Substack is a popular platform for writers and publishers to create and distribute newsletters. One of the key features of Substack is the ability to embed a signup form for your publication on other websites. This allows you to expand your audience and reach new readers who may not have discovered your publication otherwise.
Embedding a Substack signup form on other websites is a straightforward process. You can either use the default styles provided by Substack or create a custom style that matches the branding of your publication. Once you have your code, you can simply copy and paste it onto your website where you want the form to appear. By following these steps, you can easily embed a Substack signup form on other websites and grow your audience.
Understanding Substack Signup Form
Substack is a platform that allows writers and publishers to create newsletters and charge subscribers for access to their content. To start building your audience, you need to add a signup form to your website or other online platforms.
Substack offers an embedded signup form that can be added to any website that supports HTML iFrames, including WordPress, Squarespace, and custom websites. The embedded signup form is not customizable at this time, but it can be inserted onto any website using HTML code.
There are also third-party tools available, such as Substack API or Notaku, that enable you to create custom signup forms for your Substack publication. These tools allow you to choose from default styles or create a custom style that matches your brand.
To embed a Substack signup form, you need to have a publication on Substack and find the HTML code to embed. You can find the HTML code by going to the Settings page of your publication. Once you have the code, you can copy and paste it onto your website or other online platforms where you want the signup form to appear.
Creating a Substack Signup Form
Registering on Substack
To create a Substack signup form, you first need to register on the platform. Go to the Substack homepage and click on “Get started” to create an account. You will be prompted to enter your email address and choose a password. Once you have registered, you will need to set up your publication.
Setting Up Your Newsletter
After registering, you can set up your newsletter by clicking on “Create a publication.” Give your publication a name and select a URL. You can also choose a theme and customize your publication’s appearance. Once you have set up your publication, you can start creating content and building your audience.
To create a Substack signup form, go to the Settings page of your publication. You can find this by clicking on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen, then clicking on “Writer Dashboard” and “Settings.” Scroll down to the “Import your email list” section and click on “Copy HTML code.” You can then paste this code onto your website to embed a Substack signup form.
Embedding Substack Signup Form on Websites
Getting the Embed Code
To embed a signup form for your Substack publication on other websites, you need to get the embed code first. Follow these steps to get the code:
- Go to the Settings page of your Substack publication.
- Scroll down to “Import your email list” and click on it.
- Click on the “Embed form” tab.
- Copy the HTML code provided.
Adding the Code to Your Website
Once you have the embed code, you can add it to your website. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the HTML editor of the website where you want to add the signup form.
- Paste the embed code where you want the form to appear.
- Save and publish the changes.
Note that the embedded signup form works on any platform that supports HTML IFrames, such as WordPress, Squarespace, and custom websites. However, it does not work on Medium. Also, the embedded signup form is not customizable at this time.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Form Not Displaying
If the embedded form is not displaying on your website, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue:
- Check that the HTML code is correctly copied and pasted onto your website. Double-check for any typos or errors in the code.
- Make sure that the website’s content management system (CMS) allows for embedding HTML codes. Some CMS platforms may have restrictions on this.
- Clear your website’s cache and refresh the page. Sometimes, the form may not display due to caching issues.
Signup Not Working
If the form is displaying but the signup process is not working, there are a few potential issues to consider:
- Check that the form fields are correctly linked to your Substack publication. Make sure that the email address field is set to the correct variable.
- Ensure that the form submission is linked to the correct URL. Double-check that the URL is correct and that it is linked to the correct Substack publication.
- Test the form submission process yourself to see if there are any errors or issues. If the form is not submitting, check that your email list is set up correctly in your Substack account.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you can resolve common issues that may arise when embedding a Substack signup form on your website.
Best Practices for Embedding Substack Signup Form
Placement of Form
When embedding a Substack signup form on your website, it’s important to consider the placement of the form. The form should be prominently displayed on the page so that visitors can easily see it. A good practice is to place the form above the fold, which means that visitors can see the form without having to scroll down the page.
Another important consideration is to make sure that the form is not buried among other content on the page. You can use design elements such as white space, borders, or background colors to make the form stand out.
Optimizing for User Experience
To optimize the user experience when embedding a Substack signup form, it’s important to keep the form simple and easy to use. Visitors should be able to quickly understand what the form is for and how to fill it out.
You can achieve this by keeping the form fields to a minimum. Only ask for the information that is absolutely necessary, such as the visitor’s email address. You can also use clear and concise language on the form, such as “Subscribe to our newsletter” or “Get updates delivered to your inbox”.
Another way to optimize the user experience is to provide feedback when the form is submitted. For example, you can display a message that says “Thank you for subscribing” or “You have been added to our mailing list”. This helps to reassure visitors that their submission was successful.
Conclusion
Embedding a Substack signup form on other websites is a simple and effective way to grow your audience and increase your subscriber base. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create a custom signup form and embed it on your website or blog.
Remember to keep your signup form simple and easy to use, and consider offering incentives such as exclusive content or early access to new articles to encourage visitors to sign up.