How to Create A Free Email-Opt In For Your Website

Website Tips

Apr 23

While social media is amazing for visibility and connection, you don’t own your audience there. Algorithms shift, apps crash, and suddenly that hard-earned visibility disappears. Your email list, on the other hand? That’s yours.

Here’s why an email opt-in is a non-negotiable for your website:

It builds community. You’re creating a space where people choose to hear from you. That’s a powerful kind of relationship.
It increases your impact. Emails let you go deeper than a quick caption. You can share stories, resources, and offers in a more meaningful way.
It supports your bottom line. People buy from people they trust and emails nurtures that trust over time.

Think of your opt-in like the front door to your business. A warm welcome. A way to say:

“I see you. I made something just for you.”

Tips to Get Started

Creating your first opt-in doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Here are a few ways to begin:

1. Consider what your audience needs right now.

Think about where your ideal client is right now. What’s the change they’re looking for? (Hint: it brought them to your website!) How can you offer then a taste of what you offer while supporting them in the moment with that desired result? You want to give them a glimpse at what’s possible when they work with you.

2. Choose your format.

Pick a format that feels easeful, and exciting, for you to create. The key here is easeful, it might already be something you’ve created.

Here are some ideas:

Free meditation
Mini Course, Class, Workshop
A journaling guide
A # Day Challenge
Email Series
A workbook

3. Make it feel aligned with your brand.

Your opt-in should reflect the experience someone will have when they work with you.

Keep the visuals, tone, and content consistent with your vibe and offerings.

4. Add a powerful call to action to your website.

Write a catchy headline and subtext to go on your website. This should speak to the change or transformation they will experience when they download the free gift. Ex. If it’s a meditation you’re offering you might say something like this…

“Reconnect with your authentic self with this free 5-minute meditation”
Learn a simple, powerful practice you can use any time through your time to return home to yourself.
[ TUNE IN HERE ]

5. Create a welcome email or nurture sequence.

Once someone opts in, what happens next? This is your chance to keep building connection, trust, and value.

An email nurture sequence after they sign up is an opportunity to keep the conversation going for a little while instead of just delivering the gift and then disappearing from their inbox. This can be anywhere for 3 to 6 emails spread out across a few weeks so they can get to know you and your business better.

6. Set up the automation with your email provider.

You’ll need to make sure that the email marketing application you use has the ability to create and deploy automations. This is a very normal feature but is typically a paid feature. Here are a couple of email applications I recommend…

Squarespace: for those folks who have a Squarespace website and like an “all-in-one” solution
FloDesk: my personal favorite! Their automation tool and list segments are slightly more advanced. Here’s an affiliate link for 50% off your first year.
MailerLite: For my friends on a tight budget, this is the only option I’ve come across that allows you to create a free automation.