Black Friday Marketing Strategy: 30 Ideas for 2026
In this article, we'll share 30 actionable Black Friday marketing ideas for ecommerce businesses to make 2026 your most successful yet.
In this article
In short
Discover the top 12 email list-building tools for 2026 to supercharge your marketing strategy and grow your subscriber base. From OptiMonk's personalized popups to Klaviyo's integrated email marketing services, these tools offer innovative solutions for capturing high-quality leads. Enhance your email marketing efforts with these powerful list-building strategies and tools, ensuring your brand reaches and engages your target audience effectively.
Email marketing is still one of the most effective ways to increase sales, allowing you to send special offers, interactive content, and updates about your products directly to consumers.
Checking email is a daily habit for most of us. And ecommerce stores can become a part of this routine if their email subscribers get used to seeing and opening their marketing messages. In fact, a whopping 50% of people buy from marketing emails at least once per month!
It’s clear that building a huge email contact list should be a priority. To do that, you’ll need to find a good email list-building tool. List-building software helps you collect email addresses via landing pages, opt-in forms, and lead generation popups.
In this article, we’ve collected 12 of the best email list-building tools out there. When used properly, these marketing tools can bring in a steady stream of new leads.
Let’s get started on finding a great list-building solution!
How to capture email addresses and build a list?
There are many list-building strategies that can boost your lead generation rate. These options include using dedicated landing pages to capture email addresses, embedded email opt-in forms on your website, and popups that display an opt-in form.
These are all great ways to build an email list, and we suggest using a combination of these proven tactics. If you run a Shopify store, also check out these form builder apps for Shopify.
But what’s the best way to generate high-quality leads?
Remember, it’s not all about size. Sure, a massive subscriber list is great, but what’s even better is a massive list that only contains interested, engaged subscribers. Suppose you’re looking for a list-building method designed to attract lots of people who are genuinely interested in what you’re offering. In that case, there’s only one way to go: displaying relevant, personalized messages.
Personalized popups work much better than simple inline forms, because you can precisely target people with great offers at just the right moment. They also help to focus the visitor’s attention on a single, enticing offer, thereby simplifying the decision-making process.
Our studies show that the average popup conversion rate is 11.09% (and that the top 10% are converting at around 42%, on average). Those astonishing numbers are the result of brands that create well-timed popups that are perfectly optimized for lead generation and grab their visitors’ attention. It’s difficult for embedded forms or landing pages to achieve conversion rates like these.
Exactly which types of popups you should use to collect email addresses will depend on your brand and what your website visitors respond to.
You have lots of options, including welcome popups, exit-intent popups, discount popups, and lucky wheels. Check out this article for an overview of all the types of popups out there.
What’s the best list-building tool?
Our picks for the top 12 list-building tools primarily include software with a popup tool, because we truly believe that’s the best way to grow your list quickly.
However, some of the tools offer other list-building solutions as well, in case you’re interested in improving your landing pages or other list-building tactics.
Let’s see the list!
1. OptiMonk
We believe that OptiMonk is the best email list-building tool on the internet. It's an agentic popup builder for ecommerce stores: you describe the signup popup you want, and the AI agent designs it on brand, writes the copy and builds a mobile version.
Use it for welcome discounts, exit-intent signups, lucky wheels, scratch cards and surveys, and send every new subscriber straight to your email or SMS tool.
Key feature #1: Popups designed for your brand, not picked from templates
There are no templates to pick and edit. The agent reads your brand's colors, fonts and logo from your site and draws four concepts for every brief, so no two popups look the same.
Ask for a lucky wheel, a quiz-style survey, a lead magnet popup or a welcome discount, or open the Popup Library and let the agent rebuild a popup you like in your brand.
From the Popup LibraryMore welcome discount popups
Key feature #2: Collect first-party data
Collecting first-party data you can rely on doesn’t have to be complicated. Using OptiMonk, you can add custom fields to your form to collect contact details beyond email addresses. Gather info like date of birth, gender, address, and more.
This will allow you to build rich subscriber profiles and make your lists & segments even more powerful.
Key feature #3: A/B testing
Test alternative versions of your campaigns to find out which brings in the most qualified leads. For example, you can test different list-building strategies against each other to find the best offer for your visitors.
