How to Require an Email Address to Download a File in WordPress (Step-by-Step Guide)

Wanting to build your email list? Offering a free download in exchange for an email address is one of the best tactics as an online business owner.

In fact, studies show that lead magnets have a conversion rate of over 12%, much higher than other methods.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll show you exactly how to require an email address before allowing users to download a file on your WordPress site.

After 15 years as a webmaster, I‘ve used these tactics to grow email lists from zero to tens of thousands of subscribers.

So whether you‘re just starting out or looking to expand your reach, this guide is for you. Let‘s get started!

Why Require Emails for Downloads?

Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, let‘s look at why you should be collecting emails in exchange for free downloads:

• Lead generation – Email is the best way to capture potential customer details that you can market to later. Think free ebook in exchange for email.

• Build email lists – Growing your email subscriber list means you have an audience ready to buy whatever you launch next.

• Sales funnel – Use your downloads as a way to warm up cold traffic and prime them to become buyers.

• Understand your audience – Seeing what resources people download helps you learn what content they find most useful.

• Retargeting – Retarget people who have downloaded a resource in the past with special offers.

According to HubSpot, companies see $42 in revenue for every $1 spent on email marketing.

Now let‘s go over a few different methods to require emails before allowing access to a downloadable file or resource.

Method #1 – Using a Popup Plugin (Recommended)

The easiest way to gate a download behind an email signup is by using a popup plugin. This allows you to show a popup when people visit the download page.

The popup forces users to enter their email before allowing access to the underlying content.

Why Use a Popup Plugin?

• Works on any WordPress site

• Easy drag and drop builder

• Customize design with branding

• Integrate with email services like Constant Contact

• Detailed analytics on conversions

• Show popups on specific pages

Step-by-Step Instructions

From my experience, I recommend using OptinMonster as the best lead generation popup plugin on the market. Follow these steps to set it up:

1. Install and activate the OptinMonster plugin on your WordPress site.

2. Log in to your OptinMonster account dashboard and click Campaigns > Add new to create a new popup campaign.

3. Select the "Lightbox" campaign type and choose a template.

4. Customize the design, add your optin form, and set up the confirmation actions.

5. Connect your email service like Constant Contact to collect leads.

6. Create a new WordPress page for the file download, add the download button, and set OptinMonster to show the popup on that page.

7. Publish the campaign and you‘re all set!

Now when someone visits your downloads page, the popup will appear first to capture their email before allowing access.

The major advantage of this method is you have complete control to create popups that match your brand. And OptinMonster popups convert extremely well compared to other lead capture forms.

Method #2 – Using a Form Plugin

Another option is to use a WordPress form plugin to create a custom lead gen form for each downloadable file.

This method gives you more flexibility with the fields you collect and how you display the form.

Why Use a Form Plugin?

• Total design control over fields and layout

• Conditionally show forms based on rules

• Redirect users upon submission

• Embed forms anywhere easily

Step-by-Step Instructions

My top recommendation is using WPForms as it‘s the most beginner-friendly WordPress form builder. Here‘s how to set it up:

1. Download, install, and activate the WPForms plugin.

2. Create a new form and insert the email field and any other fields you need.

3. Change the submit button text to "Download" or something similar.

4. Set up the confirmation settings to redirect to the file or show a custom message.

5. Connect your email marketing platform like Constant Contact to collect leads (optional).

6. Embed the WPForms download form on any page or post using the blocks editor.

Now when someone fills out and submits the form on your site, they‘ll get access to the download via the confirmation action.

This method requires a few more steps compared to using a popup plugin but gives you full control over the form layout and fields.

Method #3 – Using a Membership Plugin

If you want to offer downloads only to members or paid users, then a membership plugin is the best option.

This allows you to easily control permissions and restrict access only to members logged into your site.

Why Use a Membership Plugin?

• Gate downloads behind memberships or paid access

• Set multiple membership levels with different file access

• More sales opportunities once users are members

• Automatic email list signup

Step-by-Step Instructions

For membership sites, I recommend MemberPress. Follow these steps to set it up:

1. Download, install, and activate MemberPress.

2. Create protected content posts and add download buttons/links.

3. Setup membership options and payment settings.

4. Create membership plans under MemberPress > Memberships.

5. Add access rules to restrict downloads to members only.

6. On the registration form, enable the email opt-in checkbox (Marketing tab).

7. Non-members who visit download posts will get an option to register.

Once you create the members-only downloads and restrict access, users will be required to register for a membership plan before getting access.

You can even set up multiple levels, so higher-tier plans have access to more downloads. This is great for selling online courses and premium content.

Tracking Your File Downloads

The last step is setting up analytics to see how well your downloads convert and perform.

This allows you to optimize your lead generation strategy by doubling down on what works.

I recommend using MonsterInsights as it‘s the best Google Analytics plugin for WordPress.

MonsterInsights makes it easy to view reports on:

• Your top downloaded files and conversion rates

• Demographic data on who is downloading

• Traffic sources and search keywords users found your downloads from

Without analytics, you‘re missing out on a trove of data to improve conversions. MonsterInsights makes it easy to connect Google Analytics and see the most useful reports in your WordPress dashboard.

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Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help figure out the best techniques for your business.

Requiring an email before granting access to downloads is one of the most effective ways to capture more leads and grow your email lists.

I recommend using a popup plugin for the easiest setup. But form and membership plugins allow for more customization when needed.

The most important thing is tracking your download metrics so you can double down on what works best.

Hope this guide gives you a better understanding of how to gate downloads behind email signups on WordPress. Now go grow those lists!