Using opt-in forms is another common method of collecting personal contact information.

An opt-in form is a form that enables a person to add and submit personal information including email address at a minimum. The purpose of providing contact information is to give the marketer permission to send email to the person providing the contact information. The email may be product information, offers, newsletters, or other forms of communication included in email (ebooks, reports, checklists, upgraded content, etc).

Opt-in forms are included in landing pages. Opt-in forms may be in the form of box, pop-up window, link to a sign-up page (two-step opt-in process), exit pop-up, and others.

Opt-in forms can be simple or elaborate. The following are several examples of opt-in forms.

The first example, is an opt-in box sized to fit within a right-hand column on a web page.

This is an example of an inline opt-in form within the content area of a web page or blog post.

Once the opt-in form is filled in and submitted, the information is added to the email marketing system database. The database is the repository of the personal information collected from a potential subscriber or customer.

Next: Email marketing system software