Connecting Mailchimp to your WordPress site can boost your email marketing efforts. To ensure you stay compliant with GDPR and ePrivacy regulations, it's crucial to manage user consent properly.
This guide shows you how to integrate Mailchimp with WordPress using AesirX Analytics and Consent Management Platform (CMP). Following these steps will help you handle consent correctly, comply with data protection laws, and benefit from AesirX’s first-party analytics, giving you valuable insights into your email campaigns and reducing your reliance on third-party trackers.
| Compliance Risk: Using Mailchimp without explicit and informed consent is non-compliant. Read more to understand the legal requirements and associated risks.. |
Step 1: Prepare Your WordPress Site
- First, install WordPress on your server or choose a WordPress-compatible hosting provider.
- Pick a theme that suits your brand and provides a good user experience.
- Add essential plugins to enhance your site’s functionality, such as those for SEO, security, and performance.
Step 2: Install and Configure the Mailchimp Plugin
1. Install the Mailchimp Plugin:
- In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for “Mailchimp for WordPress” or a similar plugin.
- Click Install Now and then Activate.
2. Configure the Plugin:
- Go to Mailchimp for WP in the WordPress admin menu.
- Click on Mailchimp to enter your Mailchimp API key. Obtain this key from your Mailchimp account by going to Account > Extras > API keys.
- Save the settings.
3. Add a Mailchimp Signup Form:
- Navigate to Mailchimp for WP > Forms.
- Create a new form or use a pre-existing one.
- Customize the form fields as needed.
- Use the provided shortcode to insert the form into pages, posts, or widgets.
4. Set Up Mailchimp Forms with AesirX Analytics for Tracking User Interactions
- Create Mailchimp Forms:
- Obtain the necessary script from Mailchimp for embedding review forms on your site. Ensure the script you use is compliant with GDPR and ePrivacy regulations.
- Set Up AesirX Analytics:
- Begin by setting up AesirX Analytics. Follow the instructions here.
- Follow Mailchimp instructions and get embedded code here.
- Remove embed code in your code
<script
type="text/javascript"
src="//s3.amazonaws.com/downloads.mailchimp.com/js/mc-validate.js"
></script>;- Set Up Mailchimp Script: Embed the following script in your site:
- Change the script in htmlContent to your embedded code const htmlContent = `EMBEDDED_CODE`
- Change your selector to place the Mailchimp Form in document.querySelector('footer').appendChild(container);
<script type="module">
window.funcAfterConsent = async function () {
//Copy Paste your embedded code here
const htmlContent = `
<div id="mc_embed_shell">
<link href="//cdn-images.mailchimp.com/embedcode/classic-061523.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<style type="text/css">
#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */
</style>
<div id="mc_embed_signup">
<form action="https://tech.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=18b6cd06b042d1fd6726597be&id=0cd673d579&f_id=00cd8fe0f0" method="post" id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate" target="_blank">
<div id="mc_embed_signup_scroll"><h2>Subscribe</h2>
<div class="indicates-required"><span class="asterisk">*</span> indicates required</div>
<div class="mc-field-group"><label for="mce-EMAIL">Email Address <span class="asterisk">*</span></label><input type="email" name="EMAIL" class="required email" id="mce-EMAIL" required="" value=""></div>
<div id="mce-responses" class="clear foot">
<div class="response" id="mce-error-response" style="display: none;"></div>
<div class="response" id="mce-success-response" style="display: none;"></div>
</div>
<div aria-hidden="true" style="position: absolute; left: -5000px;">
/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups */
<input type="text" name="b_18b6cd06b042d1fd6726597be_0cd673d579" tabindex="-1" value="">
</div>
<div class="optionalParent">
<div class="clear foot">
<input type="submit" name="subscribe" id="mc-embedded-subscribe" class="button" value="Subscribe">
<p style="margin: 0px auto;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/iUeLm-" title="Mailchimp - email marketing made easy and fun"><span style="display: inline-block; background-color: transparent; border-radius: 4px;"><img class="refferal_badge" src="https://digitalasset.intuit.com/render/content/dam/intuit/mc-fe/en_us/images/intuit-mc-rewards-text-dark.svg" alt="Intuit Mailchimp" style="width: 220px; height: 40px; display: flex; padding: 2px 0px; justify-content: center; align-items: center;"></span></a></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</form>
</div>
</div>
`;
const container = document.createElement("div");
container.innerHTML = htmlContent.trim();
// Change your selector here to place the Mailchimp Form
// Example: Place the form in Footer
document.querySelector("footer").appendChild(container);
var script = document.createElement("script");
script.type = "text/javascript";
script.src = "//s3.amazonaws.com/downloads.mailchimp.com/js/mc-validate.js";
document.head.appendChild(script);
};
</script>Step 3: Integrate AesirX Analytics & CMP
1. Install the AesirX Analytics & CMP Plugin:
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New and search for "AesirX Analytics".
