How to Grow Email List Fast: 18 Proven Strategies for E-Commerce

Growing your email list is the single most important battle in email marketing.

You’re not just collecting email addresses, but building a high-value audience that’s eager to engage, buy, and stay loyal.

A strong email list is your direct revenue channel. There is no algorithm trouble, no rented traffic, just customer relationships you own.

From irresistible lead magnets to referral-driven growth, there are proven, free, and scalable ways to build free email lists for ecommerce marketing.

In this blog, you’ll discover:

• What a good email list growth rate looks like for online stores
  
• 18 proven strategies to grow your email list fast
  
• Step-by-step tactics to build your email list from scratch

Let’s dive right in.

What is an email list?

An email list is a collection of email addresses that a business or individual gathers from people who have expressed interest in receiving updates, promotions, newsletters, or other communications.

Moreover, mail lists are built based on permission from individuals who opt-in to receive emails. Hence, this is crucial for compliance with laws like GDPR and CAN-SPAM, which require explicit consent for email marketing.

Many email marketers use a double opt-in process, where a confirmation email is sent to new subscribers to verify their intent. Hence ensuring a higher-quality and engaged email list through email subscriber acquisition best practices.

Why is Growing Your Email Marketing List important?

An email list provides a direct line of communication to your audience, drives higher engagement rates, and specifically contributes to your business growth strong email marketing ROI.

Here are the benefits of building an email list:

Nurture leads to customers.

The primary goal of free email list building is to capture leads and convert them to loyal customers.

You can send them email marketing campaigns that nurture them, educate them about the brand, and drive repeat purchases from them in the long run.

Personalized interaction with subscribers

With an email list, you can personalize emails based on subscriber preferences, behaviors, and demographics, thus making the communication more relevant and engaging through e-commerce email capture techniques.

Higher Engagement Rates

Email marketing typically boasts higher engagement rates compared to social media.

Emails have better open and click-through rates, which specifically means subscribers are more likely to read and act on the content.

Targeted Email Marketing

Targeting is getting difficult on Facebook ads and other social media platforms. With personalized email marketing, you can reach the right audience with the right content at the right time.

Building an email list allows you to grow subscribers organically and segment your email list based on various criteria, such as behavior, demographics, and purchase history.

What Is a Healthy Email List Growth Rate?

If you are a new business just starting with email marketing, a good email list growth rate can be anywhere from 2-5% per month. If you start with a small list of 100 subscribers and grow it by 5%, that’s 5 new subscribers per month – modest but steady progress.

For businesses with a more mature list or more aggressive marketing tactics, a good email list growth rate could be 6-10% per month. If you have 5,000 subscribers, a 10% growth rate adds 500 new subscribers each month.

But, how many emails is a good email list? If you’re just starting, a list of 500 to 1,000 engaged subscribers is a solid foundation.

18 Best Ways to Grow Your Email List in 2025

Building an email list is difficult as users are often skeptical about sharing their email addresses due to privacy concerns and fear of spam.

But you can convert traffic to your website into leads with the right subscriber growth tactics.

Here are the 18 best and fastest ways to grow your email list:

1. Use high-converting pop-up forms

The best way to grow an email list is to convert traffic to your website into leads using popups.

To build your email list with pop-up email forms, show them on your website after a visitor has spent a certain amount of time or is about to exit the page.

Furthermore, popups capture the visitor’s email addresses by offering valuable content in exchange and it is the best way to grow an email list outside of social media.

Types of popups to grow email list are:

• Timed popup – Appears after a visitor has spent a certain amount of time on your website.
• Scroll-triggered popup – Triggered when a visitor scrolls down a specific percentage of a page, indicating interest in the content.
• Exit-intent popup – Appears when a visitor is about to leave the website
• Full-screen welcome mat – Full-screen overlays that appear when a visitor lands on your website.

You can use email capture software to implement these popups and signup forms on your site.

Here is an example of a popup displayed on a landing page to grow your email list.

Related Reading: Learn how to use pop-ups to grow your email list and exit-intent pop-up tips for e-commerce signup in our blog: 15 Email Popup Examples And Best Practices To Build Email List

2. Offer valuable content & exclusive incentives

The best way to grow your email list organically is to let your content do the talk. People don’t mind giving their email addresses for valuable content in exchange.

Create and offer free lead magnet ideas for online stores, like free e-books, guides, or whitepapers on topics relevant to your audience. To grow email list for free, make these resources available in exchange for email signup strategies.

Some resources you can offer additionally for free email marketing list building are:

• Ebooks
• Guides
• Checklists
• Cheat Sheets
• Webinars

3. Create irresistible lead magnets

For email list building, offer lead magnets such as checklists or templates that provide immediate value in exchange for an email address.

Curate lists of tools, websites, books, or other resources that your audience would find beneficial. For example, a “Top 50 Tools for Digital Marketers” list.

