RSForm!Pro Mailchimp Integration

We’ve released today a new RSForm!Pro Plugin addressed to Mailchimp subscribers that allows you to integrate your custom newsletter forms with the email-marketing manager.

You will be able to create subscription forms, pass users data to your Mailchimp account and assign them to the existing lists and groups.

Requirements:

• RSForm!/Pro 1.3.0 rev. 31, at least
• an active Mailchimp account
• the RSForm!Pro Mailchimp plugin

How to use it?

Step 1: Download

Access your RSJoomla! account and download the Mailchimp plugin from Resources >> Customer Downloads >> RSForm!Pro membership >> Downloads >> RSForm!Pro files >> Plugins >> Mailchimp plugin

Step 2: Install the plugin

The Mailchimp plugin installs same as the component does, trough the default Joomla! installer. Backend Joomla! panel >> Extensions >> Install/Uninstall >> Browse the plg_mailchimp.zip package >> Upload

Step 3:Create the subscription form

Head to the "Manage forms" tab and create a subscription form similar to the above example.

Notice:

• The checkbox group: collects subscribers data about users newsletter interests and pass them further to Interest Groups from Mailchimp
• The subscribe/unsubscribe radio group: in this example, subscribers use the same form to subscribe /unsubscribe to newsletter.
• The email type radio group: users select the newsletter format html, text or for mobile.

Step 4: Create Mailchimp list and groups

The Mailchimp plugin automatically ads subscribers details in your configured lists and groups.

Create subscribers list

On the Mailchimp dashboard, you’ll find a wizard that will guide you in creating lists and groups.
Click on the “Start” button and fill the required data (list name, email, etc).

Create Interest Groups

Each Mailchimp list can have several Interest Groups, thus subscribers can receive newsletters based on their form input.

e.g. A user will be assigned to both Groups, if he’s interested in baseball and F1.

Step 5: Add the API key

To be able to use the integration, you need first to get an API key from your Mailchimp account.

Head to your Account menu, select “api keys and info” option and generate a new API key.

In the backend Joomla!/panel, head to Components >> RSForm!Pro >> Configuration >> Mailchimp, as shown below.

Step 6: Configure the Mailchimp plugin

The final step before subscribers can use the newsletter form is to configure the Mailchimp plugin.

In the “Manage forms” tab, edit the subscription form and click on the Mailchimp integration tab.

Enable the integration and select the Mailchimp list where you want to add the subscribers.

Choose the subscribe/unsubscribe options and map the RSForm!Pro fields with the Mailchimp list fields, respective with the Mailchimp Interest Groups.

Verify the subscriber data

The subscriber will be added in the Mailchimp lists after the user confirms the subscription.
Mailchimp sends first a notification email to subscribers. After confirmation, the Mailchimp plugin adds the subscriber details in the list and chosen groups.

For those who prefer videos, a tutorial, with in-depth explanations, is available on RSJoomla! TV:
Ep. 33 - Using RSForm!Pro with Mailchimp

As an alternative to the Mailchimp integration, you can use the RSForm!Pro RSMail! integration.

What solution do you prefer the most for your newsletter campaigns: a native Joomla! newsletter extension or external/stand-alone newsletter service ?