What is Mailchimp and How Can You Use it on Your WordPress Site?

If you’re looking for a powerful email marketing tool to use on your WordPress site, look no further than Mailchimp! With seamless integration, Mailchimp is the perfect way to engage with your subscribers and grow your email list. In this article, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of how to use Mailchimp on your WordPress site, from setting up your account to creating campaigns and automations.

Step 1: Set up your Mailchimp Account

Before you can start using Mailchimp on your WordPress site, you need to create a Mailchimp account. Don’t worry if you don’t have one yet, follow these steps to get started:

1. Head to mailchimp.com and click the ‘Sign Up For Free’ button.
2. Enter your email address and a password.
3. On the next page, fill out your business or website information and click ‘Get Started’.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your account setup.

Step 2: Connect Mailchimp to your WordPress site

To connect Mailchimp to your WordPress site, you have a couple of options:

Method 1: Use the Mailchimp Plugin

Mailchimp has a plugin specifically designed for WordPress, so follow these steps to install and set it up:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click ‘Plugins’ in the left-hand menu.
3. Click ‘Add New’.
4. In the search bar, type ‘Mailchimp for WordPress’ and click ‘Install Now’.
5. Once installation is complete, click ‘Activate’.
6. In the ‘Mailchimp for WordPress’ settings, enter your Mailchimp API key.
7. Click ‘Save Changes’ to complete the process.

Method 2: Add Mailchimp code to your site

If you’d rather not use the plugin, you can add Mailchimp code to your website instead:

1. Go to Mailchimp and click ‘Lists’ in the navigation menu.
2. Select the list you want to use to create campaigns.
3. Click ‘Signup Forms’ in the menu bar.
4. Select the type of signup form you want to use.
5. Customize the form if necessary.
6. Copy the embed code and paste it into the ‘head’ section of your website using the editor.
7. Save your changes.

Step 3: Create a Campaign in Mailchimp

Now that Mailchimp is connected to your WordPress site, it’s time to create your first campaign:

1. Go to Mailchimp and click ‘Campaigns’ in the navigation menu.
2. Click ‘Create Campaign’ in the top right-hand corner of the page.
3. Select the type of campaign you want to create.
4. Select your audience and click ‘Next’.
5. Customize your campaign details such as the name, subject line, email content, and social sharing options.
6. Click ‘Send’ or schedule the campaign for later.

Step 4: Create a Signup Form in Mailchimp

Creating signup forms are one of the most effective ways to grow your email list:

1. Go to Mailchimp and click ‘Lists’ in the navigation menu.
2. Select the list you want to use to create a form.
3. Click the ‘Signup Forms’ tab in the menu bar.
4. Select the type of form you want to use.
5. Customize the form with the required fields and design.
6. Click ‘Generate’ once you’re satisfied with the form.
7. Copy the generated code and paste it into your website’s HTML code.

Step 5: Enable Mailchimp Automations

Automations are a powerful way to engage with your subscribers based on their behavior or demographics:

1. Go to Mailchimp and click ‘Automations’ in the navigation menu.
2. Click ‘Create an Automation’.
3. Choose the automation you want to create and configure the settings.
4. Choose the trigger that will activate the automation.
5. Set up the email or action that will be sent when the trigger is activated.
6. Preview and confirm the automation.

Step 6: Report and Analysis

Mailchimp offers extensive reports and analytics that can help you identify areas to improve:

1. Go to Mailchimp and click ‘Reports’ in the navigation menu.
2. Browse through the reports available for your campaigns, signup forms, and automations.
3. Use the data to inform your email marketing efforts in the future.

Conclusion

Overall, Mailchimp is an easy and powerful way to manage your email marketing campaigns. With its integration with WordPress and extensive features, you’re sure to improve your engagement with your subscribers and grow your email list. Be sure to analyze the data provided by Mailchimp to stay ahead of your competition and tailor your future marketing efforts.