How to Create and Add Gated Content to Your WordPress Website

You know, offering valuable content is essential to keep your audience engaged. One effective way to increase the value of your content is by gating it.

Gated content means restricting access to premium material and requiring users to provide something in return, like their email address.

This method helps you generate leads, grow your email list, and offer more targeted content to your users. 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to create and add gated content on WordPress.

What is Gated Content?

Gated content is valuable material that users can only access after they provide some information. This information is usually an email address or other contact details. Common examples of gated content include eBooks, whitepapers, exclusive videos, and webinars.

The main goal of gated content is to capture leads and gather information about your audience. This information can then be used for future marketing efforts. By gating your content, you ensure that only genuinely interested users access your material. As a result, you increase the quality of your leads.

How to Create Gated Content for Your WordPress Website?

Creating gated content involves a few key steps. Here’s a simple guide to get you started:

1. Choosing the Right Content

Not all content should be gated. It’s essential to identify which pieces of content will provide the most value to your audience and are worth exchanging for their information. Typically, in-depth guides, comprehensive reports, case studies, and high-value resources are suitable for gating.

Ensure that the gated content is of high quality and provides substantial value to justify the exchange.

2. Creating the Content

Once you’ve identified the type of content to gate, start creating it. Focus on providing detailed, well-researched, and valuable information. Use a professional tone and ensure your content is visually appealing. If it’s an eBook, include images, infographics, and charts to make it more engaging. For videos, ensure high production quality and clear audio.

3. Preparing the Content for Gating

Before you can gate your content, you need to have it ready for distribution. This might involve converting documents to PDFs, uploading videos to a secure location, or setting up restricted access pages on your website. Make sure the content is hosted on your website or a reliable third-party service to ensure smooth delivery to users.

How to Add Gated Content to Your WordPress Website?

Setting up gated content on your WordPress site is straightforward if you follow the right steps. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Installing Lead Generation Plugin

To create gated content, you’ll need a lead generation plugin. Popular options include OptinMonster, Bloom, and Thrive Leads. These plugins help you create and manage opt-in forms easily. OptinMonster is known for its advanced targeting features, Bloom integrates seamlessly with WordPress, and Thrive Leads focuses on conversion optimization.

2. Designing Your Opt-in Form

Next, design your opt-in form using your chosen plugin. To create an effective form, include a clear call-to-action (CTA) that tells users what they will get in exchange for their information. Keep the form simple by asking for essential details like name and email address.

Use an eye-catching design that aligns with your brand to make the form stand out.

3. Integrating Form with Your Content

Once your form is ready, integrate it with your content. Most lead generation plugins offer easy ways to embed forms on your website. You can place the form within blog posts, use pop-up forms that appear after a certain time or when a user is about to leave the page or create dedicated landing pages for your gated content.

Benefits of Gated Content

Gated content offers several significant benefits that can enhance your marketing efforts and overall business strategy.

Here’s a closer look at these advantages:

a. Lead Generation

One of the primary benefits of gated content is its ability to generate leads. When users provide their information, such as an email address, in exchange for accessing premium content, you capture valuable details about potential customers.

This data can include not just contact information but also insights into their interests and preferences based on the type of content they accessed.

By accumulating this information, you build a database of high-quality leads who have already shown an interest in what you offer. This pool of leads can be nurtured over time through targeted marketing campaigns, ultimately converting them into paying customers.

b. Increased Engagement

Users who are willing to exchange their information for your content are typically more engaged and interested in your brand. This exchange signifies a level of commitment and interest that goes beyond casual browsing. Because these users find value in your content, they are more likely to interact with your brand in the future.

They may read more of your blog posts, attend your webinars, or participate in your online community. This increased engagement helps build a loyal audience base, which is crucial for long-term business growth.

c. Enhanced Credibility

Offering high-quality, exclusive content can significantly enhance your brand’s credibility and authority in your industry. When users see that you provide valuable resources that are worth exchanging their information for, they perceive your brand as knowledgeable and trustworthy.

This perception can set you apart from competitors and position you as a leader in your field. Additionally, consistently delivering premium content helps build a positive reputation, encouraging more users to trust and engage with your brand.

d. Better Targeting

Collecting user data through gated content allows for more personalized and targeted marketing efforts. With detailed information about your audience’s interests, behaviors, and demographics, you can tailor your marketing campaigns to meet their specific needs.

This personalization can improve the effectiveness of your campaigns, resulting in higher engagement rates and better conversion rates. For example, you can segment your email list based on the type of content users have accessed and send them relevant follow-up content, offers, or promotions.

This targeted approach not only enhances user experience but also increases the likelihood of converting leads into customers.

Conclusion

Gating content on your WordPress website is an effective way to generate leads, engage your audience, and provide value. By choosing the right content, setting up efficient opt-in forms, and promoting your gated content effectively, you can build a robust lead generation strategy.

Remember to analyze and optimize your efforts continuously to achieve the best results. Start creating gated content on WordPress today and watch your lead generation efforts flourish.