- Click "Install Now" and then "Activate".
2. Create an AesirX Account and Obtain an Analytics License:
- Register on the AesirX Sign-Up Page. (Note that you will be redirected to register for a Shield of Privacy (SoP) account - this acts as your AesirX Account ID and provides access to access all AesirX solutions and licenses)
- Choose your Shield of Privacy ID.
- Select “First-Party Analytics” from the Solutions drop-down menu.
- Receive your license ID and confirmation email to complete the setup.
3. Configure AesirX Analytics
- Navigate to Settings > AesirX Analytics in your WordPress dashboard.
- Configure server setup (internal or external) and ensure consent is required before data collection.
- Paste your solution key and click “Save” to apply changes.
4. Set Up Consent Templates:
AesirX supports two consent modes compatible with Google Consent Mode V2, but with enhanced compliance features:
- Simple Consent Mode: No data is collected or sent to any third parties until users provide explicit consent - ideal for strict GDPR and ePrivacy compliance.
- Default Template: Tags are preloaded with denied parameters and do not collect, store, or send any data until consent is obtained - supporting compliance while preparing for data collection after user consent.
Note: While Google Consent Mode V2 allows for tag loading with denied parameters, AesirX's approach of not loading any tags until consent is given minimizes compliance risks associated with GDPR and ePrivacy Directive regulations.
5. Steps:
- Go to AesirX BI > Consent > Consent Templates.
- Input your Google Tag ID and Google Tag Manager ID (Optional).
- Choose your preferred consent mode and customize the consent text.
- Click “Save”.
Step 4: Implement Site-Wide and Opt-In Consent
To comply with GDPR and ePrivacy, manage user consent effectively through a two-tiered approach:
- Site-Wide Consent:
Customize Site-Wide Consent:
AesirX integrates automatic site-wide consent, prompting users to provide general consent before loading any tracking scripts or third-party services. Customize the consent text to be clear and informative.
- Go to AesirX BI > Consent Templates and update the consent text.
- Example Text:
|
“We use AesirX Analytics and Consent Management Platform (CMP) to manage your data preferences. You can choose to:
Data may be used for list management, email campaigns, automation, analytics, and marketing purposes, including tracking by Mailchimp and AesirX Analytics, as outlined in our Privacy Policy.” |
Note:
1. Ensure your privacy policy is updated to explicitly mention the collection, processing, and use of data by Mailchimp, AesirX Analytics, and any other third-party services. Clearly inform users about how their data will be used and shared.
2. Please include any other third-party services as applicable in your implementation. For step-by-step instructions, refer to our How-To Guides.
Handling Consent Rejection:
If a user rejects consent, explain the limitations and suggest using decentralized methods for better control. Currently, you can't customize the site-wide rejection message.
To manage rejections effectively, switch to opt-in consent. This allows you to handle rejections on a case-by-case basis. Follow the instructions in the opt-in consent setup guide.
Revoking Consent:
AesirX supports decentralized consent management via a wallet and Shield of Privacy (SoP). Users can revoke consent directly on the site or through the AesirX dApp. This aligns with GDPR's requirement for easy consent withdrawal options.
- Opt-In Consent for Specific Functionalities:
For features like payment processing or customer support tools, use opt-in consent to activate third-party services only after explicit user approval. This approach minimizes data collection, limits third-party sharing, and enhances user trust by clearly explaining how their data will be used.
Customize Opt-in Consent:
- Example JavaScript for Opt-In Consent: (Use Site Consent and Opt-In Consent in Combination)
<script>
window.optInConsentData = `[
{
title: "payment",
content: "<div>YOUR_CONTENT_INPUT_HERE</div>",
}
]`;
</script>- Optional Configuration: Replace Site Consent with Opt-in Consent
<script>
window.optInConsentData = `[
{
title: "payment",
content: "<div>YOUR_CONTENT_INPUT_HERE</div>",
replaceAnalyticsConsent: "true",
}
]`;
</script>Handle Reject Consent:
- If a user rejects consent, display a message indicating that consent is required for the functionality to work.
