Let’s face it—growing your email list can be a real challenge. You’ve put tons of effort into creating valuable content, but if no one is subscribing, it can feel like all that work is for nothing.
That’s where opt-in forms come in.
They’re the bridge between casual site visitors and loyal subscribers. But not just any opt-in form will do the trick. You need the right strategy and design to really connect with your target audience and generate leads.
In this article, we’ll dive into 10 powerful opt-in form examples and templates that can help grow your subscriber list, fast.
But first, let’s quickly break down what an opt-in form is and why it’s so crucial for your business.
An opt-in form is a simple web form that allows visitors to subscribe to your email list, newsletter, or any other type of communication you offer. It’s a critical tool for building a direct communication line with your audience.
Opt-in forms typically ask for basic information like an email address (and sometimes a first name), in exchange for something valuable like a free resource, a discount, or exclusive content.
It’s important to keep your opt-in form simple for visual appeal and to make it easier for visitors to engage and convert.
Opt-in forms aren’t just about growing your email list—they’re about creating meaningful connections with website visitors. When designed well, they can be your secret weapon for building trust and turning visitors into loyal customers.
Here’s why they matter:
By offering something valuable, like a free guide or exclusive deal, you’re giving your potential customers a reason to trust you. This builds a solid foundation of loyalty, which can turn one-time visitors into long-term subscribers.
Using a well-designed form template for email opt-ins, contact forms, or newsletter subscriptions can further enhance this trust by providing a user-friendly experience and clear calls-to action.
The people who fill out opt-in forms are already somewhat interested in what you offer—they’ve landed on your website for a reason. By engaging with these warm leads, you can nurture them with targeted emails, increasing your chances of turning them into paying customers.
Opt-in forms allow you to collect valuable data. You can use this information to segment your email list and send personalized offers. Targeted email campaigns consistently outperform generic ones, meaning more sales for your business.
Email marketing is one of the most affordable ways to stay connected with your audience. The ROI on email campaigns is consistently higher than most other forms of digital marketing. A well-placed email opt-in form created with an online form builder can give you access to this powerful, cost-effective channel.
Unlike social media, where algorithms decide who sees your content, email allows you to communicate directly with your subscribers. Building a list with opt-in forms gives you control over how and when your message gets delivered.
When website visitors opt in, they’re handing over their contact information voluntarily. This makes it easier for you to send personalized messages based on their interests or behaviors, leading to higher engagement and retention rates.
Building an email list through an email opt-in form is one of the most sustainable ways to grow your audience. Unlike social media followers, who may come and go with changing algorithms, your email subscribers are yours for the long haul—as long as you provide value.
Not all opt-in forms are created equal, and depending on your website and goals, some types may perform better than others.
Let’s look at a few of the most effective opt-in form styles.
These forms pop up on your website after a visitor has spent a certain amount of time on a page. They’re designed to grab attention and prompt immediate action. While popups can be a little disruptive, when done right, they convert like crazy.
Inline forms (or embedded forms) are embedded directly into your content, often within blog posts or landing pages. These forms tend to be more subtle but can be highly effective because they’re placed where your visitors are already engaged.
Slide-in forms are a less intrusive alternative to popups. They slide in from the side or bottom of the screen, allowing users to continue interacting with your website while the form appears. These offer a great blend of subtlety and visibility.
Welcome mats are fullscreen opt-in forms that appear when a user first lands on your site. Because they cover the entire screen, they can’t be ignored, which makes them perfect for high-priority campaigns.
If you’re ready to boost your email list, here are ten real-world opt-in forms that stand out for their effectiveness and creativity:
The Oodie uses an email signup form presented as a quiz popup to segment their audience right from the start.
In the first step, visitors choose the answer they prefer, which helps The Oodie collect contact information, segment the audience, and then send personalized product recommendations later. As an added incentive, they offer a 10% discount in exchange for email addresses.
This two-pronged approach—personalization and a discount—makes the opt-in form incredibly effective, and also allows The Oodie to send personalized email marketing campaigns in the future.
CeCe’s Home & Gifts keeps their opt-in form simple but effective with a 10% discount on shoppers’ first order.
What really shines here is the strong call-to-action, “Apply Discount to Cart,” which immediately encourages action. They also go minimal with the form fields, asking only for the visitor’s email address.
Cherieswood entices visitors with a free shipping offer in exchange for their email addresses.
What sets this opt-in form apart is how it segments new subscribers by location, asking for the visitor’s state. This information is gold for tailoring future emails based on where the customers live, making it easier to offer personalized promotions.
Arcturus spices things up with a spin-the-wheel opt-in form that adds an element of fun to the signup process. Visitors have the chance to win up to 25% off, making it a game-like experience.
In return for their email addresses, they also get “insider” status, which adds a layer of exclusivity to the deal.
Pixie Wing uses a two-step signup form to create a sense of exclusivity among new subscribers.
In the first step, they tease visitors with an offer for exclusive deals, and in the second step, they ask for both the first name and email. This allows for more personalized email communication down the line.
Tempting product photos enhance the form, making the offer hard to resist.
Nexus Sports Nutrition grabs attention with a mystery discount in their opt-in form. This psychological trigger plays on curiosity, encouraging visitors to sign up just to see what they’ll get.
The CTA, “Reveal My Code,” is particularly strong and motivating, as it promises immediate value.
Mayana Chocolate keeps things less intrusive with a simple sidebar form that invites visitors to sign up for both email and SMS communications.
It’s a great example of offering multiple opt-in methods without overwhelming the visitor, making it easy to join the list at any time.
Perennial Pastures appeals to visitors’ love of winning with a contest-style form offering a gift card as the prize.
The chance to win something valuable encourages visitors to hand over their email addresses, and the gamified approach helps make the experience feel more interactive and fun.
Sassy Saints also uses a spin-the-wheel popup, but they up the ante by including a free gift as one of the potential prizes.
The CTA, “Spin & Win,” adds excitement and taps into the same psychological triggers that drive game-playing behavior, making it engaging and hard to pass up.
Vegetology creates urgency with their September Special popup, offering an exclusive discount on visitors’ first order.
By framing the discount as a limited-time “September special,” they create a sense of urgency, encouraging potential subscribers to act quickly before the offer expires.
Feeling inspired already? Explore our template library with over 300 templates that you can start using right away!
When done right, opt-in forms can be the key to building a loyal, engaged audience for your brand. From pop-ups to slide-ins, there’s a form style for every business and strategy.
Now that you’ve seen some examples and know the best practices, it’s time to implement them on your website.
With OptiMonk, you can start creating your popup forms in a matter of seconds: create your free account today, and let’s roll!
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Product updates: September Release 2024