If you’ve been keeping track of my 1ShoppingCart™ Expert blog, you know that I really do think the best way to get subscribers for your email list is to use a single opt-in method.

As you can see in my last post on using single opt-in over double opt-in, you could easily lose more than HALF of your customers by using double opt-in.

If you haven’t read the article above, go ahead, I’ll be waiting here until you get back…

So what did you think? For many people thinking about single opt-ins that way is eye opening, and I have even more to share with you so you can have the best of both worlds!

Did you know there is a way to use single opt-in PLUS gain the advantages of double opt-in without losing ANY prospects?

Here’s how. Add the following code at the very top of EVERY email in your autoresponders. (or at the very bottom) Regrettably the merge code does not work in the signatures. So you can’t automate this.

%$optinlink$%

By putting this in your emails, it will put in the following…

It’s best to put this at the very top of your email that is sent out on day 0. Then I would add it in the footer somewhere. That way… It’s on all email messages.

Or you can send an email getting them to double opt-in. Something that is it’s own separate email…

Hi %$firstname$%,

Before you start reading and getting all wrapped up in my material, I’d like to give you some vital tips to make sure you receive every issue.

%$optinlink$%

After you click the above link, follow the directions below.

If you use any of the following email services, this is for YOU!

AOL.COM
Hotmail.com
Yahoo.com
MSN.COM
Any other web-based email program

You MUST enter our ‘sent-from’ address in your personal address book, or the filters may prevent you from receiving your copy of “YOUR Newsletter Name.” Just go to your address book and enter my name and email addresses:

Name: Your Name
Email(s): Your Email(s)

And, for Hotmail and any other service that provide a ‘Safe List,’ be sure to add my address and domain to your ‘Safe List.’

In Hotmail, for instance, log in to your account, click ‘Options.’ Look down the list and right below ‘Junk Filters’, you’ll see the words, ‘Safe List.’

Just add the domain, YOURDOMAIN.com to your list and you’ll never miss an issue of my newsletter!

Again…

%$optinlink$%

Check your email now and you will have the first issue waiting for you,

YOUR SIGNATURE

If you want confirmed e-mail addresses, this lets you keep your message campaigns out of the spam folder AND lets you know that your sales letters are reaching their audience.

That’s how I recommend you set up your e-mails from 1ShoppingCart™ if you want to make sure that double opt in works seamlessly for your subscribers.

Here’s one other myth that I want to dispel right now. Sometimes you’ll hear people say that single opt-in emails won’t ever be sent by 1ShoppingCart™. This is not true. They DO get sent.

There difference however, is that single opt-in emails are sent from a different server than the double opt-in mail server.

Here’s how it works.

All of the email providers (Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.) have a list of “safe” servers that are known to not send spam. The 1ShoppingCart™ double opt-in mail server is on this list, so any email coming from here won’t be marked as spam. The single opt-in 1ShoppingCart™ mail server is not on the list, so it has a higher chance of being flagged as spam, but it will still get sent.

Overall, the benefits of single opt-in far outweigh the drawbacks, especially when you implement the tip I’ve shared with you in this blog post.

Bonus Tip: If you want to customize the ‘Thank You’ URL for the link provided when you use %$optinlink$%, just follow this simple steps.

1. Login to your 1ShoppingCart™ account
2. Scroll over ‘Email & Marketing’ and click ‘Email Setup’
   
3. Click on the ‘Opt-in Preferences’ tab
   
4. Put your URL in the ‘Opt-In Message Thank You URL’ section
   
5. Click ‘Save Settings’

Bonus Tip #2: 1ShoppingCart™ treats all customers who order from you just like someone who has double opt-in confirmed. So you do not need to add the opt-in code to your ‘order autoresponders’ for anyone who purchases from you.

Hope this helps. Let me know your thoughts below!

I created this blog at 1ShoppingCart™ Experts to teach you guys how to use what I think is a great piece of software to help simplify the order fulfillment process and reach customers.

You may have seen recent posts about when refunds are posted to your account, or how to make sure you’re not losing money on international orders. I’ve even written about how to help customers who want to change how often receive a recurring delivery to simplify the process.

As I thought about it, I realized that most of the tips and tricks I’ve come across with 1ShoppingCart™ with my clients relate to specific problems.

