Your subscription form decides the quality of your list. A form that asks for too much gets few sign-ups; one that asks too little, or hides the consent, fills your list with people who never really wanted your emails. Here is how to get the balance right for Indian visitors.
Keep the fields to a minimum
For most newsletters, an email address is enough. Add a first name if you will personalise, and a language preference if you plan Hindi or regional-language editions. Add a mobile number only if you will also send SMS, and ask for SMS consent separately.
Write a clear consent notice
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 requires consent to be free, specific, informed and unambiguous, given through a clear affirmative action, and accompanied by a notice. A good Indian sign-up form includes:
- one line on what subscribers will get and how often (“Weekly recipes and offers, every Sunday”);
- an unticked checkbox or the sign-up button itself as the clear action;
- a link to your privacy policy;
- a note that they can unsubscribe at any time.
Avoid pre-ticked boxes and do not hide newsletter consent inside checkout terms.
Turn on double opt-in
With double opt-in, new subscribers confirm their address by clicking a link in a confirmation email. It filters out typos and fake addresses and gives you a timestamped record of consent, useful evidence under the DPDP Act. Write the confirmation email in the same language as the form.
Offer a reason to join
Indian shoppers respond to clear value: early access to festive sales, a first-order discount, a free guide, or exclusive content. Make the offer specific and deliver it in the welcome email.
Place the form where people are
- on your homepage and blog articles;
- at checkout, as a separate optional checkbox;
- as a link in your Instagram bio and WhatsApp Business profile;
- as a QR code at stores, stalls and events.
Follow up straight away
Connect the form to a welcome email so new subscribers hear from you within minutes, while they still remember signing up. See automated emails for ideas. If you also collect mobile numbers for SMS, remember that TRAI’s DLT rules apply to what you send.
For other types of form, read how to create an online form or return to online forms in India.