The best email marketing platforms allow bloggers to connect and engage with their readers, build relationships, and eventually convert subscribers into paying customers.
If you’re new to email marketing, step 1 is choosing an email marketing platform to begin collecting and sending emails. But with so many email marketing services to choose from, how do you know which one is best?
For this reason, I decided to compile this list of the best email marketing platforms for bloggers.
1. ConvertKit – The best email marketing platform
Built specifically for online content creators, ConvertKit was made with bloggers, YouTubers, and podcasters in mind.
Adding your opt-in forms to your WordPress blog is simple with the free ConvertKit plugin.
Their best feature is visual email automation. With their drag and drop interface, you can visually create your entire email series. In addition, you can set emails to be sent on your schedule.
Their automation rules are beyond simple as well. For example, when someone joins your email list, you can add a custom tag to the subscriber, then send them a series of targeted emails based on which form they joined.
ConvertKit has several pricing options. First, they have a fully free version, letting you collect and send emails for up to 1,000 subscribers.
To send automated emails, you’ll need to upgrade to their $29 per month plan. Once you get over the 1,000 subscriber threshold, they charge $49 per month for 1,001 to 3,000 subscribers or $79 per month for 3,001 to 5,000 subscribers.
Price: ConvertKit is free up to 1,000 subscribers
2. AWeber
The next email marketing platform, AWeber, offers a simple yet robust solution that includes a drag and drop builder to create your emails.
You can choose from over 700 templates and integrate many popular tools within your emails. Easily create automated email sequences and mobile-responsive signup forms.
This platform is one of the most popular with small businesses, as it is also an effective lead generation service. In addition, users can import email lists if they’re moving from another email marketing service and even integrate AWeber with their WordPress blogs.
Aweber offers a free plan for up to 500 subscribers, $29 monthly for 501 – 2,500 subscribers, $49 monthly for 2,501 to 5,000 subscribers, $69 monthly for 5,001 to 10,000 subscribers, and $149 monthly for up to 25,000 subscribers.
Price: Aweber is free for up to 500 subscribers, and you can send 3,000 emails per month
3. ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is known for its powerful automation builder and affordability. Users can choose from templates or drag and drop to create the perfect email.
When deciding how and when to send emails, users have their pick of options: one-off, automated, timed campaigns, RSS-based, auto-responder, and A/B testing.
When it comes to contact management, ActiveCampaign has a lot to offer. For example, you’ll have access to a full history of how your contacts interact with you, plus list cleaning functionality.
Advanced functionality like A/B testing and dynamic content allow users to get more opens, clicks, and conversions.
To get started, you can try their 14-day free trial. Then, if you’re ready to move onto the paid version, they offer a Lite plan for just $9 per month or a Plus plan at $49 per month, depending on the size of your email list. They also offer savings for customers who pay yearly.
Price: ActiveCampaign has a 14-day free trial. Afterward, start at $9 per month
4. Sendinblue
Sendinblue’s core components include feature-rich automation, a drag and drop email builder, and specialized features like spam testing and A/B split testing.
This platform can be used for both marketing emails and transactional, such as product purchases and account creation. If you have an eCommerce store, this could be a gamechanger.
Unlike other platforms, Sendinblue charges by the number of emails sent, not by subscribers. In addition, SMS messages, landing page builder, and Facebook Ad integration are supported on their higher-level offerings.
If you want automation but are on a budget, Sendinblue could be the one for you. Send up to 300 emails per day for free, or increase your features and emails on a higher plan. Lite is $25 per month and allows you to send 100,000 emails each month.
Price: SendInBlue has a free option that lets you send 300 emails per day.
5. Drip
Drip sets itself apart from other platforms by focusing on being the go-to email marketing platform for eCommerce merchants who want to convert visitors into customers.
With intelligent marketing automation, it helps you have a deeper conversation with your customers. By helping you understand customer purchase intent and behavior, you can better send emails at the right time.
