What is email marketing software?
Email marketing software is a tool that allows businesses to create, send, and track email campaigns. These platforms provide a range of features that help optimize and automate the email marketing process.
What should email marketing platforms do?
Drag-and-drop user interface
A user-friendly drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create visually appealing emails without the need for coding or design skills.
Segmentation
Segmentation allows you to divide your email list into smaller groups based on specific criteria, such as demographics, behavior, or purchase history. This enables you to send more targeted and relevant content to your subscribers.
Personalization
Personalization features allow you to customize your emails with the recipient’s name, location, or other personalized information. This helps to create a more personalized and engaging experience for your subscribers.
Automation
Automation features enable you to set up automated email campaigns based on triggers such as sign-ups, purchases, or website activity. This saves time and ensures that your subscribers receive timely and relevant emails.
A/B Testing
A/B testing, also known as split testing, allows you to test different elements of your email campaigns, such as subject lines, content, or images, to determine which performs best. This helps to optimize your email marketing strategy for better results.
SMS marketing
Some email marketing platforms also offer SMS marketing features, allowing you to reach your subscribers through text messages in addition to email.
Chatbots
Integrating chatbots into your email marketing platform can help provide real-time customer support and personalized interactions with your subscribers.
Reports and analytics
Comprehensive reporting and analytics features provide insights into the performance of your email campaigns, including open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and more. This data helps you understand what’s working and what’s not, so you can make data-driven decisions.
Best email marketing tools to use in 2022
Sendinblue
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop email editor
- Segmentation and personalization
- Marketing automation
Pricing:
Sendinblue offers a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans starting at $25 per month.
Omnisend
Key features:
- Omni-channel marketing automation
- Segmentation and personalization
- A/B testing
Pricing:
Omnisend offers a free plan with basic features, as well as paid plans starting at $16 per month.
Hubspot
Key features:
- CRM integration
- Marketing automation
- Personalization
Pricing:
Hubspot offers a free plan for email marketing, with additional paid marketing hub plans starting at $45 per month.
Drip
Key features:
- E-commerce CRM integration
- Behavior-based automation
- Personalization
Pricing:
Drip offers a 14-day free trial, with paid plans starting at $19 per month.
ConvertKit
Key features:
- Subscriber tagging and segmenting
- Visual automation builder
- Landing pages and forms
Pricing:
ConvertKit offers a free plan for up to 1000 subscribers, with paid plans starting at $29 per month.
Mailchimp
Key features:
- Marketing CRM
- Personalization and segmentation
- Behavior-based automation
Pricing:
Mailchimp offers a free plan for up to 2000 contacts, with paid plans starting at $9.99 per month.
Email Octopus
Key features:
- Simple email marketing
- Custom forms and landing pages
- Automation and segmentation
Pricing:
Email Octopus offers a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans starting at $20 per month.
Aweber
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop email builder
- Automated email campaigns
- Segmentation and tagging
Pricing:
Aweber offers a free plan for up to 500 subscribers, with paid plans starting at $19 per month.
Klaviyo
Key features:
- E-commerce marketing automation
- Segmentation and personalization
- Customizable forms and pop-ups
Pricing:
Klaviyo offers a free plan for up to 250 contacts, with paid plans starting at $20 per month.
Constant Contact
Key features:
- Email automation
- Social media integration
- E-commerce marketing
Pricing:
Constant Contact offers a free trial, with paid plans starting at $20 per month.
Moosend
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Marketing automation
- Personalization and segmentation
Pricing:
Moosend offers a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans starting at $8 per month.
EngageBay
Key features:
- All-in-one marketing platform
- Marketing automation
- CRM integration
Pricing:
EngageBay offers a free plan with basic features, as well as paid plans starting at $14.99 per month.
GetResponse
Key features:
- Marketing automation
- Landing pages and webinars
- Analytics and reporting
Pricing:
GetResponse offers a 30-day free trial, with paid plans starting at $15 per month.
ActiveCampaign
Key features:
- Advanced automation
- CRM and sales automation
- Dynamic content
Pricing:
ActiveCampaign offers a free trial, with paid plans starting at $9 per month.
MailerLite
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Automation and segmentation
- Landing pages and pop-ups
Pricing:
MailerLite offers a free plan for up to 1000 subscribers, with paid plans starting at $10 per month.
Keap
Key features:
- CRM and sales automation
- Marketing automation
- Customizable forms and landing pages
Pricing:
Keap offers a free trial, with paid plans starting at $79 per month.
SendPulse
Key features:
- AI personalization
- Multi-channel marketing
- Automation and segmentation
Pricing:
SendPulse offers a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans starting at $7.88 per month.
Freshworks CRM
Key features:
- CRM and sales automation
- Email and SMS marketing
- Lead scoring and analytics
Pricing:
Freshworks CRM offers a free plan for unlimited users, with paid plans starting at $29 per month.
Campaign Monitor
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Automation and personalization
- Analytics and reporting
Pricing:
Campaign Monitor offers a free trial, with paid plans starting at $9 per month.
SalesForce
Key features:
- CRM integration
- Personalized email marketing
- Automation and analytics
Pricing:
SalesForce offers a range of pricing plans for their marketing cloud, starting at $400 per month.
SendGrid
Key features:
- Email API and SMTP service
- Marketing campaigns
- Analytics and deliverability
Pricing:
SendGrid offers a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans starting at $14.95 per month.
Why does email marketing matter?
Email marketing remains one of the most effective channels for reaching and engaging with customers. It allows you to build and nurture relationships with your audience, drive sales, and generate repeat business.
What does email marketing software cost?
Email marketing software costs vary depending on the features, number of contacts, and level of service required. Many platforms offer free plans with limited features, as well as paid plans that scale based on the size of your email list and the features you need.
Does CRM software include email marketing?
Some CRM software includes email marketing features, but not all. It’s important to evaluate the specific capabilities of each CRM platform to determine if it meets your email marketing needs.
How to choose the best email marketing software platform
Pick your goals
Identify your email marketing goals, whether it’s lead generation, sales, customer retention, or brand awareness. Understanding your goals will help you choose a platform that aligns with your objectives.
Pick must-have features
Make a list of the features that are essential for your email marketing strategy. This could include automation, segmentation, personalization, A/B testing, and analytics.
Match features to goals
Match the features of each platform to your goals. For example, if your goal is to drive e-commerce sales, look for platforms with strong e-commerce integration and automation features.
Create a plan
Create a plan that outlines how you will use the email marketing platform to achieve your goals. This will help you stay focused and make the most of the features available to you.
Start with the free plan
Many email marketing platforms offer free plans or trials. Take advantage of these to test the platform and see if it meets your needs before committing to a paid plan.
Conclusion
Choosing the right email marketing software is crucial for the success of your e-commerce business. By understanding your goals, evaluating the features of each platform, and testing them out, you can find the best tool to help you achieve explosive growth in 2024.