find what resonates best with your audience.
- Stay Consistent: Send regular newsletters, but avoid overwhelming your subscribers with too many emails.
Conclusion
Setting up email marketing with Mailchimp or MailPoet on WordPress is an efficient way to keep in touch with your audience. While Mailchimp offers broader email marketing capabilities with advanced reporting and automation, MailPoet is fully integrated into WordPress, making it ideal for simpler, in-site email campaigns. Whichever tool you choose, the key is to build a valuable email list and send content that adds value to your subscribers. Happy emailing!
