How to Build an Email List for Your Dropshipping Store (2024)

s a dropshipper, you've already overcome the initial hurdle of getting your store off the ground. Now it's time to take things to the next level: building an email list. Email marketing is a powerful tool that can transform casual visitors into loyal customers. Whether you're brand new to email marketing or you've dabbled before, this guide will help you understand how to grow your email list and create a direct line to your audience.

Why Email Marketing is Important for Your Dropshipping Store

1) Email Marketing’s High ROI: The Power of Direct Communication

If you're wondering why every successful eCommerce business makes email a core part of its marketing strategy, here's why: Email marketing delivers one of the highest returns on investment (ROI) of any channel. According to recent data, for every dollar spent, email generates around $42 in return. Pretty wild, right?

Unlike social media, where algorithms can hide your content, emails go directly into your subscribers' inboxes. This kind of access gives you more control over customer interactions, making it easier to grow your email list and keep your store top of mind. Plus, with email, you can send personalized messages that resonate with your audience, which can dramatically increase conversion rates.

2. Turning Visitors into Repeat Customers

Here’s where email marketing really shines for dropshipping. You’ve done the hard part—getting people to your store. But what happens if they don’t buy right away or only make a small purchase? This is where email marketing comes into play. It helps you nurture relationships with potential and existing customers.

For instance, sending follow-up emails or product recommendations can turn a one-time visitor into a loyal customer. It's easier to build an email list when your emails offer value, whether through exclusive offers or curated content. This not only drives repeat sales but also increases customer lifetime value (LTV).

Pro Tip: Try implementing a follow-up series after someone makes a purchase to keep them engaged. A thank-you email followed by product care tips or recommendations can make a massive difference.

3. Control Over Your Audience

Building an audience on social media is great, but here’s the kicker: you don’t own it. Social platforms can change their algorithms, restrict reach, or even suspend accounts without warning. When you grow your email list, you’re building an asset you fully control. This gives you direct access to your customers and eliminates dependency on third-party platforms.

If you’re thinking about ways to diversify your dropshipping marketing strategies, focusing on building an email list is crucial. An email list is your safety net, ensuring you always have a reliable way to reach your customers, even if other channels falter.

4. Email Allows Personalization at Scale

Unlike other forms of communication, email allows for deep personalization. You can segment your list based on customer behavior, interests, or even geographic location. This means your emails can speak directly to the needs and desires of each subscriber, increasing engagement and conversion rates.

For example, if someone added a product to their cart but didn’t complete the purchase, you can send them an automated abandoned cart email with a personalized message or discount to entice them back. Personalization is one of the most effective ways to grow your email list and keep subscribers engaged.

Want to dive deeper into email marketing tactics? Check out our Email Marketing for Dropshipping guide.

Setting the Foundation: Pop-Up and Exit-Intent Email Capture

Once you realize the importance of email marketing, the next step is figuring out how to build an email list for your dropshipping store. This is where pop-ups and exit-intent capture strategies come in. Both of these tools can significantly boost your list growth by engaging visitors before they leave your site.

1. Pop-Up Email Capture: Don’t Annoy—Entice

Pop-ups are one of the most effective ways to grow your email list, but when done poorly, they can drive customers away. The trick is to make your pop-up engaging and non-intrusive. You want it to feel like a helpful suggestion, not an annoying interruption.

Here’s how you can optimize your pop-ups for email capture:

• Timing matters: Don’t blast your pop-up the second someone arrives on your website. Give them a chance to browse before offering them something valuable. A delay of 10-20 seconds or when they scroll down a certain percentage of the page works well.
• Offer something valuable: Whether it’s a discount, a free guide, or exclusive content, your pop-up should offer an incentive for visitors to subscribe. For example, “Get 10% off your first purchase by joining our VIP list!”
• Keep it simple: Don’t ask for too much info. Stick to name and email. Simplicity helps reduce friction and boosts conversions.

Want to see some great examples of tools to create pop-ups? Check out our Best Shopify Landing Page Builders to get started with easy-to-use pop-up builders.

