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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 10 months 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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