To grow your email list fast, offer exclusive access to gated content signup, like in-depth articles, industry reports, or case studies that are not available to the general public. For instance, an “Annual Industry Trends Report.”

Here is how HubSpot promotes its lead magnet in the blog to build an email subscriber acquisition list.

4. Add sign-up options at checkout

If you run an e-commerce site, show an e-commerce email capture sign-up option during the checkout process to build an email subscriber list. Highlight the benefits of joining your list. Highlight the email signup incentives for shop owners.

Add the sign-up checkbox or field on the checkout page where it’s easily noticeable but not intrusive, like near the order summary or shipping information sections.

This is one of the best creative ways to grow email list through existing customer touchpoints.

5. Include opt-in forms in your blog postsog

If you are seeing significant traffic on your blogs, it is the fastest way to grow email list as you can convert this traffic into sign-ups. Readers who spend time on your blog are already interested in your content. Sign-up forms allow you to capture these engaged visitors and convert them into subscribers.

To grow an email list fast through your blogs, use embedded sign-up forms directly within the content of your blog posts. Place them at strategic points, such as after the introduction, mid-way through the post, and at the end.

Keep the form simple by asking for minimal information, typically just the email address and maybe a first name, to personalize future emails.

You can show a sign-up form popup when someone is reading like Lenny Rachitsky did on his site in the below example.

Or include an in-line popup form like the example below.

6. Build a high-converting landing page

Unlike a homepage that serves multiple purposes, a dedicated landing page has a single objective – encouraging visitors to sign up for your email list.

The best email list building technique is to have a well-designed landing page that shows your expertise on the subject and social proof.  Optimize landing pages for email capture by focusing on a single conversion goal.

Here is a landing page of Justin Welsh (running one of the most successful newsletters) and how he grows email subscribers organically.

7. Host webinars to capture leads

Webinars as an email list building technique attract participants who are genuinely interested in the topic being presented, ensuring that the leads you collect are high-quality and relevant to your business.

For free email list building, host webinars on topics of interest to your audience. Registration with an email address is required to attend and follow up with attendees post-webinar.

8. Add a signup link in your email signature

To use email marketing to build an email list, generate a unique signup link for your email newsletter that directs people to a subscription page or form.

In your email signature, create a new line or section specifically for your newsletter. Include call-to-actions like “Share it with your friend” and hyperlink it to the signup link you created.

Here is an example of how to use an email footer to grow an email list for free.

You don’t want to miss the opportunity to add the people who are reading your newsletter because their friends forwarded it to them. So, give a sign-up link at the end to encourage them to sign up.

9. Make sharing easy across platforms

To grow email list for free without ads, ensure that your newsletter is easily shareable by including social media sharing buttons or embedding links to your newsletter on your website and in the emails.

Place clear and compelling calls to action throughout your website, like “Share it on Twitter”, and “Share it with your friends”.

Here is how the OG of marketing, Seth Godin, makes his newsletter easy to share and grows email list fast.

10. Use referral programs to grow your list

The best way to build an email list for free is to encourage referrals from your existing subscriber base through a newsletter referral program for brands.

If your content is great, your subscribers will naturally share your newsletter or your products with their friends and colleagues, But to increase the number of referrals and grow email list fast, you have to give incentives.

To build an email list through referrals, offer rewards such as free content, discounts, or other valuable perks for every referral they bring.

Here is how the CopyBlogger newsletter includes a Referral hub in the footer to grow email list through referrals using the newsletter referral program for brand strategies.

11. Leverage Facebook for subscriber growthow your email list

You can leverage social media to build email list.

Facebook Groups allow you to engage with niche communities related to your industry. By posting content actively, you can build trust, which can lead to organic sign-ups.

Here are some tips on how to grow email list with Facebook ads:

• Create targeted Facebook ads offering a lead magnet (e.g., ebook, webinar, discount) in exchange for an email signup.
• Participate in relevant Facebook groups and share your lead magnet, encouraging members to join your email list.
• Embed email signup forms directly on your Facebook page.

Related Reading: Learn more about discount pop-ups: Creative ways to grow email list with a discount pop-up in our blog: Discount Popup: 12 Examples + How to Create

12. Use LinkedIn to expand your email list

To build an email list through LinkedIn, create a profile and summary highlighting your expertise and the value you offer. Include a call-to-action (CTA) inviting people to join your email list.

Use LinkedIn’s document feature to share downloadable resources like e-books and guides that require an email sign-up to access.

Include a link to your email sign-up form in your LinkedIn profile’s contact info section and within your summary.

Here is an example of how Justin Welsh implemented this email list build technique in his LinkedIn profile.

13. Add social proof to boost trust & email signups

Social proof builds trust in people like nothing else can. You can use this email list building technique in your sign-up forms and emails.

Display subscriber count badges on the sign-up forms and landing pages to showcase the size and popularity of your email list.

