Constant Contact is not new to the industry, and has been around since 1995! Since its inception, the service has established itself as one of the premiere email tools provider, serving over 650,000 customers.
What is really interesting about this service is that it boasts several great features, the kind that its competitors have failed to deliver. This includes features like social campaigns, surveys and an event management tool. These features add value to an already diverse email service. If that it is not enough, it also boasts an elaborate marketplace featuring 400 integrations and apps. Despite these flash features and numbers, Constant Contact’s popularity is on a decline, as evident from Google Trends.
If you were wondering whether Constant Contact is worth your money and time, then you are at the right place. This review will aim to answer all your questions, so read on to learn more.
Pros
Niche Features
There are some interesting features that here, like event management, that will come in handy for businesses in particular.
Exceptional Deliverability Rates
Based on deliverability test results, Constant Contact offers exceptional deliverability rates.
Cons
Poor Price to Performance Ratio
The price for the newsletter tool is too high compared to what is being offered.
Limited Automation
When it comes to automation, you will get the basics. It misses the mark by failing to provide flexible and sophisticated workflows.
Is Constant Contact Right for You?
+ For Individuals and Businesses that Run Events
Constant Contact is unique in terms of how it is one of the few email marketing tools that gives you the ability to manage registration, tickets and invitations. Although you will need to opt for the Email Plus Plan.
– For those that Require Advanced Automation
Even though Constant Contact charges a premium, it does not offer the kind of automation you would expect from such a service. They do offer abandoned cart campaigns, autoresponders and triggered campaigns, but you will find cheaper tools offering the same kind of automation.
If you take a look at Constant Contact’s website, you will realize it is a tool for small businesses, for which reason it should be evaluated as such. As already mentioned earlier, the service does cover the basics, which is great for small businesses only.
The problem these days is that there are dozens of email tools that offer a lot more than what Constant Contact brings to the table, and they are quite cheap as well. If you are willing to pay for this email tool, you will fare better sticking to more powerful tools like GetResponse and ActiveCamapign.
The email tool does score a few points for its deliverability rates, social media integrations and giving users varying levels of access. But with recent enhancement to marketing reporting and automation, it does not seem as though the team behind Constant Contact is determined or willing to put in the effort required to improve the product. Considering the price point, Constant Contact is not easy to recommend.
It is worth noting Aweber Communication first started operations in 1998. It was founded by Tom Kulzer, and since then it has grown into a company with 110 employees. When it comes to AWeber itself, it is a modern and robust program for businesses that want to send their subscribers the same message. Basically, it is an autoresponder, which is easy to setup by the way. It is well explained and intuitive, giving users a ton of options to play around with.
If you are wondering whether Aweber is perfect for your business and its requirements, then this review will provide you the valuable insight needed to make an informed decision with ease.
Pros
Easy-to-use
Numerous templates
Customizable set of features
Excellent customer support
Cons
Expensive
Poor user interface
Is AWeber Right for your Business?
If you want to give AWeber a test run, you will be pleased to know they do offer a 30-day free trial. The trial is restricted to 500 subscribers though. Once the trial is over, you will have to pay up. If you pay for 3 months, you will save $8. If you opt the yearly plan, you will end up saving $34.
AWeber is cloud based, and support all popular browsers and operating systems. The service is easy-to-use. In fact, it finds a great balance between robust functionality and ease-of-use. There are some great features, more specifically in the autoresponder department. The navigation is intuitive enough so that carrying out basic tasks will be a breeze. If there is ever a time when assistance is required, AWeber does not disappoint with the amount of guidance it provides online.
As for its offerings, there is a plain text editor, drag-and-drop WYSIWYG editor and an HTML editor. There are 700+ templates to choose from, some of which are customizable. Before sending emails, they can be previewed, but it lacks options to see how it will look on various mobile devices or email clients.
Once you have started a mailing campaign, you will have to wait a while before you can get your hands on your stats. An hour after mailing, the results will start pouring in, enough to provide Quick Stats.
The customer support team is very helpful, they are friendly and prompt at solving queries. The response time can vary anywhere between 20 minutes to six hours. Support resources to look out for include phone, chat, email and live support.
Overall, AWeber has plenty to offer. It is particularly useful to companies that use autoresponders quite often. The autoresponder series set up is the simplest and most intuitive out of them all. Once it is running in the background, no further human interaction is required to keep the ball rolling.
