How to create your first signup form on ConvertKit

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Creating your first signup form on ConvertKit involves navigating to the Forms section, choosing a template, customizing the design and fields, and then embedding the form on your website. The process takes just a few minutes and requires no coding knowledge.

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Prerequisites

Active ConvertKit account
Basic understanding of email marketing
Access to your website or landing page
Clear idea of your target audience

Step-by-Step Instructions

Navigate to the Forms section

Log into your ConvertKit account and click on Grow in the main navigation menu. Then select Landing Pages & Forms from the dropdown menu. Click the Create New button in the top right corner.

You can also access forms directly by going to the URL: app.convertkit.com/forms

Choose your form type

ConvertKit will present you with form type options. Select Form (not Landing Page). You'll then see template options including Inline, Modal, Slide In, and Sticky Bar. Choose Inline for your first form as it's the most versatile.

Inline forms work well in blog posts, while modal forms are great for exit-intent popups

Select and customize your template

Browse through the available templates and click Use This Template on one that matches your brand. In the form editor, customize the Headline, Description, and Button Text. Change colors by clicking on any element and using the color picker on the right panel.

Keep your headline under 10 words and focus on the benefit subscribers will receive

Configure form fields and settings

By default, ConvertKit forms collect email addresses. To add more fields, click Add Field and select from options like First Name, Last Name, or Custom Field. In the Settings tab, choose which sequence or tag new subscribers should receive.

Only ask for information you actually need - fewer fields typically mean higher conversion rates

Set up your thank you message

Click on the Success tab to customize what happens after someone subscribes. You can show a Thank you message, Redirect to a URL, or Show another form. Write a clear message that confirms their subscription and sets expectations for your emails.

Consider redirecting to a welcome page with additional resources to increase engagement

Preview and test your form

Click the Preview button to see how your form will look on desktop and mobile devices. Test the form by entering your own email address and clicking submit. Check that you receive the confirmation email and any automated sequences trigger correctly.

Always test with a real email address to ensure the entire subscription flow works properly

Publish and embed your form

Once satisfied with your form, click Save & Continue. ConvertKit will provide you with embed code options including HTML, WordPress, and JavaScript. Copy the appropriate code and paste it into your website where you want the form to appear.

The HTML embed code works on any website, while the JavaScript version offers more advanced features

Monitor and optimize performance

After embedding your form, monitor its performance in the ConvertKit dashboard under Grow > Landing Pages & Forms. Track metrics like Subscribers, Conversion Rate, and Unique Visitors. Make adjustments to improve performance based on the data.

Test different headlines, button colors, and placements to optimize your conversion rate over time

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Form not displaying on website after embedding

Check that you copied the complete embed code and pasted it in the correct location. Clear your browser cache and ensure your website allows JavaScript if using the JavaScript embed option. Contact your web developer if you're using a complex CMS setup.

Subscribers not receiving confirmation emails

Verify your Sending Settings are configured correctly under Account Settings > Sending. Check that double opt-in is enabled if required in your region. Ask subscribers to check their spam folders and add your sending address to their contacts.

Form looks different than preview on mobile devices

Ensure your website is mobile-responsive and doesn't have conflicting CSS styles. Test the form on different devices and browsers. Consider using ConvertKit's mobile preview feature and adjust styling accordingly in the form editor.

Low conversion rates on your signup form

Review your headline and value proposition - make sure it clearly communicates benefits. Reduce the number of form fields to just email address. Test different form placements, colors, and button text. Consider offering a lead magnet or incentive for signing up.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official ConvertKit website before purchasing.

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