I need your opinions on Email Marketing Tool Comparisons

[Lauren Paparone]

Hi fellow insiders!

 

I need some help deciding which of the email marketing tools fit the bill for my needs. I want to send out newsletters every other month. I would like the tool to be user friendly, have lots of templates, and reasonably priced. I need the emails to be archived so I can post the link to my website. I also would like the tool to include the use of stock photos and I would like live customer support (coaching as they call it).

 

I have checked out

• ConstantContact (fits the bill but seems the most expensive)
• iContact (no live customer support)
• compaigner(no archiving)
• mailChimp(not as user friendly)

I would love to hear the experiences you have working with these tools!  Also, it you use a tool I haven't listed, please let me know about it if you think it will fit my needs.

 

[Andrew Hill]

Lauren,

I've used ConstantContact, iContact and MailChimp. I've found AWeber to be the best for my needs.

I've constructed website sign up forms, mobile squeeze page sign up forms, newsletters, and a personal internal automated coupon system for a local seafood restaurant with it.

They have great tech support, a lot of templates and analytic on all there messages sent.

I hope this helped, I look forward to connecting!

Drew

[Lauren Paparone]

Thanx Andrew. I will check out AWeber.

Lauren

[John Wallace]

MailChimp is great if you're using WordPress for an online blog/newsletter. It takes a bit of set up, but once it's set, you just publish your post and MailChimp automatically sends it out as a newsletter. Archiving is handled through WordPress. In my opinion, it's much better for SEO to do it this way. MailChimp's tutorials and forums are great. However, you probably won't get the live customer support you're looking for.

[Lauren Paparone]

Thanx John. I have played around with MailChimp in the past...and I found the customer support lacking. I do like the idea of having the archiving handled through WordPress. I guess like everything else, it's hard to find one tool which does it all!!

Lauren

[Robin Thomas]

I've been using iContact. They provided a personal coach the 60 days ( introductory time when the whole system was free). It was a surprise to me when he called me, introduced himself, and said he was available for any questions. I didn't require this service, except for once, and I reached him easily. I'm not sure if the personal coaching goes on beyond the introductory period.

One other thing I like about iContact is that it is a local business.

Just my own experience.

Robin

[Lauren Paparone]

Thanx Robin. iContact has all the features I need and my "coach" has answered many of my questions. I especially like the stock photos...

Lauren

[Jeffrey G. Marsocci]

I have to agree. iContact has been very easy to work with. Their customer service has been outstanding. Every time we've had a question when doing our newsletter they've been right there to help, both online and by phone.

[19w5evu0eafcd]

First of all, I want to thank everyone who recommended iContact. I love that we have a community here in NC that likes us and tells their friends and network about us.

Lauren:
We also have archiving, loads of templates and our pricing is competitive. We also have a support team available via chat, email and if you're a paying customer, by phone as well. You can find more information about our support team here: https://www.icontact.com/support/.

Please, please let me know if you have any questions about iContact.

Thanks.
Monica

[Lauren Paparone]

Thanx Monica! I think the only item you didn't have on my "wish" list was extensive stock photos. It's wonderful to have so much choice is quality tools for small businesses!!

Lauren

[19w5evu0eafcd]

Yes, unfortunately we run into reseller and licensing issues when it comes to stock photography. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Oh and you can easily try us out for Free with our Free Edition -- up to 500 subscribers!

Monica

[36zivl9e47603]

Lauren:

I've use Aweber and love it! I've worked with Constant Contact and iContact through clients of mine that have them but they not nearly as user friendly as Aweber. In the Case of Constant Contact you have to jumb through some hoops to even get the templates.

They have fantastic support and always get right back with me when I have a question. They even have onine chat, which is a real time saver.

I manage several of my own lists as well as my clients lists through Aweber without a hitch. You can schedule and set up multiple campaigns, track through effectiveness through on board analytics, choose from lots of customizable templates and more.

It's really easy to copy the embed code for the optin boxes and put them into a WordPress website in the "widget" area. Only takes a couple of minutes and then Aweber collects all the names and/or emails of people that sign up, for future marketing.

You can check out one of the custom optins I designed through Aweber at http://mysocialmediamatters.com. There's even a link in the right hand column to get a discount when you sign up. (it's my affiliate link).

Aweber is reasonably priced and like most when you go over so many subscribers, the price goes up.

[Lauren Paparone]

Thanx Roger. I will check out your link and sign up for your blog!

Lauren