The main weaknesses of AWeber is that it is not great for big companies. Small companies that can do without the bells and whistles should do without them and not pay for them. Also, while cancelling an account, make sure the account is not being temporarily suspended.
When it comes to email marketing, MailerLite is new to the industry. But that is not necessarily a bad thing, as its youth reflect throughout its features and design. It is not fun, crazy or young in any way, but is more simple, clean and modern. This could be one of the biggest reasons why it has made quite the impression, and continues to do so for office going individuals.
MailerLite’s staff and values make it out to be an international tool than other options out there. The interface comes with support for 8 languages, which is more than any other email marketing tool out there.
Despite MailerLite’s simplicity, they still manage to deliver a myriad of options for things like form options and newsletters. If that is not all, it also features a simple and fast editor, which is really a steal if you opt for their “Free Forever” plan. Even though everything looks hunky dory, let’s take a closer look at whether or not MailerLite will meet your expectations let alone exceed them.
Pros
Free Plan
You will be pleased to know the free plan has a lot of features to keep you coming back for more, not excluding marketing automation. It does lack some useful features though, like newsletter templates for instance.
Ease-of-Use
One of the best things about this service is its simple and clean interface. It works well for advanced and new users alike.
Landing Page Editor
The landing page editor is a unique feature, it allows users to design and create their own landing pages on your own domain hosted by MailerLite.
Cons
Lacks Pro Features
The prices may be great, but MailerLite does lack a few pro features, such as advanced automations, design/spam testing and full reporting.
Is MailerLite Right for You?
+ Perfect for Freelancers and Small Businesses
MailerLite is perfect for those that are on a budget, and it manages to do more than just newsletters. Features to expect include contact tagging, automation workflows and segmentation. As mentioned earlier, there is even a landing page editor, so you can run the most sophisticated of campaigns imaginable.
+ For Bloggers and Creatives
Apart from its reasonable pricing plans, MailerLite comes packed with features specifically designed for bloggers, including video marketing, WordPress integration and RSS campaigns.
+ New to the Scene
The interface is simple, the navigation is intuitive, and the email editor is easy-to-use. Basically, MailerLite is a great choice for anyone who is getting started with email marketing for their very first time.
– Lacks Comprehensive Reporting
When it comes to reports, don’t go expecting something out of the ordinary. You will get the standard reports you would expect from just about any email marketing tool i.e. stats for clicks, opens etc. and purchase tracking for WooCommerce and Shopify. It does not offer social tracking, though.
– Automations is a Requirement
Automate workflows can be set up based on a few triggers, but it lacks automatons for advanced triggers, which is essential in this day and age.
When it comes to user experience, MailerLite shines through and through. It is perfect for small business needs, and is a lot cheaper than other tools out there. It does have its drawbacks though, as automations are not as many as they should be. The “Forever Free” plan was a favorite, not anymore though as they have limited some of their features.
All in all, MailerLite is simpler than most tools available out there, and if that is all you are looking for, then you need not look any further.
So you have finally decided to sink your teeth into email marketing? It is by far one of the best ways to build relationships, connect with visitors and convert them into loyal customers. This is only possible if you have an email marketing service that comes with the much-needed features to ensure you get the results you desire.
Of course, if you are new to email marketing, you may be overwhelmed with the number of options out there. To aid you in your cause, and to make things simpler, here are the best email marketing comparasion of services in 2019.
Score
Features
Starts From
$19
97
30-Day Free Trial
Drag and Drop Editor
HTML Templates
Email Automation
Autoresponder Follow Ups
FREE for upto 2000 Subscribers
Email Automation
24/7 Support Expert Support
Automated Personal Massage to Customers
Abandoned cart emails
Product Retargeting Emails
AWeber is popular for its lead generation services. You get all the essential tools to grow your email list like never before. The drag and drop builder lets you design email newsletters in no time, create mobile-responsive forms, and automate email sequences.
One of the best things about AWeber is that it can be
integrated into WordPress sites, optin form builder, or landing page builder
without breaking a sweat.
You can sign up with AWeber for its 30-day free trial, and you will still get its premium tools. When you are certain of its capabilities for your business, you can sign up for its packages starting at $19/month for up to 500 subscribers.
ConvertKit is geared towards publishers and bloggers. It was specifically created for YouTubers, podcasters and bloggers.
