How to Build an Email List (Even If You Don’t Have a Website)
No website? No problem.
For small business owners, whether you’re selling handmade products on Etsy, running a Shopify store, offering consulting services, booking coaching clients on Instagram, or managing marketing for a local service—your email list is your most valuable business asset.
The best part? You don’t need a fully designed website to start growing it. Really! What you do need is a landing page.
A landing page is just a single web page with one clear purpose—to get people to take an action, like signing up for your email list, downloading your free guide, or claiming your special offer.
Think of it as a digital flyer with a sign-up form. Unlike a full website (which has lots of pages and menus), a landing page is super focused—no distractions, no extra buttons—just a short message, a little info about your freebie, and a place to put in their email.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait for a Website
Your email list allows you to:
Sell directly to your audience without relying on social platforms that undergo constant algorithm changes
Stay in control of your customer relationships
Launch products, book services, and share updates instantly
You don’t need a fancy homepage or blog to start capturing emails. You can begin simple and scale later.
This is where a landing page comes in (with a form present on the page).
To create a landing page, you don’t need a website—you just need a platform that offers landing page templates and forms.
That’s it! You don’t need an entire website to start building your email list—just one landing page and form on the right platform, and you’re ready to grow.
Tools You Can Use to Create Landing Pages and Forms (No Website Required)
Here are beginner-friendly, high-value tools perfect for small business owners starting without a site:
MailerLite – landing pages, email automations, forms, and website option as well if you’re interested
At the time of this post, MailerLite offers a free 14-day trial.
ConvertKit (now Kit) - link-in-bio landing pages, forms, emails, and website option as well if you’re interested
At the time of this post, Kit offers a free 14-day trial.
Flodesk – landing pages, forms, and beautiful, easy-to-use email builder with workflows
At the time of this post, Flodesk offers a free 14-day trial.
Linktree or Stan.store – great for link-in-bio lead magnets and freebies
At the time of this post, Linktree offers a free 7-day trial, Stan.Store offers a free 14-day trial.
Once you create a landing page and form using one of these platforms, you will have a URL (a link) that can be used in multiple places to point back to this page.
Simple Landing Page Examples
Here are a few simple landing page examples which include a form to capture the email address the right way. Instead of a form, you can also include fun ideas like quizzes on these landing pages.
Source: Gempages
Source: Wonder and Tower
Source: Jotform
Source: btribalfit
Source: Bird Watching HQ
Source: Chef D Malfi
Two Quick Ways to Collect Emails Using Landing Pages and Forms
Point to Your Landing Page In Your Bios and Descriptors
Create a simple landing page with your freebie, coupon, or newsletter invite and link to it in:
Instagram bio
Pinterest pins
Etsy shop announcements
LinkedIn profile
Facebook business page
Example 1: CTA (call to action) - “Exclusive Deal: 70% OFF for YOU! Click Below” (take them to your landing page where you have a form ready to capture their email address).
Source: Instagram - FitMe Workouts.
Example 2: For Pinterest, be sure to use a catchy image. Add more details about the freebie in the descriptor and point them to your landing page, wherein you’ll have a form to capture their email.
Source: Pinterest - Wonder and Tower
Promote Your Freebie in Stories, Posts and Reels
Create a downloadable checklist, printable, or free mini-course
Within your social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.) add your freebie in stories, posts, and reels.
Share customer photos or testimonials tied to your opt-in offer (and drive them to your landing page or a form to provide their email address)
Example: An artist posts a reel offering a free “18-Page Watercolor Flower Painting eBook” to anyone who subscribes to her eNewsletter.
Source: Instagram - lulubluestudio
What Should You Offer as a Sign-Up Incentive?
To encourage sign-ups, offer something your audience will value:
A shop discount (10–15%)
A mini digital freebie (checklist, guide, printable)
Early access to product drops or restocks
Exclusive tips or training videos
A free consultation
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a website to start building your email list—you just need:
A simple landing page and form
A lead magnet (free incentive) your audience wants
A clear, easy-to-follow CTA (call to action)
Once people are on your list, you can nurture them, sell to them, and build a loyal customer base—on your terms.
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