How To Add an Opt-In Box to Your Squidoo Lens

Because squidoo won't allow form tags and has removed the iframe option we need to find another way to include our code. Luckily this comes in the form of a useful tool which allows you to make your own custom widgets for various sites, including squidoo.

This site is http://www.clearspring.com/

However, there is one little hiccup... you aren't able to include html widgets in a squidoo lense. But, not to worry - we have a solution. If we make a flash widget and use a blank flash file then we are able to include html in what they refer to as a "HTML Wrapper". I'll try and break it all down for you but, if you have any questions, feel free to comment.

To do this you will need a few things other than just the basic squidoo account, so make sure you can get them before you start trying to add the opt-in box:

Web Hosting - try 110mb.com if you haven't got any paid already
Autoresponder - something to collect the emails with
Clearspring Account - details later (free, don't worry)

First you have to create an account at clearspring.com. So, head over to the account sign-up page create an account. Once you have created an account it ought to automatically log you in. Now would be a good time to familiarize yourself with the interface, but it really doesn't matter so, if you're ready then head onto the next step.

Now we need to create a new widget. So to do that click the "Add Widget" Button. This will take you to a screen with two options - choose the one labelled "In My Widget". Now you get to set-up the widget type.

Because Squidoo only allows flash or image widgets on their site, we are going to need to be a bit sneaky here as what we really want to be able to do is add our own html. To do this we are going to create a flash widget except using a blank flash file which you can download here (the file called "blank.swf").

To do this you will need to upload the flash file to a web host somewhere - try 110mb.com for free hosting if you don't have any of your own. Now you can fill in the form.

Widget Type - Flash
Actionscript - AS2
Flash Url - Where ever "blank.swf" resides
Widget Name - Your choice, try and make it descriptive
Category - I always choose "Miscellaneous"

Now you can press "Save Widget" and wait a few moments for it to sort itself out.

Now we have our blank (and seemingly pointless) widget ready so, we can start adding our opt-in code. To do this hit the "Edit Widget" tab and then go to "HTML Wrapper". The "HTML Wrapper" is an area either above or below your widget where they allow you to add some html, probably so you can add a funky header or something, but, we are going to use it to put our opt-in code in.

So, copy and paste your Opt-In for code into the box which says "Widget HTML Header" and then press "Save", make sure the code you paste in is the HTML code your autoresponder service gives you (may work with JavaScript or other solutions but I cant guarantee it).

Finally it's time to add the opt-in form to your squidoo lense. You're just minutes away from getting that puppy up and running.

First of all, click the "Publish" tab and then just underneath that find "Widget Home Page Settings". You'll be presented with a page which gives you a few different options, click the link marked "Link:". Now you should be able to see your opt-in box and next to it is a list of services. Click "All" in the box with a list of services and use the search bar to find and then select "Squidoo".

NOTE: You must be logged in for the next but so, if you aren't already logged in then open a new window and log into Squidoo.

If you're logged in then click add to account and you'll be given a form to fill in. Select a lens to add the Opt-In form to and fill in the other boxes with the necessary details. Press continue and it will be added to the lense you just specified - you're done :)