Mailing list software are tools that help you manage and automate the process of sending emails to your email list. There are many mailing list software out there, each with their own benefits, so choosing the right one for your business is a matter of figuring out which one suits your needs. Let’s take a look:
Features to Look for in Mailing List Software
When choosing mailing list software, there are a few basic features they should include. These basic features are standard in email marketing, and they will help you organize and understand your email list no matter what kind of business you run. Here are some of the features to prioritize:
- Subscriber management: Mailing list software should allow you to manage your list of subscribers, including adding new subscribers, removing subscribers who opt-out or unsubscribe, and managing subscriber information, such as email addresses and preferences.
- Email creation and scheduling: This feature typically provides an easy-to-use interface for creating email content, including the ability to add images, links, and other multimedia. The software should also allow you to schedule when the email will be sent.
- Segmentation and targeting: Many mailing list software programs allow you to segment your subscribers based on certain criteria, such as location, interests, or purchase history, and then send targeted emails to those segments.
- Reporting and analytics: Mailing list software typically provides analytics and reporting features that allow you to track the performance of your email campaigns. This includes metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and bounce rates.
- Automation: Good mailing list software offer automation features that allow you to set up triggered email campaigns, such as welcome emails or abandoned cart reminders, based on specific actions or behaviors of your subscribers.
Popular Mailing List Software to Look Into
There are countless popular mailing list software available. Many of them are suitable for small businesses, others for larger enterprises, and most of them suitable for all kinds of businesses. Let’s take a look at the most popular programs used in the industry, what they cost, and their benefits:
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is a popular mailing list program with four paid plans. The first is free and it offers 1,000 monthly emails, a few pre-made email templates, basic reporting and analytics, and more.
The next three tiers cost $13, $20, and $350 a month respectively, and they have more advanced options, such as better personalization, more templates, enhanced optimization tools, premium customer support, and improved integration.
Mailchimp is popular because of its user-friendly interface, advanced segmentation options, and automation features. This is suited for small to medium-sized businesses that need all the essentials of email marketing.
Constant Contact
Constant Contact is another popular mailing list program with three plans at $12, $35, and $80 a month. They offer a range of features, including email templates, automation, and social media integration. In the second and third tiers, they offer A/B testing tools, custom automation, SEO features, and email archiving features.
Because of their large range of integrations with other software platforms and their flexible features, they are suited for businesses of all sizes. Their plans are also very affordable, so your company doesn’t have to spend too much to get the features you need to manage your email list.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit is a program that is specifically designed for bloggers and content creators, so it’s perfect for online businesses that are looking to grow a large following online. Their free plan gives you unlimited landing pages, audience segmentation, the ability to sell digital products and subscriptions, and more. They have two more tiers at $9 and $25 a month, with features such as:
- Automated email sequences
- Newsletter referral system
- Third-party integrations
- Subscriber scoring
ConvertKit is known for its advanced automation features, such as the ability to trigger emails based on specific actions or behaviors of subscribers. They are perfect for companies that want to have more control over the engagement they get from social media.
Aweber
Aweber has one free plan and three paid plans. The free plan allows up to 500 subscribers, one email list, one landing page, basic templates, and basic email support. You can pay $12.50, $20, or $899 a month for more features, such as:
- Unlimited subscribers
- 24/7 support
- Advanced analytics
- More landing pages
If you’re wondering why there’s such a large gap between the $20 tier and the $899 tier, it’s because the highest tier offers personalized account management, the entire template library (which is quite extensive), sales tracking, and more. The $899 tier is for large businesses that have very specific needs, while the other tiers are suitable for businesses of all sizes.
Campaign Monitor
Campaign Monitor offers all the basic features, including email templates, automation, and advanced reporting and analytics. They have three tiers with the basic plan set at $9. The unlimited plan and premier plan are $29 and $149 respectively.
Campaign Monitor is known for its highly customizable templates and features, even at the lowest tier. It’s the perfect program for businesses that are looking to stand out with their branding as much as possible. At the $9 tier, you can enjoy advanced features such as:
- API access
- Customizable template library
- Branded templates
- Mobile optimization tools
- Real-time reporting analytics
- Transactional emails
- Custom fields
- Dynamic content
- Tiered account setup
By evaluating these different options and considering what you need for your campaign, you can choose the right one to fit your budget and goals long-term.
