Overview
The Mailchimp add-on automatically subscribes users to your Mailchimp lists when they download files or make purchases. Build your email list through downloads, segment subscribers by product interest, and automate follow-up campaigns.
Prerequisites
- WordPress Download Manager installed
- Mailchimp add-on installed and activated
- Mailchimp account
- At least one Mailchimp audience (list)
Benefits
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Auto-Subscribe | Grow list through downloads |
| Segmentation | Tag by product/category |
| Automation | Trigger campaigns on download |
| Double Opt-in | GDPR compliant |
| Merge Fields | Capture custom data |
Mailchimp Setup
Step 1: Get API Key
- Log in to mailchimp.com
- Click profile icon > Account & billing
- Go to Extras > API keys
- Click Create A Key
- Copy the API key
API Key: abc123def456ghi789jkl012-us21
^^^^
Data center
Step 2: Find Audience ID
- Go to Audience > All contacts
- Click Settings > Audience name and defaults
- Find Audience ID
Audience ID: 1a2b3c4d5e
Plugin Configuration
Step 1: Access Settings
- Go to Downloads > Settings
- Click Mailchimp tab
Step 2: Enter Credentials
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Mailchimp Configuration │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ │ │ API Key: │ │ [abc123def456ghi789jkl012-us21 ] │ │ │ │ [Verify Connection] │ │ │ │ ✓ Connected to: Your Company │ │ │ │ Default Audience: │ │ [Newsletter Subscribers ▼] │ │ │ │ [Save Settings] │ │ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Step 3: Configure Options
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Subscription Settings │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ │ │ When to Subscribe: │ │ ☑ Email lock submission │ │ ☑ Form lock submission (if email field) │ │ ☑ Order completion │ │ ☐ User registration │ │ │ │ Double Opt-in: │ │ ○ Enabled (recommended for GDPR) │ │ ● Disabled (immediate subscription) │ │ │ │ Update Existing: │ │ ☑ Update subscriber if already exists │ │ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Subscription Triggers
Email Lock
When user submits email to unlock download:
Package with Email Lock: 1. User enters email 2. User subscribed to Mailchimp 3. Download unlocks
Form Lock
When form includes email field:
Form Lock Fields: - Name (text) - Email (email) ← Used for subscription - Company (text) On submit: Email subscribed to list
Purchase
When order completes:
Premium Packages order: 1. Customer completes purchase 2. Customer email subscribed 3. Tagged with purchased products
Per-Package Settings
Override Global Settings
Edit package > Mailchimp section:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Package Mailchimp Settings │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ │ │ ☑ Enable Mailchimp for this package │ │ │ │ Audience: │ │ ○ Use default (Newsletter Subscribers) │ │ ● Specific: [Software Updates List ▼] │ │ │ │ Tags: (comma-separated) │ │ [software, downloads, v2-users ] │ │ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Different Lists per Package
| Package | Mailchimp List |
|---|---|
| Software Downloads | Software Updates |
| Documentation | Documentation Updates |
| Marketing Materials | Marketing List |
Tagging Subscribers
Automatic Tags
Based on download/purchase:
Tag Options: ☑ Add package title as tag ☑ Add category as tag ☐ Add custom tags Custom Tags: [customer, downloads]
Tag Examples
Subscriber John downloads “Software Pro”:
Tags applied: - software-pro - software (category) - downloads - customer
Using Tags in Mailchimp
Create segments:
- Go to Audience > Segments
- Create segment: Tag is “software”
- Send targeted campaigns
Merge Fields
Mapping Fields
Map form fields to Mailchimp merge fields:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Merge Field Mapping │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Form Field → Mailchimp Merge Field │ │ ───────────────────────────────────────── │ │ email → EMAIL (required) │ │ name → FNAME │ │ company → COMPANY │ │ phone → PHONE │ │ custom_field → MMERGE5 │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Creating Merge Fields in Mailchimp
- Go to Audience > Settings > Audience fields
- Click Add A Field
- Configure field type and tag
- Save
Automations
Welcome Series
Trigger on subscription:
- In Mailchimp, go to Automations
- Create Welcome new subscribers
- Set trigger: “Subscribes to audience”
- Build email sequence
Product-Based Automation
Trigger on specific tag:
Trigger: Tag "software-pro" added Action: Send "Software Pro Getting Started" email Delay: Immediately
Download Follow-up
Day 0: Download/Subscribe Day 1: "Did you find what you needed?" Day 3: "Tips for using [Product]" Day 7: "Upgrade to Pro" (if free user)
GDPR Compliance
Double Opt-in
Enable for GDPR regions:
☑ Enable double opt-in Subscribers receive confirmation email before added to list
Consent Checkbox
Show consent in forms:
☑ Show marketing consent checkbox Checkbox label: [I agree to receive marketing emails ] Position: ○ Before submit button ○ After email field
Privacy Link
☑ Show privacy policy link URL: [https://yoursite.com/privacy/ ]
Groups and Interests
Subscribe to Groups
Add subscribers to interest groups:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Interest Groups │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ │ │ Product Interests: │ │ ☑ Software │ │ ☐ Templates │ │ ☐ Documentation │ │ │ │ Communication Preferences: │ │ ☑ Product Updates │ │ ☐ Promotions │ │ ☐ Newsletter │ │ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Dynamic Groups
Based on download category:
If category = "software" → Add to "Software" interest group If category = "templates" → Add to "Templates" interest group
Troubleshooting
“Invalid API Key”
Causes:
- Wrong API key
- Key deleted/regenerated
- Data center mismatch
Solutions:
- Regenerate API key
- Ensure full key copied (including -us21)
- Verify in Mailchimp dashboard
Subscribers Not Added
Causes:
- Email validation failed
- Already subscribed (and update disabled)
- Double opt-in pending
Solutions:
- Check email format
- Enable “Update existing”
- Check subscriber’s inbox for confirmation
Tags Not Applied
Causes:
- Tags not configured
- Tag name invalid
- API error
Solutions:
- Check tag settings
- Use valid tag names (alphanumeric, hyphens)
- Check error logs
“Member Exists”
Cause: Email already in list
Solution:
- Enable “Update existing subscribers”
- Or accept this as normal behavior
Analytics
View in Mailchimp
Track subscription sources:
- Go to Audience > Growth
- View signup sources
- “API” indicates WPDM subscriptions
Custom Source Tracking
☑ Add signup source Source name: [WPDM Downloads ]
Best Practices
- Use double opt-in – Better deliverability, GDPR compliant
- Segment by interest – Tag based on downloads
- Welcome automation – Immediate engagement
- Clean regularly – Remove inactive subscribers
- Respect preferences – Honor unsubscribe requests
- Test before launch – Verify integration works
Related Documentation
Last updated: January 2026
Applies to: WordPress Download Manager 7.x + Mailchimp Add-on