After 15 years as a webmaster, I can tell you that email automation is one of the most powerful ways to boost engagement, save time, and grow your WordPress site or online business.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my insider strategies to help you configure automated email workflows that deliver results.
Contents
The Benefits of Email Automation
First, let‘s look at some key statistics that showcase why automating emails is so valuable:
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80% of small businesses rely on email as their primary customer acquisition channel [1]
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Marketers who use automated emails see a 760% increase in revenue versus those who don‘t [2]
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Transactional emails have 209% higher click rates than regular bulk emails [3]
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53% of consumers want to receive promo emails from businesses at least once a month [4]
As you can see, email automation helps businesses connect with customers, drive sales, and improve key metrics.
Specifically, automated emails enable you to:
- Send timely, relevant messages without ongoing manual work
- Deliver personalized content matched to each website visitor‘s needs
- Reduce time spent on repetitive communication tasks by 90% [5]
- Nurture leads and customers by sending content drip campaigns
- Grow your business with cart abandonment emails, cross-sells, and more
Email automation handles mission-critical communications like order updates, membership renewals, comment notifications, and more.
Real-World Examples of Email Automation
Here are just a few examples of how businesses use automated emails to streamline workflows and boost results:
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Welcome series – Automatically send 5 helpful onboarding emails over the user‘s first 2 weeks
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Cart abandonment – Send a personalized email if a shopper leaves items in their cart
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Order confirmation – Instantly deliver order details and tracking info as soon as a purchase is complete
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Upcoming renewal reminder – Notify members 7 and 3 days before their subscription renews
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Product recommendations – Suggest relevant products based on a customer‘s purchase history
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Post-event follow-up – Share event photos, videos, and resources a few days after an event
The key is matching automated email workflows to your unique business needs. When configured correctly, these timely and relevant emails will communicate for you.
3 Easy Ways to Automate Emails in WordPress
Now let‘s explore proven solutions for automating WordPress emails:
1. Use Dedicated Email Marketing Services
Dedicated email service providers like Constant Contact, ConvertKit, and Drip make it easy to create automated email campaigns.
With Constant Contact, you can build sequences triggered by events like new subscriber sign-ups. Drag-and-drop email templates help you create engaging messages quickly.
Over 70,000 businesses use ConvertKit to send drip email campaigns that convert. Conversion-focused email sequences nurture subscribers based on their behaviors.
Drip lets you build personal workflows that send automated emails when contacts complete specific actions. Track opens, clicks, and revenue generated.
These providers integrate seamlessly with WordPress, with official plugins available:
With email sequences handled, you can focus on content while driving growth.
2. Leverage Email Marketing Automation Plugins
Plugins like Autonami and FunnelKit Automations let you customize and automate WooCommerce emails.
For example, Autonami offers a drag-and-drop builder to modify WooCommerce templates. Set up post-purchase automations like order confirmations and shipping notices.
FunnelKit Automations connects with email services like Mailchimp. You can automate targeted marketing campaigns in addition to transactional messages.
Benefits of email automation plugins:
- Modify WooCommerce email content and triggers without code
- Automate workflows like cart abandonment and cross-sell emails
- Integrate with CRMs and email platforms like Mailchimp
- Visually customize email templates and automate sending
Transactional and marketing emails will be delivered automatically based on customer actions and events.
3. Build Automated Workflows with Zapier
Zapier lets you easily automate tasks and workflows by connecting web apps.
Create a Zap that adds new subscribers to your ConvertKit automation sequence. Automatically send WooCommerce order details to Mailchimp when a purchase is completed.
With over 3000 app integrations, Zapier handles infinitely complex workflows without coding.
Benefits include:
- Automate emails based on a wide range of WordPress triggers
- Give transactional data more impact by syncing it with your CRM
- Skip tedious manual busywork by connecting your stack
- Simple drag-and-drop interface to build workflows
Zapier is perfect for advanced email automation across the tools you already use.
Getting Started with Automated Emails
Now let‘s walk through the steps to start automating your WordPress emails:
Choose the Right Email Automation Tools
Identify your primary goals and use cases – are you focused on reducing workload, increasing engagement, or boosting sales?
Select tools that align with your objectives:
- Drip campaigns – Dedicated email services like ConvertKit
- Transactional emails – Plugins like FunnelKit Automations
- Complex workflows – Zapier for cross-app automation
Integrate the Solutions With WordPress
Follow installation and configuration steps to connect your email tools with your WordPress site.
Use official plugins if available to ensure seamless integration. Most solutions provide intuitive setup wizards.
Build Your Email Lists and Templates
Segment your subscribers and create targeted email lists. Craft professional templates that align with your brand.
Leverage drag-and-drop email builders from Constant Contact, Autonami, and similar tools.
Set Up Personalized Automation Workflows
Identify key scenarios for automation based on converting visitors into leads and customers.
Set up trigger-based emails like post-purchase follow-ups, user lifecycle campaigns, notifications, and more.
Activate and Test Your Automated Emails
Once your emails and workflows are set up, triple check the subscriber segments and triggers before launching.
Test by signing up or placing an order yourself to confirm the automated messages are delivered correctly.
Review Analytics and Optimize Over Time
Closely monitor open rates, click rates, conversion rates, and unsubscribe rates for each automated email.
Refine your messages and workflows over time to improve results. A/B test email content and timing for maximum impact.
With the right approach, you can have automated WordPress emails generating results in no time. Start small, then expand your campaigns as you see positive returns.
Conclusion
Email automation is a must-have for any WordPress site looking to streamline communications and drive growth.
Follow this guide to implement automated solutions tailored to your business needs. Take advantage of email marketing services, plugins, and workflow tools to save time while nurturing leads and engaging customers.
With the proper email automation workflows in place, you can spend less time manually sending messages and more time on high-value priorities.
Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to share my experience to help fellow webmasters succeed with WordPress email automation.
