MailerLite is one of the best-value email platforms available. The free plan is generous, the interface is clean, and the feature set covers everything a small business or creator needs. Setup is fast. This guide walks you through it from start to finish.
Total setup time: 1-2 hours. Difficulty: Easy. You do not need any technical background to follow this guide.
MailerLite at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting price | $9/mo (Growing Business, 500 subscribers) |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Free trial | Free plan up to 1,000 subscribers |
| Setup time | 1-2 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Best for | Small businesses and creators who want a clean, affordable platform |
How to set up MailerLite in 6 steps
Go to mailerlite.com and sign up. The free plan covers up to 1,000 subscribers with 12,000 monthly emails -- enough to get started and grow for a while. Enter your name, company, and website. MailerLite will ask a few onboarding questions and then review your account before activating it. This review typically takes a few hours.
Go to Domains > Add domain. Enter your domain and MailerLite will provide DKIM records to add to your DNS. Log in to your domain registrar and add the TXT records, then return to MailerLite and click Verify. Once verified, set up your sending email address using your domain. MailerLite requires a domain email for sending -- you cannot use a free Gmail or Yahoo address.
Go to Subscribers > Import Subscribers. Upload your CSV and map the columns to MailerLite fields. You can assign subscribers to groups during import -- groups are MailerLite's equivalent of lists or tags. Create at least one group for your main list. After import, check the import report for any invalid or duplicate addresses.
Go to Forms > Create form. MailerLite offers four types: embedded form, pop-up form, promoted popup, and landing page. The landing page builder is included on all plans and creates a full hosted opt-in page you can share directly. Customize the design using the editor, connect the form to a group, configure the confirmation email, and publish.
Go to Automation > Create Automation. Set the trigger to 'When a subscriber joins a group'. Add a Send email step for your welcome email, then a Wait step (e.g., 1 day), then another email. MailerLite's automation builder is clean and visual. You can add condition steps to branch the sequence based on whether a subscriber opened the previous email.
Go to Campaigns > Create campaign > Regular campaign. Choose a template from the library or start with a blank layout. MailerLite's drag-and-drop editor is easy to use and well-designed. Set your subject line and preview text, select which groups to send to, preview on mobile and desktop, then schedule or send. Check the campaign report after delivery for opens, clicks, and unsubscribes.
Tips before you start
- MailerLite's account activation review is manual -- apply with a complete, professional profile to get approved faster.
- Use groups to organize your subscribers instead of creating separate lists for everything.
- MailerLite's website and blog builder is included on paid plans -- useful if you want everything in one place.
Next steps
Once your account is set up, focus on building your first automation before sending any broadcast campaigns. A working welcome sequence ensures every new subscriber gets a consistent first experience. After that, review your migration guide if you are moving contacts from another platform, and use the recommendations quiz to confirm MailerLite is the right long-term fit.