Forms for a Website Lead Magnet

1. Why Use Forms for a Lead Magnet?

1. Automated Lead Capture: Once someone fills out the form, their details are stored in your HubSpot CRM without manual entry.
2. Immediate Resource Delivery: HubSpot can send a follow-up email containing a download link or attachment, fulfilling your lead magnet promise instantly.
3. Segmentation & Follow-Up: Every new lead can be labeled with a property like “Downloaded [Resource Name],” helping you tailor future follow-ups.

2. Subscription Levels for Forms & Follow-Up Emails

• HubSpot Free
  • Offers basic forms and a simple single-step follow-up email. This is enough to capture contact info and send one automated email with the lead magnet link.
  • However, advanced workflows (multi-step email sequences, branching logic) are not available.
• Starter
  • Similar to Free, includes forms and the ability to send one automated follow-up email after form submission.
  • Does not include the advanced workflow builder for multi-email drip campaigns.
• Professional and Enterprise
  • Full access to Workflows. You can build advanced lead nurturing sequences that trigger after form submission.
  • Ideal if you want to send multiple automated emails or branch logic based on certain contact properties.

Conclusion: If your only need is to send one immediate email with a lead magnet, both Free and Starter suffice. If you want a multi-email nurturing campaign, you’ll need at least Professional.

3. Steps to Create a Lead Magnet Form

3.1 Accessing HubSpot Forms

1. Navigate to Marketing > Lead Capture > Forms: You’ll see a list of existing forms or a prompt to create your first form.
2. Click “Create form”: Choose Regular form (embedded on external site) vs. a HubSpot landing page form, depending on your approach.

3.2 Form Builder Settings

1. Form Type: Usually a Standalone Form for embedding on your website.
2. Basic Fields: Add fields for First Name, Last Name, Email, possibly Company Name or Job Title—but keep it brief to reduce friction.
3. Properties: If you track additional data (e.g., “Metro Area” or “Industry”), you can add them as form fields.

3.3 Configure Form Options

1. Follow-Up Email: If on Free or Starter, you can set a single automated thank-you email. This email should contain your lead magnet resource. Usually, this is a download link to a PDF or a link to a hidden page.
2. Confirmation Page: Decide if you want to show a Thank You page or just an in-line message after form submission.
3. Lifecycle Stage Update (Optional): You might mark new submissions as Lead if you want consistent data in your CRM.

3.4 Style and Brand the Form

• Design: Adjust button color, fonts, and spacing to match your website’s look.
• Labels and Placeholder Text: Ensure clarity. e.g., “Enter your business email.”

3.5 Save & Publish the Form

4. Placing the Form on Your Website

1. Get Embed Code: After publishing the form, HubSpot provides an embed script.
2. Copy & Paste: Insert this code where you want the form to appear (HTML block in your CMS or website builder).
3. Test: Open the live page, fill out the form, and confirm you receive the automated email with the lead magnet resource.

5. Delivering the Lead Magnet

1. Hosting the Resource
   • Typically, you host the PDF or other file on HubSpot’s file manager or your own hosting.
   • Then link to it in the follow-up email.
2. Email Content
   • Thank them for signing up, briefly restate the value of the resource, and include the download link or instructions.
3. Test the Link
   • Ensure the link is correct and accessible. If password-protected or behind a secure link, mention the steps to access it.

6. Tracking & Nurturing Leads

1. Contact Record: Once someone submits the form, a new contact is created (if not already in your CRM). You can see the form submission in their timeline.
2. Lifecycle Stage: If you want them labeled as Lead, set a hidden field or use a follow-up action.
3. Further Nurturing: With Professional or higher, create a workflow to send multiple emails over time. Or add them to your lead nurturing pipeline manually if on Free/Starter.

7. Best Practices

1. Keep Your Form Short: Minimum fields: Name, Email. Additional fields can reduce conversions.
2. Compelling CTA: Clearly state what they get (e.g., “Download our ‘10 Consulting Secrets’ PDF”).
3. Mobile-Friendly: Ensure the form looks good on mobile.
4. Privacy & Compliance: Display a privacy statement or GDPR consent checkbox if required.
5. Track Performance: Use Analytics to see form submission rates. A/B test headlines or fields if needed.