Opt-in email marketing is something that permits users to sign-up for an ezine or newsletter through your website. The difference between single opt-in and double opt-in is that readers have to confirm their subscription through an email. With single-opt in, there’s no way to find out if the email address the genuine or a fake. In double opt-in, your readers give their email addresses through a sign-up form on your website. Your auto-responder software sends a confirmatory email to the address readers provide. Users have to click on the link, in the email, to confirm and activate their subscription. Hence, this system is called double opt-in.

Email marketing experts agree that this system is an integral part of your campaign. As a business owner, you can be sure that your readers are really interested in the information you can provide. Through the link in the confirmatory email, you can rest assured that the email address provided is genuine. In a single opt-in system, there is a chance that someone may visit your website and use someone else’s email address. This may result in spam complaints being lodged against you because they get annoyed. Hence, safeguard the interests of your customers, above all else.  

The logic behind an opt-in list is to woo users, who are prospective clients and are likely to make purchases from your site in the future. A double opt-in system will ensure that you have a group of very loyal customers. It also confirms that there are people out there, who value all the information you can provide. Your double opt-in list may have just 3,000 loyal customers. But, these 3,000 customers are much better than 10,000 general customers, who may or may not be interested in your products or services.

The other advantage to a double opt-in email list is you will have fewer spam complaints against you. Too many spam complaints will result in the ban of your domain name by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Hence, it’s imperative that you have a double opt-in system in place. You can use auto-responder software by an email marketing company to handle your communication with your clients. A double opt-in list helps you to establish your reputation, as a marketer and business person. Automatically, you also gain the trust of your subscribers, who will regard you as an expert in your particular field.

In return, your customers get the impression that you are a true professional and wish to safeguard their interests. A double opt-in list is a great resource at your disposal. With free email marketing you can expect a quicker increase in sales and traffic to your website, as compared to all other forms of marketing.

To woo your customers to become a part of your double opt-in list offer them something in return. You can offer them an e-book or a free demo of your products or an invitation to a promotional event. They won’t hesitate to sign up, if they know for sure that you have something valuable for them, in return.