Table of contents

Why connect?How to integrateUsing a pluginWithout a pluginWordPress themes and buildersContact form pluginsAutomating emailsContact form pluginsTracking and segmenting How to secureFAQsNext stepsAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Build → Mailchimp

Mailchimp + WordPress integration: a zero to hero guide

Mailchimp makes email marketing easy. WordPress powers your website. When you connect the two, you get a powerful toolset for growing and engaging your audience.

Let’s walk through how to connect Mailchimp to WordPress—starting with the basics and ending with automation and optimization techniques most site owners never touch.

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Why connect Mailchimp with WordPress?

Integrating Mailchimp into your WordPress site helps you:

Capture email leads directly from visitors
Automate welcome emails, newsletters, and product alerts
Offer gated content like coupons or freebies
Segment your audience based on WordPress activity
Sync WooCommerce or blog data for personalized marketing

Whether you run a blog, portfolio, or online store, Mailchimp helps turn traffic into loyal subscribers.

Choosing how to integrate Mailchimp with WordPress

There are several ways to set up the integration depending on your tech skills and site setup.

Plugin-based integration is the most popular and beginner-friendly
Embedded forms are great if you want to avoid extra plugins
Theme and page builder options let you skip third-party tools if your builder supports Mailchimp
API integration is best for developers who need full customization and control

Let’s break down each option so you can decide what works best.

How to connect Mailchimp to WordPress using a plugin

For most users, the easiest method is to install the official Mailchimp for WordPress plugin. Here’s how to get started:

Install and activate the plugin. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. Search for “Mailchimp for WordPress,” then click Install and Activate.
Connect your Mailchimp account. Log in to your Mailchimp account, go to your profile, and generate an API key under Account > Extras > API Keys. Paste this key into the plugin’s settings in WordPress.
Create a sign-up form. Use the plugin’s form builder to add name, email, and custom fields. You can choose which Mailchimp audience the form should feed into.
Add the form to your site. You can place the form on any page using a shortcode, widget, or block. Most people add it to the homepage, blog sidebar, or footer.

This plugin also integrates with popular form builders like Contact Form 7, Gravity Forms, and WooCommerce checkout forms.

How to add Mailchimp forms to WordPress without a plugin

If you prefer not to install another plugin, Mailchimp lets you create and embed forms directly:

In your Mailchimp dashboard, go to Audience > Signup forms
Click Embedded forms and customize the fields and design
Copy the provided HTML code
In WordPress, add a Custom HTML block (in the block editor) or paste the code into a Text widget

This method works well for simple forms, but lacks the advanced styling and integration features plugins offer.

How to add Mailchimp to popular WordPress themes and builders

Some WordPress themes and page builders include built-in support for Mailchimp, making integration even easier.

Elementor Pro: Use the Form widget, add Mailchimp as an action, and paste your API key to connect
Divi: Use the Email Optin module, select Mailchimp, and configure list settings
Astra and Kadence: Often work well with Mailchimp plugins and offer styling options for form blocks

This is a great route if you already use a premium builder and want a seamless experience without additional plugins.

Using Mailchimp with contact form plugins

If you’re already using a form builder, check if it integrates with Mailchimp. Most do:

WPForms: Add the Mailchimp addon, connect your account, and map form fields to audience fields.
Ninja Forms: Use the Mailchimp extension to push new contacts to specific lists or tags
Formidable Forms: Supports Mailchimp via a built-in form action and conditional logic

This is especially useful for multi-purpose forms like contact requests, quizzes, and order confirmations.

Automating emails and campaigns from WordPress content

Once you’ve connected Mailchimp to your site, you can automate emails based on WordPress actions:

RSS-to-email: Auto-send newsletters when you publish a new post
Welcome emails: Trigger a campaign as soon as someone joins your list
WooCommerce automations: Send product recommendations, cart recovery emails, or upsells

To set these up, go to Automations in Mailchimp, select a template, and choose a trigger—like “when someone subscribes to a list” or “new post in RSS feed.”

Tracking and segmenting WordPress users in Mailchimp

Mailchimp’s segmentation tools let you group and target users based on behavior. You can:

Tag users based on post category, form selections, or landing page. This helps you send more relevant emails—like targeting users interested in “SEO” posts with related content or offers.
Segment WooCommerce customers by product, amount spent, or purchase frequency. This allows you to reward high spenders, re-engage dormant customers, or promote specific products to buyers who’ve shown interest before.
Track click behavior and content interaction using UTM parameters. This gives you insight into which traffic sources or site content drive the most engagement, so you can double down on what’s working.
Use custom fields to store user roles or membership levels. This makes it easy to tailor campaigns for admins, subscribers, or paying members with exclusive content or updates.
Create behavioral segments for abandoned carts or downloads. This enables you to follow up with users who showed purchase intent but didn’t complete a sale, increasing conversion chances.
Build lookalike audiences in Mailchimp ads based on site behavior. This can help you expand your reach by targeting new users who behave like your most engaged WordPress visitors.

How to secure and validate Mailchimp forms in WordPress

List quality matters, because fake or spammy signups can hurt your deliverability. Protect your forms with a few simple steps:

Enable double opt-in: Go to Audience > Settings > Audience name and defaults. Turn on “Enable double opt-in” to verify emails before adding them to your list.
Use reCAPTCHA or Honeypot: Most plugins (like Mailchimp for WordPress or WPForms) support anti-spam methods.
Validate email formats: Ensure your form requires a properly formatted email address before submission.
Monitor IPs and response patterns: If you notice a spike in similar email addresses or suspicious behavior, consider blocking that IP range or adding extra validation.

Mailchimp + WordPress FAQs

Yes. You can connect Mailchimp to WordPress using plugins, embedded forms, or API keys. It works with contact form plugins, page builders, and ecommerce tools.

In Mailchimp, go to Audience > Signup Forms > Embedded Forms. Customize the form and copy the HTML code. Paste it into a Custom HTML block or widget on your WordPress site.

Absolutely. Mailchimp can integrate with any site—not just WordPress—using HTML forms, API keys, or third-party tools. WordPress just makes it easier.

Yes. You can link to a Mailchimp landing page directly or embed it using an iframe. Some themes or builders also let you redirect users to Mailchimp pages from custom buttons.

If you’re looking for different features, pricing, or deliverability, consider exploring a reliable Mailchimp alternative that better fits your business needs. Popular options include Mailmodo, MailerLite, and Omnisend.

Next steps for Mailchimp + WordPress integration

Connecting Mailchimp to WordPress is one of the smartest moves you can make for growing your audience. With a few clicks—or a bit of code—you can automate your marketing and turn visitors into subscribers.

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