Not sure what to test? Ask the agent. It suggests a new version of your email list sign-up form and shows it next to your current popup, with the reason it might win.
Key feature #4: Intelligent targeting and triggering options
OptiMonk offers 25 targeting and triggering rules, including exit intent, page targeting, cart value and contents, traffic source and Klaviyo lists and segments.
This allows you to target different visitor segments with fully customized messages and increase your conversion rates.
Other main benefits:
- Subscriber recognition: Target your list-building popups so they only appear to visitors who have not subscribed to any of your campaigns yet.
- Edit by asking: tell the agent what to change, or fine-tune it by hand in the visual editor. No coding needed.
- Multi-step popups: ask for contact details in the second step, or show the discount code after signup.
- GDPR safe: double opt-in, and popups that load asynchronously so they don't slow your store down.
- Detailed analytics & insights: Get insights into how your list-building campaigns are performing and why.
- 60+ integrations: send signups to Klaviyo, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Omnisend, Attentive, Postscript and more, or anywhere with Zapier and webhooks.
- User experience protector: Use a smart cap on how many campaigns your visitors see without compromising on conversions.
Pricing:
Free plan with every feature (10,000 pageviews/month). Paid plans from $19/month billed yearly ($29 monthly).
2. Klaviyo
Klaviyo is one of the most widely used email marketing tools, and it has some built-in list-building features.
Main benefits:
- Access email marketing services: Run your list-building efforts and email marketing campaigns through one platform.
- List-building contact forms: Start growing your email list with pre-built signup forms.
- Create different types of contact forms: Choose between embedded forms, multi-step forms, and popups.
Pricing:
Klaviyo’s pricing starts from $20/month. There’s also a free plan available.
3. HubSpot
HubSpot is an integrated platform of marketing, sales, customer service, operations, and customer relationship management (CRM) software designed to empower your team and help your business grow. It contains popup-building tools as well as other list-building options.
Main benefits:
- Lead generation form builder: Easily build forms using a simple drag and drop editor. Add them to your website to convert anonymous visitors into leads that automatically flow into your CRM.
- Landing page creation: Design and launch landing pages without help from developers or IT.
- Lead tracking & management: Practice lead nurturing based on any data you’ve collected and automatically turn lead data over to your sales team.
Pricing:
From $50/month.
4. Mailmunch
Mailmunch is a lead generation tool that helps capture leads from your website and convert visitors into email subscribers and customers.
Main benefits:
- Multiple list-building form types: You can choose from popovers, covers, scroll boxes, top bars, inline forms, and more to create the perfect form for every campaign.
- Create mobile popups: Their email list-building tool can help you create interactive forms that are fully responsive on mobile.
- Powerful integration options: Mailmunch integrates with the most popular email marketing services.
Pricing:
From $19.99/month (up to 1,000 contacts).
5. Wishpond
Wishpond offers several online marketing solutions in addition to their email list-building software, including tools for building landing pages, websites, and payment processing.
Main benefits:
- Triggering options: Choose whether your popups appear based on entry, exit, or scroll triggers.
- Additional products: Take advantage of Wishpond's other tools for ecommerce.
Pricing:
Speak with their specialists for pricing details.
6. Picreel
Picreel is an exit popup software that helps to gather leads and boost conversions and sales, making your digital marketing efforts more effective.
Main benefits:
- 100+ popup templates: Their list-building software allows you to create forms based on over 100 templates.
- A/B testing: Test alternative versions of your marketing campaigns to find out which brings in the most qualified leads.
- 300+ integrations: Including popular email marketing solutions like Mailchimp and Klaviyo, as well as CRMs like HubSpot.
Pricing:
Starting at $19/month. Free trial available.
7. Sleeknote
Sleeknote is a popup builder tool that allows you to create attractive, effective list-building forms.
Main benefits:
- Split testing: A/B test different headlines, images, and copy to discover what leads to the highest-converting campaigns.
- Customizable templates: Create beautiful, eye-catching forms that are consistent with the look and feel of your website.
Pricing:
From €62/month.
8. Privy
Privy is a marketing tool that allows you to create list-building forms and then send email marketing messages once you’ve gathered leads.
