Email marketing software is crucial if you want to build a list of loyal, engaged customers.
The best email marketing software will help you send personalized emails and help you track engagement, and help you meet your revenue and overall business goals.
In this article, we cover the best email marketing services. All have their pros and cons, though some are perfect for the type of business or project you’re running.
Some are great for solopreneurs whiles others are better suited for large enterprises.
Let’s take a look.
Table of Contents
Best Email Software and Email Providers
#1 Constant Contact
Constant Contact has one of the highest deliverability rates in the industry and is a great choice for small businesses.
Constant Contact starts out at $10 per month and can go up to $45 per month.
#2 ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is an email service with advanced automation
It starts out as low as $9 per month.
Like most email services, ActiveCampaign scales higher the more you use it. Plans can go all the way up to $258 per month for larger businesses.
#3 GetResponse
GetResponse is a popular option for those looking for a built-in sales funnel and great landing page features.
They also have webinar software, helping to make GetResponse more of a one-stop-shop for marketing services.
GetResponse has a free plan and can scale up to $100 per month.
#4 ConvertKit
ConvertKit is great for small bloggers who are looking to grow their blog and overall business through email.
Its plans run from $0 (up to 300 subscribers) to $25 per month.
It contains segmentation and other features that make it comparable to some of the more expensive email software providers like Constant Contact.
ConvertKit’s messages also look simple, just like they’re coming from Gmail.
#5 AWeber
AWeber is a staple of email marketing.
More than 100,000 email marketers use AWeber and its features are best suited for small bloggers and businesses.
AWeber also features high-quality email and phone support. Moreover, its website hosts several helpful articles and videos so you can find solutions to your needs fast and focus more time on growing your business.
Monthly costs go from around $0 to about $16 per month.
#6 MailChimp
MailChimp has over 15 million customers and is a staple of email marketing.
It has its own iPhone and Android app as well.
Plans run from free to $15 per month.
Their free plan is also what a lot of newer bloggers, content creators, and small businesses could use. It works up to 2,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month.
Their free plan also includes autoresponders, email analytics, transactional emails, and plenty of third-party integrations.
#7 Sendinblue
Sendinblue is an email marketing service that allows unlimited subscribers and 300 email newsletter sends per day.
They also have a Lite plan which starts at $20 per month and allows up to 40,000 sends per month with no sending limit on a daily level.
#8 HubSpot
HubSpot is a CRM and integrated marketing platform that is basically an all-in-one solution to your marketing needs.
It is used by large corporations and HubSpot itself is a large public company.
It runs from $45 per month all the way up to $3,200 per month.
You can even do things like A/B test subject lines to see which is working better for open rates.
The HubSpot analytics dashboard provides data on your opens and clicks, and even information on how much time is spent viewing your email.
You can see whether your subscribers Read, Skimmed, or Glanced at your email. HubSpot overall is one of the best reporting tools to see how your leads and customers are engaging with your email.
#9 Moosend
Moosend provides a lot of great features to help you grow your list, automate tasks, and personalize your messages.
It features landing page builders, opt-in forms, list segmentation, automated workflows, and more.
It goes from $9 per month to more custom plans for power users.
Join Vogue, Gucci, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Domino’s Pizza, TEDx, Isobar, and Ogilvy who use Moosend for their email campaigns.
Enjoy:
- Advanced customization and product recommendations to improve open rates, click-through rates, and revenue
- E-commerce AI
- Minimal human input from your marketing team
- Simple and elegant drag and drop editor
- Segmentation made simple
What is Email Marketing?
Email marketing is a form of marketing where companies send promotional or transactional messages to customers through email.
The purpose of email marketing can be to build loyalty, trust, or brand awareness. Email marketing can also be used to promote content, discounts, or deals. Additionally, email marketing can be used to cultivate relationships with potential customers or clients.
Email marketing is one of the most common and effective ways to reach your target audience.
According to The Radicati Group, there are over 4 billion email users worldwide and this number is expected to grow to over 5 billion by 2024 (this year).