With the help of ConvertKit, you can create attractive
emails, custom-tailored for each individual subscriber.
If email automation seems complicated, ConvertKit makes the
whole process simpler for publishers. You can count on its visual automation
builder to create amazing email funnels to lead your visitors through a
fruitful journey.
You can sign up for its free 14-day trial without any commitments. Once you are sure this service is what you need, their packages start from $29/month for up to 1000 subscribers.
MailChimp is more than your average email marketing service provider. Apart from email marketing, it has all the vital features you need to convert visitors into customers and subscribers.
MailChimp is affordable, while its features are powerful. No
matter your size or budget, MailChimp will fit your bill.
Their free plan let’s you send emails to up to 2000 subscribers, which is generous to say the least. After 2000 subscribers, you can start off for as low as $10/month.
If you want high effective converting signup forms and beautiful emails, then GetResponse is exactly what you need.
With their beautiful and modern user interface, you will be
able to get your email marketing campaign up and running easily.
GetResponse also offers powerful online marketing features
that make it possible for you to grow your business in a short amount of time.
If you do come across a problem, you will get support around the clock.
If you want to see what GetResponse can do for you, be sure to check out its 30-day free trial. Their plans start from $15/month.
Active Campaign combines the best of both worlds: sales and customer relationship management (CRM).
You can easily send eye-catching emails with Active
Campaign’s drag and drop builder. Additionally, you can also use it to reach
your subscribers through SMS messages.
The free migration service and easy WordPress integration apart from its email marketing services make it a treat for those that want a one-stop-solution for all their needs and requirements. You can test the service by taking advantage of its 14-day free trial. The packages start at $9/month.
This is easily one of the best sales and email marketing software you will find for your business. The all-in-one marketing solution is a combination of storefront, email marketing, CRM and numerous other tools to enable you to a deliver personalized service so that you are able to close more deals than before.
The CRM collects all the necessary information regarding
your customers and leads. Based on the data provided, you can send customized
emails that will surely convert your subscribers into loyal paying customers.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a free trial to work with, and you will need to pay upfront for its packages which start from $99/month.
SendinBlue was designed keeping simplicity in mind. No matter how clueless you are, you will find it incredibly easy to create marketing campaigns.
Based on how you interact with your customers, you can count
on SendinBlue to reliably deliver transactional messages. What separates this
service apart from its competition is the fact that you can send up to 9000
email per month on a free account. You can purchase SMS credits separately,
although they do not have an expiry date.
If you plan on sticking around with SendinBlue, their premium plan will set you back by measly $25/month for up to 40,000 emails every month.
MailerLite shows it worth in areas of simplicity and user experience. It has more than enough features for your small business needs.
The email marketing service offers a ‘Forever Free’ plan and good for nonprofits, but it is limited to some extent. If you do not have many subscribers, most preferably less than a 1000, then MailerLite will just about do the trick. Do keep in mind though, their approval process is stricter than other providers, so you will need practice the best email sending and list collection processes possible.
MailerLite’s plans start as low as $15/month for up to 2500 subscribers.
Constant Contact is one of the most popular email marketing services out there, but it is better suited for small businesses. Here, you get email templates and a lot customization features to play with.
To get started, you will need to choose an industry, and
will need to detail your experience with email marketing. Based on what you
have selected, you will get promotional ideas and customized content to improve
your email marketing campaign.
You get access to support in the form of discussion forums, emails and live chat. You will get all the resources you will ever need, but if you are still not sure, you can take advantage of its 60-day trial period. Once you are certain, you will have to pay $20/month for up to 500 subscribers.
Drip is perfect for e-commerce merchants that want to focus on converting visitors into customers and subscribers via marketing automation. It is much more than your typical email marketing service, as it gives you the ability to mingle with your customers in such a way that you understand their purchase behavior and intent.
Emails can be customized based on use cases like first-time
users, people who click on a link for your site, returning visitors and cart
abandonment.
Drip can be used for free for up to 100 subscribers, after
which you will need to pay $49/month for 2500 subscribers. You get support
regardless of the fact you are on trial or not.
If you own a small business, or are indulging in email
marketing for the first time, then you will find exactly what you need from the
services mentioned above. In case you are having a difficult time making an
informed decision, then in that case establish your own needs first. Once you
know what you need, you will know exactly what email marketing service will
meet and exceed your expectations.
