One of digital marketing's greatest currencies is email. Having your customer's direct contact lets you build lasting relationships, promote your products or services more effectively, and increase conversion rates with well-targeted campaigns
But how do you get customer emails in a way that's ethical, efficient, and scalable?
Throughout this guide, I'll show you how to get customer emails using valuable, adaptable strategies for any type of business, whether you're an affiliate, entrepreneur, info-product creator, or e-commerce owner.
Why is building an email list so important?
Before understanding how to get customer emails, it's worth reinforcing why this strategy is still one of the most valuable in digital marketing.
Unlike social media, where you “rent” the space, email is a direct, owned channel.
That means you can reach your list whenever you want, without depending on organic reach or paying for an ad every time you send something.
Plus, email allows for personalization, segmentation, and automation. And when combined with other tools like push notifications, it becomes even more powerful.
How to get a business email?
A common question for people new to digital marketing is understanding the difference between a personal email and a business one.
A business email is one that carries more credibility because it's tied to your own domain (e.g., [email protected]).
It's ideal for creating capture forms, setting up email marketing campaigns, and keeping communication with customers more professional.
How to create your business email:
- Buy a domain. Platforms like Registro.br, HostGator and GoDaddy offer this service.
- Get a hosting plan that includes custom email addresses, or use a service like Google Workspace.
- Create the address you want through the control panel or directly on the platform you signed up with.
With that done, you're ready to build sign-up forms and campaigns with a professional look, which increases your chances of converting visitors.
How much does a professional email cost on Google?
This is another common question for anyone looking into how to get customer emails.
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is one of the most popular solutions for anyone who wants a professional email.
It offers an experience similar to Gmail, but with your own domain.
The most basic Google Workspace plan costs around R$24 per month per user (prices updated in 2024), and includes:
- A business email with your domain
- 30 GB of storage on Google Drive
- Access to Google Meet, Calendar, Docs, and more
- Enterprise-grade security and support
It's a small investment compared to the credibility and functionality the service offers, especially if your goal is to professionalize your lead capture and nurturing.
How to get customer emails: step by step
Now that you understand why email matters and how to set it up professionally, let's get to the point: how to get customer emails in practice.
1. Create a lead magnet
Offering something of value in exchange for an email is one of the most effective (and ethical) ways to capture contacts. This “lead magnet” can be:
- Free e-book
- Checklist
- Spreadsheet
- Access to an exclusive video
- Discount coupon
- Free sample
The secret is creating an offer that solves a specific pain point for your target audience, generating genuine interest.
2. Use capture forms on your site or blog
How can you get customer emails without taking advantage of plugins?
Use plugins like WPForms, Fluent Forms or Elementor Forms to add capture forms in strategic spots, such as:
- Pop-ups
- Sticky bars
- At the end of articles
- On sales pages or landing pages
3. Turn on push notifications to complement it
Push notifications are great for bringing visitors back to your site and boosting your chances of capturing leads. The go-to name in AI-powered notifications is AI WEB Push, which enables segmented campaigns with cutting-edge AI.
When combined with email forms, they help grow your list and keep leads engaged.
A successful strategy starts when the user agrees to receive notifications.
A few days later, they get a push notification with an attractive offer, like a free e-book, and when they click it, they're taken to a landing page with a form.
This simple flow, when well personalized, tends to generate excellent conversion rates.
4. Create dedicated sign-up pages (landing pages)
Landing pages are single-purpose pages: capture the visitor's email. No distractions. No menus. Just a clear value proposition and a direct call to action.
You can use tools like:
- Elementor (with landing page builders)
- Leadpages
- Instapage
- MailerLite or RD Station (which also allow automations)
5. Use well-placed CTAs
A good call to action (CTA) makes all the difference. Use phrases like:
- “Download it now for free”
- “I want to get the material”
- “I want my coupon”
- “Access the content for free”
Avoid being generic. Make it clear what benefit the visitor gets by leaving their email.
Tips to increase your conversion rate
Knowing how to get customer emails is important, but making sure that capture is high quality is essential.
Keep the form simple, fewer fields mean more conversions. Highlight the offer's benefits right away to boost interest.
Including social proof, like “Over 10,000 people have already downloaded it”, reinforces credibility.
Make sure the page is responsive and works well on mobile, and connect the email to a welcome or nurturing automation. You can check out our guide on how to create a customer sign-up on WordPress, which will boost your lead capture even further.
And never buy email lists. Besides being illegal in many cases, it hurts your reputation and negatively affects your campaigns' deliverability rate. Our article on how to do remarketing can help and be a good starting point.
Email remains a powerful asset
Learning how to get customer emails strategically is essential for any business that wants to grow on a solid foundation.
By combining lead magnets, landing pages, optimized forms, and push notifications, you build a list of your own that's qualified and has high conversion potential.
With a well-structured business email, professional communication, and thoughtful automations, you turn visitors into leads, and leads into loyal customers.
Most importantly: all of this with full control over your audience, without depending on algorithm changes or external platforms.
Now that you know how to get customer emails, it's time to apply these strategies and start building a direct, valuable channel with your audience!