How to Add a Preferences URL in Your Emails

SureContact allows you to give your contacts full control over their email preferences by adding a Preferences URL to your emails. This link lets recipients manage what type of emails they want to receive instead of completely unsubscribing.

Many users are unsure how to add a Preferences link in the email footer and how it works dynamically. This guide explains the complete process step by step.

What Is a Preferences URL?

The Preferences URL allows contacts to opt out of receiving any type of marketing emails from the sender without using the unsubscribe option.

Using the Preferences page, a contact can choose Do Not Email, which means:

• The contact will stop receiving all marketing emails from you
• The contact remains in your contact list for record and non-marketing purposes

The Preferences URL is dynamic and unique for each contact.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, please make sure:

1. You are logged in to your SureContact account
   Login here: https://app.surecontact.com/
2. SMTP is configured in your SureContact account
   SMTP setup is required to send emails. Refer to this guide if needed.
3. You know how to create an email campaign
   If not, follow this step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Create a New Email Campaign

1. Log in to your SureContact account.
2. From the Dashboard, expand Campaigns in the left sidebar.
3. Click on Email Campaigns.
4. Click Create Campaign.

Step 2: Select an Email Editor

SureContact provides multiple ways to design emails. In this guide, we’ll first explain using the Rich Text Editor.

1. Choose Rich Text Editor.

2. Start writing the email content you want to send.

Step 3: Add the Preferences URL

Follow these steps to add a Preferences link:

1. Type the text where you want the preferences link, for example:
   Manage Email Preferences
2. Select the text Manage Email Preferences.
3. Click the Insert Link button in the editor toolbar.

4. The Insert Link popup will appear.
5. In the URL field:
   • Click on the @ icon
   • From the variable dropdown, select the {{preferences_url}} variable
6. Insert the variable so the URL field contains:
   {{preferences_url}}

7. Save the link.

You have successfully added a Preferences URL to your email.

What Happens When a User Clicks the Preferences Link?

• The recipient is redirected to the Preferences page.
• The user can select Do Not Email to stop receiving all marketing emails.

• Once the preference is saved:
  • A Do Not Email badge is added next to the contact in the Contact View page.
  • The contact will no longer receive any marketing email campaigns.

• The contact is not deleted and can still exist in your contact list.

Adding Preferences URL Using Drag & Drop Editor

The same process applies when using the Drag & Drop Email Builder:

1. Design your email using the Drag & Drop editor.
2. Add a Text element where you want the Preferences link.
3. Enter text such as Manage Preferences.
4. Convert the text into a hyperlink.
5. Set the link URL to:
   {{preferences_url}}

The Preferences URL will be dynamically generated for each contact.

Best Practices

• Always include a Preferences link along with an Unsubscribe link in your emails.
• Preferences links help reduce unsubscribe rates by giving users more control.
• The {{preferences_url}} variable works automatically—no manual setup is required.

You’re all set!
Your emails now allow recipients to manage their preferences easily, creating a better user experience and healthier email engagement.