If you want to grow your email list and automate your marketing, learning how to connect your forms to Brevo is essential. Whether you’re using WordPress, Elementor, Shopify, Webflow, or a custom website, integrating your forms with Brevo ensures every new submission is automatically added to your contact list.
In this updated 2026 guide, you’ll learn how to generate a Brevo API Key, connect it to your preferred form builder, test the integration, and avoid common setup mistakes. Even if you’ve never used Brevo before, this step-by-step tutorial will help you get everything working quickly.
f you’re following this guide for the first time, it’s worth creating a Brevo account before you begin so you can follow each step in real time. The free plan includes the essential tools needed to connect forms, generate API keys, and start building your email list without any upfront cost. Create Your Free Brevo Account to get started.
What Is Brevo?
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is an all-in-one email marketing and customer relationship management (CRM) platform. It allows businesses to send newsletters, transactional emails, SMS campaigns, and automate customer communication from one dashboard.

One of Brevo’s most useful features is its API, which allows websites and applications to send contact information directly to your Brevo account. Instead of manually exporting form submissions, every new lead can be added automatically, saving time and reducing errors.
Brevo supports businesses of all sizes and integrates with popular website builders, CMS platforms, and custom applications.
Why Connect Your Forms to Brevo?
Your website forms are one of the main ways visitors become leads. Without an integration, you’ll have to manually copy contact details into your email marketing platform, which is time-consuming and prone to mistakes.
Connecting your forms to Brevo allows you to:
- Automatically add subscribers to your email list.
- Trigger welcome emails and automation workflows.
- Keep your contact database organized.
- Reduce manual work.
- Improve lead management and follow-up.
Whether you’re collecting newsletter signups, contact requests, or customer inquiries, Brevo helps you turn those submissions into meaningful marketing opportunities.
If you’re interested in seeing Brevo in action beyond simple form integrations, our guide on How We Closed a $120K B2B Deal With Brevo SMS Automation shows how businesses can use SMS automation, lead nurturing, and timely follow-ups to convert prospects into high-value customers. It’s a practical example of how the same Brevo tools can drive real business growth.
Brevo API vs SMTP: What’s the Difference?
Many beginners confuse the Brevo API with SMTP, but they serve different purposes.
| Feature | API | SMTP |
| Add contacts automatically | ✅ | ❌ |
| Trigger marketing automation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Send transactional emails | ✅ | ✅ |
| Update contact information | ✅ | ❌ |
| Best for marketing | ✅ | Limited |
When Should You Use the API?
The API is ideal when you want to:
- Sync form submissions with Brevo.
- Build your email list automatically.
- Trigger automation workflows.
- Update contact details.
- Manage lists and subscribers.
When Should You Use SMTP?
SMTP is mainly used for sending emails such as:
- Contact form notifications
- Password reset emails
- Order confirmations
- Account verification emails
For most websites, you’ll use the API for marketing and SMTP for transactional emails.
Before generating your Brevo API Key, make sure you’re logged into the correct workspace and have administrator access. If you haven’t registered yet, Sign Up for Brevo to access the SMTP & API settings, contact management, and automation features you’ll need throughout this blog..
Follow this step-by-step 2026 guide to connect your forms to Brevo, generate an API key, sync contacts automatically, and streamline email marketing.
Step 1 – Log In to Your Brevo Account
Visit the Brevo dashboard and sign in using your account credentials.
Once logged in, you’ll have access to your campaigns, contacts, automation tools, and developer settings.
Why this matters: Only authorized users can generate API keys and manage integrations. If you’re working on a client project, make sure you have administrator access before continuing.
Pro Tip: If you manage multiple websites, use separate Brevo workspaces or clearly organize your contact lists to keep data clean.
Step 2 – Open the Settings Menu
After logging in, navigate to the Settings section of your Brevo dashboard.