Main benefits:
- Cart abandonment popups: Using exit intent popups, you can generate leads from website visitors who were just about to abandon their carts.
- Customizable templates: Choose from a variety of list-building templates, including templates customized for seasonal events.
Pricing:
Free, or from $45/month.
9. OptinMonster
OptinMonster helps ecommerce businesses convert their website traffic and run list-building campaigns.
Main benefits:
- Drag and drop builder: Customize all the details with their easy-to-use drag and drop builder—no code needed.
- Multiple form types: Popups, floating bars, fullscreen overlays, slide-ins.
- Page level targeting: Hyper segment your leads by using their enterprise-grade page level targeting and segmentation rules.
Pricing:
From $14/month.
10. Yieldify
Yieldify is a marketing tool that helps you personalize your website and/or landing page for specific segments of users. One way of doing this is the inclusion of personalized list-building forms.
Main benefits:
- A/B testing: Test alternative versions of your marketing campaigns to find out which brings in the best leads.
- Custom form fields: Gather info like date of birth, gender, address, and more.
- Email marketing integration: Yeildify integrates with all major email marketing services like Mailchimp and Klaviyo.
Pricing:
Book a demo with their experts for pricing information.
11. Sumo
Sumo makes a suite of ecommerce apps that includes a powerful list-building tool. Their list-building tool can create high-converting forms that generate leads quickly and reliably.
Main benefits:
- Fully customizable design: Collect lead data using customizable lead capture forms.
- Welcome emails and email campaigns: Once you've collected lead data from your site visitors, you can send them messages using Sumo's email marketing tool.
Pricing:
Free, or from $39/month.
12. Getsitecontrol
Getsitecontrol is a popup builder that can boost your email list-building efforts through their attractive popup templates and use ofexit-intent technology.
Main benefits:
- Shopify and WordPress: this list-building tool comes as both a Shopify app and WordPress plugin. It also works if you have a Wix website.
- Advanced targeting: You can target visitors based on their geo-location and language preferences, as well as factors like scroll depth, time on page, and exit intent.
Pricing:
From €8/month.
Email list builder best practices
Building an email list is crucial, but doing it right is even more important (especially if you're building a list from scratch).
Here are some best practices to keep in mind when you build an email list:
1. Permission-based list building
Always ensure that your new subscribers have explicitly opted in to receive emails from you.
This not only builds trust but also keeps you compliant with marketing regulations like GDPR and CAN-SPAM.
Use double opt-in methods to verify email addresses and confirm interest.
2. Segmentation and personalization
Segment your email list based on user behavior, demographics, or interests.
This allows you to send personalized content that resonates with each segment, increasing engagement and conversion rates.
3. Popups
Popups can be incredibly effective if used wisely.
Experiment with different types, such as timed popups, exit-intent popups, and scroll-triggered popups. Ensure the offers on your popups are compelling. A/B test different messages to see what works best.
Here are some popup ideas that can you build an email list:
From the Popup LibraryMore welcome discount popups
4. Use humor and creativity
Incorporate humor and creativity in your CTAs to make them more engaging and less intrusive. A witty or playful approach can grab attention and encourage sign-ups.
For example, instead of a bland "Subscribe now," try "Join the cool kids' club – sign up today!"
5. Gamification
Add an element of fun to your sign-up process with gamification techniques like spin-to-win popups or quizzes. This makes the process interactive and engaging, encouraging more visitors to subscribe.
Get started with this lucky wheel signup forms:
From the Popup LibraryMore spin-to-win popups
6. Landing pages
Create multiple, targeted landing pages for different audience segments. Each landing page should have a clear and compelling CTA, tailored to the specific needs and interests of that segment. This targeted approach can significantly boost your engagement rates.
Recap
This overview of the best email list-building tools contains the most advanced and up-to-date software that will take you far beyond the basic email list-building software.
So which should you choose? That depends on your budget (which might allow you to look at paid plans or force you to stick with a free tool), your brand (perhaps you can really benefit from using popups to define your image as you build your list), and the email marketing services that each integrates with.
Now that you have 12 options on the table, we’re sure you can weigh the pros and cons to find the best list-building tool for you.
