Email Gated Downloads
Download After Email & Lead Magnet Forms
Overview
Welcome to Email Gated Downloads, the simplest way to turn your PDFs and ZIPs into high‑value lead magnets. This lightweight WordPress plugin lets you collect a visitor’s email address (and optionally their name) before they download your file. Use it to grow your mailing list, protect your content from bots or abuse, and deliver your resources through secure, one‑time links.
Whether you’re a marketer launching a new eBook, a teacher sharing worksheets or a small business offering a free checklist, you can gate any downloadable file behind a clean, responsive form. This page explains what the plugin does, highlights the benefits, and shows you how easy it is to get started.
Download‑after‑email form. Display a simple form on any page or post requiring the visitor’s email (and optional name) before they can access your PDF or ZIP.
Secure file storage. Upload your file to a protected directory; the URL is never exposed. Each download link is a one‑time token that expires after use.
Logging & CSV export. View every download with the visitor’s email, name and timestamp. Export your log to CSV for import into Mailchimp, ConvertKit or any CRM.
GDPR‑compliant consent. Enable an optional consent checkbox with custom text to collect explicit permission before emailing your visitors.
Rate limiting. Stop abuse by limiting how often the same visitor can request the file.
Customisable styling. Use CSS variables to change colours, borders and spacing or disable the built‑in stylesheet entirely and use your own.
Lightweight & performance‑friendly. Minimal code and clean database usage ensure the plugin loads fast and doesn’t slow down your site.
Unlimited gated files. Create multiple download offers using a custom post type. Each file can have its own form settings, consent text and confirmation message.
Individual shortcodes. Embed specific forms anywhere using
[pdf_download_form id="123"]. Perfect for landing pages, blog posts or pop‑ups.Advanced analytics. An interactive dashboard shows total downloads, top performing files and historical trends. Identify which lead magnets convert best and adjust your campaigns accordingly.
Specs
wordpress 6.2+
1.0.0
October, 29, 2025
GPLv2 or later
Why gate downloads?
Gated content is a proven strategy for building relationships and collecting qualified leads. By offering a valuable resource in exchange for contact details, you can:
- Grow your email list quickly. Exchanging a free PDF or ZIP for an email address is a straightforward trade‑off that visitors expect. It’s one of the simplest ways to build a subscriber list and nurture future customers.
- Protect valuable files. Your downloads are stored in a private directory and delivered via one‑time, time‑limited tokens. This prevents direct access and stops bots or competitors from scraping your resources.
- Comply with privacy regulations. A built‑in consent checkbox ensures you can request GDPR compliance and show your data‑handling policies. You can enable or disable it per file and customise the message.
- Measure success. Tracking download counts and exporting the data helps you see which offers convert best, so you can refine your marketing strategy.
How it works (3 simple steps)
Getting started with Email Gated Downloads takes less than five minutes. Here’s the typical workflow:
- Upload your resource. After installing and activating the plugin, go to Settings → Email Gated Downloads and upload your PDF or ZIP file. The file is stored securely on your server.
- Configure your form. Decide whether to show a name field, enable the GDPR consent checkbox and customise the success message. You can also adjust styles via CSS variables or disable the stylesheet for complete control.
- Embed the shortcode. Place [pdf_download_form] in any page, post or widget. When visitors complete the form, they instantly receive a secure download link inline or via email.
That’s it! Your download is now gated and you’ll start collecting emails. Premium users follow the same process but can create unlimited offers and use individual shortcodes for each file.
Who it’s for
Email Gated Downloads is ideal for anyone who wants to exchange digital content for contact details without dealing with bloated email subscription suites. Typical use cases include:
- Lead magnets. Offer eBooks, guides, checklists, templates or cheat sheets to attract subscribers and segment your list.
- Content upgrades. Add supplementary PDFs or ZIPs to blog posts, courses or webinars to encourage conversions.
- Resource libraries. Build a library of downloads that require registration and track which assets get the most downloads.
- Product samples. Deliver free samples of your digital products (music tracks, design assets, code snippets) while collecting leads.
