What is Double opt-in or Single opt-in in List Building
First this is about building a list where you can use follow-up emails to market to them. You advertise something or your blog with a squeeze page. It can even be a form on your blog they fill out.
It is also about what takes place after they fill out the form. All you of you have gone through the process at some time.
A single optin is where you fill out a form with your name and email and you are signed up to an email list.
A double optin is where you fill out a form with your name and email and then you have to click on a link sent to you in an email to confirm that you want on the list.
Even though people argue against it I have always used double optin sign ups.
I tested both type list single optin and double optin several years ago and what I learned convinced me to use double optin.
Yes, you get less signups with double optin but it is worth it and here is why.
I set up 2 list on the same autoresponder for the same free eBook as a reason to signup.
It was not long until the Single optin was over twice as big as the double optin. So I lost at least 50% of signups using double optin.
The big difference showed when I mailed to the list. The double optin had a little over 1000 members and the single had 2500+. I used the exact same subjects, emails and autoresponder.
On the double optin I got a very high open rate (how many actually opened the emails. and conversion rate (where they buy something) on the emails.
On the single optin and I got a very low open rate and conversions were also low.
So in the long run the double optin got more emails read and more conversions with a smaller list.
Every since then I have done double optins. They work for a reason
One last thing. On a single optin anyone can signup anybody up they want to a list. All they have to do is put in a name and email. So if you are mad at someone you can sign them up to all kinds of things. That leaves you open for spam complaints. Even if you capture the IP when they signup it does not keep you from getting spam complaints.
If it is a double optin where they had to click a link in their own email it takes all that off the table. You may still get a few but they are not even looked at as spam because you used double optin.
I know there a lot of good arguments for both but bottom line for me is that over and over I have had a better open rate and made more money off of double optin list.
Which one do you use.
Recent Comments
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I would use the double optin method, because I'd rather have a few true fans than many observers.
Those are my feelings exactly. Have a single optin and 13% open your emails and have an double optin and 62% open your emails. It was an easy choice for me.
I would choose the double optin for myself, once I have my email sign up figured out.
Not sure what a squeeze page is, I'll look it up!
Thanks, this post was very helpful.
You have seem them Patsy those pages with a beautiful picture on it and words like get rich in the next 10 minutes or get a free report with a form to put in your name and email. That is a squeeze page, also called a capture page.
Actually, that may be an idea for me.
I'm looking for a way to have visitors sign up. Right now I have the option for them to leave their name and email at the end where the comments are for my cell and tablet, it's not on my laptop version but they may not get that far being at the bottom.
I can make a page where they can sign up instead is this possible? I was going to find a widget where they can sign up and place it on my right menu bar. One thing though, and this is something I have no clue about...after they leave their name and email, where does it end up going?
Thanks!
it depends it can be a signup form that is on an autoresponder or the simpler one where they signup to the blog updates. each time you update they get a email telling you.
Sign up for the blog updates is what I'd like.
Can I just use what I have right now, where they have the option to leave their email address along with their name? but it's way at the bottom of the post.
Hi, yes I wanted to do it that way from the beginning but couldn't find one so I put it aside.
I found one today called Easy Sign Up plugin and I think it's the one :)
Thank you for all of your help! I appreciate it :)
Hey , did you get an answer if this works with easy sign up plugin? I would really like to know.
Hi, seems so long ago it's been 2 months.
I did research on it and found this training, I still have it: Easy Sign Up Plugin But.
There was a problem with a spam protector called Honeypot and if you scroll down at the comments you'll see.
I found one that is NOT a plugin, it's free and I have it on my website already. It has spam protection with the double opt in. The customer has to go through an extra step which avoids any spam sign ups. It's awesome I'll leave you the link of the place, it's called Benchmark and they even have support and training videos free to help you set up.
https://ui.benchmarkemail.com/
I just 'followed' you. If you want, got to my profile and scroll down to the bottom right hand side you will see my website listed. Check out my custom made Subscriber sign up form. You can make it the way you want. If you like it I'll show you which one it is. There are several to choose from.
Hey , thank you :) I couldn;t find your website listed. Not sure why. Maybe private message it to me as I'm curious to check it out.
You have to scroll all the way down and it's under 'Follow Me On'
We can only leave our websites here if it's for training purposes.
I'll PM you right now...
Very encouraging! Ok, that's answered my question - I'll be sticking to my overkill double optin :)
...signing up people that you are mad at, interesting :)
"...signing up people that you are mad at, interesting :)"
I know of at least one website who offers that as a service. If you are made at someone you can pay them and they will sign them up to all kinds of weird email list.
It is not overkill if in the long run it ends up making you more money then a single opt-in does.
An extremely worthwhile post Bo.......very informative for me. My thoughts are that early on when building a list in a new niche, the double optin is important. Later, after brand and credibility are established, maybe the single version can be switched to. What do you think?
Wayne
I have been around long enough that my brand and creditability exist. If a double optin list makes me more money then a single optin and it saves me from spam complaints I will keep using a double optin.
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Not there yet but I learned something new. Thanks. Debbie
So now you are a little more prepared for when you get there.