- Create a Mailchimp account or sign in at mailchimp.com
- Click the profile icon in the top-right corner (this may show your initials, name, or profile photo).
- Click Profile from the dropdown menu.
- From the menu along the top, choose Extras.
- Select API Keys.
- Scroll down to the Your API Keys section.
- Click the Create A Key button.
Screenshot of Mailchimp dashboard where you create a new API key
- Give your key a meaningful name, for example: “My Website”.
- Click Generate Key.
- Once generated, the API Key is displayed only once. Click the Copy to Clipboard icon to copy it.
- Paste it somewhere secure, you’ll need this key for the next integration step.
- When finished, click Done.
Screenshot of Mailchimp dashboard where you are naming your new API Key
- Go to E-commerce (if your site uses the e-commerce module), OR Settings > API (if your site does not use e-commerce).
- Scroll down or use the search bar to find the Mailchimp plugin.
- Click the + (Add) button to install or enable the plugin.
- In the Mailchimp plugin setup area, paste your API Key into the API Key field.
- Choose the member levels you want to import or sync.
Important
General Members are not specifically opted-in subscribers. In some countries, you cannot legally add non-opt-in members to a marketing mailing list. Make sure your selection complies with your local email marketing rules.
- Use the dropdown to choose the Mailchimp Audience/List you want your contacts to be added to.
- Click Save Changes.
- Your website is now linked to Mailchimp.
Syncing Members to Mailchimp
There are two ways members will be transferred:
Automatic Sync:
Once connected, members will begin adding themselves to Mailchimp over time automatically. This happens gradually as Mailchimp processes the feed.
Manual Export: (If you want the members to appear immediately)
- Scroll to the bottom of the Mailchimp plugin settings screen.
- Click Export Members to Mailchimp.
- If you have multiple pages of members, you must export one page at a time. You will see the pagination at the top right of the screen.
- After manually exporting, return to your Audience in Mailchimp
You should now see your members listed in your target audience
Screenshot of Audience in Mailchimp dashboard showing imported member.