How to Set Up a Free Email Marketing Platform for Your Blog in 2025 (Beginner-Friendly Guide!)

If you’ve created your lead magnet and you’re ready to start growing your email list, this guide will walk you through how to set up a free email marketing platform — even if you’re starting from scratch in 2025.

We’ll start with the exact setup I’m using (Hostinger + WordPress + MailPoet), and then walk through step-by-step options for MailerLite, ConvertKit, and Brevo — all of which offer solid free plans.

My Current Setup: WordPress + MailPoet (No External Platform Needed)

Since I use Hostinger to install WordPress, I wanted a free, beginner-friendly solution that stays inside my dashboard.

My pick: MailPoet

How I Set Up MailPoet (Step-by-Step)

1. Install Plugin

   • Go to Plugins > Add New

   • Search for MailPoet, click Install → Activate

2. Create Email List

   • Go to MailPoet > Lists → Add New List (e.g. “Freebie Subscribers”)

3. Build Signup Form

   • Go to MailPoet > Forms → Add New Form

   • Customize it (name, email, CTA button)

   • Copy the shortcode

4. Embed Form in Your Blog

   • Use Elementor or WordPress blocks

   • Place the form in your sidebar, homepage, or blog posts

5. Write Your Welcome Email

   • Go to MailPoet > Emails > Welcome Emails

   • Choose your list, write your email, insert your freebie link, activate

That’s it! Fully functional email marketing inside WordPress — no separate dashboard required.

Other Great Free Email Marketing Platforms (With Step-by-Step Setups)

If you’re not using MailPoet, don’t worry — these platforms are just as powerful and beginner-friendly.

Option 1: MailerLite Setup (Free for up to 1,000 subscribers)

How to Set It Up

1. Go to: www.mailerlite.com → Click Sign Up Free

2. Fill in your blog details, confirm your email

3. Set up your audience under the Subscribers tab

4. Create a Form or Landing Page:

   • Go to Forms > Embedded Forms or Landing Pages

   • Design your opt-in and connect it to a group

   • Publish and copy the embed code

5. Add the Form to Your Blog:

   • Paste the embed code into your WordPress post/page

   • Or use their WordPress plugin

6. Create an Automation (Welcome Email):

   • Go to Automations > New Workflow

   • Trigger: “When subscriber joins group X”

   • Add: Email → write your welcome message + insert freebie

Option 2: ConvertKit Setup (Free up to 1,000 subscribers)

How to Set It Up

1. Go to: www.convertkit.com → Click Start for Free

2. Answer setup questions (new blogger, topic, blog URL, etc.)

3. Create a Form or Landing Page:

   • Go to Grow > Landing Pages & Forms

   • Choose a template → customize → add your lead magnet copy

   • Save and publish

4. Embed It on Your Blog:

   • Use the WordPress plugin or copy-paste the embed code

5. Set Up a Welcome Email:

   • Go to Send > Sequences

   • Create a new sequence, write your welcome email

   • Connect the form to this sequence under Automation Rules

Option 3: Brevo (Formerly Sendinblue) Setup

How to Set It Up

1. Go to: www.brevo.com → Click Sign Up Free

2. Confirm your email, enter contact info

3. Create a Contact List (Audience)

4. Go to Forms > Create Form

   • Add fields, style it, choose your contact list

   • Generate HTML or WordPress shortcode

5. Embed the Form:

   • Paste the code into your site OR use the Brevo plugin

6. Set Up Automation:

   • Go to Automation > New Workflow

   • Trigger: “When contact added to list X”

   • Action: Send email → write your welcome message

Side-by-Side Comparison