Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Short answer: To use AWeber, create a free account, set up your list and sender details, add a sign-up form to your site, build a welcome automation, and then send regular newsletters (called broadcasts). This guide shows how to use AWeber in that order, with the settings that matter most on day one.
Last updated: October 2026 ยท How we researched this: we checked AWeber’s official features and pricing pages, Google’s email sender guidelines and the FTC’s CAN-SPAM guide, and organized the steps beginners ask about most.
Key takeaways
- Start on the free plan (up to 500 subscribers) and upgrade only when you hit a limit.
- Fill in your sender name, sender email and postal address before anything else. Use an email on your own domain, not Gmail or Yahoo.
- Build one sign-up form and one welcome automation first. That is the core of email marketing.
- Use broadcasts for one-time newsletters and automations for emails that go out on their own.
- Judge results by clicks, not opens. Privacy features in Apple Mail make open rates unreliable.
Step 1: Create your AWeber account
Go to AWeber and pick a plan. The free plan covers up to 500 subscribers. Lite and Plus come with a 14-day trial, so you can test paid features first.
If you are still choosing a tool, read our AWeber review first. It covers current prices and limits.
During sign-up you add your name, company name and address. The address is not optional. US law (CAN-SPAM) requires a valid postal address in every marketing email, as the FTC compliance guide explains.
Step 2: Set up your list and sender details
AWeber creates your first list for you. Open the list settings and check these fields before you add a single subscriber.
| Setting | What to enter | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| List name | Something you will recognize, e.g. “Blog newsletter” | Helps when you add more lists later |
| From name | Your name or brand | Subscribers decide to open based on this |
| From email | An address on your own domain ([email protected]) | Free addresses like Gmail often fail sender checks |
| Postal address | Your business or PO box address | Required by law in marketing emails |
| Confirmed opt-in | On, if you want the cleanest list | Fewer fake sign-ups and spam traps |
Since 2024, Gmail and Yahoo require bulk senders to authenticate their domain. Google lists the rules in its email sender guidelines. If AWeber offers domain authentication on your plan, set it up now. It takes a few DNS records and protects your deliverability.
Step 3: Build a sign-up form or landing page
You cannot email people who have not joined your list. So the next step in how to use AWeber is a sign-up form.
- Open the sign-up forms section and create a new form.
- Keep it short: email address, and first name if you want to personalize emails.
- Pick what happens after sign-up: a thank-you page on your site works best.
- Copy the embed code into your website, or use AWeber’s WordPress plugin.
No website yet? Build an AWeber landing page instead. The AI page builder can draft one from a short description. Offer a reason to join, such as a checklist or a discount code.
Step 4: Create a welcome automation
A welcome series is the most useful automation you can build. It sends emails on its own when someone joins.
- Trigger: subscriber joins your list (or gets a tag, such as “lead-magnet”).
- Email 1 (right away): deliver what you promised and say what to expect.
- Wait 2 days, Email 2: share your best article or product.
- Wait 3 days, Email 3: ask a question so people reply. Replies help deliverability.
On the Lite plan you can run up to 3 automations. Plus removes that limit.
Step 5: Send your first broadcast
A broadcast is a one-time email to your whole list or to a segment. Here is a simple routine.
- Create a new broadcast and pick a template or start blank.
- Write your text. The AI Writing Assistant and subject line generator can give you a first draft.
- Add images with the built-in Canva tool if you need them.
- Send a test email to yourself and check it on your phone.
- Choose the list or segment, then send now or schedule it.
Step 6: Read your reports and improve
Open the reports a day or two after each send. Focus on three numbers.
- Click rate: the best sign that people found your email useful.
- Unsubscribes: a spike means the topic or frequency missed the mark.
- Spam complaints: keep these very low. Google asks bulk senders to stay below 0.1% and never reach 0.3%.
Open rates are less reliable than they used to be. Apple Mail Privacy Protection can mark emails as opened even when nobody read them.
Broadcast vs automation: which one to use
| Use a broadcast for | Use an automation for |
|---|---|
| Weekly or monthly newsletters | Welcome series for new subscribers |
| Sales and time-limited offers | Lead magnet delivery |
| News and announcements | Follow-ups after a tag or a purchase |
Common mistakes beginners make in AWeber
- Importing an old or bought list. This hurts deliverability fast and breaks AWeber’s terms.
- Sending from a free Gmail or Yahoo address.
- Building five automations before the first one works.
- Emailing only when you have something to sell. Mix in useful content.
- Never cleaning the list. Remove people who have not clicked in 6 to 12 months.
How to connect AWeber with your other tools
AWeber lists 750+ integrations. The most common ones for beginners are WordPress (forms on your blog), Shopify or WooCommerce (add buyers to your list) and Zapier (connect almost anything else).
If you sell online, the Shopify connection lets you send post-purchase emails. Our guide on how to set up your Shopify store covers the store side.
FAQ: how to use AWeber
Can I use AWeber for free?
Yes. AWeber’s free plan lets you collect and email up to 500 subscribers. It includes AWeber branding and limits lists and automations, so you may need Lite or Plus as you grow.
Is AWeber easy to use for beginners?
Yes. AWeber is one of the simpler email tools, with a drag-and-drop editor and AI helpers. It also has 24/7 support if you get stuck.
How do I send a newsletter in AWeber?
Create a new broadcast, write your email in the drag-and-drop editor, send yourself a test, then pick your list and send or schedule it. It usually takes 15 to 30 minutes once your list is set up.
What is the difference between a broadcast and an automation in AWeber?
A broadcast is a one-time email you send manually. An automation sends emails on its own when a subscriber does something, such as joining your list or getting a tag.
Conclusion
Learning how to use AWeber comes down to six steps: account, list settings, sign-up form, welcome automation, first broadcast and reports. Do them in that order and you will have a working email system in an afternoon.
Not sure AWeber is the right tool? Compare it in our AWeber vs Mailchimp guide before you commit.
