10 Best WordPress Giveaway and Contest Plugins

Running giveaways and contests on your WordPress website can be a great way to engage your audience and grow your online presence. To make this process easier, there are various plugins available. In this guide, we’ll explore five of the best WordPress giveaway and contest plugins. We’ll provide a concise definition, highlight five key features of each plugin, and offer step-by-step guides to help you get started.

WordPress theme and plugin

1. RafflePress

Definition: RafflePress is a user-friendly WordPress giveaway plugin that allows you to create and manage contests with ease.

Key Features:

1. Drag-and-Drop Builder: RafflePress offers an intuitive drag-and-drop builder, making it simple to create giveaway forms and landing pages without any coding knowledge.
2. Viral Refer-a-Friend Entry: Encourage participants to share your giveaway with a built-in refer-a-friend feature, helping your contest go viral.
3. Integration Options: Seamlessly integrate with popular email marketing services like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and more to build your subscriber list.
4. Responsive Design: RafflePress ensures that your giveaways and contest pages look great on all devices, boosting user engagement.
5. Social Media Integration: Easily promote your contests on social media platforms to reach a wider audience.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and Activate: Install the RafflePress plugin from your WordPress dashboard, activate it, and enter your license key.
2. Create a New Giveaway: Click on “RafflePress” in your dashboard and create a new giveaway. Customize the design, entry actions, and rules.
3. Configure Entry Methods: Choose entry methods like social media follows, email subscriptions, or refer-a-friend.
4. Set Up Notifications: Configure email notifications to keep participants informed about the contest.
5. Publish: Publish your giveaway and promote it on your website and social media platforms.

2. Gleam

Definition: Gleam is a versatile contest and giveaway platform that can be seamlessly integrated into your WordPress site.

Key Features:

1. Multiple Entry Methods: Gleam supports various entry methods, such as social media actions, email sign-ups, and custom actions.
2. Advanced Analytics: Gain insights into participant behavior and campaign performance with detailed analytics.
3. Automated Winner Selection: Easily choose winners through automated and transparent selection processes.
4. Custom Branding: Customize the look of your giveaway to match your website’s branding.
5. Integration Hub: Gleam offers integration with over 50 platforms, making it easy to connect with your favorite tools.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Create a Gleam Campaign: Sign up for Gleam, create a new campaign, and configure your desired entry methods.
2. Design Your Contest: Customize the appearance of your contest to align with your brand.
3. Set Rules and Restrictions: Define the rules and limitations of your contest, including start and end dates.
4. Embed on WordPress: Obtain the embed code and add it to your WordPress post or page where you want the contest to appear.
5. Monitor and Announce Winners: Keep an eye on campaign performance through Gleam’s analytics and announce the winners when the contest ends.

3. WP Contest Creator

Definition: WP Contest Creator is a user-friendly WordPress plugin that simplifies the process of creating and managing contests on your website.

Key Features:

1. Flexible Entry Forms: Easily create and customize entry forms with a visual editor.
2. Voting System: Engage your audience by allowing them to vote on contest entries.
3. Email Notifications: Keep participants informed with automated email notifications.
4. Anti-Cheating Measures: Prevent fraudulent entries with built-in anti-cheating features.
5. Social Sharing: Encourage contestants to share their entries on social media, increasing your contest’s reach.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and Activate: Install the WP Contest Creator plugin from your WordPress dashboard and activate it.
2. Create a New Contest: Click “Contests” in your dashboard and create a new contest. Customize the entry form and set contest rules.
3. Configure Voting: Enable the voting system if desired, and specify voting options.
4. Manage Entries: Review and manage contest entries from your WordPress admin panel.
5. Promote Your Contest: Share your contest on social media and your website to attract participants.

4. KingSumo

Definition: KingSumo is a popular WordPress plugin for creating viral giveaways and contests that help you grow your email list.

