How to Build an Email List Before Launching Your Online Store

By Amirul Mokhtar · 14th July, 2016

How to Build an Email List Before Launching Your Online Store | EasyStore

This blog was updated on 02 April 2025, for more information connect with our team: https://www.easystore.co/contact 

How to Build an Email List Before Launching Your Online Store

Launching an online store isn’t just about setting up a website and adding products. A crucial part of success is having an audience ready to buy when you go live. 

Even before your store officially launches, you can start gathering potential customers by building an email list. These early subscribers may not make immediate purchases, but they are valuable contacts who are already interested in what you offer.

The process is simple: attract visitors to a landing page, provide them with valuable content, and encourage them to share their email addresses. Once they subscribe, you can send them updates and promotions to build excitement before your store launches.

1. Create a Compelling Landing Page

The landing page is where you will direct all your traffic. It should be designed to capture visitors’ attention and persuade them to exchange their email addresses for something valuable.

With EasyStore’s themes and content editor, you can create a visually appealing landing page, even if you don’t have products ready yet.

Essential Elements of a Landing Page:

  • Offer an incentive – Give visitors a reason to subscribe, such as a discount code for launch day, exclusive early access to promotions, or a free guide related to your products.

  • Introduce your business – Share what your store is about, what kind of products you will sell, and why people should be excited.

  • Display a launch date – If possible, add a countdown timer to build anticipation.

  • Include an email capture form – Use Mailchimp or another email marketing tool to collect and manage email addresses directly on your landing page.

2. Drive Traffic to Your Landing Page

Since your store isn't live yet and you may not have a big budget for ads, focus on free traffic sources to grow your email list.

Ways to Generate Free Traffic:

  • Set up social media pages – Create profiles on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, and include a link to your landing page in your bio.

  • Engage in Facebook groups – Join groups related to your industry, contribute to discussions, and subtly mention your upcoming store. Avoid spamming.

  • Participate in forums – Answer questions and engage in communities where your target customers spend time.

  • Leverage your network – Ask friends and family to spread the word about your upcoming store.

  • Collaborate with influencers – Some micro-influencers might be willing to share your landing page in exchange for future collaborations.

3. Build Hype Before Your Store Launch

You may wonder why you should promote your store before it’s even open. The answer is simple: anticipation. People love to be part of something exclusive and new. That’s why brands like Apple have long lines on launch day.

Additionally, setting up an online store takes time, and instead of waiting passively, you can use this period to build a list of potential buyers. When your store is finally ready, you’ll already have an audience eager to check it out.

Conclusion

An email list is one of the most powerful assets for your eCommerce business. By preparing a high-converting landing page and using free traffic sources, you can start building an audience even before launch. 

Once your store is live, you’ll have a group of potential customers who are already engaged and ready to shop.

Make Customers Love Buying From You

EasyStore empowers your brand to prioritize customers and enhance their experience, creating a unified customer experience (UCX) that makes customers love buying from you.

Over 50,000 brands have grown their businesses by embracing unified customer experiences (UCX) strategy through EasyStore across multiple sales channels - online store, retail outlets, marketplaces, and social media, ensuring consistency in product and service offerings for a seamless shopping journey.

Embrace UCX and redefine your business success today

Discover how UCX can elevate your customer engagement with a truly unified journey for your customers, streamline operations, and drive growth across all channels.

Contact Us