WordPress Lead Magnet Optin: 2 Easy Ways

A large percentage of first-time visitors, often more than 70%, do not return to a website.

As website owners, we understand that gathering email addresses is key for ongoing communication and return visits. A compelling lead magnet, like an ebook or PDF, provides the incentive needed for visitors to share their contact information.

Whether you have a lead magnet prepared or are planning one, you’ll require an optin form. This form collects leads, expands your email subscriber base, and delivers immediate access to your lead magnet.

This guide presents two distinct methods for building a lead magnet optin form designed for high conversion rates.

Why Create a Lead Magnet Optin Form in WordPress?

Optin forms can be created through various methods. However, in our experience, they may not always display or function optimally on WordPress sites.

This guide emphasizes tools specifically designed for WordPress, complete with dedicated WordPress plugins. This allows for simple creation of optins, seamless integration with your site, and effortless lead generation.

Furthermore, connecting the optin to existing services, especially your email marketing provider, becomes simpler. This facilitates lead nurturing, automated workflow integration, activity tracking, and numerous other essential functions.

You’ll also benefit from typical WordPress advantages, such as enhanced customization and full data ownership.

While there are lots of alternatives available, creating your optin forms in WordPress really does offer unmatched advantages when it comes to control, customization, and integrations.

That said, you can use the quick links below to jump straight to the method you want to use:

Are you ready? Let’s dive right in!

Method 1. Using OptinMonster (Best For Creating Powerful Optins)

Do you already have a lead magnet you want to use in your campaigns? Then OptinMonster may be the perfect solution for you.

It lets you create all kinds of advanced optin forms, including formats like floating bars, popups, and gamified spin-to-win optins. Plus, it has a template library of 400+ high-converting designs that you can customize with its drag-and-drop builder.

We’re huge fans of this tool ourselves. We use it for all our pop-ups, slide-ins, and header banners. So we can confidently tell you that when it comes to creating optins, the possibilities are pretty much endless with OptinMonster.

The nice thing about OptinMonster is that it lets you deliver lead magnets via email, direct download, or both, giving your subscribers the freedom to choose their preferred method.

Although you can use OptinMonster’s gated content feature to turn any blog post into a lead magnet or content upgrade, its true strength lies in creating highly effective optin forms.

With that said, we recommend OptinMonster if you already have some lead magnets, and need a way to capture as many leads as possible.

Step 1. Set up OptinMonster

First, you’ll need to sign up on the OptinMonster website. Simply click the ‘Get OptinMonster Now’ button to get started. 

You can then choose the OptinMonster plan you want to buy and follow the onscreen instructions to complete your purchase.

With that done, it’s time to install and activate the free OptinMonster WordPress plugin. This connects your WordPress site to your OptinMonster account.

For more details, please see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Once you activate the plugin, you’ll see the OptinMonster welcome screen and setup wizard. Go ahead and click the ‘Connect Your Existing Account’ button.

You’ll now see a small window where you can sign into your OptinMonster account.

In this popup, click the ‘Connect to WordPress’ button to link your website to OptinMonster.

Step 2. Choose a Campaign Type 

Now, you’re ready to create your lead magnet campaign by heading over to the OptinMonster » Campaigns page in your WordPress dashboard.

With that done, click the ‘Add New’ button.

OptinMonster will now ask you to select a template or use a playbook.

These playbooks provide pre-built campaigns based on effective strategies from leading brands, streamlining the creation of high-conversion campaigns.

For this how-to, we will proceed by selecting ‘Templates’.

OptinMonster will then display a variety of campaign types for your selection, including floating bars, slide-in boxes, and interactive popups.

The procedure is much the same regardless of campaign selection; however, this guide will focus on creating an inline form for easy integration into any page, post, or widget-ready area. Therefore, proceed to select ‘Inline’.

Step 3. Select a Template

Now, select a template to use as a basis. OptinMonster templates offer full customization, and choosing one resembling your desired form saves time.

To see a template in more detail, hover your cursor and select the ‘Preview’ button.

The template will appear in a popup window.

Once you’ve found a suitable design, select ‘Use Template’. The screenshots use the Unlock Gated Content template, but feel free to choose any design.

After choosing a template, name your campaign in the popup window, then select ‘Start Building’.

Step 4. Build Your Lead Magnet Optin

The OptinMonster drag-and-drop editor will load your chosen template for further customization.

Templates include pre-configured blocks such as Text, Image, and Button blocks. Click any block in the live preview to edit it.

The left-hand menu will then show all the settings you can use for that particular block.

You can also change text directly in the live preview.

To change the text style, simply highlight it and then use the settings in the toolbar that appears.

Want to delete a block instead?

Just hover over it in the live preview and then click the trashcan icon when it appears.

To add more blocks to your design, simply drag them from the left-hand menu and then drop them onto the live preview. 

Simply repeat these steps until you’re happy with the lead magnet optin form. 

Step 5. Design Your Success Message 

When someone completes your optin form, OptinMonster will display a ‘success’ message by default. To customize this screen, click the ‘Success’ tab.

At this point, you need to choose how visitors access your lead magnet: via email, a direct download, or both. 

