Placement of opt-in form

[Leslie B]

Hi everyone,

I have a question about the placement of the opt-in form of one of my blogs. I changed the layout of my site and since then I didn't get any subscriber. Before that I got at least one a day. Could you tell me what you think?

The blog is in my sig.

Thanks in advance,
Leslie

[grover69]

Where was the opt-in form located before? I think it looks fine where it is it...it is above the fold. Have you tried switching it back to see if your sign-ups come back? Nice blog.

[Leslie B]

I had a whole other theme before and it was placed above the posts itself. I tried to put it there with this theme too, but it didn't look that good to me.

Thanks for checking it out, grover

Leslie

[grover69]

The one thing I might comment on is the amount of text before the actual name and email fields. Feels a bit busy. Just a thought. Also you might want to consider putting that form in a box and set the background to some other color like yellow (not bright yellow) so that it pops a bit more.

[Leslie B]

I was thinking it might look to much text now it's in a smaller place (before it was four lines and it didn't look that much). Maybe I should make it shorter, will think about how I'm going to rewrite it. Another color might help too. I'll test that out tomorrow.

Leslie

[itsliz]

Keep it where it is.

After running dozens of split tests myself, and also discussing with other top marketers, having the opt-in form in the top right corner is the highest converting spot.

What I'd recommend though is to tighten up the text right above the form. It looks very messy and is difficult to read.

Also - on a separate note, it's great to give people something for free in order to get an opt-in, but I would not recommend using this line "No Purchase Required and No Strings Attached!", and the reason is because it can condition people to not expect any sales pitches from you ever, which is not good if you want to make money from the list!

Lastly, I'd recommend testing using this button:
The ULTIMATE Submit Button REVEALED! Putting all the Pieces Together… | The Conversion Doctor Blog

In every split test I've run, this button outperforms any other.

What also helps is "eye candy" (using graphics to make the opt-in box very eye-catching and attractive looking).

[itsliz]

Also check this out:
Squeeze Page Conversion: FREE Video Shows How to Get a 75%+ Optin Rate! | The Conversion Doctor Blog

Even though this is specifically talking about a squeeze page, you can get some great tips for opt-in forms.

(and fyi - no, I'm not affiliated at all with the Conversion Doctor, but there's a lot of great info on his blog regarding conversion tactics.)

[Leslie B]

Thanks itsliz,

I will rewrite the text and remove the line you mentioned. You might be right about what you're saying. I'm new at this, so I need to find my way still.

I checked out the sites you mentioned and they look promising. Will take the time tomorrow to get more information.

Thanks for taking the time to help me out.

Leslie

[lcombs]

Originally Posted by grover69

The one thing I might comment on is the amount of text before the actual name and email fields. Feels a bit busy. Just a thought. Also you might want to consider putting that form in a box and set the background to some other color like yellow (not bright yellow) so that it pops a bit more.

I agree about the text. A bit too much I think.

Have you tried a pop-in, or peel-away?

Don't know if this has anything to do with it but, I would lose the "Advertise Here" holder.
Or, place it elsewhere on the site.

As far as the actual placement... Everything I've been told and/or read says upper-right corner converts best. So, I would say it's not the location.

[itsliz]

Originally Posted by bieke81

I'm new at this, so I need to find my way still.

You're doing great so far

[Leslie B]

lcombs: When everyone says it, I guess I have to believe it I'm going to rewrite the text so it's shorter. I removed the "advertise here" holder, will see if that might help already. I didn't try a pop-in or peel away, mostly because those are things I don't like when I come to a site, so I don't care for it on my own sites. Maybe I should test it, it might convert well, or maybe it won't. I'll never know if I don't test it. I'll put it on my list.

itsliz: thank you.

Leslie

[Joshua N. Rabon]

Hello, bieke81

Your placement is fine, what I think you need is a more compelling freebie headline,

don't say no-purchase required,

don't start out with sign up here to get my free....

Instead, lead with your headline.

They don't want a free 10 day e-course, and they don't care a whole lot about what they are(unless you make it sound like it's something they think they don't know), they want relief or rescue from future pain and they want it to be simple or easy or both.

