Building a Thriving Email List with Your Website: A Step-by-Step Guide to Genuine Growth
Your website isn't just a digital brochure—it's a front porch, an open door, a welcome mat for the community you're building. And at the heart of that community? Your email list.
Not just names on a screen, but real people who are interested in your message, your mission, and the value you bring.
Whether you’re a coach, service provider, or small business owner, your email list can become your most powerful tool for connection and growth—when built intentionally. Let’s walk through how to make that happen, step-by-step.
Step 1: Start with Clarity—Know Your Why
Before collecting emails, pause and ask:
Why do I want to grow this list? What transformation am I offering my audience?
Maybe you want to…
Share your story and inspire others
Offer tips or spiritual encouragement
Promote your services or products
Build a private community away from social media noise
Write down your goal. Then consider your ideal subscriber:
Who are they? What do they need right now? How can your emails serve and uplift them?
📌 Action Step: Grab a journal or open a doc. Define your list’s purpose and jot down 3 types of content your subscribers would find valuable.
Step 2: Create an Opt-In That Feels Like a Gift
A great email list starts with a great reason to join. Your opt-in is more than a form—it’s an invitation to belong.
Here are a few opt-in ideas to spark inspiration:
Mini Guide or Checklist – Quick wins go a long way (ex: “5 Things Every Website Needs”)
Devotionals or Journaling Pages – Great for faith-driven audiences
Exclusive Blog Content – For those who love deeper insight
Discount Code or Freebie – Especially useful for product-based businesses
Live Class or Challenge – Bring people together in real time
Make sure your opt-in directly connects to the kind of emails you plan to send. Set the tone early!
📌 Action Step: Choose one opt-in idea and sketch out what problem it solves or encouragement it brings. Then write a simple headline and description for it.
Step 3: Choose an Email Platform That Feels Like a Fit
There are plenty of email marketing platforms out there, and the “best” one is really the one that fits your needs, your style, and your tech comfort level. Here are a few popular options:
Mailchimp – A longtime favorite with generous free plans for beginners.
ConvertKit – Ideal for creators and personal brands, with simple tagging and automation.
ActiveCampaign – Powerful for advanced automation and CRM needs.
Squarespace Email Campaigns – A solid choice if you're already using Squarespace and want to keep things simple and all-in-one.
And then there’s Flodesk—my personal favorite and the platform I use every day in my business.
Why Flodesk? Because it’s:
✨ Incredibly easy to set up—even if you’re not tech-savvy.
📸 Visually stunning—you can create beautifully branded emails with images and layouts that look polished on any device.
🧩 User-friendly and intuitive—from creating email campaigns to building opt-in forms, checkouts, and workflows, everything flows naturally.
I personally use Flodesk for everything: writing emails, creating lead capture forms, designing sales pages, building email sequences, and setting up workflows. It’s an all-in-one tool that helps me focus more on connecting with my audience and less on juggling tech.
📌 Action Step: Take 15–30 minutes to explore email platforms. If you're ready for something simple, elegant, and designed with creatives in mind, try Flodesk here using my affiliate link. (You’ll love it as much as I do!)
Step 4: Design a Welcoming Website Experience
Your website is the heart of your digital presence, and your sign-up form is one of its most important features.
Where to place your sign-up form:
At the top of your homepage
In your blog sidebar or within blog content
As a tasteful pop-up or slide-in
A dedicated landing page linked from social media
Tips for better conversions:
Use warm, conversational copy (“Get weekly encouragement straight to your inbox”)
Include a visual or mock-up of the freebie
Keep the form simple—just name and email is often enough
📌 Action Step: Choose one new location to feature your opt-in form today. Update the text and visuals to feel more aligned with your brand voice and values.
Step 5: Welcome New Subscribers with Intention
First impressions matter. After someone subscribes, take the opportunity to warmly welcome them with a short email series.
Here's a simple 3-email welcome flow to start with:
“Welcome! Here’s your freebie + what to expect”
“Here’s my story + why I do what I do”
“Here’s how I can help you take the next step”
Make your new subscribers feel seen, encouraged, and excited to be part of your community.
📌 Action Step: Write your first welcome email today. Start with a warm thank you, deliver the promised freebie, and let them know what kind of content they can expect from you.
Step 6: Promote, Share, and Grow
If you’re proud of your opt-in, share it! Here are a few simple ways:
Mention your freebie in your Instagram bio or stories
Add a sign-up link in your email signature
Promote it in relevant blog posts
Talk about it on podcasts, livestreams, or in your Facebook group
Ask current subscribers to share it with a friend
📌 Action Step: Choose one platform where your audience hangs out and create a short, authentic post or story inviting people to join your list.
Step 7: Keep the Connection Going
A thriving list is about consistency and relationship, not pressure.
Here are a few ways to keep the conversation going:
Send an email every 2–4 weeks (find a rhythm that works for you)
Share updates, encouragement, tips, or behind-the-scenes moments
Ask questions and invite replies to spark real conversations
Review open and click rates to see what’s landing well with your audience
📌 Action Step: Plan your next 2–3 email topics. They don’t need to be perfect—just real, helpful, and true to your voice.
Need Help Getting Started?
Building an email list doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—and you don’t have to do it alone.
💬 Book a free consultation and let’s chat about your next steps. Whether you need help choosing the right platform, integrating your opt-in form into your website, or you'd like to explore my web design services—I’m here to help you create a seamless and strategic setup that works for you.
📧 Looking for an email marketing platform that’s simple, stunning, and all-in-one? Try Flodesk here (this is an affiliate link)—it’s what I use, love, and recommend to every creative I work with.
✨ Already using Squarespace? Their Email Campaigns feature is a great way to keep everything beautifully connected in one place.
Remember: Your list isn’t just about growth. It’s about connection.
With a purpose-filled plan, a welcoming opt-in, and the right platform, you can build a list that’s not only engaged—but excited to hear from you.
Here’s to creating connection with heart, intention, and a whole lot of purpose. 💛