This choice will affect your ‘Success’ message’s design and content. For example, if you deliver your lead magnet via email, then the message should tell users to check their inbox.

Meanwhile, for direct downloads, you’ll want to add a button so visitors can trigger their download.

No matter what method you choose, you’ll design the success message in the same way as the opt-in form.

Simply click to select the built-in blocks and then customize them using the settings in the left-hand menu. You can also drag new blocks onto the layout, type in text, and delete unwanted blocks. 

When using the download approach, include a Button block in your lead magnet optin. Then, in the left menu, access the ‘Button Click Action’ dropdown and choose ‘Open in a new window.’

In the ‘New Window URL’ field, paste a direct link to your lead magnet. 

Clicking the button will now launch the file in a separate tab, ready for saving by the user.

Ensure the ‘Conversion tracking’ slider is enabled to track user interactions with this button.

Want to send your lead magnet via email? Then click on the ‘Integrations’ tab and select ‘Add a New Integration.’ 

You can then pick your preferred email platform, such as ActiveCampaign or Constant Contact.

After selection, follow the provided directions to set up the integration and compose your email. While the precise steps differ based on the specific provider, OptinMonster offers step-by-step assistance.

Step 6. Publish Your Optin Form

The final step is adding the lead magnet optin to your WordPress website. To do this, go ahead and click the ‘Publish’ tab. You can then click ‘Save’ in the toolbar. 

In the resulting popup window, select ‘Publish Now.’

Since you already installed the OptinMonster plugin, this optin will be available in your WordPress dashboard right away.

Go to the specific page or post on your website where you intend to showcase the lead magnet optin.

Then, click the ‘+’ button to add a new block. Use the search tool to find the ‘OptinMonster’ block and simply add it to your page or post.

Next, in the OptinMonster block, use the dropdown menu—labeled ‘Select Campaign…’ initially.

Choose the campaign that you’ve just finished creating.

OptinMonster will now add the lead magnet optin form to your page.

To publish it, update or publish the page. That wraps it up!

Method 2. Using Beacon (Best All-In-One Solution)

Beacon provides tools to build unlimited opt-ins using its drag-and-drop interface.

Unlike similar lead generation plugins, Beacon has everything you need to create lead magnets.

It includes templates for numerous lead magnets, such as eBooks, resource guides, checklists, and lookbooks.

Beacon is recommended as an all-in-one solution to create and distribute visually appealing lead magnets with opt-ins.

Read our Beacon review for a more detailed look at its features.

If you already have a lead magnet, upload it to Beacon and create an opt-in.

Beacon is a great choice if you have lead magnets and need opt-ins.

Beacon offers a ‘free forever’ option, enabling unlimited optin creation. This makes it suitable for testing various optin styles and formats to optimize performance.

Step 1. Create a Beacon Account

Beacon’s ‘free forever’ plan allows for unlimited lead capture form creation, but restricts you to one new lead magnet each month.

Consider upgrading to a premium plan based on your specific requirements.

Begin by visiting the Beacon website and either subscribe to a premium plan or establish a free account.

Once registered, access the Beacon dashboard to start designing your initial lead magnet optin form.

Step 2. Add Your Email Provider (Optional)

Beacon can automatically transmit new lead data to your email marketing platform, including tagging for segmentation and targeted campaigns.

To enable this function, navigate toAccount Settings » Email Integrations in the Beacon dashboard. Then, click the ‘+’ button. 

Next, open the ‘Choose Provider’ dropdown and select your email marketing service, such as Aweber, CampaignMonitor, or Kit.

After that, adhere to the provided instructions to complete the integration setup.

Step 3: Select Your Lead Magnet

The next step is choosing the lead magnet you’ll offer to visitors. To do that, click on the ‘Create New’ button, followed by ‘Lead Capture Form.’

At this point, you can either select a lead magnet you’ve created using Beacon or upload an external resource you created using another program. 

To use an external file, select ‘Upload Resource.’ 

You can then click the ‘Choose File’ button.

After that, select any file from your local computer.

Alternatively, you can use a lead magnet you created with Beacon. To do this, simply select ‘Use Beacon Resource.’

You’ll now see all the different lead magnets you created. Find the resource you want to use and click on the corresponding ‘Select’ button. 

Step 4. Choose a Template

No matter what option you choose, the next step is picking your optin format. 

For this guide, we’ll be creating an inline form, as this lets you control exactly where the form appears on your site.

For example, you might place it on a landing page or midway through a specific blog post. However, the steps will be similar for all the different optin formats.

That said, we’re going to select ‘Inline Form’ at this point.

Beacon will now show all the different ready-made templates you can use. All these templates are fully customizable, so you can fine-tune them to match your WordPress theme or branding. 

However, to save time, it makes sense to choose a template that closely resembles the kind of optin you want to create. That way, you don’t have to do too much editing.

When you find a template you want to use, give it a click.

Then, type in a name for the optin form. This will represent the form throughout the Beacon dashboard, so it’s a good idea to use something descriptive.

Once that’s done, click on the ‘Create Lead Capture Form’ button.

