One successful way to engage with customers is through email marketing. It allows businesses to reach out directly to their target audience, increasing sales and conversions.
However, with so many email marketing platforms available, choosing the best one for your needs can be challenging.
There are so many functionalities to consider, each with its own features.
This blog post will discuss today’s best email marketing platforms and their 12 alternatives.
In addition, we’ll overview some of the features you should be on the lookout for when selecting an email marketing platform solution.
Let’s get started!
What Is Email Marketing?
But first, let’s learn more about email marketing for those less familiar.
What Are Email Marketing Platforms?
An email marketing platform is a web-based application that allows organizations to manage their contacts and deliver bulk emails to their subscribers.
They usually have contact management, campaign creation, reporting, and autoresponders.
It’s much simpler to manage your email contacts and send mass electronic mail to your subscribers using email marketing platforms.
With it, you can easily segment your email list, schedule emails, and track the performance of your campaigns.
Why Should You Use An Email Marketing Platform?
Email marketing platforms offer several benefits that can be extremely helpful for businesses. An essential advantage is that they provide a way to automate email marketing campaigns.
This means you can set them up in advance and have them go out on a schedule without manually forwarding each one.
Another benefit is that they offer detailed analytics. This data can be precious in helping you to improve your campaigns and make them more effective.
Some platforms also provide features like A/B testing, which can further assist you in optimizing your results.
They include multiple benefits that make them an attractive choice for businesses of all sizes.
Some benefits include increased exposure, improved communication, and easier coordination.
But, maybe the most apparent use is that they provide a way to reach a large crowd with relatively little effort.
However, email marketing platforms also offer several other features, including the ability:
- To track how many persons open up and click on links
- To sort and tag your groups of contacts so that you can send targeted emails
- To automate your campaigns so that you can set them up once and they will continue to run without any additional effort on your part
- To integrate with other marketing tools, such as social media platforms and CRM systems
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Integration Categories Of Email Marketing Platforms
When it comes to integration categories of email marketing platforms, there are different types that you can use. It varies and depends on your needs as a business.
The main categories are:
Trigger-Based
With trigger-based email marketing platforms, you can transmit automated emails based on specific customer behaviors.
If someone leaves their shopping cart, you may send them a personalized message to remind them to finish their purchase.
Some trigger-based email marketing platforms are Klaviyo, Drip, and HubSpot.
Klaviyo is a system that integrates with eCommerce stores and uses shoppers’ data to personalize emails.
Drip is a marketing automation software that lets you automate your marketing campaigns based on consumer behavior.
HubSpot is an advanced inbound marketing and sales platform providing a suite of tools, including email marketing.
Transactional
Transactional email platforms are used to forward sequences that are triggered by an action. For example, if someone joins your newsletter, they will receive a confirmation email.
Some examples of transactional email platforms are SendGrid and Mailgun.
SendGrid is a cloud platform that offers transaction-based email services.
Mailgun is a transactional email API service that allows you to broadcast, receive, and track emails.
Newsletter
Newsletter email platforms are used to forward newsletters to your subscribers.
They usually contain a mix of content, such as articles, videos, and images.
MailChimp and Constant Contact are examples of newsletter email platforms. They allow you to produce and forward beautiful newsletters.
In addition, they offer a variety of built-in templates and tools to assist you in generating them.
Constant Contact will additionally let you manage your contacts.
Drip Campaigns
Drip campaigns are several series of emails sent out over some time. They are usually used to nurture leads or educate consumers about your product or service.
Some examples are GetResponse and ActiveCampaign.
GetResponse is an email marketing platform allowing you to initiate and assign drip campaigns. It offers a variety of templates and tools to achieve beautiful results.
ActiveCampaign lets you generate and deliver drip campaigns and automate your email campaigns.
Standard Features Each Email Marketing Platform Should Have
Each email marketing platform is unique and offers a different set of features. However, certain elements are standard.
Here are some of the features that your email marketing platform should have:
A Drag And Drop Editor
This is one of the most essential features that your email marketing platform should have.
A drag-and-drop editor allows you to build beautiful, simple, professional-looking electronic messages without HTML knowledge.
You can generate complex emails without coding and save time designing beautiful bulletins.
Another advantage is that you can quickly include graphics, videos, and other media in your emails.
This can help make them more engaging and visually appealing.
List Management
List management is another crucial feature.
It allows you to add, remove, and segment your subscribers. This is a significant feature because it will enable you to issue targeted messages to specific groups.
Again, it is a potent tool that can help increase your sales and engagement with your audience.
Another benefit is that it can help you avoid spam filters.
For example, if you categorize your contacts into different directories, you can create custom content picking their interests, which are more likely to get through spam filters.
List management is a vital application when selecting this type of software.
Without it, you would be unable to sort your subscribers or address targeted emails.
A/B Testing
A/B testing is another essential attribute that your email marketing platform should have. A/B tests different versions to see which one performs better.
