It is required to insert an unsubscribe link in every email, except for service messages. There are a few steps to take in order to set this up. A few of these steps are done in the settings which we will explain further in this article. If you have set up an unsubscribe package, it can be selected in step 1 of composing a message.
Go to general settings > tab Settings in the top menu > click on Permissions on the left hand side and you will see:
- An overview of permissions and the option to add more.
- An overview of unsubscribe packages and the option to add more.
Unsubscribe based on permissions or a global opt-out?
There are two ways to set up your unsubscribtion process, namely based on permissions or a global opt-out. Read about the pro's and cons of each method below.
You can use one or more permissions in your Spotler account. A contact can subscribe or unsubscribe to a specific newsletter. If you have a connection between your CRM or webshop and Spotler, then it is common to work with permissions.
An example of a permission can be:
- Newsletter
- Promotional email
Someone can subscribe and unsubscribe to each individual mailing type. The permissions are saved to a contact's database field which is called "permissions". A checkbox will or will not be checked here, depending on whether the permission was given.
In the contact's profile, it will look like this:
The advantage of working with permissions
The advantage of working with permissions is that when someone unsubscribes from the newsletter(s), they can still be sent service message. They maintain an active status. Let's say you have a product recall or you need to inform your customers of a malfunction, you will still be able to reach them even though they have unsubscribed from your email(s).
Also, you can email more effectively because your customer can specify what they want to receive. When a contact isn't interested in your general newsletter, but likes to receive your weekly promotional emails, they have the option of adjusting their preferences accordingly.
The disadvantage of working with permissions
When a contact unsubscribes from the newsletter, the permission checkbox is unchecked. If you are working with static lists, your static list is leading which means permissions in Spotler will be ignored. Ultimately, this means that you can still email someone through a static list, even if that someone has unsubscribed from the newsletter. This is why we would advise against working with static lists as well as permissions. If you do prefer working with both, make sure to keep a close eye on the unsubscriptions and update these in your static lists before importing it into Spotler.
A global opt-out means that when someone unsubscribes from a newsletter, they won't be able to receive any more emails from your Spotler account. This includes service messages.
Advantage of working with a global opt-out
When you work with static lists a lot and there's a contact in your static list that has unsubscribed from your emails in the past, this contact will not be included in the dispatch of your email. This is not the case when you are working with permissions. By using a global opt-out, you avoid accidentally emailing someone that has unsubscribed from your email(s).
Disadvantage of working with a global opt-out
When a contact has a global opt-out, they will not be able to receive any emails from your Spotler account in the future. This means that service messages such as product recalls or malfunction notifications cannot be sent from Spotler.
Permissions
You can manage the permissions separately under the Settings tab in the general settings of your account. Here you see an overview of your permissions and how many contacts are subscribed to each permission.
With the dropdown menu, the following is possible:
- View: View which contacts have a specific permission
- Rename: Rename a permission
- Delete: Delete a permission that is no longer in use
Add permissions
Only the owner of an account can add permissions. You add a permission by clicking the blue Add permission button. A popup opens where you can give the permission a name.
Then, click OK. The permission has been added.
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Please note: Be careful when changing permissions Changing permissions will affect your (un)subscribe process. Before making changes here, consult with your Spotler partner first. |
Unsubscribe packages
When you have figured out which unsubscribtion method works best for you and you've set up the permission(s) in case you will be using them, the next step is to add an unsubscribe package to your account. In this unsubscribe package, you set up the course of action for when someone unsubscribes through the link in your email. You select the unsubscribe package in step 1 of composing a new message.
In order to select an unsubscribe package, you will need to have set it up in the settings of your account. When setting up an unsubscribe package, an unsubscription form is generated automatically so that's one less thing for you to do.
You can add an unsubscribe package in the Permissions settings.
Add package
You create an individual unsubscribe package for each permission and language in your account. Click on the blue button Add package.
A popup will appear:
- Package name: give your package a distinct name, such as: Unsubscribe Newsletter UK.
- Unsubscribe type: there are two options: Global opt-out and Permission. If you have chosen Permission, select one of the permissions in your account. This is why you should set up permissions before adding the unsubscribe packages.
- Unsubscribe form: there are two options: Automatically generated and Custom form.
Automatically generated
Select a language to get an automatically generated form in the right language. The permission will be unchecked for a contact when they unsubscribe. as a result.
Custom form
You will need help from Spotler Mail+ to create a custom form. Contact our Support for more information. The custom form option is best when:
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- You want to show all of your permissions on the unsubscribe form. A contact can then select which permissions and thus newsletters to unsubscribe from, on one unsubscribe form.
- You want a different text on the unsubscribe form than the automatically generated text.
Spotler products and services
Would you like your unsubscribe form placed on a web page with a specific layout? We have tailor made solutions available. Contact your Spotler partner for more information.
Deleting an unsubscribe package
You can delete an unsubscribe package in the overview by moving your cursor over the package and clicking on the Delete button that will appear on the right.
Please note: you can only delete an unsubscribe package if it is not linked to a message.
When you have completed the settings, you can select the package when composing a new message. After that, add the unsubscribe link to the message.