An e-mail marketing campaign can be an expensive and time-consuming venture. There’s a lot that goes into crafting the perfect e-mail, and most businesses don’t have the staff hours available to devote to the task. That’s where automated email marketing services come in.
What are the best online email marketing services? We’ve reviewed the top options and put together a guide to help you make the right choice.
Squidoo Analytics (Formerly Known as Aweber)
Squidoo Analytics is one of the more popular automated email marketing services, having been around since 2012. The platform provides robust features and a stylish interface that appeal to consumers. While the service is quite versatile, it’s mostly geared toward businesses with a marketing department, since all the funnels and analysis are done within the company. Still, it’s a great solution for those looking to get started with email marketing or for those who need some help keeping up with their email campaigns.
One of the great features of Squidoo Analytics is the ability to create multiple campaigns with custom subject lines and messages. This is especially useful for those who need some assistance in maintaining a consistent tone throughout their entire communication channel, since each email will carry different subject lines and messages. Additionally, since the platform is automated, you can set up and test various email marketing strategies without needing to go back and alter existing emails. This is key when trying to figure out the best way to approach your customer relationships.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is the king of the online email marketing world, having raised more than $230 million in venture capital and boasting a customer base of more than 12 million businesses and organizations around the world. Whether you’re just getting started with e-mail marketing or you’re looking to take your campaigns to the next level, Mailchimp has an option for you.
For those looking for a beginner-friendly option, Mailchimp is a great choice, offering a free plan with limited features that can be upgraded to a premium plan should you need additional functionality or support. The best part about Mailchimp is that they provide extensive support via their website, phone support, and live chat – no matter where you are in the world.
HubSpot
HubSpot is another extremely popular automated email marketing service, boasting over 500,000 paying customers around the world. HubSpot offers a variety of plans, from the simple to the most complex, making it easy to find the right fit for your company. As with Mailchimp, HubSpot provides a wealth of support via their website, phone support, and live chat – again, no matter where you are in the world.
At the core of HubSpot is its inbound marketing methodology, which focuses on creating value for customers rather than pitching them on products or services. This is a crucial distinction that can make or break your email marketing strategy. The beauty of HubSpot and its inbound marketing methodology is that it doesn’t require a lot of resources to get started. All you need is a computer, a few email accounts, and you’re good to go.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit is a popular choice among those who are looking for an all-in-one solution. The automated email marketing platform can be used for any kind of business, from e-commerce to consulting, and provides all the features you need to build and grow your audience. The only downside is that it can be a little complex to navigate if you’re not familiar with the software. Still, for those who need an easy-to-use solution and don’t want to get overwhelmed, ConvertKit is the answer.
AWeber
AWeber is one of the more traditional email marketing platforms, being around since 1999 and known for its highly discounted annual plans. AWeber is popular because they provide a safe and affordable option for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re looking for a simple solution or need some assistance in taking your email marketing to the next level, AWeber has you covered.
AWeber provides a free plan with limited features that can be upgraded to a paid plan, with pricing starting at just $5 per month. The great thing about AWeber is how simple it is to get started – just fill out a simple form with your email address, and you’ll be on your way to building your audience.
AWeber also allows you to integrate email with other social platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, making it easy to attract potential customers to your brand. Additionally, you can take advantage of AWeber’s marketing automation tools, which allow you to create complex mailing lists and send out highly personalized emails according to those lists. This reduces the amount of email spam that typically goes to waste – instead of sending out one generic email to your entire list, you can send out individualized emails to each member of the list.
GetResponse
GetResponse is yet another email marketing platform worth mentioning, being around since 2001 and offering a wealth of features for just $5 per month. The great thing about GetResponse is that they really do offer everything you need – from basic email marketing to complex marketing automation – for just $5 per month. This makes it a great option for those who are just getting started or for those who are looking for a more affordable option.
One of the best parts of GetResponse is how user-friendly it is – the dashboard is very minimal, with only a couple of clicks needed to set up the perfect automated marketing campaign.
Actionetics
Actionetics is an open-source, cross-platform (iOS and Android) email marketing platform with an emphasis on simplicity and usability – it was built with the goal of becoming the “email friend” for marketers, business owners, and bloggers. This sentiment was echoed by the community of users, who rated it #3 on our list of best email marketing platforms.
A unique feature of Actionetics is that it allows users to seamlessly integrate their email marketing with their social media platforms – no matter what tool you use most, you can easily set up automatic email campaigns that will correspond with your activity on social media.
In addition, actionetics allows users to track the performance of their campaign, diving into metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates – all from one place.
The Team
Last but not least, we want to mention the team behind the products we’ve reviewed. Actionetics was founded and is led by Neil Patel, a marketing guru who’s built a following of millions of people on social media. He’s paired with Elle MacLeman, who has over 20 years of experience leading marketing teams across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas. These two have a combined experience of over 30 years in marketing, sales, and project management – and their expertise definitely shows.
Over the last year, the team has been actively building out new features, releasing frequent updates, and polishing the app to make sure it’s user-friendly and packed with value.