- Example:
- Wide-site consent:
window.funcAfterReject = async function () {
// Show a message or label indicating that consent is required
alert(
"Consent is required for this functionality to work. We use this third-party service for [specific purpose], and it cannot operate without your consent"
);
};-
- Opt-in Consent:
window.funcAfterRejectOptIn = async function () {
alert(
"Consent is required for this functionality to work. We use this third-party service for customer support, and it cannot operate without your consent."
);
};Notify Users About Consent Status:
- Inform users if they have rejected consent and how it affects their experience on the site.
- Example Notification:
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () {
if (sessionStorage.getItem("aesirx-analytics-consent") !== "true") {
alert(
"Consent is required for payment processing through [Payment Processor Name]. We cannot complete transactions without your consent. Please adjust your preferences to continue using our payment services with [Payment Processor Name]"
);
}
});Customize Consent Messages:
- Edit your consent forms to include clear information about the use of these third-party widgets and the purpose of data collection.
- Example Alert Text: “We use [Payment Processor Name] to handle transactions. To process your payment, we need to track and collect data related to your order. This includes sharing relevant information with [Payment Processor Name]. If you do not consent to this data sharing, you will not be able to complete your purchase. For more details, please refer to our Privacy Policy.”
|
Installation Tip: When setting up AesirX Analytics & CMP with Mailchimp, follow these steps for compliant consent handling:
Add a site-wide banner to collect general consent for basic data collection, including AesirX Analytics & CMP. This banner helps achieve GDPR and ePrivacy compliance for essential tracking tools and functions on your site.
Implement opt-in consent for functionalities such as payment processing, CRM systems, AI chatbots, and Mailchimp integrations. This ensures that these services only collect user data after explicit consent, maintaining GDPR and ePrivacy compliance.
By integrating AesirX Analytics & CMP, you’ll manage compliant consent and gain from privacy-focused, first-party analytics. This approach provides valuable insights without relying on third-party tracking, enhancing both privacy and data analytics. |
Step 5: Utilize AesirX Tools for Enhanced Compliance
- First-Party Server:
Transitioning to AesirX’s first-party tools significantly enhances performance and scalability. While the AesirX Analytics WordPress Plugin defaults to using the internal WordPress database for data storage and processing, opting for a dedicated first-party server offers even greater benefits.
Configuring your own server allows you to optimize performance for your site’s specific needs, effectively scale resources to handle increased traffic, and maintain complete control over your data. This setup ensures that your data is hosted and managed entirely within your own infrastructure, free from third-party limitations. For detailed guidance on implementing and configuring your first-party server, refer to our First-Party Server How-To Guide.
- Privacy Scanner:
Regularly use AesirX Privacy Scanner to monitor and ensure ongoing compliance. The Privacy Scanner helps ensure that your site adheres to the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR by identifying non-compliant elements such as cookies, trackers, and beacons. It provides detailed compliance reports and actionable insights for resolving detected issues. For detailed instructions on using the Privacy Scanner, refer to our Privacy Scanner How-To Guide.
- Privacy Monitoring:
Implement AesirX’s Privacy Monitoring to continuously track and manage privacy compliance on a daily, weekly, monthly, or custom schedule. These services provide real-time updates and alerts on any changes that could impact your compliance status, ensuring you stay informed and can take prompt action when needed. Discover how to set up and utilize privacy monitoring in our Privacy Monitoring How-To Guide.
Step 6: Ongoing Monitoring and Optimization
To maintain compliance and ensure optimal performance, regularly review and refine your consent management setup:
- Test and Review Consent Records:
- Consistently monitor consent records in AesirX BI > Consent > Overview. This helps ensure that all consent activities are accurately tracked and aligned with compliance requirements.
- Update Consent Forms:
- Periodically update your consent forms to reflect any changes in data collection practices or third-party integrations. Keeping these forms current ensures that users are always informed about how their data is used.
- Verify Third-Party Integrations:
- Routinely check that all plugins and third-party services adhere to the consent choices configured through AesirX CMP. This ensures that your data practices remain compliant and transparent.
- Analyze Performance Metrics:
- Continuously analyze consent and engagement metrics in AesirX BI > Consent > Overview. Use these insights to refine your consent management approach and enhance the user experience.
By integrating Mailchimp with AesirX’s Analytics & CMP, you achieve a GDPR-compliant setup while benefiting from first-party data collection. This approach helps maintain user trust, ensures data privacy, and provides a solid foundation for managing consent across your site.
For more detailed guidance, explore AesirX’s resources on digital privacy and compliance management.