2. Exit-Intent Email Capture: Recover Abandoning Visitors

Exit-intent pop-ups are a game-changer when it comes to building an email list. An exit-intent pop-up is triggered when a visitor moves their cursor to close or navigate away from the page, giving you one last chance to capture their attention before they leave.

Here are some actionable tips to optimize your exit-intent pop-ups:

• Make the offer irresistible: Since the visitor is about to leave, you need to make it worth their while. Offer a larger discount or an exclusive deal to entice them to stay and subscribe.
• Use strong messaging: Try something like, “Wait! Don’t miss out on 15% off your first order!” This urgency often makes visitors reconsider.
• Test, test, test: A/B testing is essential with exit-intent pop-ups. Play around with different copy, timing, and offers to find the best combination for growing your email list.

Remember, the goal here is to give visitors a reason to stay engaged with your store, even after they leave. When paired with other strategies, exit-intent pop-ups can significantly grow your email list and reduce cart abandonment.

For a more comprehensive look at marketing strategies, check out Dropshipping Marketing Strategies to learn how these tools fit into the bigger picture.

Lead Magnets and Discounts: Attracting Subscribers

Now that you’re capturing attention with pop-ups, you need to sweeten the deal with a compelling reason for visitors to share their contact info. This is where lead magnets and discounts come into play—they’re crucial for building an email list that’s active and engaged.

1. Lead Magnets: Deliver Real Value

Lead magnets are essentially free offers or resources that you provide in exchange for a visitor’s email address. The key to an effective lead magnet is ensuring it’s something your target audience finds valuable. For dropshipping stores, lead magnets can be anything from exclusive product guides to a checklist that simplifies the buying process.

Here are some effective lead magnet ideas:

• Exclusive guides: A quick guide like “How to Choose the Best Products for Your Skin” or “5 Tips for Styling Your Home Decor” can grab attention, depending on your niche.
• Free downloads: Offer a downloadable PDF, infographic, or checklist that complements your products.
• Early access: Give subscribers first dibs on new arrivals or sales before the general public.

When done right, lead magnets can attract high-quality subscribers who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer, making it easier to grow your email list with potential customers.

2. Discounts: The Easy, Proven Way to Grow Your Email List

If there’s one thing shoppers love, it’s a discount. Offering a discount in exchange for an email sign-up is one of the quickest ways to build an email list for your dropshipping store. People are much more likely to subscribe if they get something in return.

Here are some tips for offering discounts effectively:

• Offer a percentage or dollar-off discount: “Get 10% off your first order” or “Save $5 on your next purchase” are tried-and-true options.
• Create urgency: Add a countdown or limit the availability of the offer (e.g., “Limited time only!”) to encourage quick action.
• Don't overdo it: Offering too many discounts can erode your margins. Test different offers and find the sweet spot between value and profitability.

Both lead magnets and discounts help attract engaged subscribers, making them more likely to convert into loyal customers. The stronger your offer, the faster you’ll grow your email list.

For more insights on what products to offer discounts for, check out our guide on the Best Digital Dropshipping Products.

Crafting an Irresistible Call-to-Action (CTA)

Having an eye-catching pop-up and enticing lead magnets is only half the battle. If your call-to-action (CTA) isn’t compelling, potential subscribers may still hesitate to sign up. Crafting an irresistible CTA can make a huge difference when you’re trying to grow your email list for your dropshipping store.

1. Clear and Actionable CTAs That Convert

A strong CTA should tell your visitors exactly what they’re going to get and why they need to act now. The more specific and actionable your CTA, the better it will perform. Here are some CTA tips that can help you build an email list:

• Be direct: Avoid vague CTAs like “Sign up.” Instead, use clear, actionable language like “Get 10% off now” or “Join our VIP list for exclusive deals.”
• Highlight the benefit: Focus on what your audience will gain by signing up. For example, “Unlock Free Shipping” or “Get First Dibs on New Arrivals.”
• Use urgency: Adding urgency can drive immediate action. CTAs like “Claim Your Discount Today” or “Limited Time Offer” work well to push sign-ups.

