How to Easily Add a Newsletter Sign-Up Form in Squarespace
Why a Newsletter Form Matters
It's the best time to market or continue marketing your business in the modern way of digital marketing. A newsletter form is an essential asset for businesses, bloggers, and brands to create and maintain a relationship with their users. It creates a direct communication path to service, update, promote, educate, and expose subscribers or customers to valuable content.
Unlike social media, where algorithms determine who sees your content, an email newsletter guarantees that your message lands in your audience’s inbox, making it a “guaranteed” marketing channel. As you leverage your newsletter forms to capture leads and convert visitors into loyal buyers, the right design elements can ensure that your top-of-the-funnel (TOFU) content leads to new clients, whether you want more engagement or sales or to establish yourself as an industry leader.
In this article, we are going to discuss what makes a newsletter form significant and why it needs to be an integral part of your marketing strategy..
What Is a Newsletter Sign-Up Form?
A newsletter sign-up form is one of the basic and vital parts of a website where a visitor subscribes to the Email of a business, brand, or content creator. Usually, this type of form is used to collect essential information from a subscriber, such as their name and email address , so that they can send newsletters directly to their inbox.
These forms are ubiquitous on websites, blogs, e-commerce stores, and landing pages, usually embedded on the homepage, footer, or sidebar, or shown as pop-ups. Newsletter Sign-Up Forms You need to have an email list to build a newsletter, and that is what we want to do here. An email list is one of the most precious assets you can have, as you can constantly share updates, products, services, etc.
A newsletter signup form that is well-designed asks visitors to sign up in exchange for an incentive, whether that is exclusive content, discounts, free resources, or early access to special offers. There are certain methodologies to work with, but once well implemented, a newsletter sign-up form is a key element in developing your name globally, increasing your energy, or achieving whatever your target goals may be!.
Why Squarespace Is Ideal for Adding Newsletter Forms
Squarespace offers:
User-friendly tools like drag-and-drop blocks.
Built-in email marketing integrations with Mailchimp and Squarespace Email Campaigns.
Customizable templates that adapt to your branding.
Mobile-responsive designs ensure optimal form performance on all devices.
With Squarespace, you can create professional newsletter forms in minutes, even if you’re new to web design.
What Does a Newsletter Subscription Form Entail and How is it Employed?
We aim to collect the email addresses of potential customers because a staggering 96% of website visitors are not yet prepared to make a purchase. Most of them leave the website, possibly forgetting about your business and products. However, by capturing their email addresses before they exit, you open the door to marketing opportunities through email campaigns.
Email marketing is exceptionally direct and personalized and boasts high effectiveness. Statistics reveal that it remains one of the most potent marketing channels, delivering an average return of $42 for every $1 spent. This surpasses many social media engagement metrics in today's landscape.
If you're still uncertain about the power of email marketing, feel free to explore my article on why I believe having an email list is essential.
Establishing Email Marketing and Sign-Up Forms in Squarespace: A Step-by-Step Guide
Choose an Email Marketing Provider:
Before getting into email marketing, the first step is signing up with a trusted email marketing provider.
We highly recommend using a dedicated email marketing service for collecting email addresses and emailing customers. Though storing email addresses in a spreadsheet is an option for those just getting started, it is no longer a viable option as your list grows.
When picking the best email marketing provider for your business, the abundance of choices can be overwhelming. While only Mailchimp and Squarespace Campaigns integrate directly with Squarespace, you'll want to look outside this one consideration. Other providers may take some additional work to integrate, but it is usually a good investment. Some worthy examples include:
ConvertKit
Mailerlite
MailChimp and Squarespace Campaigns are great candidates, but you'll want to make sure you evaluate your unique needs and preferences. If you have no idea what this means, head over to our guide where I explain the best email marketing providers for beginners..
Create your email sign-up form and offer
Creating a Compelling Freebie or Offer:
Encouraging sign-ups requires offering something valuable in return for an email address. Consider these enticing options:
News and Updates: This is A basic option, but it may yield fewer sign-ups.
Newsletter: A more consistent option, ideal for regular communication.
Discount (e.g., 10% off): This is particularly effective for e-commerce products.
Freebie (e.g., course, guide, download): This is Perfect for showcasing educational offerings.
What will be your offering? Explore how to create an irresistible opt-in freebie or offer tailored to attract the right audience. Remember, it doesn't have to be overly complex, but it should resonate with the audience you want on your email list!
Establish the Sequence and Form for Delivering Your Freebie or Offer:
After determining the most suitable offer for your business and audience, the next step is configuring the backend of your email marketing.
Here's the breakdown:
Create a Form: Craft a form within your email marketing platform (unless you're using MailChimp or Squarespace Campaigns).
Embed the Form on Your Website: We'll tackle this shortly.
Visitor Interaction: Users enter their details into the form.
Sequence Setup: Define a sequence of events in your email marketing platform that either delivers the freebie automatically or places them in the appropriate list.
Creating the form and establishing this sequence (steps 1 and 4) varies depending on your email marketing provider. I know it can be a bit frustrating—each provider has its unique approach. The providers mentioned earlier simplify this process, and you'll find guidelines or support personnel to assist you. Don't hesitate to reach out for help; setting up the backend of your email marketing can be perplexing initially. Once you become familiar with your platform, it typically becomes more intuitive, so stay persistent.
Alright, if you've successfully reached this point, it indicates that you have:
Enlisted with an email marketing provider.
Chosen an opt-in freebie or offer.
Crafted the designated opt-in freebie or offer.
Develop a form within your email marketing platform (unless you're utilizing Mailchimp or Squarespace Campaigns).
Configure a sequence for delivering your freebie or linking to an offer within your email marketing platform.