Key Features:

1. Easy Setup: KingSumo offers a simple setup process, allowing you to launch your giveaway quickly.
2. Refer-a-Friend Feature: Incentivize participants to share your contest by offering additional entries for successful referrals.
3. Email Integration: Automatically sync participant data with email marketing platforms like Mailchimp and ConvertKit.
4. Customizable Templates: Customize your giveaway’s appearance to match your brand.
5. Built-in Fraud Protection: Prevent cheating with built-in anti-fraud measures.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and Activate: Install the KingSumo plugin, activate it, and enter your license key.
2. Create a New Giveaway: Click on “KingSumo” in your WordPress dashboard, and create a new giveaway. Set up entry options and rules.
3. Customize Design: Modify the appearance of your giveaway to match your website’s branding.
4. Integrate with Email: Connect your email marketing platform to collect participant data.
5. Launch and Promote: Launch your giveaway and promote it through your website and social media channels.

5. ContestFriend

Definition: ContestFriend is a WordPress contest plugin designed for simplicity and user engagement.

Key Features:

1. User-Friendly Interface: ContestFriend offers an intuitive interface that makes setting up contests a breeze.
2. Entry Options: Create contests with various entry options, including social media actions and email sign-ups.
3. Automated Winner Selection: Easily select winners through automated processes.
4. Customization: Customize the appearance of your contest to match your website’s design.
5. Responsive Design: Ensure your contests look great on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and Activate: Install the ContestFriend plugin from your WordPress dashboard and activate it.
2. Create a New Contest: Click on “Contests” in your dashboard and create a new contest. Configure entry options and rules.
3. Design Your Contest: Customize the design to align with your website’s branding.
4. Launch and Promote: Launch your contest and promote it via your website and social media.
5. Select Winners: Use the plugin’s automated winner selection feature to choose the lucky winners.

The 10 Best WordPress Giveaway and Contest Plugins

Running a giveaway or contest on your WordPress website is a fantastic way to engage your audience and grow your online presence. To help you make the most of this strategy, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best WordPress giveaway and contest plugins. Each plugin comes with unique features to suit different needs. Let’s dive into their details.

1. RafflePress

Features:

1. Drag-and-Drop Builder: With RafflePress, you can easily create giveaway forms using a user-friendly drag-and-drop builder, making it accessible for beginners.
2. Viral Sharing: Encourage participants to share your contest on social media to gain more entries, expanding your reach effortlessly.
3. Integration: Seamlessly integrates with popular email marketing services like MailChimp, making it easier to manage participants.
4. Pre-built Templates: Save time with pre-made giveaway templates that you can customize to match your branding.
5. Entry Restrictions: Control entries with options like limiting entries per user or requiring participants to perform specific actions for eligibility.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and activate the RafflePress plugin.
2. Create a new giveaway, customizing it with the drag-and-drop builder.
3. Set entry actions and restrictions.
4. Configure email integrations.
5. Embed your giveaway on your WordPress site using a shortcode.

2. Contest by Rewards Fuel

Features:

1. Entry Methods: Offers a wide range of entry methods, including social media actions, surveys, and photo contests.
2. Contest Analytics: Track participant engagement and get insights into your contest’s performance.
3. Contest Templates: Provides customizable templates to kickstart your contest design.
4. Export Data: Easily export participant data for further analysis or email marketing.
5. Fraud Protection: Includes fraud detection to ensure fair contests.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and activate the Contest by Rewards Fuel plugin.
2. Create a new contest and choose your desired entry methods.
3. Customize the contest appearance using templates.
4. Monitor contest analytics to adjust your strategy.
5. Export participant data for future marketing efforts.

3. KingSumo Giveaways

Features:

1. Responsive Design: Create mobile-friendly giveaways to reach a wider audience.
2. Social Sharing: Encourage sharing by awarding extra entries for referrals.
3. Winner Selection: Randomly select winners and notify them automatically.
4. Email Integration: Integrates with popular email marketing platforms.
5. Customizable Actions: Define entry actions that suit your contest goals.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and activate KingSumo Giveaways.
2. Create a new giveaway with your preferred settings.
3. Customize entry actions and rewards.
4. Promote your giveaway to attract participants.
5. Let the plugin handle winner selection and notifications.

