The shortest path to adding Steady to your website: connect it once, then switch on the features you want. Connecting means pasting the Steady code into your site's <head> — or installing the WordPress plugin. Everything else (layers, a newsletter form, checkout, member login) builds on that single connection.
Step 1: Connect Steady to your website
Before any Steady feature can appear on your site, you need to connect the two. Pick whichever route fits your setup:
Option A: Add the Steady code
Copy the Steady code snippet from your backend and paste it into the <head> of your website. This works with any website or CMS. How to add the Steady code to your website →
Option B: Use the WordPress plugin
If your site runs on WordPress, install the Steady WordPress plugin instead of adding the code manually. It covers all Steady integrations — layers, paywall, checkout, and more — without touching your theme files. How to use the WordPress plugin →
Step 2: Set up your layers
Layers are the pop-ups and overlays that appear on your site. Each type has its own settings page where you can customise the copy, design, and behaviour:
Newsletter Layer — invite visitors to sign up for your newsletter
Paywall — gate content for paying members
Adblock Detection — show a message to visitors using an adblocker
Announcement Layer — share a message or promotion with your visitors
Once you've set up one or more layers, Smart Layers takes over — Steady's system for automatically showing the right layer to the right visitor at the right time. It analyses visitor behaviour and picks the most relevant layer for each visit, with no rules to configure.
Want a specific layer on a specific page? You can override Smart Layers by placing a layer directly on that page — manual placements always take priority.
To see how many views each layer received in the last 7 days, check your Layers overview page.
Newsletter Embed
In addition to the Newsletter Layer, you can embed a static newsletter sign-up form permanently into any page on your website. Unlike the layer, which appears as an overlay, the Newsletter Embed sits inline in your content — handy for a footer, a dedicated subscribe page, or anywhere the form should always be visible.
To get the code, open your Newsletter settings and copy the HTML snippet, then paste it wherever you want the form to appear. Important: the embed is rendered by the Steady code, so your site must be connected via Step 1 (Steady code or WordPress plugin) — otherwise the form won't appear.
Step 3: Add Steady Checkout (optional)
Steady Checkout lets visitors become paying members without leaving your website. Set it up in your Checkout settings, then add the Checkout snippet to any page where you want it to appear.
Note: Checkout and the Paywall can't be placed on the same page.
More tools for members
Once visitors become members, these tools help you give them the right experience on your site:
Login with Steady — add a login button so members can identify themselves on your site
Steady Paywall — show or hide content based on membership status
Audio RSS feed — offer exclusive podcast episodes to members
Other
Steady logos, buttons, and links — official graphics and assets to promote your membership on your site
Steady API — for custom integrations and advanced use cases
Still need help?
New to setup? Start with how to add the Steady code to your website — it's the one step everything else depends on.
Still stuck? Email us at support@steadyhq.com and we'll help you get Steady working on your site.