Squarespace Email Campaigns Basics 1.3 List Management and GDPR Compliance

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

Set up and manage email lists effectively in Squarespace
Ensure your email campaigns comply with GDPR requirements
Segment your subscriber lists for better targeting
Handle subscriber limits and plan upgrades when needed

Introduction

Managing email lists properly is essential for successful email marketing. When you're using Squarespace Email Campaigns, you need to keep your lists organised, comply with GDPR regulations, and understand the limits of your current plan. This chapter walks you through the practical steps to manage your subscribers effectively while staying on the right side of the law.

Lessons

Building and Managing Your Email Lists

Your email list is the foundation of your campaigns. Here's how to manage it effectively in Squarespace:

Start by adding subscribers through newsletter sign-up forms on your website. You can create these forms in the Email Campaigns section and embed them on any page.

Clean your lists regularly by removing subscribers who haven't engaged with your emails in the past six months. This keeps your engagement rates high and your sender reputation strong.

Segment your lists based on subscriber behaviour, location, or interests. This allows you to send more relevant content to different groups.

Step 1: Go to your Squarespace dashboard and click 'Marketing', then 'Email Campaigns'
Step 2: Select 'Audience' to view your current subscriber lists
Step 3: Use the 'Add Subscribers' button to import contacts or create new sign-up forms
Step 4: Click 'Segments' to create targeted groups based on your criteria

GDPR compliance isn't optional if you're emailing people in the EU. Here's what you need to know:

Every subscriber must actively opt in to receive your emails. Pre-ticked boxes or automatic sign-ups don't count as valid consent.

Include clear information about what subscribers will receive and how often. Don't hide this in small print.

Make unsubscribing as easy as subscribing. Every email must include a clear unsubscribe link.

Keep records of when and how people opted in. Squarespace automatically tracks this information for you.

Step 1: Create opt-in forms with clear consent language
Step 2: Add your privacy policy link to all sign-up forms
Step 3: Test your unsubscribe process to ensure it works smoothly
Step 4: Review your consent records regularly in the Audience section

Understanding Subscriber Limits

Different Squarespace plans have different subscriber limits. Here's how to manage them:

Check your current plan's subscriber limit in the Billing section of your dashboard. Personal plans typically allow fewer subscribers than Business or Commerce plans.

Monitor your subscriber count regularly. You'll receive warnings as you approach your limit.

Consider upgrading your plan if you're consistently hitting your limits and your engagement rates are good.

Clean your lists before upgrading. Remove inactive subscribers to make the most of your current limit.

Step 1: Navigate to Settings, then Billing to view your current plan details
Step 2: Check the 'Email Campaigns' section for your subscriber limit
Step 3: Review your current subscriber count in the Audience dashboard
Step 4: Upgrade your plan if needed, or clean your lists to stay within limits

Practice

Review your current email list and identify inactive subscribers from the past six months. Remove them to improve your engagement rates.

Create at least one segment based on subscriber behaviour or demographics. This could be based on purchase history, location, or email engagement.

Check your current subscriber count against your plan limit. If you're approaching the limit, decide whether to upgrade or clean your list further.

FAQs

How does Squarespace help with GDPR compliance?
Squarespace includes built-in features like consent tracking, easy unsubscribe options, and secure data handling. However, you're still responsible for following GDPR requirements in your content and practices.

What are the subscriber limits for different Squarespace plans?
Subscriber limits vary by plan and change over time. Check your Billing section for current limits, or visit Squarespace's pricing page for the latest information.

Can I import subscribers from other email platforms?
Yes, you can import subscribers via CSV file. However, make sure you have proper consent from all imported contacts before sending them emails.

How often should I clean my email lists?
Review your lists every three to six months. Remove subscribers who haven't opened emails in the past six months, unless they've made recent purchases.

Jargon Buster

GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation – EU law governing how personal data must be handled and protected

List segmentation: Dividing your email list into smaller groups based on shared characteristics or behaviours

Opt-in: When someone actively chooses to receive your emails, usually by ticking a box or filling out a form

Engagement rate: The percentage of subscribers who open, click, or interact with your emails

Subscriber limit: The maximum number of people you can have on your email lists under your current Squarespace plan

Wrap-up

Effective list management and GDPR compliance work together to build trust with your audience while keeping your email marketing legal and effective. Clean, well-segmented lists perform better than large, unfocused ones. Regular maintenance of your subscriber lists, combined with proper consent practices, will improve your email performance and protect your business from compliance issues.

Next, you'll learn how to create compelling email content that engages your properly managed, compliant subscriber base.

Join Pixelhaze Academy for more advanced email marketing strategies and ongoing support.