This area contains the platform’s technical configuration, including:
- SMTP settings
- API management
- Sender authentication
- Security options
- Webhooks
- Domains
Most integrations begin here, so it’s worth becoming familiar with this section.
Common Mistake: Many new users look under “Contacts” or “Campaigns” for API options. The API settings are located under Settings, not within the marketing tools.
Step 3 – Navigate to SMTP & API
Within the Settings menu, select SMTP & API.
This page contains everything related to external integrations, including SMTP credentials and API keys. Although both are displayed together, remember that they serve different purposes.
Here you’ll be able to:
- View existing API keys.
- Create new API keys.
- Access SMTP credentials.
- Manage authentication details.
Why this matters: Every application that communicates with Brevo needs authentication. This page is where you’ll generate those credentials.
Step 4 – Generate a Brevo API Key
In the API Keys section, click the option to create a new key.
Give your key a descriptive name, such as:
- Website Forms
- Elementor Integration
- Shopify Store
- Contact Form API
Brevo will generate a unique API key that you’ll use to connect your forms.
Important: Copy the key immediately after it’s created. For security reasons, some platforms display the full key only once.
Why Naming Your API Key Matters
If you manage multiple websites or applications, descriptive names make it much easier to identify which key belongs to which project. This also simplifies troubleshooting and future maintenance.
Step 5 – Store Your API Key Securely
Your API key acts like a password for your integration, so it should be protected carefully.
Store it in a secure location, such as:
- A password manager
- Environment variables
- A secure configuration file
- An encrypted secrets manager
Never:
- Publish it in public GitHub repositories.
- Include it in frontend JavaScript.
- Share it in emails or chat messages.
- Embed it directly in HTML pages.
If your API key is exposed, anyone with access could potentially interact with your Brevo account.
Best Practice
Create separate API keys for development and production environments. If one key is compromised, you can revoke it without affecting your live website.
Once your API key is ready, the rest of the integration process becomes much easier. If you’re still setting up your email marketing system, Get Started with Brevo to organize contacts, automate follow-up emails, and manage subscribers from a single dashboard as your website grows.
Step 6 – Connect the API Key to Your Form Builder
With your API key ready, it’s time to connect your form builder to Brevo. The exact interface varies by platform, but the process is generally the same.
- Open your form builder or website settings.
- Go to Integrations, Marketing, or API Connections.
- Select Brevo from the available integrations (if supported).
- Paste your Brevo API key.
- Click Connect or Authenticate.
- Save your changes.
If your platform doesn’t offer a native Brevo integration, you can use the Brevo REST API, webhooks, or automation tools like Make or Zapier.
Pro Tip: Use a separate API key for each website or project. This makes it easier to manage and revoke access if needed.
Step 7 – Map Your Form Fields
Field mapping tells Brevo where each piece of information should be stored.
A typical mapping looks like this:
| Form Field | Brevo Contact Field |
| First Name | FIRSTNAME |
| Last Name | LASTNAME |
| Phone | SMS or PHONE |
| Company | COMPANY |
Correct mapping ensures your contact information is organized and ready for email campaigns or automation.
Common Mistakes
- Mapping the wrong field to the email address.
- Forgetting to create custom fields in Brevo.
- Using different field names across multiple forms.
Always review your mappings before going live.
Step 8 – Test Your Integration
Never publish an integration without testing it.
Submit your form using a test email address and verify that:
- The form submits successfully.
- No error message appears.
- The contact is added to Brevo.
- All fields are populated correctly.
- The contact is added to the correct list.
Testing helps identify configuration issues before real visitors start using your forms.
Step 9 – Verify Contacts in Brevo
Open the Contacts section in your Brevo dashboard and search for your test email.
Confirm that:
- The contact exists.
- The email address is correct.
- Custom fields contain the expected values.
- The contact has been added to the correct list.
- Any tags or attributes have been applied correctly.
If the contact doesn’t appear, review your API key, field mapping, and integration settings.