What is Email Marketing Software?
Email Marketing Software enables organizations to communicate directly with their customers.
These tools:
- provide email templates
- enable the creation and sending of emails through HTML or via a WYSIWYG editor
- allow for the sending of test emails
- provide reporting and marketing campaign analytics
- aid in the tracking, storage, segmentation, and integration of email contact lists
Email marketing services that integrate with CRM tools can also aid with customer segmentation and improve marketing and sales relationships.
Why Use Email Marketing?
There are many reasons why you should use email marketing as part of your overall marketing strategy.
One of the main reasons is that email is a very effective way to reach your target audience. Email has a high ROI (return on investment) and is one of the most cost-effective marketing tools available.
Another reason to use email marketing is that it allows you to segment your list and send targeted messages to specific groups of people. This helps you to create more personalized and relevant messages that are more likely to convert.
Email marketing is also a great way to build relationships with your customers or clients. You can use email to stay in touch with them, provide them with valuable content, and even offer customer support.
Additionally, email marketing is highly measurable. You can track open rates, click-through rates, unsubscribe rates, bounces, and more. This data can help you to improve your email marketing campaigns and make them more effective.
How Do You Choose the Best Email Marketing Software?
There are a few things you should consider when choosing email marketing software.
First, you need to think about your budget and whether you are willing to pay for a monthly subscription or if you prefer to pay as you go.
Second, you need to consider the features that are important to you. Some email marketing software platforms have more features than others. You need to decide which features are most important to you and choose a platform that has those features.
Third, you need to consider the level of support that you need. Some platforms offer more support than others. If you are not very technical, you may want to choose a platform that offers live chat or phone support.
Finally, you need to think about your list size. Some platforms have limits on the number of contacts you can have on your list. If you have a large list, you will need to choose a platform that can accommodate it.
The best way to find the best email marketing software for your business is to try out a few different platforms and see which one works best for you.
What are the Different Types of Email Marketing Software?
There are two main types of email marketing software: self-hosted and hosted.
Self-hosted email marketing software is installed on your own server and you are responsible for maintaining it. This type of software typically requires more technical knowledge and can be more difficult to use. However, it does offer more flexibility and customizability.
Hosted email marketing software is hosted by the email marketing service provider. This type of software is typically easier to use and does not require any technical knowledge. However, it can be less flexible and customizable.
The best way to choose the right type of email marketing software for your business is to think about your needs and requirements. If you need a lot of flexibility and customization, self-hosted email marketing software may be the best option for you.
However, if you do not have the technical knowledge or time to maintain a self-hosted system, hosted email marketing software may be a better option.
There are also different purposes behind email marketing.
#1 Newsletters and marketing emails
The first and most common type of email marketing is the newsletter.
This is a way to stay in touch with your customers or clients on a regular basis and provide them with valuable content.
You can use newsletters to promote your products or services, share industry news, or just keep your customers up-to-date on what is going on with your business.
#2 Transactional emails
Transactional emails are emails that are sent in response to an action that the recipient has taken. For example, if someone signs up for your newsletter, they will receive a welcome email.
If someone makes a purchase from your store, they will receive an order confirmation email. Transactional emails typically have high open and click-through rates because they are timely and relevant to the recipient.
#3 Triggered emails
Triggered emails are sent based on a specific event or action that the recipient has taken. For example, you can set up an email campaign that is triggered when a customer abandons their shopping cart.
You can also set up triggered emails based on whether or not someone has opened or clicked on your previous emails. Triggered emails can be very effective because they are highly targeted and relevant to the recipient.
Email marketing is a powerful tool that can help you to reach your customers and clients. By understanding the different types of email marketing and the best practices for each, you can create effective email marketing campaigns that will help you to achieve your business goals.
#4 Behavioral emails
Behavioral emails are sent based on the actions that recipients take. For example, if someone clicks on a link in your email, you can send them a follow-up email with more information about the product or service.
You can also set up behavioral emails to send discounts or coupons to customers who have not made a purchase in a while. Behavioral emails can be very effective because they are highly targeted and relevant to the recipient.
