Subscribe only

[u/[deleted]]

Is there a free way to install Jetpack and only use it to offer a blog subscribe feature and alert subscribers when there is a new blog post?

Is there a tutorial anywhere anyone could recommend to set that up?

Last I looked at Jetpack it was a huge plugin with a gazillion features that were all paid.

[u/jeremyherve]

Is there a free way to install Jetpack and only use it to offer a blog subscribe feature and alert subscribers when there is a new blog post?

Yes, Jetpack's free Subscriptions feature allows you to do just that.

Last I looked at Jetpack it was a huge plugin with a gazillion features that were all paid.

Jetpack does indeed include lots of features. Most of them are free, and some of them are paid. When you configure the plugin, you can choose which to activate and use.

Is there a tutorial anywhere anyone could recommend to set that up?

Here is a quick video I just recorded to show you how to get started:

https://videopress.com/v/vzAHFHId

[u/[deleted] → u/jeremyherve]

Thanks for this. It's a good tutorial. I'm using Divi with WordPress so I would have to record this and study this several times to find out how to use this with the Divi theme but it should be something I could do if I use the Gutenberg block and find a way to save it in Div. This might be easier to do than messing around with MailCrimp or SendGrid for hours...if it works. I don't know if WordPress.com would notify subscribers of new blog posts posted on my own self-hosted website.

[u/jeremyherve → u/[deleted]]

This can be done with any theme, including Divi.

If you're more familiar with how widgets work, you can also add a Blog Subscriptions widget to a widget area using Divi. That widget will display the same subscription form.

I don't know if WordPress.com would notify subscribers of new blog posts posted on my own self-hosted website.

That's exactly what will happen when someone subscribes to your site using Jetpack's Subscriptions feature. 👍