How To Build A Double Opt-In Flow in HighLevel

• Understanding Double Opt-In
• Setting Up Your Double Opt-In Form
• Finalizing and Testing

In the world of email marketing, ensuring that your messages reach the intended recipients and avoid the dreaded spam folder is crucial. One effective way to achieve this is by using a double opt-in process. Unlike single opt-in, where users immediately start receiving emails after submitting their email addresses, double opt-in requires them to confirm their subscription via a link sent to their inbox. This additional step helps verify the authenticity of the email addresses and significantly improves deliverability. Here’s how you can set up a double opt-in form using GoHighLevel.

Understanding Double Opt-In

Before we dive into the setup, let’s briefly discuss the difference between single and double opt-in. In a single opt-in process, a visitor submits their email address on your site, and they are immediately added to your mailing list. They start receiving emails without any further verification. In contrast, double opt-in involves an extra step: after submitting their email, the user receives a confirmation email with a link. Only after clicking this link are they added to your mailing list and start receiving emails. This ensures that only genuine, interested users are on your list, reducing the risk of fake or incorrect email addresses and improving your email deliverability.

Setting Up Your Double Opt-In Form

Step 1: Create the Form

1. Navigate to Form Builder: Go to Sites > Forms Builder and click on “Add New” to create a new form. You can choose a template or start from scratch. For simplicity, select a template.
2. Configure the Form: Include fields for the user’s first name and email address. Add a submit button. Rename the form to something identifiable, like “Email Form,” to make it easier to find later.

Step 2: Set Up Tags

1. Add Tags for Tracking: Go to Settings > Tags and create two new tags: “Potential Subscriber” and “Subscription Confirmed.” These tags will help manage the automation process later.

Step 3: Build the Thank You Page

1. Create a Thank You Page: Navigate to Sites > Funnels. Create a new funnel step and name it “Thank You.” Add a simple message thanking the user for their submission and explaining that they need to check their email to confirm their subscription.
2. Copy the URL: Save and preview the thank you page, then copy the URL. You will need this for the trigger link setup.

Step 4: Set Up the Trigger Link

1. Create a Trigger Link: Go to Marketing > Trigger Links. Click “Add Link” and name it “Email Subscription Confirmed.” Paste the URL of the thank you page into the URL field.

Step 5: Automate the Opt-In Process

1. First Automation – Form Submission:
   • Go to Automations and create a new workflow. Name it “Email Form Submitted.”
   • Set the trigger to “Form Submitted” and select the form you created.
   • Add an action to “Add Contact Tag” and select “Potential Subscriber.”
   • Add another action to “Send Email.” This email will include a message asking the user to confirm their subscription by clicking the trigger link you created.
2. Second Automation – Subscription Confirmation:
   • Create another workflow and name it “Email Subscription Confirmed.”
   • Set the trigger to “Trigger Link Clicked” and select the “Email Subscription Confirmed” link.
   • Add an action to “Add Contact Tag” and select “Subscription Confirmed.”
   • Add a final action to “Send Email.” This email will thank the user for confirming and let them know they will start receiving emails.

Finalizing and Testing

After setting up the automations, make sure to test the entire process. Submit your email through the form, check for the confirmation email, and click the link to confirm. Ensure that the follow-up emails are sent correctly and that the tags are applied as intended.