What is the best time to send an email?
The best time to send an email depends on your audience and your goals. If you are sending a newsletter, it is generally best to send it on a weekday so that your subscribers have time to read it.
If you are sending a transactional or triggered email, it is generally best to send it as soon as possible so that the recipient can take action.
What are the best practices for email marketing?
There are a few best practices that you should follow when creating an email marketing campaign:
- Keep your subject lines short and to the point
- Write compelling copy that engages the reader
- Use images sparingly
- Use HTML formatting sparingly
- Test your emails before you send them
- Monitor your results and adjust your campaigns accordingly
- Avoid purchasing email lists
- Use welcome emails
- Personalize emails
Email marketing can be a very effective way to reach your customers and clients. By following the best practices for email marketing, you can create successful campaigns that will help you to achieve your business goals.
The best email software will include things like…
Excellent deliverability rates
Email deliverability percentages should be in the high-90s.
It’s the job of an email service provider (ESP) to ensure that the emails you send end up in subscribers’ inboxes, not their spam folders.
A good ESP will have a positive reputation with email providers like Gmail, Yahoo!, and Outlook, which can help your emails get delivered.
Easy-to-use interface
The best email software is easy to use, even if you’re not a tech expert.
It should be intuitive and user-friendly, with clear instructions on how to do everything from creating an email campaign to adding contacts to your mailing list.
A wide range of features
The best email software will offer a wide range of features to help you create successful email campaigns.
Look for an ESP that offers things like automation, A/B testing, and segmentation.
Affordable pricing
The best email software is affordable, so you can get started with your email marketing campaigns without breaking the bank.
Look for an ESP that offers a free trial or a pay-as-you-go plan.
Pre-made email designs and templates
The best email software will offer a variety of pre-made email designs and templates to choose from, so you can create beautiful emails that fit your brand.
Integrations with other tools
The best email software will integrate with other tools, such as your CRM or e-commerce platform, to help you run your business more efficiently.
Customer support
The best email software will offer customer support in case you have any questions or need help using the features.
Look for an ESP that offers 24/7 customer support.
Email automation
The best email software will offer email automation to help you save time and increase your efficiency. Automation can include things like welcome emails, abandoned cart emails, and follow-up emails.
Segmentation
The best email software will offer list segmentation so you can target your emails to specific groups of people.
Segmentation can include things like location, age, gender, interests, and purchase history.
A/B testing
The best email software will offer A/B testing so you can test different versions of your email to see what works best.
A/B testing can help you improve your open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
Triggered emails
The best email software will offer triggered emails, which are emails that are sent based on a certain action the subscriber takes, such as an abandoned cart or clicking on a link.
Analytics and reporting
The best email software will offer analytics and reporting so you can track your email campaigns and see how they’re performing.
Analytics can include things like open rates, click-through rates, and unsubscribe rates.
Opt-in forms
The best email software will offer opt-in forms to help you grow your mailing list.
Opt-in forms can be used to collect information like name, email address, and interests.
Bonus Features
There are also some bonus features you might look for with the best email software providers.
Advanced e-commerce features
If you’re running an online store, look for an ESP that offers advanced e-commerce features, such as abandoned cart recovery and product recommendations.
Connections to social media
The best email software will offer connections to social media so you can share your emails on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
API access
API access can be helpful if you want to connect your email software to other tools or platforms.
Integrated chat support
Integrated chat support can be helpful if you need help using the features or have any questions about your account.
DKIM and SPF authentication
DKIM and SPF authentication can help to protect your emails from being marked as spam.
Multi-inbox previews
Multi-inbox previews can help you see how your emails will look in different email programs, such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook.
Email opt-in pop-ups
Email opt-in pop-ups can help you grow your mailing list by offering subscribers a discount or bonus for signing up.
Landing page builders
Landing page builders can help you create beautiful landing pages to promote your products or services.
Customer data import
Customer data import can help you quickly add new subscribers to your mailing list.
