Growing your business is not just a worthy goal, it is a necessity for business survival and success. It is not always an easy task either, it takes hard work, dedication, and creative ideas. It takes using tools such as social media marketing and list building.
The goal of all internet marketing is to build a database of people who are interested in your products or services. When someone visits your website they are a potential lead and, therefore, you will want to capture their name and email address before they leave your site.
Having an optin box provides an avenue for you to connect and build relationships with the many people who visit your site. It is a great means to help you grow your list and communicate better with your target market. When you use it correctly you can grow your business to levels you never thought were possible – believe me… I know that it works!
What are Optin Boxes?
An optin box gives you the ability to gather names and email addresses for people that visit your site that are interested in what you have to offer. It automatically gathers the information that is submitted and sends it to your email management program such as Aweber, Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and others where it is stored in a database.
Optin boxes are used on both websites and blogs. They are normally placed in the side bar (above the fold) so they are easily visible and they don’t get lost with the rest of your content. Occasionally you’ll find them in the middle section of the site or even in the header as well. Pop up optins are another great way to utilize this feature.
Why have an Optin?
Staying in constant communication with your market and your customers is extremely valuable. It gives you the ability to quickly and easily send an email containing specials on your products or services, business updates, recent projects and any general information you want to share. It’s easier to have names and emails added through an optin box and email management system because it is all automatic. You don’t have to do anything aside from the initial set up and installation.
Every business website should have a place to collect names and email via an optin box. Both small and large businesses alike use them to grow their lists and expand their means of communication. You can see an optin box on the side bar of my website (to the right). You will even see them on corporate sites like Walmart and Staples.
Benefits of an Optin Box
While there are many benefits to using an optin box, one of the biggest would be the ability to communicate quickly and easily with potential clients or customers as well as staying connected with current customers. They’re easy to use and they give you the information you need to send emails without doing anything else once the list is created in your email management system.
Optin boxes are a valuable tool that should be on every page of your site because you never know when someone will read something of interest causing them to want to join your mailing list.
Optin Box Tips and Advice
- Prominent Placement – Put your opt-in box where it can be seen right away. The top right corner of every page is your best bet. You can also integrate it into your website banner or header (the space on the very top of your website). Your optin box should also be seen on all pages of your site, not just the homepage.
Include a Free Offer – Offering a just a newsletter is not going to draw people in. Nowadays you have to offer something to people to give them the incentive to sign up for your list. Some ideas of things to offer would be a special report, info product, audio seminar, email ecourse, discount coupons, etc. You can then include in smaller lettering that by signing up you will also receive your newsletter or email updates. But it should not be the focal point.
- Use Eye Catching Graphics – The goal for your optin box to draw people in and make them want to sign up. Use visually stimulating graphics. If you are offering something such as an Ebook, free report, or audio then include a 3-d Ecover into the optin-box design.
- Call to Action– “Download my Free Report Today” is pretty boring. Make your download invitation something that draws in the attention of the reader. It should make them WANT to enter their name and email and subscribe to your list.
Here are some examples:
“Don’t Miss the Action! Subscribe for FREE Updates and Reports“
“Get A Customized Report at NO Cost –Limited Time only”
Your submit button can also be a way to include a “call to action”. Instead of using the word “Submit”, customize the button to include something like “Download Now”, “Sign Me Up”, “Send My Free Report”. It should also stand out visually, so use a contrasting color or a 3-D graphic effect.
- Privacy Policy – It is important to include a short privacy policy statement at the end of the optin to show your visitors that you respect their privacy and will not share your contact information with anyone. Your visitors should feel secure when signing up on your website.
The way you generate leads is to add an opt in box on your blog with an enticing offer that will turn your website visitors into long term customers. The more people’s names and email addresses you have on your list, the more chances you have of increasing your online sales. Every name and email address is worth money. The bigger your list, the more money you will have. So be sure to take advantage of this important list building opportunity by incorporating an optin box into your website TODAY.
If you need assistance with an optin box design, be sure to Contact Us and we would be happy to help you.
