How to Create Double Opt-In Emails

Overview

This guide covers:

1. Adding an opt-in to an autoresponder.

2. Creating an opt-in email from scratch.

Adding an opt-in to an autoresponder

Follow these steps to add a subscribe link to an autoresponder:

Step 1: set up the autoresponder

1. Open the Campaign Builder.

2. Click the email icon (envelope) at the top.

3. Click New Email (this will automatically connect to the Form Widget in your campaign).

4. Select Autoresponder.

Step 2: select a Company Profile

1. Verify that the selected Company Profile is correct.

2. If you need to select a different profile, click Choose Another and make your selection.

3. Click Continue.

Step 3: choose a template

1. To use a template, hover over the desired template and click Use This Template.

2. To skip templates, click Continue.

Step 4: insert the subscribe link

1. Write and format your email in the email editor.

2. Leave space where you'd like to include the opt-in link.

3. Click the Email Subscribe URL merge field on the left.

   • The merge field will appear as: {{subscribe}}.

By default, this adds a raw URL. To make it more presentable:

1. Type and highlight text for the link (e.g., "Click here to subscribe").

2. Click the chain link icon in the rich text editor.

3. Manually enter {{subscribe}} in the URL field.

4. Click OK to apply the link.

Step 5: finalize and test

1. Add email details:

   • Email Name

   • Email Subject

   • From Name

   • From Email Address

2. Click Continue.

3. Verify all information on the review page.

4. Click Send Test Email to preview.

5. Check your test email to ensure everything looks correct.

6. Click Save & Activate to make the autoresponder live.

Note: The subscribe URL will not appear in test emails but will work in live campaigns.

Creating an opt-in email from scratch

Creating an opt-in email from scratch follows a similar process to setting up an autoresponder:

Step 1: access the Emails Manager

1. From your Home, click the Manage dropdown menu and select Emails.

2. Click the New Email button.

Step 2: choose the email type

1. Select the type of email you want to create:

   • Autoresponder

   • Follow-Up Email

   • Scheduled Email

Step 3: select a Company Profile

1. Verify the selected Company Profile.

2. To select a different profile, click Choose Another.

3. Click Continue.

Step 4: choose recipients

1. Select the list(s) to which you want to send the email.

2. Click Continue.

Step 5: follow the email setup steps

From this point, the process mirrors the autoresponder setup:

• Choose a template (optional).

• Write and format your email.

• Add the subscribe link using the {{subscribe}} merge field.

For detailed steps, refer to the Adding an Opt-In to an Autoresponder section above.

Require double opt-in checkbox

When setting up a Company Profile, you'll see a checkbox labeled Require Double Opt-In?

• Checking this box ensures your account sends emails only to recipients who have subscribed.

• Emails connected to that profile will exclude non-subscribed entries.

Best practices

Test Before Sending: Always send a test email to verify formatting and content.

Respect Preferences: Sending emails only to confirmed subscribers avoids upsetting recipients and improves deliverability.

Use Merge Fields Wisely: Merge fields personalize emails, improving engagement and professionalism.

Related resources

How to Set Up An Autoresponder (Video)

Setting Up and Connecting SendGrid to ShortStack (Help Doc)