You’ve poured countless hours into creating irresistible content and making your website a conversion machine. But what happens after someone checks out your site? Are you making the most of those valuable leads?
Email marketing is a fantastic way to stay connected with your audience, and email collector tools can help you grow that all-important email list. By using these list-building tools to capture emails, you’ll be well on your way to building relationships that turn casual visitors into loyal customers.
And here’s the best part: you don’t need a massive budget to make it happen. There are tons of free email collector tools available that come loaded with advanced features. Let’s check them out, shall we?
But first, what exactly is an email collector?
What is an Email Collector?
An email collector, also called a mail collector, is a tool or software that simplifies gathering email addresses from your website visitors.
Instead of relying on manual methods or hoping visitors will stumble upon your contact forms, you can use these tools to automate the process and capture email addresses more efficiently.
Why Businesses Use Email Collectors
Using email collector tools is a smart way to connect with your website visitors and turn them into loyal subscribers, as they help you:
- Grow a larger list of prospects. The more people on your email list, the more people you can connect with and share your message with.
- Grow your email list organically. You can attract people genuinely interested in your offer instead of buying email lists.
- Send highly relevant content. You can group subscribers based on their demographics, interests, and behavior, so you always send them personalized content they’ll find valuable.
- Boost sales and conversions. Subscribers to your email list are likelier to become customers because they’ve already expressed interest in your brand.
Features to Look for in an Email Collection Tool
When choosing an email collector, consider these essential features:
Ease of Integration With Websites and Landing Pages
Nobody wants to wrestle with complicated tech, right? When choosing email collection tools, look for one that seamlessly integrates with your website or landing page builder. Think simple plugins, handy widgets, or easy-to-use embed codes—you’ll collect email addresses in minutes!
Customizable Signup Forms and Pop-Ups
Ditch those tedious, generic forms! Choose an email capture tool that lets you customize your signup form to grab attention and make a lasting impression. We’re talking colors, fonts, logos – everything you need to create a signup experience that feels uniquely your brand.
Lead Magnet Support (e.g., Gated Content or Free Downloads)
Want to see those signup numbers soar? Sweeten the deal! When choosing an email capture form, look for one that lets you offer a tempting lead magnet. Think ebooks, checklists, discount codes – anything that provides real value in exchange for an email address.
Advanced Targeting and Segmentation Options
As your email list blossoms, you can make your messages even more effective by speaking directly to different groups of subscribers. Choose an email collector with advanced targeting features, and you can send the right message to the right people at just the right moment.
Best Free Email Collector Tools
Ready to transform your website into a lead-generating machine? These six excellent free email collector tools will help you get started:
Sender – Powerful List Building & Email Collector Tool
Sender isn’t just another email marketing tool; it’s your all-in-one solution for audience growth, omnichannel marketing, and engagement.
Built for businesses of all sizes, its intuitive dashboard simplifies the management of email lists and campaigns, allowing you to focus on what’s crucial: engaging your audience and promoting your brand.
This feature-packed platform streamlines everything—from crafting responsive emails to segmenting your target audience and analyzing campaign results.
Sender is a long-term partner in your marketing journey. It’s designed to scale effortlessly and supports advanced marketing automation features, even on the free plan. So, you can experiment with your engagement campaigns without worrying about increasing costs or limited functionality.
Email Collector-Related Features
- Customizable lead capture forms
- Simple form builder
- Advanced targeting options
- Popups and embedded forms
- Seamless list import
- Mobile-responsive forms
Free Plan Limits
Sender’s Free Forever plan allows you to create customizable popups and forms, supporting up to 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 monthly emails. Popups can be integrated with WordPress or other CMS platforms, but Sender branding remains on forms unless you upgrade to a paid plan.
Brevo – Simple CRM & Email Marketing Platform
New to email marketing? Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is here to make it easy. Its free version has essential email collection features, including a drag-and-drop form builder for whipping up eye-catching opt-in forms and pop-ups in minutes.
You can create lead capture forms and contact forms to collect email addresses and other valuable contact information, all without spending a dime.
While the free plan has limits, it’s a great way for small businesses to get started. You can collect email addresses (up to 300 per day) and send up to 300 emails daily, giving you plenty of room to experiment and grow your list. Plus, you’ll get access to handy email marketing features like contact management, pre-designed email templates, and basic reporting.
Brevo’s free plan is generous, but it does come with limitations. If your list starts to take off, you’ll likely need to upgrade to a paid plan, which can get pricey.
Email Collector-Related Features
- Customizable signup forms
- Drag-and-drop form editor
- Advanced audience segmentation
- Popups and embedded forms
- Real-time data sync
- Mobile-friendly form designs
Free Plan Limits
Brevo’s Free plan allows you to create and use customizable signup forms and popups to collect contacts. While these tools are free, advanced features such as landing pages and A/B testing are only accessible with paid plans.
MailChimp – Beginner-Friendly Tool with Email Collection Features
Mailchimp is a household name in the email marketing world, and its free plan is a great way to dip your toes into the world of list-building tools. While their free plan has gotten more limited lately, it still has plenty to offer, especially if you’re just starting out.
You can create simple signup forms and embed them directly on your website, giving visitors a seamless way to join your list. Plus, you can customize your signup forms to match your brand, ensuring a consistent look and feel across all your online platforms.
However, Mailchimp’s free plan does have some limitations, including restrictions on features, sending volume, and branding on your forms and emails.