For example, you can issue two different versions of an email to a specific group. Version A could have a subject line that says “Get 50% off your next purchase,” while version B could have a subject line that says “Save money on your next purchase.“
You can get the data on how many persons open and click on each email version. This will allow you to see which version performs better.
It is a great way to increase the open rate. For example, experimenting with different versions of your emails will show you which ones get more opens and clicks.
A/B measurement is unavoidable and an essential function. Without it, you won’t be able to enhance your email achievement.
Segmentation
Segmentation is another essential component the system should have. It is for sending targeted emails to specific groups.
For example, if you have a directory of individuals interested in sports, you can issue content introducing new products or special offers from your sports store.
Or, if you have a list of travelers interested in travel, you can send them options about travel deals and discounts.
It is a powerful tool to increase your conversion rates, sales, and engagement with your shoppers.
Another benefit of using segmentation is that it can help you avoid spam filters. For example, if you segment buyers into different lists, you can send them news tailored to their interests avoiding spam filters.
It is a vital feature for any email marketing platform. Without it, you would not be able to address targeted emails.
Affordability
Affordability is another essential factor to consider. You need to find one that is affordable for you.
If you are on a tight budget, you may need to sacrifice some features to get an affordable pricing plan.
Customer Support
Customer support is another vital factor. You want to ensure that the software you choose offers excellent assistance.
You should seek a system that has 24 / seven services. This way, if you have any problems with your account, you can get help right away.
You should also search for software with a knowledge base or FAQ section. This way, you can find answers to your questions without contacting anyone.
Therefore, you want to ensure that your chosen software has good support.
Deliverability
Deliverability is another not negligible factor. It means the percentage of electronic mail that is really delivered to your subscribers.
You want to ensure it has a high deliverability rate. Otherwise, your emails will not get through the inboxes.
Looking for user reviews is the best way to check this.
Mobile Optimization
This is critical, but optimizing your site for mobile devices is essential. Mobile optimization entails ensuring that your emails look acceptable on smartphones.
Because more and more people read their electronic mail on their phones, ensure they are mobile-friendly.
You should research a system that offers mobile-responsive templates. This way, they will look good on any device.
Price Plans
You will want to compare the different price plans. Each email marketing tool has its pricing structure, so you need to find one that fits your budget.
For example, some suggest monthly or yearly paid plans with applicable discounts.
You should also research those offering a free trial. This way, you can try it before committing to it.
Ease of Use
You will want to find one that is easy to use. You’ll want to look for one that is simple to use.
You don’t want to put too much effort into learning how to use it. In addition, you should look for one that has a user-friendly interface.
Finally, you should also look for included training or support.
Another interesting read: Keap Infusionsoft | AIO Email CRM & Sales Automation
Integrations
You will want to find one that integrates with your other software. This way, you can automate your workflow.
You should look for an application that integrates with your CRM. This way, you can automatically add consumers to your email list.
Software that integrates with your eCommerce is what you want. This way, you can transmit abandoned cart emails and order confirmation emails.
Here is my best email marketing platform and a list of 12 alternatives.
EmailOctopus
EmailOctopus is one of the most versatile and best email marketing platforms, allowing users to design and send gorgeous emails.
It has an inboxing rate of 99%, which is pretty high. Mobile optimization is one of the best features of EmailOctopus as it offers mobile-responsive templates.
- The pricing plans are very reasonable, starting at $8/per month for 500 subscribers/10K emails. It also offers a free Starter Account (2,500 Subscribers – 10K/month emails monthly) with limited features, for new clients. EmailOctopus is easy to use with its user-friendly interface. It also provides excellent customer support.
- EmailOctopus integrates with Amazon SES, which makes it very affordable to use. It also integrates with WordPress, Zapier, WooCommerce, and more.
- EmailOctopus is one of the most versatile and efficient email marketing solutions accessible since it is both low-cost and straightforward.
- It’s compatible with many applications, has a high delivery rate, and is highly configurable.
- It offers mobile-responsive templates, making it an excellent choice for those who want to optimize their emails for mobile devices. It also has a free starter account for new users.
- EmailOctopus is perfect for those who want to import existing leads and keep growing their lists.
- Customizable forms make capturing new prospects from your website accessible, or you can set up stunning landing pages to boost and increase your numbers.
- Email automation delivers your campaigns on schedule, and segmentation lets you target your contacts with tailored content.
- Plus, the insights and data you collect can be used to improve your marketing strategy going forward.
Create Your Free Account and Start Sending Emails Today!
Visit: EmailOctopus
A-List Of Alternatives Of The Best Email Marketing Platforms
- Hubspot
- ActiveCampaign
- Sendinblue
- Mailchimp
- Constant Contact
- GetResponse
- AWeber
- iContact
- StreamSend
- Benchmark Email
- VerticalResponse
- EngageBay
Another interesting read: The Best Tools for Email Marketing and 15 Other Options
Thanks For Reading!