Jekyll Blog: Newsletter – MailerLite

I thought about creating a newsletter – so I did.

The newsletter informs about new blog posts – independently of external social media platforms.

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Concept

Assumptions

Static frontend + external backend for email subscription and distribution:

• The blog operates as a fully static frontend.
• Subscription handling and email distribution are implemented through an external backend (SaaS model).
• Email addresses are not stored in the repository or on the blog server – only within the SaaS system.

Operating Principle

• Notifications are sent each time a new post is published.
• Double opt-in is enabled during subscription (email confirmation required).
• Subscribers can unsubscribe at any time using the link in the email footer.
• Confirmation pages are hosted within my own domain.

SaaS Selection (Software as a Service)

I chose MailerLite because:

• Free plan up to 500 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month.
• No aggressive marketing elements.
• Simple operational model.
• Ability to export the subscriber database.

Architecture

Static frontend + external backend:

• Frontend: Jekyll + Chirpy theme (GitHub Pages)
• Backend: MailerLite

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Implementation

Subscription Flow

The subscription process works as follows:

1. In _includes/topbar.html there is a link to the subscription page: https://blog.marcinszewczyk.net/newsletter/

2. The form on that page is connected to the backend (MailerLite).

3. The user enters their email address and submits the form. They receive a confirmation email with an activation link. At the same time, the following page is displayed: https://blog.marcinszewczyk.net/newsletter-confirmation/

4. The user clicks the confirmation link in the email. A confirmation page is displayed: https://blog.marcinszewczyk.net/newsletter-confirmed/

The external backend handles the subscription logic, while the blog remains fully static.

MailerLite Configuration

Account Settings:

• Sender: Name and surname
• Address: newsletter@marcinszewczyk.net

Sending Domains:

A sending domain was added along with authentication records (SPF/DKIM) to improve deliverability.

Subscriber Group:

Created group: Blog Newsletter.

Forms:

Two forms were created:

• Form: PL
• Form: EN

Settings:

• “Custom success page” enabled,
• double opt-in enabled,
• auto-confirm disabled.

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Frontend Integration (Jekyll-Chirpy)

1. Script

JavaScript provided by MailerLite, added in _includes/head.html:

<!-- MailerLite Universal -->
<script>
    (function(w,d,e,u,f,l,n){w[f]=w[f]||function(){(w[f].q=w[f].q||[])
    .push(arguments);},l=d.createElement(e),l.async=1,l.src=u,
    n=d.getElementsByTagName(e)[0],n.parentNode.insertBefore(l,n);})
    (window,document,'script','https://assets.mailerlite.com/js/universal.js','ml');
    ml('account', '2151227');
</script>
<!-- End MailerLite Universal -->

The script initializes the global ml object required for embedding forms.

2. Newsletter Page in Jekyll-Chirpy

In _pages/newsletter.md, the MailerLite form was added:

<div class="ml-embedded" data-form="cY1WRm"></div>

Data Flow

1. The user enters their email address.
2. The form sends data directly to MailerLite.
3. MailerLite:
   • sends a confirmation email,
   • stores the subscriber in the group,
   • allows unsubscription.

Jekyll does not participate in storing or processing subscriber data – the blog remains fully static.

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Summary

The blog now has a newsletter that serves as a simple notification mechanism for new posts.

No marketing.

No sales automation.

Simple. Exactly as much as needed.