Step 5. Customize Your Optin Form

Beacon will open your selected template in a drag-and-drop editor, divided into tabs. The ‘Trigger’ tab determines the form’s appearance on your site.

A live preview on the left automatically reflects your edits.

Beacon templates include default content. To modify an element, click it in the preview or select it from the left menu.

The menu will then display customizable settings for that element, like text size, font color, and background color.

For text-based elements, a section allows you to replace the default text with your own message.

To further customize the inline form:

Expand the ‘Layout’ section to explore different layout options.

Want to change the background image or color? Then click to expand the ‘Container’ section and then use the various settings that appear. 

The live preview updates automatically as you adjust settings, allowing you to experiment and find the best look.

Step 6. Design a Thank You Page

Now, personalize the ‘Thank You’ message displayed after form submission by clicking the ‘Thank You’ tab.

Beacon shows a live preview on the right, with customization settings on the left.

You can now modify the heading, body text, and container settings just as you did on the ‘Trigger’ page.

The ‘Thank You’ tab includes an additional ‘Social Share’ area. Here, you are able to incorporate social media buttons, allowing visitors to share the lead magnet opt-in form.

These icons are initially hidden; unhide them by expanding the ‘Social Share’ section and deselecting the ‘Hide Social Share’ option.

Then, add or remove buttons for platforms like Twitter/X, Facebook, LinkedIn, or email. Adjust the text above the buttons, along with the font size and color.

If you prefer not to show a ‘thank you’ message, there’s an alternative.

Beacon can redirect users to a different URL, perhaps to a custom ‘thank you’ page made with SeedProd.

To set this up, expand the ‘Redirect’ section and enter the desired URL.

Step 7: Customize the Confirmation Email 

Beacon is set by default to send automated confirmation emails, including a ‘Download’ link for the lead magnet.

The default email template is simple and often requires customization.

Select the ‘Confirmation’ tab to customize the email.

A live preview appears on the right, accompanied by customization options on the left.

Within this section, you can customize the subject line, sender name, reply-to address, and the body of the email.

If Beacon is linked to your email platform, consider enabling double opt-in.

This process requires users to verify their email by clicking a confirmation link. After confirmation, Beacon transfers their details to your email service.

This helps prevent the addition of spam accounts or incorrect addresses to your subscriber list. This keeps your list accurate and prevents wasted resources from sending emails to inactive addresses.

It’s advisable to expand ‘Opt-in Settings’ and choose ‘Double Opt-in’ unless you have a specific reason to avoid it.

For further details, refer to our guide on preventing signup spam in WordPress.

Step 8: Publish Your Form

Once you are satisfied with the setup, integrate the opt-in form into your site using Beacon’s ‘Publish’ tab.

This tab provides the HTML code generated by Beacon.

Ensure you click the ‘Save’ button before leaving this screen to preserve the latest modifications.

Then, copy the HTML code and head over to your WordPress website. You can now add this code to any page, post, or widget-ready area using the ‘Custom HTML’ block.

As an illustration, here’s how to embed the opt-in into a post. Open the desired post in the editor, then click the ‘+’ icon.

Use the search to find and add the ‘Custom HTML’ block.

Paste the code into the Custom HTML block.

You can now add more content to the page, tweak its design, and make other changes, as normal. When you’re ready to go live, simply update or publish the page.

Now, if you visit your WordPress website, you’ll see the lead magnet optin in action.

Creating Successful Lead Magnets: FAQs

Creating lead magnet opt-in forms can bring up several questions, especially if you’re new to using WordPress. That said, here’s some frequently asked questions, that we often hear from our readers.

What is a lead magnet?

A lead magnet is something valuable you offer to potential subscribers for free, like an ebook, guide, or special content. In return, they provide their contact information. This strategy helps to grow your email list by giving users content they find useful.

For inspiration, check out our lead magnet ideas to grow your business.

How does OptinMonster improve lead generation in WordPress?

OptinMonster helps you build opt-in forms that get results and work perfectly with your WordPress site. Its drag-and-drop builder lets you create custom forms, such as pop-ups and slide-ins, to keep your visitors engaged.

For a more detailed look at these features, be sure to read our in-depth OptinMonster review.

Can I use these optin forms with my existing email marketing provider?

Yes, both OptinMonster and Beacon connect with popular email marketing services, making it easy to manage your contacts and campaigns. You can connect tools like Drip or ActiveCampaign effortlessly.

Is it possible to customize optin forms without coding?

Yes! Both OptinMonster and Beacon offer easy-to-use interfaces for customizing your forms. You won’t need any coding skills. You can arrange form elements using simple drag-and-drop actions, making it easy to match your forms to your site’s design.

Bonus Resources for Lead Generation

Now that you have your lead magnet optin form set up, you may wish to read some more articles to boost your lead generation efforts:

• How to Increase Leads by 50% With Interactive Lead Generation
• 12 Tips for Using AI to Skyrocket Your Lead Generation Campaign
• How to Generate More Leads with Free Online Calculators (Pro Tips)
• How to Track User Journey on WordPress Lead Forms
• How to Add a CRM on Your WordPress Site and Get More Leads

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