An effective email marketing approach is the key to scaling your small business in the digital world!
With targeted campaigns, you can build an engaged audience of people who care about the value you offer. Every email you send has the power to drive consumer loyalty and optimize conversions for your business. Amazing, right? But how can you be sure to make a real impact?
The secret is choosing the right email marketing software program to connect with your audience as a small business.
By selecting a tailored email marketing service, you can easily streamline business communications and boost your sales. When you opt for a software tool that aligns with your growth goals, you can build high-value email campaigns at the click of a button. Amazing!
So… Wondering where to begin? Plann’s got you covered! Here are our top 5 budget-friendly email marketing software recommendations for small businesses just like yours. Let’s go!
Mailchimp
Pricing: From $29.94 monthly
Kickstart email marketing with Mailchimp
Mailchimp is one of the world’s best-known email marketing platforms, and for good reason. The system includes a comprehensive drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to design visually appealing campaigns. You can also access in-built email tracing options and a variety of integrations with website providers and social media ads. Here, you have everything you need to maintain constant contact with your subscriber base.
Key features:
- Access a wide range of pre-made email templates suitable for viewing across both desktop and mobile devices
- Explore generative AI features to streamline the email drafting process and easy integrate keyword optimisation
- Rely on data-driven tools for email tracking and analysing campaigns, supporting ongoing list growth
Pitfalls to watch out for: With Mailchimp, phone support and advanced audience metrics are only available with higher account tiers, so you’ll need a more highly paid plan to access the full suite of features.
MailerLite
Pricing: From free to $18 monthly
Use MailerLite to keep an eye on subscriber patterns
MailerLite is an excellent option for early-stage business owners on the hunt for a simple, intuitive email marketing tool that doesn’t skimp on the core features. The platform offers drag-and-drop controls, alongside advanced automation and multi-step workflow options. This means that your campaigns can grow as your business does, helping you easily adapt and scale over time, no matter how many subscribers you have.
Key features:
- Build and publish full pages, from unsubscriber landing pages to complete websites, all in one convenient location.
- Enhance your email campaigns with no-code promotion pop-ups and even built-in interactive quizzes.
- Control email delivery by time zone, relying on contact data and audience segmentation to target users in meaningful ways.
Pitfalls to watch out for: Prior to sending your first MailerLite campaign, you’ll need to go through a detailed account approval process, which could mean it takes longer before you can get started with marketing.
Brevo
Pricing: From free to $25 monthly
Control the narrative using the Brevo email builder
Brevo offers a simple yet effective email marketing and CRM system that helps you stay in control of your latest campaigns. The platform includes advanced marketing automations, not just for email but also for SMS and WhatsApp communications. Plus, you can integrate email marketing tactics as part of a broader pipeline and customer management system, tracking customer data and making your engagements more meaningful.
Key features:
- Easily design and deliver clearly branded email campaigns, including a range of visual and text features.
- Natively track sales activities, along with revenue growth and customer behaviors affecting your consumer journey.
- Access build-in metrics designed to help you understand and enhance your campaign performance with ease.
Pitfalls to watch out for: Brevo’s flexibility can mean that the platform requires a steeper learning curve for new users. You’ll need to be confident in your ability to navigate the system, using all tools to their full potential.
Keap
Pricing: From $249 monthly
Use audience segmentation to control campaign delivery with Keap
Keap email marketing software is built for entrepreneurs, empowering you to navigate all your marketing, sales, and customer relationship management tasks. You can access a range of professional templates and high-level e-commerce tools designed to help you automate and streamline campaign processes. With the help of marketing automation options, you can turn simple emails into critical first steps in encouraging more business conversions.
Key features:
- Easily send impactful push notifications via email, SMS, and more, targeting consumers wherever they are.
- Set up email automations that activate based on consumer activity, allowing customers to guide their own purchasing journeys.
- Access in-built metrics, including reporting, analytics, and A/B testing so you can understand results as comprehensively as possible.
Pitfalls to watch out for: While Keap offers a free trial, it doesn’t offer a free plan for long-term use. If this is the platform for you, you’ll need to be willing to invest some cash in the right email marketing solution.
Klaviyo
Pricing: From free to $60+ monthly
Use Klaviyo to monitor email conversion rates closely
Klaviyo is built to make email marketing easy, where you’re aiming to increase website interactions or drive traffic to an online store. The platform includes advanced automation features and custom reports to help you keep track of performance. You’ll also have access to dynamic design elements, alongside free templates that make good branding easier than ever before.