Email delivery by time zone
Email delivery by time zone can help you ensure your emails are delivered to subscribers in their local time zone.
Omnichannel messaging
Omnichannel messaging can help you reach subscribers on multiple channels, such as email, push notifications, and SMS.
How Does Email Marketing Software Work?
Email marketing software is a tool that helps you create, send, and track emails.
It also offers features like email automation, list segmentation, and A/B testing.
Email marketing software typically works by connecting to your email account (such as Gmail or Outlook) and then sending your emails through its servers.
This means that your emails will have the ESP’s branding (such as their logo) in the header.
Email marketing software also offers analytics and reporting so you can track your email campaigns and see how they’re performing.
What Are the Benefits of Email Marketing Software?
There are several benefits of using email marketing software:
It can save you time by automating your email campaigns.
It can increase your efficiency by segmenting your mailing list.
It can improve your open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates with A/B testing.
It can offer triggered emails, which are sent based on a certain action the subscriber takes.
It can provide analytics and reporting so you can track your email campaigns.
It can offer opt-in forms to help you grow your mailing list.
Email Marketing FAQ
Let’s take a look at the most commonly asked questions as it pertains to email marketing.
Can I Do Email Marketing for Free?
Yes, you can do email marketing for free with several services on our list. However, there are some limitations to free plans, such as the number of subscribers you can have on your mailing list, and the number of emails you can send per month.
What’s the Difference Between an Email Service Provider (ESP) and an Email Marketing Service?
An ESP is a company that provides email services, such as Gmail or Outlook.
An email marketing service is a tool that helps you create, send, track, and analyze your email campaigns.
Do I Need an Email Marketing Service If I Have an Email Account?
No, you don’t need an email marketing service if you have an email account.
However, using an email marketing service will give you additional features like automation, segmentation, and reporting that you wouldn’t have with just an email account.
Do I Need an Email Marketing Service If I Have a Website?
No, you don’t need an email marketing service if you have a website. However, if you want to use email marketing to grow your business, then an email marketing service will give you the features and tools you need to do so.
What’s the Difference Between an Email Marketing Service and a CRM?
A CRM (customer relationship management) is a tool that helps businesses manage their customer relationships.
An email marketing service is a tool that helps businesses create, send, track, and analyze their email campaigns.
While both tools can be used to cultivate relationships with customers, they are two different types of tools.
How Do You Optimize Email Campaigns?
There are several ways to optimize your email campaigns:
– Use a tool like Litmus or Email on Acid to test your emails across different email clients and devices.
– Segment your mailing list so you’re sending the most relevant emails to the right people.
– Use A/B testing to improve your open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
– Track your analytics and make changes based on what you see.
– Keep your email content fresh, relevant, and engaging.
How Do You Do Email Marketing?
Email marketing is the process of creating, sending, and tracking emails to promote your business.
To do email marketing, you need an email marketing service like MailChimp, Constant Contact, or SendinBlue (among others).
Once you have an account with an email marketing service, you can create an email campaign by choosing a template, adding your content, and then scheduling when you want your email to be sent.
You can also track your results by looking at your open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
Email marketing is a great way to promote your business.
It can help you build relationships with your customers, grow your mailing list, and increase your sales.
With the right email marketing service, you can get started today.
Summary – Best Email Marketing Software
Email marketing can be a very effective way to reach your customers and clients. By following the best practices for email marketing, you can create successful campaigns that will help you to achieve your business goals.
The best email software will include things like excellent deliverability rates, an easy-to-use interface, a wide range of features, affordable pricing, pre-made email designs and templates, and more.
The best email marketing software for small businesses is Mailchimp. For larger businesses, we recommend Constant Contact or SendinBlue.
When choosing an email marketing service, it’s important to consider your needs and budget.
If you need a lot of features, then you should choose a service that offers a wide range of features.
If you have a limited budget, then you should choose a service that offers a free plan or a low-cost monthly plan.
We hope this guide has helped you to understand the best email marketing services and how to choose the right one for your business.