Hey all, I need a plugin or script that will work on Wordpress - that I can integrate into the sidebar if possible or just on its own page will be fine - that allows users to subscribe to my website. I want to do a monthly newsletter which I will design by myself in HTML format. What are the best plugins or what ever to do this with? I've found a few but none of them are very good and don't allow me to use my own custom made newsletter.
Try Gwa Autoresponder They have a free version of the plugin which allows you to have a sign up form on your blog to collect email address, and send newsletters from the backend of your blog. When you are writing your emails that are to be sent out you can switch from text mode to html mode. They also have a paid version of the plugin with more options and you can remove their branding from it. Hope this helps.
The ultimate is Gravity forms with the mailchimp add-on. I couldn't blog with out it. the integration and management is so easy. Gravity forms costs but it's so worth it, like $40 bucks and the mail chimp add-on is free plus mail chimp is free.
I use mailchimp...haven't tried the gravity forms integration as suggested but gravity forms does come highly recommended. I just use the Mailchimp form widgets they let you create through their site. Then just customize style to fit my needs. Mailchimp also has a wordpress plugin to add widget forms but I haven't tried it so can't comment on that.
Thanks for the help, I've gone ahead and signed up with Mailchimp. It's great! I just chose the free option for now and got the WP plugin. Thanks!