I’m a huge nerd for politics, digital and where they intersect. With the Republican nomination for President now in full swing, I just had to sign up for all the top-tier candidates’ email lists. (Someone has to do it!)
While I was already on a few, I started from scratch for all of them, using a backup email address… with tracking!
If you didn’t already know, you can track Gmail addresses (including professional emails using G Suite/Workspace). I wrote a whole blog post on that. Check it out here (there’s a great story in there about a candidate selling his list to a group who went on to support one of his opponents in his primary – so that’s fun!). I did this to make it easier to see who’s selling and renting out their email lists, as the race proceeds.
Donald Trump
So of course, I had to start with the frontrunner.
When I search for Donald Trump, I have to scroll halfway down the first page of Google to find his website. Which makes sense from an SEO standpoint (dude’s in the news A LOT).
With all the money he spends on digital ads (and he spends A LOT), I was a bit surprised to find he wasn’t using Google Search Ads to push to his site. But also, not that surprised. Folks who want to find the Donald, will. So no reason to spend money if he doesn’t have to.
Now here’s something interesting. When I first started doing this (on Wednesday, June 14th), his site redirected me to a WinRed donation page.
But today (Thursday, June 15th), that’s no longer the case.
Not sure if they were updating the site or doing some testing. But whatever it is, his site no longer redirects to WinRed.
His email list sign-up form is right there on the homepage.
His campaign doesn’t ask for name (not even an option to include it). Just email and zip. Both are required to sign up for his list.
After signing up, I’m redirected to a volunteer form.
This one actually surprised me. I’d think the Donald would optimize for money above all else.
There’s still of course a contribute button in the header, as well as a GIANT donate button (like comically large) at the bottom of the page.
But still, the fact that they are optimizing for volunteers over trying to immediately get me to open my wallet legit surprises me from the Grifter-In-Chief.
Social Channels Listed On His Site
When it comes to social accounts in his footer, he’s got Truth Social, Rumble and Twitter. WHICH IS FREAKING WEIRD!
He IS active on Instagram and Facebook. He is NOT active on Twitter – like famously so!
WHY IS THAT IN HIS FOOTER?!
It makes no sense whatsoever.
Ron DeSantis
Next up is Tiny D. Or is it Ron DePuddingFingers? Prefer Ron DeSanctimonious? How about Meatball Ron?
Whatever you call him, he’s second in the polls (though a distant second fwiw).
His site’s about 1/3 of the way down the first page of Google. Not great, but not terrible.
His site design though is… a choice.
It looks like something out of the MySpace era of the internet.
You have to click “join the team” to sign up for his list. No option to do so directly on his homepage.
Once on the form, he requires first name, last name and email to sign up.
I personally always recommend against requiring last name. The more info you require, the more folks are going to fail to convert. Get them on the list and then work to learn more about them
That said, I do recommend asking for first name, so you can personalize emails, as well as zip code, so you know where folks live.
Social Channels Listed On His Site
He has the three standard ones – Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Plus Rumble.
Nikki Haley
Haley’s site comes up on Google second only to Wikipedia.
When you get there, there is A LOT going on.
One of the many CTAs she has on her homepage is to join her email list.
She doesn’t require last name to sign up, but she does require BOTH state AND zip code. Which is redundant! If you have my zip code, you have my state! Why ask folks to provide both? That’s just bad digital work.
Social Channels Listed On Her Site
Haley went totally traditional when it comes to social icons on her site. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Tim Scott
When I Googled Tim Scott, the very first thing I saw was a paid search ad pushing me toward a WinRed donate page.
That’s the first candidate so far with any search ads for their name. Interesting!
His actual website was about halfway down page one of Google. Which isn’t great, but he’s still early into the race.
The first thing I see on his site is a MASSIVE pop-up with A LOT of CTAs.
- Watch a video
- Donate
- Check out his store
- Get tickets for his Hannity Town Hall (Hard pass, but thanks!)
Once getting past his over-stuffed popup, he’s optimized for joining the team. BUT… it sure looks like he and Nikki Haley have the same web developer, doesn’t it? Same header and donate CTAs.
When signing up, you are required to provide a cell phone number to join his list.
Which in my personal opinion is ridiculous!
Get folks where you can. How many folks didn’t join his list because they didn’t want to provide a phone number? I’m guessing quite a few.
(I for one gave him a fake phone number — I’m willing to read his emails, but I really don’t want his texts.)
Social Channels Listed On His Site
Like Haley, he has all the traditional channels on his site. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Chris Christie
When Christie first announced his run, he didn’t have a live website. His URL didn’t redirect to an email sign-up form or a WinRed donate page. It was just a giant white screen. The favicon and preview both said “coming soon.”
To announce a Presidential run without a website, in 2023, is bananas. Nothing else to say here.
He now has a site. And when I Google him, it’s the first hit.
So that’s good for him.
He’s optimized his homepage for email sign-ups.
He requires first and last name to sign up. As I mentioned above, I personally wouldn’t make last name required. But that’s nothing like requiring a phone number!
Social Channels Listed On His Site
Christie too has the traditional social suite on his site.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Though it’s kinda funny because since his whole campaign is based on the idea that “truth matters” he invites folks to “follow the truth.”
Which means something specific for Donald Trump (ala Truth Social), who gave his social channel the dumbest name of all time. That kind of language still must lead to confusion, even for power users of the site.
Mike Pence
Finally, we come to Mike Pence.
Poor, poor Mike Pence.
He’s the second candidate running search ads against his name. They direct to a WinRed donation page.
But WinRed paid ads aside, his website’s not on Google. I mean, I’m sure it is. But I scrolled — FOR A WHILE — and it was nowhere to be seen.
I saw a Vox page covering Pence as VP. Same with C-Span and Fox. And lots of coverage about his launch. Apparently, he even has an IMDB page, which showed up (I assumed it was some poor sap who shared his name, but NO, it’s him!).
Here’s what he’s “known for” if you’re curious.
I also saw numerous paid ads directing to his WinRed page. But his actual website was nowhere to be seen. And like I said, I scrolled… for a while.
I finally had to go to his Twitter account to find his URL. It’s mikepence2024.com. He also owns mikepence.com if you’re curious. That URL redirects to his site.
His site’s fine.
His sign-up form is front and center.
It doesn’t ask for first name (a mistake imho).
It does ask for phone, but doesn’t require it, which is smart.
But… get this… when I try to fill out the form, it doesn’t work.
No error message, no confirmation. Nothing. Which is just… too perfect. 🙃 😂 👀
Social Channels Listed On His Site
Like all the other candidates polling in low single digits, he has the traditional social platforms on his site.
In the coming months, I’ll be following all of these candidates’ email, social media and general digital programs… so you don’t have to!
Join my mailing and list and connect with me on Twitter and/or TikTok for regular updates.
If you are into this type of content, you’ll probably also appreciate my podcast Hello Merge Tag. It looks at social media, politics and where they intersect. Listen to all episodes at hellomergetag.com or wherever you stream podcasts.
Want to take your own digital program to the next level? My team and I would love to help!
Learn more about what we do and let’s connect and see how we might work together on better telling your digital story.
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I wrote a follow-up after being on these lists for 7 weeks. You can find that here.