See how Tim Ferris implemented social proof in his sign-up form.

14. Run contests and viral giveaways

Contests and giveaways generate buzz and engagement on social media, increasing your brand’s visibility. It can quickly attract a large number of participants, resulting in rapid growth of your email list.

You can conduct a giveaway to grow email list. To build email list with viral contests, design an entry form that requires participants to enter their email addresses to participate.

15. Offer free trials to encourage email sign-ups

In exchange for an email address, offer a free trial of your service or product to build your email list.

Here is how Neil Patel collects email addresses while signing up for a free trial and grow email list.

16. Use SMS campaigns to grow email list

To grow your email list using SMS, include a short link to your email signup page in your SMS campaigns.

You can also use SMS as a follow-up to your other campaigns, such as social media or in-store promotions, encouraging users to sign up for your email list.

17. Partner giveaways to boost subscribers

Select a prize your target audience will value. For example, a product, service, or gift card related to your niche ensures you attract quality leads.

Select a prize your target audience will value. For example, a product, service, or gift card related to your niche ensures you attract quality leads.

Create urgency by adding an end date for the giveaway, motivating users to act quickly.

18. Convert webinar attendees into subscribers

To grow your email list through webinars, set up a webinar registration landing page where attendees must provide their email to sign up.

Use a prominent and engaging CTA button like “Reserve Your Spot” or “Join the Free Webinar Now.”

Motivate visitors to register by offering something extra, such as:

• Exclusive access to the recording.
• A free resource (e.g., an eBook or checklist) after attending.
• A Q&A session with the host.

How to Grow an Email List From Scratch (Step-by-Step)

The steps to create an email list from scratch are:

• Step 1: Choose the right email marketing method
• Step 2: Create a strong lead magnet for sign-ups
• Step 3: Design user-friendly sign-up forms
• Step 4: Add opt-in opportunities across your site

Let’s see these steps in detail.

Step 1: Choose the right email marketing method

The first step in creating an email list from scratch is selecting a reliable email marketing platform that supports sign-up forms, automation, and analytics. However, you can do it without marketing tools as well. 

Here is how to grow your email list without paid email marketing tools:

• Without software, spreadsheets with a Google Sheets or Excel CRM template can serve as your database for managing email addresses.
• Google Forms or Typeform: Create a simple form asking for name and email address
• Embed forms on your website: Use the form’s embed code or link to place it on your site.

TIP: How to create an email list on Gmail – While Gmail isn’t designed for bulk email marketing, you can use it for small-scale personal outreach and lead collection.

Step 2: Create a strong lead magnet for sign-ups

Create a free resource like eBooks, checklists, templates, or free trials.

To promote your lead magnet, highlight it on your website, social media, and adopt other email signup strategies.

To promote your lead magnet, highlight it on your website, social media, and email signup forms.

Use your email software to automatically send the lead magnet once someone subscribes.

Step 3: Design user-friendly sign-up forms

Most email platforms offer drag-and-drop form builders. Use these to create a visually appealing form by following pop-up form best practices.

Ask only for necessary information, such as name and email address, to reduce friction. Place the form on high-traffic pages like your homepage, blog sidebar, or landing pages.

Step 4: Add opt-in opportunities across your site

Your website is the most important tool for email list building. Optimize it to maximize signups.

• Add exit-intent popups offering discounts or free resources to capture emails before visitors leave.
• Add Sticky Bars: Use top-of-page bars with a simple signup form and a CTA.
• Place signup forms on your homepage, blog posts, about page, and checkout pages.
• Integrate Surveys or Quizzes: Use tools like Typeform or Interact to collect emails as part of a fun quiz or survey.

How Retainful helps you grow your email list faster?

Retainful is an all-in-one e-commerce email marketing app that features targeted popups and sign-up forms to grow an email list.

You can create high-converting sign-up forms to grow your email list for free with: 

• Different types of popups: Exit-intent, add-to-cart, welcome, and embedded.
• Precise targeting and triggers: Based on time spent, scroll depth, geo-location, page visits, and more.
• Pre-designed popup templates: Design on-brand popups with a drag-and-drop editor.
• Mobile-optimized popups

Retainful is one of the best free tools to capture email subscribers.

Wrapping up!!

Knowing how to grow email list for e-commerce for free is essential for building an engaged audience that can drive business growth for you.

By implementing creative ways to grow your email list, as we discussed, you can attract and retain high-quality subscribers.

These strategies to grow your email marketing subscriber list will help you build free email lists for ecommerce marketing and achieve strong email marketing ROI through newsletter acquisition and subscriber growth tactics.

Learn more about how to use popups/sign-up forms to grow your email list:

• How to add a Newsletter Popup in Shopify? 
• How to Create a Shopify Discount Popup? Step-by-step Guide
• WooCommerce Popup: How to Create [+Top Plugin]
• 10 Best WordPress Popup Plugins

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