4. Simple Giveaways

Features:

1. User-Friendly: Designed for beginners, it’s easy to set up and manage.
2. Customizable Entry Forms: Create entry forms that match your branding.
3. Entry Restrictions: Control entries with options like age or location restrictions.
4. Export Entries: Easily export participant data for future marketing efforts.
5. Security: Built-in anti-cheat features to maintain fairness.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and activate Simple Giveaways.
2. Configure your giveaway settings.
3. Customize your entry form.
4. Promote your giveaway through your website and social media.
5. Export participant data for your marketing campaigns.

5. WP Contest Creator

Features:

1. Versatility: Create various types of contests, including photo contests and surveys.
2. Voting System: Allow users to vote for their favorite entries.
3. User Management: Manage and moderate participants easily.
4. Custom Fields: Collect specific information from participants.
5. Email Notifications: Keep participants informed throughout the contest.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and activate WP Contest Creator.
2. Configure your contest settings.
3. Create custom entry forms with the fields you need.
4. Promote your contest and encourage user participation.
5. Monitor entries and use the voting system if applicable.

6. ContestFriend

Features:

1. Social Engagement: Leverage social media for contest entry and promotion.
2. Referral System: Encourage participants to refer friends for additional entries.
3. Customization: Customize contest rules, entry methods, and design.
4. Analytics: Gain insights into participant behavior and performance.
5. Auto Winner Selection: Automatically pick winners and notify them.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and activate ContestFriend.
2. Configure your contest settings, including entry methods and rules.
3. Customize the appearance of your contest.
4. Share your contest on social media and other platforms.
5. Let the plugin handle the winner selection process.

7. Gleam Competitions

Features:

1. Multi-Platform: Run contests not only on your website but also on social media and other platforms.
2. Integration: Seamlessly integrate with various email marketing services.
3. User Data Collection: Collect valuable user data for future marketing campaigns.
4. Built-in Virality: Encourage participants to share the contest for additional entries.
5. Performance Tracking: Monitor your contest’s success with comprehensive analytics.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and activate Gleam Competitions.
2. Create a new competition, specifying entry methods and prizes.
3. Integrate with your preferred email marketing service.
4. Promote your competition across different platforms.
5. Analyze performance and use data for future marketing efforts.

8. Giveaway Boost

Features:

1. Simple Setup: Easy installation and setup process.
2. Entry Tracking: Keep tabs on participant entries and actions.
3. Referral Entries: Reward participants for referring others.
4. Auto Winner Selection: Randomly select winners and notify them.
5. Email Integration: Seamlessly connect with your email marketing platform.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and activate Giveaway Boost.
2. Configure your giveaway settings.
3. Customize the entry forms and actions.
4. Promote your giveaway to your target audience.
5. Let the plugin handle winner selection and email integration.

9. Wishpond Social Contests

Features:

1. Drag-and-Drop Builder: Create contests with ease using a user-friendly builder.
2. Templates: Access a library of contest templates for quick setup.
3. Lead Generation: Collect valuable leads for your marketing campaigns.
4. Social Sharing: Encourage participants to share your contest on social media.
5. Performance Analytics: Analyze your contest’s performance in real-time.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and activate Wishpond Social Contests.
2. Use the drag-and-drop builder to create your contest.
3. Customize templates to match your branding.
4. Promote your contest and collect leads.
5. Analyze real-time performance data to optimize your strategy.

10. ContestChest

Features:

1. Contest Directory: List your contest in the ContestChest directory for added visibility.
2. Voting System: Allow users to vote for their favorite entries.
3. Custom Entry Forms: Create forms that gather specific information.
4. Entry Management: Easily moderate and manage entries.
5. Notification System: Keep participants informed about contest updates.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and activate ContestChest.
2. Set up your contest and customize entry forms.
3. Consider listing your contest in the ContestChest directory.
4. Manage entries and use the voting system if desired.
5. Keep participants engaged with notifications and updates.

Conclusion

Incorporating giveaways and contests into your WordPress website can be a powerful strategy for engaging your audience and expanding your online presence. With the right plugin, you can easily create, manage, and promote your contests, ultimately achieving your marketing goals. Consider the features and step-by-step guides provided for each of these five popular plugins to determine which one best suits your needs and preferences. Happy contesting!