Email Collector-Related Features
- Customizable signup forms
- Drag-and-drop form builder
- Audience segmentation tools
- Popups and embedded forms
- Automatic list syncing
- Mobile-optimized form designs
Free Plan Limits
Mailchimp’s Free plan allows users to create and use customizable signup forms, pop-up forms, and landing pages to collect contacts. However, the Free plan includes Mailchimp branding in your forms, which can be removed by upgrading to a paid plan.
Hubspot – AI-Powered Email Collection Tool
HubSpot is well-known as a marketing automation platform, but it also offers a sophisticated AI-powered email collection tool as part of its free CRM. This tool is a great way for small businesses to explore HubSpot’s robust features without immediately jumping into a paid plan.
You can easily create sleek, mobile-friendly forms and pop-ups and seamlessly add them to your website. Don’t worry if design isn’t your forte – HubSpot’s drag-and-drop editor makes customization easy. You’ll be collecting valuable contact info (including those all-important email addresses) in no time.
The catch? HubSpot’s free plan has some limitations on features and the number of contacts you can manage. You’ll need to upgrade to unlock its full potential, which comes with a cost.
Email Collector-Related Features
- Customizable signup forms
- Drag-and-drop form builder
- AI-powered form personalization
- Audience segmentation
- Popups and embedded forms
- Mobile-friendly form designs
Free Plan Limits
Users can create up to 10,000 forms, including pop-up forms, with a maximum of four fields per form. While these tools are free, advanced features such as dependent fields, smart fields, custom email validation, and targeting are only accessible with paid plans. Additionally, the free plan includes HubSpot branding on forms.
Poptin – Popular Email Collector Software
Poptin gets it – nobody likes boring, generic pop-ups. That’s why this free tool specializes in creating eye-catching pop-ups and forms that make people want to stick around.
Think fun pop-up types (exit-intent pop-ups and countdown timers, oh my!), customization options, and easy integrations with your favorite tools. You can whip up all sorts of contact forms, including pop-ups and embedded forms, to collect those precious email addresses.
Poptin’s drag-and-drop editor is so easy to use that even your grandma could create professional-looking pop-ups (no design skills needed!). Plus, you can make other handy forms, like a registration form, to capture even more leads.
The downside? Poptin’s free plan does have some limits on how many pop-ups and page views you get. And you might spot a little Poptin branding on your forms.
Email Collector-Related Features
- Customizable signup forms
- Drag-and-drop form builder
- Advanced targeting options
- Popups and inline forms
- Exit-intent technology
- Mobile-responsive designs
Free Plan Limits
Poptin’s free plan allows you to create unlimited popups and forms for your website, with a monthly limit of 1,000 unique visitors. This plan includes exit-intent technology, advanced targeting options, and A/B testing. However, certain advanced functionalities, like autoresponders and removing Poptin branding, are available only in paid plans.
BDOW (formerly Sumo) – Easy Email Collection in Just a Few Clicks
BDOW (formerly Sumo) is your one-stop shop for website optimization, including powerful tools to help you build an email list you can be proud of.
Their free email capture tool makes it easy to create simple yet effective pop-ups, forms (including those all-important email sign-up forms!), and even welcome mats – all designed to turn casual visitors into loyal subscribers.
Customize your forms with the form fields you need to collect valuable contact information and seamlessly integrate with your favorite email marketing platform. BDOW plays nicely with all the big names, making connecting your new leads with your preferred email marketing service a breeze.
However, BDOW’s free plan has limitations on features and includes BDOW branding on your forms. To unlock the full potential of the tool and customize your forms with your branding, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Email Collector-Related Features
- Customizable signup forms
- Drag-and-drop form editor
- Advanced targeting rules
- Popups and scroll boxes
- Smart display triggers
Mobile-friendly designs
Free Plan Limits
Tool’s free plan allows you to create customizable email opt-in forms, including pop-ups, to capture email addresses and grow your subscriber list. While the free plan offers essential features, advanced functionalities such as A/B testing, removal of BDOW’s branding, and enhanced visitor targeting are available only in the Pro plan, which starts at $39 per month when billed annually.
How to Use Email Collectors Effectively
Choosing the right email collector is just the first step. To truly maximize your lead generation efforts, consider these tips:
Design Eye-Catching and Intuitive Forms
Your signup form is the first step for visitors to join your email list, so make it easy and enjoyable for them to sign up. Keep forms short and straightforward. Use clear language to ask for necessary information only, like name and email address.
A well-designed form with a user-friendly layout can significantly increase the number of people who sign up. Use a font that is easy to read, incorporate white space, and consider adding your brand colors for a cohesive look.
Offer Clear Incentives for Signing Up
People are more likely to provide their email addresses if they know they’ll gain something valuable. Clearly communicate the benefits of joining your email list.
Consider offering a discount code for their first purchase, free shipping on their next order, or access to exclusive content, such as webinars or ebooks. These incentives provide immediate value to new subscribers and encourage them to sign up.
Optimize Form Placement Across Your Site
The position of your signup form can significantly impact how many people see it and decide to subscribe. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different placements to see what works best for your audience and website.
Consider placing forms in your website’s sidebar, as pop-ups, within your content, or at the end of blog posts. Consider your website’s flow and where it makes the most sense to encourage visitors to sign up for your email list.
Use Exit-Intent Popups Strategically
Exit-intent pop-ups are a great way to capture the attention of visitors about to leave your site. However, you should use them carefully. Too many pop-ups can be annoying and hurt the user experience.
Instead of showing an exit-intent pop-up to every visitor, consider targeting those who have spent a certain amount of time on your site or viewed multiple pages. Offer something valuable to convince them to stay, such as a discount code or a valuable lead magnet, like a free ebook or guide.
