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Martin Cogburn
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    Double Opt-in Messages

    About Double Opt-In Confirmation Emails

    Applies to: All ONTRAPORT accounts

    A double opt-in confirmation message is an email that’s automatically sent to a lead the moment they fill out one of your double opt-in ONTRAforms or Smart Forms. This email contains a link that must be clicked in order to confirm the validity of the email address entered in your form. It also serves to double check that someone who filled out your form actually wants to hear from you. Once the email address has been confirmed they’ll be able to receive bulk emails from you.

    While double opt-in is optional in ONTRAPORT, it is a great way to ensure that all of the email addresses people are giving you belong to actual people and not spam bots. If a bogus or spam email is entered into your form, there’s nowhere for this email to go and it won’t be confirmed, keeping your mailing reputation clean.

    You can use our pre-made messages (already in your account) or you can submit a new custom double opt-in message for review.

    Benefits of a Custom Confirmation Email

    A custom double opt-in confirmation email is a great way to keep your branding consistent throughout all communications with a client. While ONTRAPORT’s default templates are practical and get the job done, nothing beats a personalized message from you to your prospects.

    Double Opt-In Message Requirements

    ONTRAPORT automatically provides provisional acceptance of your custom confirmation email template and reviews it within two days. If the message violates any of our guidelines listed below the administrator will be alerted and the template will be deactivated. Double opt ins will still occur using the default, ONTRAPORT supplied message template. To avoid having your opt-in message template deactivated, it must meet the following three requirements:

    1. It must include the [Opt-in Link] merge field. You can either copy and paste the merge field from this article, or insert it via the ‘Mail Merge’ dropdown in the Double Opt-In Manager.
    2. It must clearly notify leads that by clicking the opt-in link they agree to regularly receive emails from you/your business. If the wording of the email suggests that the contact is only going to register for a seminar, webinar, class, white paper, or ebook it is considered misleading as you’ll be sending them further email after they attend the webinar or receive the ebook. A phrase that our staff suggests you use is “Before I can send you [what you have asked for], along with other emails and updates. I need you to confirm your email by clicking this link: [Opt-In Link]”
    3. It may not contain any further marketing or links to further marketing. If you would like to give the lead more information, feel free to send them a separate email from your ONTRAPORT account. The double opt-in message is purely for the purposes of confirming an opt-in/email address.

    Suggestions

    1. Check out our Email Delivery 101 guide. Reading this article before writing your double opt-in confirmation email will ensure that your confirmation email doesn't get sent to spam.
    2. Use one consistent font, text size, and format throughout your message. Changing text formatting more than once in an email will make your email look more like spam to ESPs. This person has already requested to get your emails, no need to make this email look too flashy.

    Create a Custom Double Opt-in Confirmation Email

    Your double opt-in confirmation template is automatically approved, and will be reviewed within 24 - 48 hours. If the template is revoked for violating one of our rules the administrator of the account will receive an email from our Email Delivery department. We’ll tell you why it is revoked and what you can do to bring it up to approval standards.

    1. Go to your Administration > Email > Double Opt-In / Invoice Manager


    2. Click the New Message Template button. You can select two different editors to create the custom Double Opt-In message:


    Using the Double Opt-In (ONTRAmail) Editor

    1. We recommend you use the Double Opt-In (ONTRAmail) option under 'Select Template Type'. See our ONTRAmail article for more information on configuration and design options for ONTRAmail templates.

      choose template type icons
    2. Choose an ONTRAmail template you want to use. Our pre-designed templates are ready to use, but you can personalize them with your logo or other brand related images and text.
    3. Remember: Do not include promotional links or other marketing information in the double opt in email.
    4. Click Submit For Review

    Using the Standard Double Opt-In Editor

    1. Select the bottom "Double Opt-In" message editor. The familiar HTML Email editor window will open.

      choose template type icons
    2. Remember the double opt-in message requirements:
      • It must include the [Opt-in Link] merge field. You can either copy/paste the merge field from this article, or insert it via the 'Mail Merge' dropbox in the Double Opt-In Manager.
      • It must clearly notify leads that by clicking the opt-in link they agree to regularly receive emails from you/your business. If the wording of the email suggests that the contact is only going to register for a seminar, webinar, class, white paper, or ebook it is considered misleading as you’ll be sending them further email after they attend the webinar or receive the ebook. A phrase that our staff suggests you use is "Before I can send you [what you have asked for], along with other emails and updates. I need you to confirm your email by clicking this link: [Opt-In Link]"
      • It may not contain any further marketing or links to further marketing. If you would like to give the lead more information, feel free to send them a separate email from your ONTRAPORT account. The double opt-in message is purely for the purposes of confirming an opt-in/email address.
    3. Compose the new double opt-in message in the messages editor.
    4. The "Thank You URL" field can direct the contact to a custom Thank You page after they click the confirmation link. NOTE: This URL is overridden by a Smart Form's Double Opt-In settings.
    5. Click Submit For Review

    Double Opt In Email Approval

    ONTRAPORT provides provisional approval for your new custom double opt in email template. It is reviewed by our email delivery department within two business days and, if it does not meet the standards listed above, it is deactivated. The administrator of your account will be notified via email. Standard double opt in invoices are then provided to your customers to avoid interruption.

    Copying Existing Templates

    When accessing the Message Templates via Administration > Email Tab > Double Opt-in / Invoice Manager you will have the option of copying existing templates.

    Click Double Opt-in / Invoice Manager

    clickoninvoicemanager.png

    Check the box next to the template you'd like to copy and then click "Copy".

    copyinvoice.gif

    Copying templates is a great way to save time while having the ability to customize on the fly!

     

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    Comments

    • Avatar
      Christy Frank

      After the double optin is up and working, how do I customise the thank you page after they have clicked on the verification link in the email?

      The first thank you page after they signed up is clear but then after they click the link, I haven't been able to figure out where to customise this one?

    • Avatar
      Kevin Gullickson

      The opt in template in ONTRAmail says they should "do nothing" if they want to be unsubscribed. How does that work? Is it possible to keep them subscribed, even if they don't confirm? How do we automate the opt in email to go out if we're not using an ONTRAform within OP? Sorry for all the questions, but I don't those things in the article. :)