How to Comply With GDPR And Email Marketing

Do you want to become GDPR compliant?

Evidently, we know, email marketing is and has always been a great way to reach out to potential customers. In recent years, however, marketers have had to adapt to the rise of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

These platforms allow consumers to share information and opinions about brands directly. As a result, many businesses have started using email marketing campaigns to promote their brand and attract new customers.

However, the introduction of the GDPR has changed things. Now, email marketers must ensure they are GDPR compliant before sending messages to EU citizens. Here’s a quick guide to being GDPR compliant when email marketing and avoiding fines.

We’re an affiliate: This website contains affiliate links. If you click on any links and make a purchase, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. For more info, click here.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not and in no means any legal advice. I would recommend you seek legal counsel if there is anything you don’t understand. This article is for informational purposes only.

Table of Contents

GDPR Summerized

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation. This new law passed in April 2018. On May 25th, 2018, the EU officially adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Another key point is that this new law gives individuals more rights over their personal data. In addition, businesses that handle large amounts of data must comply with strict rules as well as companies that offer goods or services to residents inside and outside the EU.

This regulation requires companies to comply with strict rules regarding data protection, privacy, and security. If they fail to do so, they could face fines of €20 million or 4% of their annual global turnover, whichever is higher.

If you operate a website with an attached newsletter signup and are responsible for sending emails to customers, then you must comply with these regulations.

It’s important to have your email marketing campaigns GDPR compliant, but it’s equally important, your website is too.

Learn more by reading my Iubenda review here, or head straight to Iubenda’s website.

Does Email Marketing Change Now With GDPR?

GDPR has transformed the way marketers interact with their customers. One of the major changes is that they need to get consent before adding someone to their subscribers list

The GDPR focuses on four main principles: transparency, fairness, lawfulness and accountability.

In order for your business to be GDPR compliant, you to include information about how their data is being processed. Also how it will be shared with third parties.

Having a way for people to withdraw their consent is a must. Some might want to because they feel they have been mistreated or that the content you send, they no longer find valuable.

All of this means that you can no longer have a pre-checked box when your customers sign up for your email list or have an opt-out option in your email footer.

You must be able to provide proof that the subscriber did give consent for you to send marketing messages via email if you are going to continue sending emails.

This sounds more difficult than it actually is. Additionally, to be GDPR compliant as an email marketer here are a few pointers:

1.Opt-in permission rules mean that whoever signs up to your email list would need to agree to opt into your email list by checking a box of consent.

2.You need to record proof of consent through a storage system. This is done through the use of email automations like GetResponse and WPForms.

3.Your subscribers have the right to request their personal information be completely removed. It’s your responsibility to fulfill that request.

4. An unsubscribe link is a button that allows the user to stop receiving emails from your company. This is a MUST if you want to comply with the CAN-SPAM act.

The CAN-SPAM Act was enacted in 2003. It prevents spamming and unsolicited email messages.

Your unsubscribe link needs to be present on all sent emails by your business to comply with the law. If you are emailing your customers, you must provide an unsubscribe link in the footer of all emails sent.

Please note: You can place an unsubscribe link in a variety of places, not just the footer.

How Automation Softwares Keep You GDPR Compliant?

There are several email automation softwares to help you stay GDPR compliant.

The best email automation software for GDPR compliance is GetResponse. This email marketing software allows you to add fields for consent and unsubscribe links to your emails so that you can be compliant with the GDPR law and CAN-SPAM Act.

GetResponse allows you to record the consent given by your email list subscribers to prove to the authorities if need be that you are compliant with GDPR. This is done through consent fields. They are easy to set up as the GetResponse interface is completely code-free and a drag-and-drop system.

They are also affordable and allow you to do everything you need to do to have a successful email campaign for your business no matter the size.

GetResponse also offers a free version for their users and is a great way to test and explore the software. If you are satisfied, you can then upgrade your subscription to a paid plan once your email list grows.

Learn more by reading my GetResponse Review here, or head straight to GetResponse’s website.

For alternative email automation software, try WPForms. This software has a code-free easy drag-and-drop feature to create high-converting forms. These can range from newsletters, to contact forms, and even payment forms.

They are well integrated with WordPress and there are several add-ons you can implement including Mailchimp, Authorize.net, and Zapier.

Conclusion

To conclude, in order to be GDPR compliant, you’ll have to comply with the law. And when it comes to email marketing, you don’t always know where your customers are coming from.

The GDPR makes it clear that marketing must be based on consent. So, you’ll have to make sure any emails you send are compliant with the law.

Don’t forget, by using softwares like Iubenda, GetResponse or WPForms means that you don’t have to worry about this anymore. With Iubenda, you never have to worry about your site being non-compliant because they always update to the latest regulations.

Latest Articles: