Published on Aug 11, 2025 5 min read

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Email List for Free on WordPress

Building an email list is essential for growing your audience and maintaining direct communication with them. Using WordPress, you can easily create a free email list without needing technical expertise. By following these simple steps, you can set up and manage your list efficiently, helping your business or blog reach its full potential.

1. Choose a Reliable Email Marketing Service

Before you start collecting emails, you need a platform to manage your subscribers. Choose a free email marketing service that integrates smoothly with WordPress. Popular options include:

• Mailchimp: Use it for free with up to 500 subscribers. It offers email templates, analytics, and audience tools.
• MailerLite: Sign up for free and add up to 1,000 subscribers. Easily create newsletters, landing pages, and set up automation.
• Sendinblue: Start for free with tools like emailing, text message campaigns, and basic automation. It’s adaptable for businesses looking to enhance communication.

These platforms allow you to create email campaigns, manage contacts, and design signup forms.

2. Install an Email List Plugin on WordPress

Using plugins from WordPress is easy for growing your mailing list. Choose a plugin that allows you to link your WP site to your chosen email marketing service for free. Beginner-friendly plugins include:

• Mailchimp for WordPress
• Newsletter
• WPForms Lite

These tools help you make beautiful forms, popups, and widgets that collect email addresses directly from your website.

3. Create a High-Converting Opt-In Form

A well-designed opt-in form encourages visitors to subscribe. To make your form effective:

• Keep it short: (name and email only)
• Add a compelling call-to-action: (e.g., “Get Free Tips” or “Join Our Weekly Newsletter”)
• Use clear and contrasting button colors

Place the form prominently in your header, footer, sidebar, or within blog posts.

4. Offer a Valuable Freebie (Lead Magnet)

People are more likely to subscribe if they receive something valuable in return. Create a simple lead magnet that relates to your content or niche. Examples include:

• A free PDF guide
• A checklist or workbook
• A short eBook
• A downloadable template

You can deliver the freebie through your email marketing platform after the user confirms their subscription.

5. Add Signup Forms to Key Website Areas

Maximize your form visibility by adding it in multiple strategic locations. Ideal places include:

• Homepage banner or hero section
• Blog post footer
• About page
• Contact page
• Sidebar widget

The more exposure your form gets, the more likely visitors will sign up.

6. Use Exit-Intent Popups (Sparingly)

Exit-intent popups appear when a user is about to leave your website. These can be powerful for capturing hesitant visitors. Most WordPress plugins like Popup Maker or Hustle support this feature.

To keep the experience user-friendly:

• Avoid showing the popup too often
• Keep the message simple and relevant
• Offer a freebie to incentivize sign-up

7. Write Content That Encourages Sign-Ups

Quality content naturally attracts subscribers. Every blog post or page should include a subtle invitation to join your email list. You can:

• Insert inline opt-in forms within articles
• Add a content upgrade (extra free resource) that’s accessible only via email
• Use clear messaging like “Don’t miss out – subscribe for updates!”

The more valuable your content, the more trust you build.

8. Enable Comments With Email Collection

Engaging with your audience in the comments section builds community and gives you a chance to grow your list. Many comment plugins allow you to collect email addresses during submission.

Ensure the process is:

• Transparent (state why you’re collecting the email)
• Optional (don’t force sign-ups)
• GDPR-compliant (especially for users from the European Union)

9. Promote Your Email List on Social Media

Leverage your social media channels to drive traffic to your opt-in pages or posts and grow your email list. Social platforms offer a powerful way to reach your audience and encourage sign-ups. Here are some ideas to get started:

• Share blog posts that contain embedded sign-up forms.
• Add your sign-up link to your social media bios with a compelling offer.
• Use a pinned post with a clear call-to-action to highlight your opt-in page.
• Promote your freebie or lead magnet regularly.

By consistently utilizing your social media platforms, you can drive steady traffic to your WordPress site, resulting in more opportunities to grow your email list and connect with your audience.

10. Monitor, Test, and Optimize

Once you start gaining subscribers, it’s essential to analyze what’s working and what isn’t to refine your strategy and maximize results. Pay close attention to key factors such as:

• Which forms are converting the most effectively—look at their design, wording, and placement on your site.
• Which pages on your website are driving the highest number of sign-ups?
• What lead magnets are generating the highest levels of interest from your audience?

To get the most out of this analysis, take advantage of A/B testing tools available in your email marketing platform or website plugins. Experiment with different form designs, placements, headlines, and calls-to-action to determine what resonates best with your audience.

Bonus Tips for Better Results

While the 10 steps above provide a solid foundation, consider the following tips for ongoing success:

• Keep your list clean by removing inactive subscribers periodically.
• Avoid buying email lists—organic growth ensures quality engagement.
• Send regular, valuable emails to keep your audience connected.
• Make it easy to unsubscribe—respect user choice to build trust.

Conclusion

Building an email list using WordPress doesn’t require a large budget. With the right tools and strategy, you can attract and engage subscribers for free. Focus on creating value, making your signup process seamless, and promoting your list across your website and social media platforms. Consistency is key—stick to the basics outlined in these 10 steps, and you’ll gradually build a strong, loyal audience ready to hear from you.