It seems to me that you guys should be asking the questions that you want to see answered here on this blog. I want to help you make your website as profitable as possible, but that only comes with knowing your specific concerns.

So, fire away and let me know what aspects of setting up an account or keeping it running are giving you a headache. Consider me aspirin that comes in several forms:

1. If it’s a quick question, you might see me pop into the comments to address it as soon as I get to reading it. You don’t have to worry about long waits.
2. For more involved processes, you may see the the answer as an upcoming blog post. We’ll be sure to let the asker know and credit them in the post!
3. If you need a full-scale consultation to make sure that your business can go from scratch to fully up-and-running, you want to contact me through this site so I can assess your needs.

Three choices and whichever you choose, you’ll get rapid responses about your 1ShoppingCart™ needs from a leader in the field.

Let’s get started: What do you want me to write about and answer just for you?

E-zines, newsletters, e-mail series. All are smart, effective marketing tools, but signing up takes time and effort, especially since most opt-in forms are designed to subscribe your clients to only a SINGLE autoresponder for a specific purpose.

But wouldn’t it be great if there were a way to have that same opt-in form subscribe your clients to MULTIPLE autoresponders at the same time?

Thanks to 1ShoppingCart™, now there is — and it takes just three easy steps!

First, look for the following line in the form code (where “XXXXX” is the current autoresponder ID):

<input name=”defaultar” type=”hidden” id=”defaultar” value=”XXXXX”>

This line tells the form which autoresponder to subscribe your clients to. In order to allow for a multiple-autoresponder subscription:

1. Delete any instances of the word “default.”
2. Copy and paste the line to add as many autoresponders as you wish.
3. Update the ID for each autoresponder.

For example, let’s say you wanted to subscribe your clients to three separate autoresponders after they fill out your opt-in form. Your form code would contain the following:

<input name=”ar” type=”hidden” id=”ar” value=”XXXXX”>
<input name=”ar” type=”hidden” id=”ar” value=”YYYYY”>
<input name=”ar” type=”hidden” id=”ar” value=”ZZZZZ”>

In this example, you’ll notice:

1. Any reference to the word “default” has been deleted.
2. Three duplicates of the line have been created in order to allow for three autoresponders.
3. “XXXXX”, “YYYYY” and “ZZZZZ” represent the three updated autoresponder IDs, which you can get from 1ShoppingCart™.

In this example we listed three autoresponders, but using this simple method, you can easily subscribe your clients to two, five, or more!

It’s an easy, effective, smart way to get the most out of your marketing materials.

This is the #1 question I get from my clients:

“Do I set up my email sales campaigns with single or double opt-ins when someone signs up via email?”

I say SINGLE opt-in! WHY? It’s all about the numbers!

1ShoppingCart.com™ recommends the following:

“Using a double opt-in process for your mailing list is a good way to ensure a clean and trouble-free list.”

But what they don’t understand is that you are LOSING up to 60% of your opt-ins.

I have tested this! We have offered free gifts, free audios, free CDs – if they double opt-in.

But think of this… Who, when they signup for something, is going to leave your site, login to their email, and THEN click a link to get the material?

I know I don’t do that!!!

Statistically, 40 – 50% of the people will click 2 links and double opt-in. 65% if you really perfect and test your offer.

However, if you use the single opt-in option, you receive a 100% opt-in response!

That’s right, EVERYONE will get your free material AND be added to your email distribution list!

Now I know what you’re thinking… when you send all those people an email, they won’t receive it because of spam filters.

You’re right. Not everyone will receive your email.

HOWEVER, I just checked my stats and only 3% of my emails aren’t getting through to my intended recipient.

So what would you rather have?

Up to 60% of your clients who don’t complete your double opt-in and you can NEVER email? Or 3% of your single opt-in list not receive your email because of spam filters?

I think it’s a no brainer.

Here is what you need to do to setup your account with single opt-ins:

1. Login to your 1ShoppingCart™ account
2. Scroll over Email & Marketing in the main menu and click Opt-In Preferences
3. Change the ‘Require Opt-In Verification for Webform Submissions’ from Yes to No
4. Click Save Changes

Hope this helps and here’s to optimizing your 1ShoppingCart™ account AND your business!

UPDATE: I’ve posted a follow-up blog titled “Single Opt-In vs. Double Opt-In: Part 2″. Check it out now!