Drip’s visual automation builder allows you to split-test automations directly. The platform even offers eCommerce-specific reporting.
Price: Drip has a free 14-day trial. Afterward, pay $19 for up to 500 subscribers. After that, for anything between 501 – 2000 subscribers, the monthly fee jumps to a reasonable $29 per month.
6. Moosend
Moosend offers a huge library of responsive templates and layouts. In addition, the intuitive campaign builder allows you to drag and drop, add images, text, and social icons.
Automate messages based on upsells, customer loyalty, and customer engagement. Personalize emails and build customer relationships with automation workflows and create custom opt-in forms with ease.
Moosend also offers analytics tools to help measure your emails reach. You can even segment lists depending on specific customer behavior, considering engagement metrics.
Price: Moosend offers free plans for up to 1,000 subscribers. Paid plans start at just $8 per month.
7. Mailerlite
Popular for their easily navigable user interface, Mailerlite offers 24/7 phone and email support to its users.
Their responsive email design allows users to drag and drop to create emails easily. Additionally, they offer advanced tools to help users attract visitors and convert them into subscribers and customers – including pop-ups, landing pages, and an easy-to-use form builder.
It’s free to sign up if you have 1,000 subscribers or less and plan on sending under 12,000 emails each month. Unlock extra features and unlimited emails with a paid plan:
- $15 per month – 1,001 to 2500 subscribers
- $30 per month – 2,501 to 5,000 subscribers
- $50 per month – 5,001 to 10,000 subscribers
Price: MailerLite has a free plan up to 1,000 subscribers where you can send up to 12,000 emails per month
8. GetResponse
GetResponse makes it easy to create an email newsletter campaign in no time, all on a modern interface. In addition, they make it simple to create beautiful emails and high-converting forms .
GetResponse gives users access to Autofunnel, a tool with over 30 pre-made landing pages and email templates created to generate sales. In addition, they include online marketing features to help users grow their businesses, like the ability to create and host webinars and build landing pages.
Additionally, GetResponse publishes marketing courses and resources to help users build their marketing skills.
Price: Start with GetResponse on a 30-day free trial. If you want to stick around, the Basic plan is $15 monthly. The Plus plan goes for $49 monthly with added features like funnels and webinars.
9. Constant Contact
Constant Contact’s drip campaigns are intuitive and easy to use, making them a top choice for small businesses.
Choose from over 100 modern and mobile-friendly templates that are created to optimize engagement and conversion. In addition, there’s no limit to customizing the templates to fit your specific use.
Real-time reporting and analytics help users get the most out of their email campaigns. Users can also take advantage of bonus features, like coupons, events, and polls.
Price: To try Constant Contact, you can start with a free 30 day trial before enrolling in a program. When you’re ready, it’s $20 for 500 or fewer subscribers, $45 for 501 to 2,500 subscribers, or $65 per month for 2,501 to 5,000 subscribers. Up to 10,000 subscribers are covered under their $95 monthly plan.
What’s the best email marketing platform for Bloggers?
Choosing the best email marketing platforms is subjective to the user.
If you are a blogger with an eCommerce site, you’ll want to choose a platform with more conversion tools, like Sendinblue or Drip.
If you’re more focused on finding a budget-friendly platform, ConvertKit, Moosend, or ActiveCampagin are probably more your speed.
Looking for something with more analytics tools to help you drive up engagement? Moosend or Constant Contact will work best.
Looking to find something that has a more immersive marketing offering? GetResponse will likely fit your needs.
Do you have experience with any of these platforms? Drop a comment below and tell me what your impressions are.
Until next time,
Edwin, DoSixFigures.com
Superb Writeup! Email marketing for bloggers not only keeps your readers up to date, but also encourages return visits and gives you the flexibility to increase your revenue through affiliate links. For many bloggers, it is a vital part of their marketing strategy. Thanks for the article with lot of different and meaningful conversations.