How Do I Send an Automatic Email From Squarespace?

Sending automatic emails from your Squarespace website can be a powerful way to engage users, keep them informed, or notify them of specific actions. This process generally involves setting up an email campaign, automation workflows, and possibly integrating with third-party email marketing tools. Below, I’ll guide you through different methods for setting up automatic emails from a Squarespace website.

Method 1: Using Squarespace Email Campaigns

Squarespace Email Campaigns is an integrated feature that allows you to create and send beautiful, automated emails to your audience directly from your Squarespace account. Here’s how you can set it up:

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Log in to Your Squarespace Account:

2. Go to Squarespace and log in with your account credentials.

3. Navigate to Email Campaigns:

4. In the main dashboard, find the "Marketing" tab on the left-hand side and click it.

5. Under "Marketing", select "Email Campaigns." If you don’t see this option, you may need to purchase or upgrade to an appropriate plan, as email campaigns require specific subscription levels.

6. Create an Email Campaign:

7. Click on “Create” to start a new campaign.

8. Choose from various email templates or start from scratch.

9. Design Your Email:

10. Customize the template by adding content, images, links, and any other necessary elements.

11. Make sure both desktop and mobile versions look good.

12. Set Up Automation:

13. After designing your email, go to the "Automations" tab.
14. Choose an automation type like “Welcome Email,” “Abandoned Cart,” or “Transactional Email.”

15. Configure the specific trigger (e.g., a subscriber joins your mailing list, a customer abandons their cart).

16. Configure Recipients and Settings:

17. Choose specific recipient groups, such as a segment of your mailing list.

18. Set other email settings, such as subject line, sender details, and preview text.

19. Review and Launch:

20. Review all details of the email and automation setup.
21. Once satisfied, click on “Start Automation” to activate it.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Email Marketing Services

You might prefer using third-party email marketing services for advanced features, complex workflows, or simply if you already have a subscription with another service. Popular options include Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, and ConvertKit.

Integration Steps with Mailchimp:

1. Create a Mailchimp Account:

2. Go to Mailchimp and set up an account if you don’t already have one. Basic accounts are free with some limitations.

3. Configure Your Mailchimp Automation:

4. Set up your email automations in Mailchimp. This involves the same steps of designing the email and setting up triggers for sending.

5. Integrate Squarespace with Mailchimp:

6. Within Squarespace, navigate to "Settings" and then "Connected Accounts."
7. Click on "Connect an Account" and select Mailchimp from the list.

8. Follow the prompts to authorize Squarespace to access your Mailchimp account.

9. Add Signup Forms to Your Squarespace Site:

10. Go to the page on your Squarespace site where you want to add a signup form.
11. Add a “Newsletter Block” or “Form Block” and choose Mailchimp as the storage option.

12. Map the fields on your form to the corresponding fields in your Mailchimp list.

13. Test Your Setup:

14. Sign up via your Squarespace form and ensure the data is correctly captured and triggers the intended automation in Mailchimp.

Considerations and Limitations:

1. Subscription Plans:

2. Both Squarespace Email Campaigns and third-party services like Mailchimp have different subscription tiers. Advanced automation features may require higher-tier plans.

3. Legal Compliance:

4. Ensure that your email campaigns comply with legal requirements such as GDPR for European customers or CAN-SPAM in the United States.

5. Content and Frequency:

6. Automations should offer value to your recipients. Avoid spamming users as it may result in higher unsubscribe rates and could lead to your emails being marked as spam.

7. Testing:

8. Always test your automations to ensure they trigger correctly and the emails render well on all devices.

By following these methods, you can effectively set up and manage automated email campaigns directly through Squarespace or by integrating a third-party service, helping you maintain engagement with your audience in a streamlined manner.