With all these tasks completed, the only remaining step is to seamlessly integrate the form into your Squarespace site. Simple, right?
Embedding Your Email Subscription Form Through the Newsletter Block
The Squarespace Newsletter Block offers seamless integration with specific platforms:
Mailchimp
Squarespace Campaigns
Zapier
Google Drive
For users of Mailchimp and Squarespace Campaigns, connecting is easy.
If you check the Google Drive connection option, it's fine for saving e-mail addresses in a simple spreadsheet, but you shouldn't use it for the advanced e-mail marketing.
Zapier works as an intermediary between platforms that may not natively integrate. It’s an adaptable service, and you can use it to connect this Newsletter Block with a range of email providers.
If you are using another email marketing provider that isn't Mailchimp or Squarespace Campaigns, like ConvertKit, Flodesk, Mailerlite, etc, there is another common way to connect. Let's not connect the Newsletter Block to Zapier just yet; we'll get into an alternative method later in this guide.
If you do use Mailchimp or Squarespace Campaigns or want to integrate Ladybug with Zapier and promptly send said leads to these, just skip to the next section to learn how to set up and customize the Newsletter Block.
If you are using a different provider and want to add your email sign-up form to Squarespace, just skip this section and go to the “Embedding your email sign-up form into Squarespace” section toward the end of this post.
Include the Newsletter Block in Your Squarespace Website
Select Edit and scroll to the area on your Squarespace page where you can see an insertion point. Click it to open the menu.
Choose the Newsletter block from the menu, creating a pop-up panel for customization.
On the DISPLAY tab, specify values for Form Name (for your reference), Title (the heading), and Description (additional encouraging information).
Application ConfigurationUse Display options to customize the appearance.
To connect with Squarespace Campaigns, MailChimp, Google Drive, or Zapier, go to the STORAGE tab.
If you opt for Zapier, then apply and save the newsletter settings and go to Zapier. com, it would be to set up a new ZAP from Squarespace to your email marketing provider.
The user should select the preferred newsletter form from those available here and follow through the connection steps, breeding sure the Zap is ON and features were tested and proven functional.
Under the VERIFICATIONS and POST-SUBMIT menus, you can find more options for further customization—e.g., post-submit messages, redirects, etc.
Then click APPLY and SAVE after connecting the email sign-up form to your email list..
Drag and drop the block as needed, testing the newsletter block and email marketing connection by signing up as a regular customer.
Designing the Newsletter Block on Squarespace
Customizing your Newsletter block to align with your brand and look fantastic. Follow these steps For designing your Newsletter block.
Navigate to the Design section in the Home Menu and select Fonts.
Locate Global Site Styles and choose Assign Styles.
Scroll down to the Newsletter Block, where you can customize font settings to your preference. Remember to save your changes.
Return to the Home Menu, click on Design, then go to Colors, and choose Section Themes.
Select the pencil icon for the theme your Newsletter Block is using.
Locate the Newsletter Block and modify the color settings according to your preferences. Don't forget to save your changes.
Adding an Email Sign-Up Form via Embedding in Squarespace
If your email marketing provider, such as MailChimp or Squarespace Campaigns, doesn't have a direct integration with Squarespace, you can still connect it by embedding the form into your website. Here's a general process:
Create Your Form:
Develop the form in your email marketing software.
Obtain the embed code provided by your email marketing platform.
Embedding the Form:
Copy the form code and paste it into a Code Block anywhere on your Squarespace site.
You can move the Code Block around as needed.
Header/Footer Code:
Some providers may also offer a header/footer code for advanced customization.
Insert this code into the Advanced Header or Footer section on Squarespace.
Assistance and Design:
If unsure, refer to your provider's help files or contact support for guidance on embedding the form.
Design customization can be limited; if the form looks unattractive, consider the following options:
Code design changes using CSS if you're familiar.
Revert to the Newsletter Form + Zapier option for better styling and design control.
Using embedded forms is often preferable as it eliminates the need for an additional platform like Zapier. However, styling may vary depending on your email marketing provider, and in some cases, design adjustments might be necessary.
Benefits of Adding a Newsletter Sign-Up Form in Squarespace
1. Email List Growth
A well-placed sign-up form helps you grow your email list consistently. By encouraging visitors to subscribe, you create a pool of leads that you can engage with targeted campaigns.
2. Enhanced Audience Engagement
Newsletters foster direct communication. By sharing valuable content and updates, you can keep your audience engaged and interested in your brand.
3. Increased Conversion Rates
Email subscribers are more likely to convert into customers. Studies show that email marketing delivers an ROI of $42 for every $1 spent.
4. Improved Customer Retention
Newsletters help retain customers by reminding them of your offerings. This is especially effective with personalized campaigns tailored to subscribers’ preferences.
5. Simplified Marketing Automation
Squarespace integrates seamlessly with tools like Mailchimp, enabling automated email workflows for welcome messages, promotions, and cart recovery.
Pro Tip: Offer an incentive, such as a discount or free resource, to encourage sign-ups.
FAQs About Newsletter Forms in Squarespace
1. Can I Add Multiple Newsletter Forms?
Yes, you can add multiple forms across different pages. Use unique CTAs for each.
2. How Do I Track Submissions?
Squarespace Analytics provides submission tracking. For advanced insights, integrate Google Analytics.
3. Is Mailchimp Free?
MailChimp offers a free plan for up to 500 subscribers.
4. How Do I Ensure GDPR Compliance?
Add a consent checkbox with wording like “I agree to receive emails from [Brand Name].”
5. Can I Use Custom Fonts in My Form?
Yes, use the Design Settings or CSS to apply custom fonts.
