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How to set up email newsletters on Ghost

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Setting up email newsletters on Ghost involves configuring your publication's email settings, connecting a mail service provider, and enabling newsletter features for your posts. Ghost provides built-in newsletter functionality that integrates seamlessly with your content publishing workflow.

Prerequisites

  • A Ghost website with admin access
  • An active Ghost publication
  • Basic understanding of Ghost's admin panel
  • Email address for sender configuration

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Access Ghost Admin Panel

Navigate to your Ghost admin panel by going to yoursite.com/ghost and logging in with your admin credentials. Once logged in, click on Settings in the left sidebar menu to access your publication settings.
Bookmark your Ghost admin URL for quick access
2

Configure Newsletter Settings

In the Settings menu, click on Newsletter. Toggle the Enable newsletter switch to activate the newsletter feature. Set your newsletter name, description, and sender information including the From name and Reply-to email address that will appear in subscriber inboxes.
Use a recognizable sender name to improve open rates
3

Set Up Email Delivery

Navigate to Settings > Email to configure your email delivery service. Ghost supports Mailgun by default, or you can configure custom SMTP settings. Enter your mail service credentials including API keys or SMTP server details. Click Save settings to apply changes.
Test your email configuration with a small test group before launching
4

Design Newsletter Template

Go to Settings > Design to customize your newsletter appearance. Upload your publication logo, set brand colors, and configure the newsletter header and footer. You can preview changes using the Preview option to see how emails will appear to subscribers.
Keep your design consistent with your website branding
5

Create Subscription Options

Under Settings > Portal, configure your subscription portal. Enable different subscription tiers if needed, set up free and paid newsletter options, and customize the subscription form appearance. Toggle Allow free member signup to enable newsletter subscriptions.
Offer a compelling lead magnet to encourage newsletter signups
6

Add Subscription Forms

Embed newsletter signup forms on your site by going to Settings > Portal and copying the portal script. You can also add signup buttons to posts using the #newsletter card in the Ghost editor, or create dedicated signup pages using the signup button in your theme.
Place signup forms strategically in high-traffic areas of your site
7

Send Your First Newsletter

Create a new post in the Ghost editor. When ready to publish, click the Publish button and select Send as newsletter. Choose your recipient segments (free members, paid members, or specific tiers), review the email preview, and click Send to distribute your newsletter.
Schedule newsletters for optimal send times based on your audience
8

Monitor Newsletter Performance

Track your newsletter performance by going to Posts in your admin panel. Click on any newsletter post to view detailed analytics including open rates, click-through rates, and subscriber growth. Use Members section to manage your subscriber list and view engagement metrics.
Regularly analyze performance data to optimize your newsletter strategy

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Newsletters not sending to subscribers

Check your email delivery settings under Settings > Email. Verify your API keys or SMTP credentials are correct and that your mail service account is active and properly configured.

Low newsletter open rates

Improve your subject lines, verify sender reputation, and check if emails are landing in spam folders. Consider using a custom domain for sending emails and maintain a clean subscriber list.

Subscription forms not appearing

Ensure the portal is enabled under Settings > Portal and that the portal script is properly embedded in your theme. Clear your site cache and check for JavaScript conflicts.

Email design looks broken

Test your newsletter template across different email clients. Use the preview function in Ghost to identify formatting issues and ensure your HTML is email-client compatible. Avoid complex CSS and use table-based layouts.

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