How To Capture Email Address of (First-Time) Website Visitors?

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If you’re looking to turn blogging into a full-time profession that sustains long, building an email list is the most important part.

A large email list will ensure consistent flow of traffic to your blog. This, in turn, will assure you a reliable source of income irrespective of the revenue model you’re following.

How to capture email addresses of website visitors?

Collecting emails of your first-time visitors is difficult. Nobody wants to give their personal information to strangers.

Here are 5 proven steps to do that:

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1. Quality of the content must be solid

2. Place the subscription form in the right place

3. Focus on internal link building

4. Be direct. Ask readers to subscribe

5. Tell them what to expect

1. Quality of the content must be solid

They clicked on one of your URLs because they liked what the title promised, and they are hoping for an immediate solution for their problem.

So, it is very important that your content is resourceful and of solid quality that delivers them high value.

Think of it this way: Would you ever give your email address to smeone who’s not even offering you good value for your time with quality content, let alone helping you find a solution for your problem?

2. Place the subscription form in the right place

Placing subscription or opt-in form at various places won’t give you the same result. Some places offer better conversion than others.

Statistically speaking, the top of the sidebar, sticky bar at the top of the page, and the bottom of every single blog post — these positions are considered the best to place subscription form.

Popups are great too. But many mobile users won’t appreciate it.

The basic idea is to have your subscription box in front of the readers — but without intruding their space to scroll and read the content. (Meaning, you don’t want to hamper their UX.)

Tip: Have 2-3 subscription forms on every page. Place one below every blog post.

3. Focus on internal link building

If they aren’t convinced with your one blog post, maybe they would be with the other ones.

Remember, the more time they stick around on your website, higher is the chances of them subscribing.

So, add internal links to help visitors navigate easily on your site and jump to other relevant blog posts.

It would also reduce bounce rate and increase session duration, improving your SEO.

4. Be direct. Ask readers to subscribe

Don’t tip-toe around. Be blunt and upfront in asking readers (politely) to subscribe to your blog.

5. Tell them what to expect

Visitors are more likely to offer you their email if you tell them exactly what they will get in return.

So, avoid the surprise factor and tell them what to expect. (Place a crisp and catchy description along with the subscription form)

If this copy of the description is good, per the needs and requirements of your target audience, you will be able to capture email addresses of website visitors successfully.