MailerLite: Ultimate Free Solution for WordPress Forms & Email Marketing

Email Marketing

As the owner of a small to medium-sized SEO agency, I’ve spent countless hours searching for the most cost-effective and efficient way to manage contact forms, submissions, and email marketing on my WordPress website. The goal was simple yet surprisingly challenging: find a single tool or plugin that could handle everything without breaking the bank. After an extensive journey through various platforms and plugins, I found the perfect solution in MailerLite’s free version. This article aims to share that journey and help others in similar situations discover an all-in-one solution for their WordPress needs.

The Quest for an All-in-One Solution

Managing a WordPress website often involves juggling multiple plugins and tools, each serving a specific purpose. For my agency, I needed:

  • A simple form builder for the contact page.
  • Submission storage in one centralized location.
  • Integration with email marketing to nurture leads.
  • An advanced yet user-friendly form and email builder.
  • A cost-effective solution better than pricier alternatives like Mailchimp.

Finding a single tool that met all these criteria was no small feat.

The Roadblocks Along the Way

GoZen Forms

Initially, I purchased a lifetime deal on AppSumo for GoZen Forms. While it seemed promising, I encountered issues with the embedded code. The form’s height wasn’t responsive, leading to a poor user experience where visitors had to scroll through a truncated form. Fixing this required custom CSS edits, which would necessitate upgrading to the pro version of Elementor—a path I wanted to avoid.

Elementor Pro

Considering Elementor Pro was tempting since I was already using the free version for page building. However, this route posed its own challenges:

  • Clunky Form Building: The form builder wasn’t as intuitive as I hoped.
  • Limited Functionality: Submissions would be saved within WordPress without seamless integration into an email marketing platform.
  • Additional Costs: Upgrading to Elementor Pro and integrating with Mailchimp would require more plugins and annual fees, including a $49 per year Mailchimp WordPress plugin.

Ninja Forms and SMTP Plugins

Next, I explored Ninja Forms combined with an SMTP plugin:

  • Pros: Ninja Forms is free for basic forms, and an SMTP plugin would handle email delivery.
  • Cons: The SMTP plugin came with a $49 fee, and the setup didn’t solve the need for integrated email marketing.

While this option was closer to what I needed, it still didn’t check all the boxes.

The Game-Changer: MailerLite

Amidst the research, I stumbled upon a video comparing MailerLite and Mailchimp. This was the turning point.

Why MailerLite Stood Out

  • All-in-One Platform: MailerLite offers a form builder, submission storage, and email marketing tools—all under one roof.
  • No Need for SMTP Plugins: Unlike other solutions, MailerLite doesn’t require an SMTP plugin. It handles email sending natively.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The form and email builders are intuitive and advanced enough for professional use.
  • Generous Free Plan: MailerLite’s free version includes API access and integrations, which are often locked behind paywalls in other platforms.
  • Cost-Effective: It’s free for small to medium-sized businesses, making it ideal for startups and agencies like mine.

Benefits Over Mailchimp

While Mailchimp is a well-known platform, it comes with limitations:

  • Higher Costs: Mailchimp’s pricing can escalate quickly as your subscriber list grows.
  • Limited Free Features: Key features like API access and certain integrations are not available on the free plan.
  • Complexity: Mailchimp can be less intuitive, leading to a steeper learning curve.

MailerLite provided a more generous free tier, was easier to use, and eliminated the need for multiple plugins and tools.

Implementing MailerLite on WordPress

Getting started with MailerLite was straightforward:

  1. Sign Up for a Free Account: The registration process was quick, and no credit card information was required.
  2. Install the MailerLite Plugin: Available directly from the WordPress plugin repository.
  3. Create and Embed Forms:
    • Use MailerLite’s intuitive form builder to design contact forms.
    • Embed the forms on your WordPress site using shortcodes or the MailerLite widget.
  4. Manage Submissions:
    • All form submissions are saved within MailerLite’s dashboard.
    • Easily segment and manage your contact lists.
  5. Set Up Email Marketing Campaigns:
    • Create email templates using the drag-and-drop editor.
    • Automate email sequences to nurture leads and engage with subscribers.

The Results

Since implementing MailerLite:

  • Improved Efficiency: Managing forms and email marketing from a single platform has streamlined workflows.
  • Cost Savings: Eliminated the need for paid SMTP plugins, additional form builders, and email marketing tools.
  • Enhanced Lead Management: All leads are automatically stored and organized, making follow-ups and marketing campaigns more effective.
  • User Experience: The forms are responsive and visually appealing, enhancing the overall website experience.

Why MailerLite is the Ideal Solution for SMBs on WordPress

For small to medium-sized businesses seeking an efficient, cost-effective solution for contact forms and email marketing on WordPress, MailerLite is hard to beat.

  • Comprehensive Features: Offers everything needed to capture leads and run email campaigns without additional plugins.
  • Ease of Use: Designed with user experience in mind, reducing the learning curve.
  • Scalability: As your business grows, MailerLite offers affordable paid plans with advanced features.
  • Community Support: A robust knowledge base and responsive customer support assist with any questions or issues.

Conclusion

After hours of research and trial and error, MailerLite emerged as the clear winner for my agency’s needs. It fulfilled all the requirements:

  • Single Tool Solution: Handles form building, submission storage, and email marketing.
  • Cost-Effective: Offers a generous free plan suitable for SMBs.
  • User-Friendly: Simplifies the process of managing website forms and email campaigns.

If you’re a small to medium-sized business using WordPress and seeking an all-in-one solution for forms and email marketing, I highly recommend giving MailerLite a try. It has streamlined my processes, saved costs, and enhanced my ability to engage with leads—all without the need for multiple plugins or expensive subscriptions.