Step 10 – Enable Marketing Automation
Adding contacts is only the beginning. To get the most from Brevo, create an automation workflow.
Popular automations include:
- Welcome email sequences
- Newsletter subscriptions
- Lead nurturing campaigns
- Appointment confirmations
- Customer onboarding emails
- Follow-up reminders
Automation allows every new subscriber to receive timely communication without manual work.
Whether you’re using WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, or a custom-built website, the API connection process remains largely the same. If you’re looking for a reliable platform to manage new subscribers and campaigns, Try Brevo Free and explore its built-in email marketing and automation features while following this guide.
Connecting Popular Form Builders to Brevo

The API key generation process is the same for every platform. The only difference is where you enter the key.
WordPress
Most WordPress form plugins support Brevo through native integrations or add-ons. Simply connect your API key, map the fields, and choose the destination contact list.
Elementor Forms
Elementor Pro allows integrations through its form actions or webhooks. After connecting Brevo, map your fields and test the submission process.
Contact Form 7
Contact Form 7 doesn’t include built-in Brevo support, but you can integrate it using plugins, webhooks, or custom API code.
WPForms & Gravity Forms
Both plugins offer simple integration workflows. Authenticate with your API key, select your contact list, map fields, and save the configuration.
HTML & PHP Forms
Custom forms can communicate directly with the Brevo REST API through server-side code. Never expose your API key in frontend HTML or JavaScript.
Laravel, React & Next.js
Developers should store API keys in environment variables and send requests from the backend or secure API routes to keep credentials protected.
Shopify & Webflow
These platforms can connect with Brevo using native apps, automation tools, webhooks, or custom integrations, depending on your setup.
If you’re planning to send order confirmations, password reset emails, or account notifications, don’t miss our How to Use Brevo Transactional Emails: Proven Guide for 2026. It explains how to configure Brevo’s transactional email service, improve email deliverability, and ensure your important messages reach customers reliably.
Need Expert Help with Your Brevo Setup?
Axiabits specializes in Brevo API integrations, email marketing automation, WordPress and Shopify integrations, CRM configuration, and custom workflow development. Whether you’re starting from scratch or optimizing an existing system, our team can build a secure, scalable solution tailored to your business goals. Book a Free Consultation today and let our experts help you get the most out of Brevo.
Conclusion
Connecting your forms to Brevo is a simple but powerful way to automate lead collection and improve your email marketing strategy. Whether you’re using WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, Laravel, React, or a custom website, the integration process follows the same core steps: generate a secure API key, connect it to your form builder, map your fields, test the integration, and enable automation.
Once your setup is complete, every new form submission can flow directly into your Brevo account, helping you save time, reduce manual work, and build stronger relationships with your audience. Remember to keep your API keys secure, test your forms regularly, and review your automation workflows to ensure everything continues to run smoothly.
After your integration is complete, take a moment to verify that new contacts are being added correctly inside your Brevo dashboard. If you haven’t created an account yet, Open Your Brevo Account and test each step with a real form submission to ensure everything is working as expected.
Disclaimer
This article features affiliate links, which indicate that if you click on any of the links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. There’s no additional cost to you, and it helps support our blog so we can continue delivering valuable content. We endorse only products or services we believe will benefit our audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I generate a Brevo API key?
Go to Settings → SMTP & API → API Keys, then create a new key and copy it securely.
Can I connect HTML forms to Brevo?
Yes. HTML forms can connect through a backend application that communicates with the Brevo REST API.
Does Brevo work with WordPress?
Yes. Popular plugins such as WPForms, Gravity Forms, Elementor Forms, and Contact Form 7 can all integrate with Brevo.
Is the API better than SMTP?
For marketing automation and contact synchronization, yes. SMTP is mainly used for sending transactional emails.
Can I connect multiple forms to one Brevo account?
Yes. You can connect multiple websites and forms using separate API keys or the same account, depending on your workflow.