Something Like this

The Cluster Cure
"Discover How To Avoid Your Next Headache Before It's Too Late
It's Simpler Than You Think To Prevent The Excruciating Pain Of Cluster Headaches Once You Understand Their True Nature
Sign Up Now For # Free Techniques That Really Work"

or this

It's Simpler Than You Think To Prevent The Excruciating Pain Of Cluster Headaches. # Real World Techniques Help you Avoid The Torture Of Your Next Headache
Sign Up Now And Get My Free Report
"Cluster Cure"

Although I agree that the cramped text makes you not want to read it, you really want to focus on creating a headline that has at least 2 or more of these:
urgency
usefulness(benefits)
specificity
uniqueness

Feel free to test those if you like, but you should get a swipe file of headlines and bullets and try to write out 30-100 headlines before deciding on 5-10 to test. Sounds like a lot, but if pro's do it (and many do) you might want to give it a try.

And I also agree with itsliz, you're doing great. You already got content, sites up, some tech skills, now you just sharpen up your persuasion.

You also might want to check out this post
The NEW BREED of Warrior: Six Figures in Six Months with EASE

and check out this resource

FREE DOWNLOAD: Turn Every Sale Into Residual Streams of Income

I know that these aren't about what you asked, but persuasively communicating to the niche you want to serve is essential, and having a "Platform" makes authentic, ethical persuasion easier"

Hope this helps

[thinkrich]

I agree with Joshua - changing the headline to your eCourse would get a lot more interest.

Change it around.

Example:
FREE Ten Part E-Course << Red and Bold
"Discover What Cluster Headaches Really Are and How You Can Avoid Them". <Bold
Subheading goes here to explain a little more, such as Joshua referred to.


Test and test some more.

Placement of the eBook cover can help. At the moment it is below the Optin form.
If it was incorporated and eye catching then optins may increase.

Think of it like a mini squeeze page, which is what it is, just condensed into a much smaller area.

Still, all the components of a squeeze page can be incorporated.

Headline
subheading
title
Cover
Form
Disclaimer


Always have a swipe file handy of known & tested headlines.

Although your eCourse may be over 10 consecutive days, you can alter this in your AR.
Can spread them 3 days apart, if it suits.

At the end of the eCourse, you can present them with the full eCourse in a pdf with your signature and home site all over it so that even if they pass it on to someone else, then you can have new traffic

I have a tried & tested way of managing cluster headaches also, If you shoot Me a PM I will explain

[HomeBasedBusinessPLR]

I like the placement of the opt in box.

You probably just need to drive even more traffic to it and you'll be all set. The blog looks nice.

[Leslie B]

thanks everyone.

I'm keeping the tips for the headline in a swipefile and will try some out the next weeks. I will change the background too, it might help if it stands out more.

Joshua: thanks for the tips on the headlines and the threads you mentioned. I'm going to check them out.

thinkrich: the e-book cover is actually an ad, has nothing to do with my list. I will place it somewhere else (the ad) because now it looks like it's related and it's not really. (Although, I mention the e-book in my messages a few times). the idea of giving them the full e-course at the end sounds very interesting. Will work that out, and put my site in it, like you said. A little bit of viral marketing can't hurt, does it? I'm sending you a pm about the cluster headaches, interested in what you know, new info never hurts

badboymarketer: I'll work on my site today, and I keep the background color in mind, I will test a few before I decide.

HomeBasedBusinessPLR: Traffic is increasing every day, it's a market that doesn't have a big audience, but enough to at least make some decent money.

Leslie

[Leslie B]

OK, I got three new webforms made in Aweber. I'm going first with the tips you guys gave me. That gives me the time to create new ones myself. I will test every form for a week, to see if the number of subscribers goes up.

Thanks a lot.

Leslie

[Joshua N. Rabon]

Good catch thinkrich about the ebook cover, graphix right by, or above sign up boxes help boost sign ups most of the time, especially pictures of people.

bieke81- Yeah I thought the ecover was for your report, moving it would be a good idea.

good luck