For instance, instead of simply using “Subscribe,” try something more engaging like “Join the Club and Save 10% Instantly!” The difference might seem subtle, but using benefit-driven language will help convert more visitors.

2. CTA Placement: Where to Put Your Call-to-Action

Where you place your CTA on your website or landing page can make a big difference in its effectiveness. You don’t want it buried where visitors will never see it. Here’s how to optimize your CTA placement to grow your email list:

• Above the fold: Ensure your CTA is visible as soon as someone lands on your page, especially on mobile devices.
• At the end of blog posts: If someone has made it to the end of your blog post, they’re likely interested. This is a great opportunity to pitch a relevant offer.
• Checkout pages: Don’t miss the chance to capture emails from customers who are close to making a purchase but haven’t completed checkout. Use a CTA here like “Get Exclusive Offers After Checkout.”

By making your CTA easy to find and compelling to click, you’ll be well on your way to building an email list that’s packed with interested shoppers.

Check out our guide on the Best Shopify Landing Page Builders to discover tools that can help you create high-converting pages with strong CTAs.

Segmenting and Personalizing Your List from Day One

Now that you’ve got the basics of capturing emails down, it’s time to think about how to keep those subscribers engaged. Not all customers are the same, and that’s where list segmentation and personalization come in. By tailoring your emails to specific groups, you can significantly improve your open and conversion rates, which ultimately helps you grow your email list more effectively over time.

1. Why Segmentation Matters for Dropshippers

Segmentation is the process of dividing your email list into smaller groups based on specific criteria, such as purchasing behavior, geographic location, or even product preferences. For dropshipping, segmentation is critical because it allows you to send more relevant, personalized emails.

Here are some common ways you can segment your list:

• By purchase history: Send product recommendations or special offers to customers based on what they’ve bought before.
• By engagement level: Segment subscribers who open every email from those who haven’t engaged in a while. You can tailor messages to re-engage inactive subscribers or offer VIP perks to loyal customers.
• By location: If your store sells products globally, you can send emails based on local seasons, holidays, or product availability.

Segmenting your email list ensures that your messages are always relevant, which increases open rates and keeps your audience engaged. The more you can tailor your emails to specific needs and interests, the more likely you are to build an email list of highly engaged subscribers.

2. Personalization: Make It About Them

Once you’ve segmented your list, it’s time to personalize your emails. Personalization goes beyond just using the subscriber’s first name—it’s about making your emails feel tailored to each individual. Personalization can help build trust and show that your store understands your customers' preferences.

Here’s how to incorporate personalization effectively:

• Use dynamic content: Customize the subject lines and body text of your emails based on subscriber data (e.g., their name, location, or past purchases).
• Send tailored recommendations: If a customer bought a specific type of product, send emails with similar products or complementary items.
• Automated emails based on behavior: Set up automated emails that trigger based on specific actions, like browsing a product category or abandoning a cart.

Example: If someone browses home decor products but doesn’t make a purchase, you can send a personalized email with “Handpicked Decor Items Just for You” and include a discount to entice them back.

When you build your email list with segmentation and personalization from the start, you’ll be able to send targeted campaigns that convert better, driving more sales and keeping your audience engaged.

For more tips on boosting engagement with automation and personalization, check out our article on Email Marketing for Dropshipping.

Compliance: Ensuring Your List is GDPR/CCPA-Compliant

As you work to build an email list for your dropshipping store, it's essential to stay compliant with regulations like GDPR and CCPA. These laws are designed to protect user data and ensure that email subscribers give proper consent.

1. Why Compliance Matters

Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines and damage your brand’s reputation. But beyond legal reasons, staying compliant builds trust with your audience. If users feel confident that their data is safe, they’re more likely to subscribe.

