How to integrate Mailchimp with Squarespace
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First of all, I have to prime this post with the fact that I really don’t like Mailchimp and wouldn’t recommend using it (sorry Mailchimp fans!). There are plenty of other Email Service Providers that I’d recommend, most notably Mailerlite if you want to start with a free one or Convertkit which is what I use. So why have I created this guide? Because you may still want to use Mailchimp and sometimes figuring out how to integrate it with Squarespace can be confusing. And I like to make things simple for you, so here goes.
How to intregrate Mailchimp with Squarespace – and get your lead magnet delivered
One of the reasons you may be considering using Mailchimp with Squarespace is because there’s a direct integration. That means you don’t have to embed any code to insert a sign up box, nor do you have to use Zapier to ping your information over to Mailchimp.
It’s a smooth process – but that’s where the simplicity of it ends. LIke I said, Mailchimp isn’t the most logical ESP. I prefer subscriber centric platforms like Convertkit, rather than list based.
I won’t go into the details of why this is a better approach here, that’s another post entirely, and no doubt you just want to know how to integrate Mailchimp with Squarespace!
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW, OR SCROLL TO SEE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS
FYI: I show you how to use a bare newsletter form, and if you want to see how to make that into a lightbox (where a button opens up a pop-up form) you can skip to 11 MINUTES 25 SECONDS.
Mailchimp direct integration with Squarespace
Because of this integration, this means you can use a Squarespace form to send the details over to Mailchimp in a jiffy.
You can either use the form embedded, or what is known as a lightbox where you hit a button and the form pops up out of nowhere for your subscriber to fill in the details.
In this tutorial I show you how to integrate Mailchimp and I only use a single opt-in. If you’re curious about whether you should use a double opt-in, see this post here.
Also, this method doesn’t allow for you to capture GDPR information.
How to add a newsletter sign up form to Squarespace using Mailchimp
STEP 1 : To start with you need to go into your Mailchimp account and create an audience (this is what was previously known as a list).
STEP 2 : If you’re sending something to your subscriber, like a lead magnet, a discount code or even just a welcome message to say “Hi, you’re now on the list” you’ll want to add an Automation.
Go to automations, select Create. Select Classic Automation and choose “Welcome new subscriber”.
Edit the email for Subject Line, Preheader and Body content with links to your lead magnet or discount code etc.
STEP 3 : Make sure you turn your automation ON.
STEP 4 : Decide where you want your opt-in form and whether you want it as a bare form where people see the boxes to add their name and address, or as a “lightbox” which is a button that reveals the form as a pop-up. Either way uses the direct integration from Squarespace to Mailchimp.
STEP 5 : Use the tear-drop to select where you want your form, select “from” from the available modules.
Rearrange the fields so that you have Name and Email (if you just want First Name, rather than First and Last Name, then delete the Name field and use a custom text field).
STEP 6 : Select “storage” and click the button for Mailchimp, which will open up a new tab so you can sign into your Mailchimp account and connect the two platforms.
STEP 7 : Select which list or “audience” you want your subscriber details to go to from the drop down box, and press save.
STEP 8 (optional) : For a lightbox, go to “advanced” and scroll down to the check box which says “enable light box” and select (check out the video from 11 MINUTES 25 SECONDS to see how the lightbox function works).
Alter the various button descriptions to say what you want - first button is to open the lightbox, the second is to submit your form.
STEP 9 : Edit your Thank You Message or add in a custom URL to redirect to once people sign up.
And that’s all! Your form is now ready to go…. Except…
STEP 10 : Test it out to make sure all the steps trigger the next step for your subscriber…
Does the button open the form (if using lightbox)?
Are the fields and text box title appear correctly?
Does the second button submit the form?
Does the correct thank you message/ or thank you page display?
Does your subscribers name appear in the “audience” in Mailchimp?
Did the automation email trigger?
If you have any questions, please send me a message through my contact page.
If you’re like me and don’t like Mailchimp then why not try Mailerlite or Convertkit instead?