- Newsletter incentives. Reward new subscribers with an exclusive resource to encourage sign‑ups.
Why choose Email Gated Downloads over other solutions?
Most form builders and membership plugins can lock content, but they often come with unnecessary bloat or require complex setups. Email Gated Downloads focuses on doing one thing extremely well: collecting emails in exchange for a download. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Less overhead. The plugin is lightweight and blends seamlessly into the WordPress UI, making it perfect for performance‑conscious sites.
- Dedicated analytics. Unlike basic contact forms, our Premium dashboard gives you actionable insights into which files convert best and when.
- Flexible design. You can use the built‑in styles or disable them completely and build your own design system. There’s no lock‑in.
- Focus on security. One‑time tokens and protected directories mean your files stay safe. Many competitors rely on hidden links that can be shared or scraped.
- Transparent pricing. The free version is truly free and includes everything you need for a single gated file. Upgrade only if you need unlimited files, analytics and CRM integrations.
Harness the power of gated content and watch your subscriber list grow!
Pricing
Free
All free features
Download‑after‑email form. Display a simple form on any page or post requiring the visitor’s email (and optional name) before they can access your PDF or ZIP.
Secure file storage. Upload your file to a protected directory; the URL is never exposed. Each download link is a one‑time token that expires after use.
Logging & CSV export. View every download with the visitor’s email, name and timestamp. Export your log to CSV for import into Mailchimp, ConvertKit or any CRM.
GDPR‑compliant consent. Enable an optional consent checkbox with custom text to collect explicit permission before emailing your visitors.
Rate limiting. Stop abuse by limiting how often the same visitor can request the file.
Customisable styling. Use CSS variables to change colours, borders and spacing or disable the built‑in stylesheet entirely and use your own.
Lightweight & performance‑friendly. Minimal code and clean database usage ensure the plugin loads fast and doesn’t slow down your site.
Premium
Includes all free features, plus:
-
Unlimited gated files. Create multiple download offers using a custom post type. Each file can have its own form settings, consent text and confirmation message.
★ -
Individual shortcodes. Embed specific forms anywhere using
★[pdf_download_form id="123"]. Perfect for landing pages, blog posts or pop‑ups. -
Advanced analytics. An interactive dashboard shows total downloads, top performing files and historical trends. Identify which lead magnets convert best and adjust your campaigns accordingly.
★
Frequently Asked Questions
What file types are supported?
The plugin supports PDF (.pdf) and ZIP (.zip) files out of the box. Premium users can gate additional file types via developer hooks.
Is the free version really free?
Yes! You can gate one file forever with no hidden fees. If you need unlimited files or advanced analytics, you can upgrade at any time.
How secure are the downloads?
Very secure. Files are stored in a protected directory and delivered via one‑time links that expire after use. The actual file path is never exposed.
Can I customise the form?
Absolutely. You can show or hide the name field, require it or make it optional, enable a GDPR consent checkbox and customise its label. CSS variables let you change colours and spacing, and you can disable the plugin’s stylesheet entirely for bespoke designs.
How do I see who downloaded my file?
In the WordPress admin, go to Settings → Email Gated Downloads and scroll to the Download Logs. Every submission records the email, name (if provided), file name, IP address and timestamp. You can export the log as a CSV file for import into your email marketing service.
Does the plugin integrate with my email marketing tool?
Users can export the CSV and import leads into any service (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, etc.).
Can I place multiple forms on the same page?
Yes. The free shortcode [pdf_download_form] can appear on multiple pages or posts and points to your single gated file. Premium users can place multiple unique shortcodes (with IDs) on the same page to gate different downloads.
Does this work with page builders?
Yes. Email Gated Downloads works in the Block Editor, Elementor, Divi and any other builder that supports shortcodes. Simply paste the shortcode where you want the form to appear.
Need Support?
Have a question or need help with Email Gated Downloads? Our team is here to assist you.
Contact SupportHave an Idea?
Got a suggestion for a new feature or an improvement for Email Gated Downloads? We'd love to hear it!
Suggest a Feature