2. Steps to Ensure Compliance

Here’s how to make sure your email capture practices are compliant:

• Obtain explicit consent: Always use opt-in forms where users actively choose to subscribe. Avoid pre-checked boxes.
• Easy opt-outs: Include an unsubscribe link in every email to ensure users can easily leave your list.
• Privacy policies: Clearly state how subscriber data will be used. Make this info accessible and straightforward.

By staying compliant, you protect your business and foster a sense of security, making it easier to grow your email list with confidence.

For more on ensuring compliance, take a look at tools featured in our Best Email Hosting for Shopify guide.

Using Email Automation to Grow and Engage Your List

Automation is a game-changer when it comes to managing and growing your email list. It allows you to nurture leads and engage subscribers without having to send each email manually.

1. The Power of Automation

Automation helps you stay in touch with subscribers at the right moment. For example:

• Welcome series: Automatically send a welcome email when someone subscribes, followed by a series introducing your store and products.
• Abandoned cart emails: Set up automated reminders to encourage customers to complete their purchases.
• Post-purchase follow-ups: Thank customers and recommend complementary products after they buy.

These automations help keep your audience engaged, driving more sales and growing your email list by nurturing leads over time.

2. Choosing the Right Tools

There are many platforms that make automation easy. Popular tools like Klaviyo, Mailchimp, or Shopify's native email marketing options allow you to set up automated flows with minimal effort.

Want to know more about how to get started with automation? Check out this in-depth Email Marketing for Dropshipping guide.

Regularly Testing and Optimizing Your Email Capture Strategies

Growing your email list isn’t a “set it and forget it” process. To consistently improve your results, it’s crucial to test and optimize your email capture methods.

1. A/B Testing for Better Results

A/B testing (or split testing) is one of the most effective ways to understand what resonates with your audience. Whether it’s your pop-up headline, CTA wording, or the timing of your email captures, small changes can have a big impact on conversion rates.

Key areas to test:

• Pop-up timing: Try different delay times (e.g., 5 seconds vs. 10 seconds) to see which works best.
• CTA text: Test two versions of your call-to-action to see which one converts better (e.g., “Join Now for 10% Off” vs. “Get Your Discount”).
• Lead magnet offers: Experiment with different types of lead magnets, like free guides versus discount codes, to see what attracts more sign-ups.

2. Using Analytics to Make Data-Driven Decisions

After setting up your tests, regularly review performance metrics such as:

• Opt-in rates: How many visitors are signing up?
• Conversion rates: Are your email subscribers turning into customers?
• Unsubscribe rates: Are too many people opting out of your emails?

By monitoring these metrics, you can fine-tune your email capture strategy to grow your email list more effectively.

Using Social Media and Content Marketing to Drive Email Sign-Ups

Beyond your website, you can use social media and content marketing to further build your email list. Integrating email capture with your content creation helps attract visitors from different channels and convert them into subscribers.

1. Cross-Promote on Social Media

If you have a presence on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, use those platforms to promote your email sign-up form. You can add links to your bio, include a swipe-up feature in stories, or even run Facebook lead generation ads targeting potential customers. These efforts help reach new audiences and grow your email list outside of your website.

2. Content Marketing for Long-Term Growth

Blog posts, videos, and guides are excellent opportunities to promote your email list. For example, you can include an email sign-up form within blog posts or offer exclusive content (like a downloadable guide) in exchange for an email address. When your content provides value, visitors will be more likely to subscribe.

Want to learn more about using content to build your business? Check out our guide on How to Use ChatGPT for Dropshipping.

Final Thoughts: Building an Asset for Long-Term Success

Building and growing your email list is one of the most valuable investments you can make for your dropshipping business. With email marketing, you have a direct, reliable channel to reach your customers, nurture relationships, and drive sales. From pop-ups and lead magnets to segmentation and automation, the strategies outlined here will set you up for long-term success.

If you’re looking for ways to elevate your product offerings, DropCommerce is the perfect partner. With tens of thousands of high-quality products sourced from North American brands, you’ll have the inventory you need to attract and retain loyal customers. Visit DropCommerce today and take your store to the next level.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to grow your email list, it’s time to put these strategies into action and watch your store thrive!