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Creating Your First Opt-in: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating Your First Opt-in: A Step-by-Step Guide

Gather Email, SMS, and Web push subscribers in one seamless flow

Anand avatar
Written by Anand
Updated over a month ago

Ready to start collecting subscribers? PushOwl's unified opt-in system lets you gather email, SMS, and web push subscribers in one seamless flow. No more juggling multiple tools or confusing your visitors with separate popups.


What Makes PushOwl Opt-ins Special

Think of traditional opt-ins as separate doors your visitors need to walk through. PushOwl turns this into a single, welcoming entrance where you decide the journey:

  • Collect all channels at once

  • Prioritize channels in any order

  • Show only the channels you want

  • Create a cohesive subscription experience


Creating Your First Opt-in

Step 1: Get Started

  1. Log into your PushOwl dashboard

  2. Navigate to the Opt-ins page

  3. Click the "New Opt-in" button

  4. Browse our template gallery

Pro Tip: Use the channel filters to find templates that match your needs perfectly.

Step 2: Choose Your Template

  • Browse our pre-designed templates

  • Filter by channel (email, SMS, web push)

  • Preview how they'll look on your store

  • Select the one that matches your brand

Step 3: Master the Editor

Our opt-in editor has four powerful components:

1. The Flow Panel

This is where the magic happens:

  • Drag and drop channels to set priority

  • Add or remove channels instantly

  • Create your perfect subscription flow

  • Preview the customer journey

2. The Opt-in Preview

See your opt-in come to life:

  • Multi-step subscription flow

    • Step 1: Channel subscription options

    • Step 2: Thank you screen

  • Smart Teaser feature

    • Never lose a potential subscriber:

    • Appears when main opt-in is dismissed

    • Gives visitors a second chance

    • Perfect for accidental dismissals

    • Subtle yet effective recovery tool

  • Mobile and desktop views

  • Test different subscription methods

3. The Content Panel

Make it yours:

  • Edit text and messaging

  • Customize colors and styling

  • Add your brand elements

  • Fine-tune every detail

4. Settings

Fine-tune your opt-in with these powerful options:

  • Trigger settings

    • Exit intent: Catch visitors before they leave

    • Time on page: Engage after meaningful interaction

    • Scroll depth: Target interested readers

  • URL targeting

    • Inclusion URLs: Choose where your opt-in appears

    • Exclusion URLs: Prevent opt-in on specific pages

  • Device optimization

    • Target both desktop and mobile

    • Desktop-only for tailored experiences

    • Mobile-only for on-the-go subscribers


Understanding the Multi-Step Flow

Step 1: The Subscribe Screen

  • Present your channel options

  • Customize your value proposition

  • Configure subscription methods:

    • Email & SMS via popups

    • Web push via browser or custom prompt

Step 2: The Thank You Screen

  • Confirm successful subscription

  • Set expectations

  • Build excitement

  • Strengthen the relationship

The Teaser Feature

Think of the teaser as your subscription safety net:

  • Triggers when main opt-in is dismissed

  • Provides a non-intrusive way back

  • Recovers potentially lost subscribers

  • Customizable appearance and messaging


Subscription Methods

For Email & SMS

Create beautiful popup forms:

  • Fully customizable design

  • Mobile-optimized layouts

  • Smart targeting options

  • A/B testing ready

For Web Push

Choose your perfect approach:

  • Browser prompt for immediate subscriptions

  • Custom prompt for better conversion

  • Flyout widget for persistent availability


Pro Tips for Success

  1. Perfect Your Flow

    • Put your most valuable channel first

    • Keep the multi-step journey smooth

    • Use the teaser strategically

  2. Optimize Each Step

    • Clear value proposition in Step 1

    • Engaging thank you message in Step 2

    • Compelling teaser messaging

  3. Test Everything

    • Preview all steps on multiple devices

    • Test the full subscription flow

    • Monitor conversion rates

    • Track teaser effectiveness


Ready to Launch?

Before you go live:

  • Preview your opt-in on all devices

  • Test the complete multi-step flow

  • Check your teaser settings

  • Review all customizations

Remember: The perfect opt-in combines smooth user experience with effective recovery options. Start simple, test thoroughly, and optimize based on results.

Need help creating your perfect opt-in? Our support team is here to guide you through every step of the process.

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