The Double opt-in parameter helps prevent faulty, mistaken or even malicious registration. OpenEMM will send off a confirmation email to the subscriber after registration. It contains a link which the subscriber must click for confirmation. The system will not save the data in the database unless this link is clicked. Only after successful confirmation will the subscriber receive messages from the mailing list he or she subscribed to. If the subscriber does not react to the confirmation email, the profile is blocked and deleted from OpenEMM automatically after three months. This process lengthens the usual subscription routine (see previous chapter):
• | A potential subscriber clicks on the registration form, enters his name and other data, and clicks on Submit which calls up the second form. Until here, the process is the same as for any normal registration. |
• | The second form starts an action which saves the data entered in the recipients database. The registration process uses the Double opt-in option. OpenEMM will therefore write data into the database, but marks them as blocked. To conclude the action, the form will cause an action-based mailing to the new subscriber’s email address. |
• | In this email, the subscriber will be sent a customized link. If clicked, a third form is displayed. This form starts an action which unblocks the data entered in the recipients database. The unblocking is confirmed within the system. |
• | The process may be extended by an action sending a confirmation mail to the new subscriber. |
You therefore need a total of one mailing, three actions and three forms, and this without the optional confirmation e-mail. Just proceed systematically, and the whole process will become easy to keep track of. You should, however, make sure that all elements carry meaningful and unmistakable names, e.g. starting with Double. You also need to observe the sequence. You need the mailing to be able to define the action, and you need the action to be able to create the second form.