Key features:
- Access segmentation and personalisation features that help you build on existing customer relationships as best as possible.
- Use AI recommendations to enhance copywriting and design control when drafting fresh email campaigns.
- Edit existing email templates, or use custom HTML/CSS to code new email designs from scratch, depending on your needs.
Pitfalls to watch out for: Klaviyo’s more advanced email marketing features may require a bit of a learning curve, especially if you’re new to email marketing, so you’ll need to put time into enhancing your skills.
Answering Your Email Marketing Platform FAQs
Still got questions about how you can be sure you’re choosing the right email marketing tools? You ask, and we answer. Let’s clear up a few of the FAQs.
What makes an email marketing platform good for small businesses?
Your email marketing strategy is unique to your business and what you’re trying to achieve, so the best email marketing software for you will need to respond to a specific set of requirements. Above all, you need a software tool that adapts and grows as you do.
A great email marketing platform will empower you to take control of your digital marketing strategy and to communicate with your audience in an effective, well-branded way. When your chosen platform responds to your unique needs, you know you’ve made the right choice.
How much does an email marketing platform typically cost?
Email marketing tools can vary greatly, both in what they cost and the features they can offer for your marketing campaigns. It’s important to weigh your options carefully. A free plan can be a great starting point while you learn the ropes of a new platform. But in most cases, paid users will benefit from better support and more advanced features designed to take email campaigns to the next level.
When comparing email marketing services, look beyond pricing tiers to consider what each subscription fee really has to offer. This will allow you to make a more informed decision and get more bang for your buck.
Are there any free email marketing platforms?
If you’re new to the world of email marketing services, you might be looking for a low-cost solution. The good news is that there are several free platforms to choose from, or you may be able to access a free plan with one of the larger providers.
This is a great option, as it allows you to stay with the same software solution, even as your business and its needs grow over time. Remember, you want to balance the need to save money with the need to access high-quality tools and supports.
What to Look for in an Email Marketing Platform for Small Business
When it comes to choosing an email marketing software solution, there are a few things all email marketers should know to look for.
First of all, keep an eye out for ease of use. When using an email marketing tool, you want to rely on a smooth, streamlined experience with no tricky learning curves or nasty glitches along the way. Search for a platform with drag-and-drop options that make designing clear campaigns quick and easy, even if you don’t know how to code.
Next, think about automation and email templates. These tools can establish pre-made workflows that take the stress out of running campaigns. You can rely on these features to help you communicate targeted messages at the click of a button, all without the need for complex coding. This can also do wonders for scaleability in the future!
It’s also a good idea to consider third-party integrations and contact management tools. These can help you access additional features when you need them and enable you to monitor subscriber behavior, including conversion tracking. Often, an integrated CRM is the key to building a strong audience or engaged subscribers who really care about your brand.
Don’t forget the power of analytics. A campaign monitor system or dashboard can provide you with critical insights about your audience. Clear metrics allow you to tailor future marketing campaigns, for your email list and beyond. This can also help you learn more about how consumers engage with your business and what you could do to provide an even better experience.
Last but not least, look for customer support. Email or phone support options can help you navigate problems easily when they arise. By choosing an email marketing service with good support options, you can count on help when you need it and resolve issues fast, before they risk limiting your growth.
How to Choose the Right Email Marketing Platform for Your Business
Not sure how to choose the right email marketing platform to suit your needs? Keep things simple, and focus on the key details.
As a small business owner, you need user-friendly tools that directly support your specific requirements. It may be helpful to choose a drag-and-drop editor that’s easy to use, even with minimal technical knowledge. Or you may benefit from other features, including marketing automation, that simplify tasks and save you time.
Ask yourself what you really need and if there are any more advanced features you might want to adopt as your email marketing list begins to expand.
It’s also essential that you consider your budget. Choosing a cost-effective option won’t just allow you to save money. It will also enable you to divert investment towards other aspects of your business growth plan. When you choose software with your budget in mind, you can ensure you’re able to stay with same provider for an extended period.
Remember to plan for the long-term. Email marketing should be part of an ongoing strategy to grow your business, now and into the future.
Start Optimising Your Email Campaigns with Plann
Ready to gain new subscribers and access more features designed to help you deliver amazing customer journeys as you grow? That’s what we’re here for!
Plann offers a range of social media scheduling tools that can help you combine email marketing efforts with your social media campaigns. You can build your brand and establish a strong community of interested consumers. Plus, you can direct more people to your email newsletter!
Get ready to explore all-in-one marketing options, and access all the services you need to make an impact. What are you waiting for? Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial of Plann today.
