If you are focused on building email subscriber list and use MailChimp service on WordPress website – then how about converting your blog commenters into subscribers automatically? You can easily do this by adding “subscribe to MailChimp newsletter checkbox” under comment form on WordPress website. [Add MailChimp box in Genesis theme]

MailChimp for WP: Convert blog commenters into subscribers

Every commenter entering email ID and keeping subscription box checked (next to submit comment button) will be added to MailChimp subscribers list. This will help you build subscriber list quickly and get revelant audience for email marketing efforts.

MailChimp checkbox under comment form

MailChimp checkbox under comment form

1. MailChimp for WP is an easy to use plugin without any complicated settings. Once you install this plugin, click on “MailChimp for WP” option on left sidebar in WordPress Dashboard.

MailChimp Account Settings

MailChimp Account Settings

2. Then you need to enter MailChimp API key in plugin’s setting page. For this, goto MailChimp.com website and login into your account. MailChimp now has new interface, click on profile name on upper left side and then click Account Settings option.

Create API key in MailChimp

Create API key in MailChimp

Then goto Extra > API keys option and click Create a Key button if you did not generate any API key before. Copy the API key and paste it in plugin’s settings page in your WordPress Dashboard.

MailChimp for WP plugin options

MailChimp for WP plugin options

3. After entering API key click Save Changes button. Then select the MailChimp list for given options. Also configure other options like: add checkbox to comment form and registration form, customize checkbox label text, pre-check the checkbox, load custom CSS style for checkbox and more.

Should I pre-check the Mailchimp sign-up box

Well, this is a subjective decision and vary from person to person. Even if you pre-check the box, user still has the option to un-check before submitting the comment. If user does not notice the newsletter checkbox and becomes subscriber – user still has to click confirmation link in the email message sent by MailChimp (which he can reject or accept). So, pre-checking the newsletter box should not be a problem and may result in more subscribers.

Davinder Singh Kainth

A digital creator with 15+ years of experience in Website Design, Development, SEO, and Content Creation to Podcasting at SmartWebCreators.com with the motto of "Be Smart, Keep Creating". A coach, consultant, and your dear geek friend ❖

3 Comments

  1. Danny on June 29, 2013 at 4:38 pm

    Hey there, BasicWP.

    Thanks for writing about MailChimp for WordPress. Your explanation on how to get your MailChimp API key via the new MailChimp interface is very detailed. Do you mind if I link to this blog post from MailChimp for WP’s FAQ to make things clearer for plugin users?

    Thanks.

    Danny

    • Editor on June 30, 2013 at 3:40 am

      Hi Danny, thanks for the comment. Yes, you can link this blog post. Video tutorial on this same topic is coming soon – you may embed that video for more clarity.

  2. Keith Davis on June 29, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    Hi guys
    Seen this plugin a few times now, but this is the first review I’ve seen.
    Notice you are using it on this site.

    Not sure about the prechecked box… have to think about that.

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