Email marketing is a powerful tool for businesses. It helps them communicate with their customers and drive sales. 81% of small businesses rely on email as their primary customer acquisition channel. This makes it a critical component of any marketing strategy. 

However, there are so many email marketing tools available. Read on to explore some of the top email marketing tools and services. We'll dive into their features and benefits and provide tips for choosing the right email marketing tool for your business.

Email marketing 

Email marketing helps businesses reach and engage their target audience. With the right email marketing tool, businesses can create and send personalized and targeted emails that drive conversions and build brand loyalty. 

Different tools and services for email marketing campaigns

There are free email marketing tools and free email marketing services. This makes choosing the right tool overwhelming for some. Popular email marketing tools include Mailchimp, Constant Contact, ActiveCampaign, and Campaign Monitor. Each tool has its own unique features and pricing plans. That’s why you need to evaluate the options before committing to one.

Importance of keywords

Keywords are a crucial component of any digital marketing strategy, including email marketing. Choosing the right keywords can help businesses reach their target audience and improve their online visibility. They help businesses optimize their email marketing campaigns and improve their search engine rankings.

Optimizing for keywords

To optimize for keywords, businesses must choose an email marketing tool that offers keyword optimization features such as A/B testing, segment targeting, and personalized email content. A/B testing allows businesses to test different subject lines, email content, and send time to see what resonates with their audience the most. Segment targeting allows businesses to send personalized emails to specific groups of subscribers based on their interests, location, and behavior. Personalized email content helps businesses create emails that are relevant to their subscribers' needs and interests. With these keyword optimization features, businesses can improve their email open rates, click-through rates, and conversions.

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is a popular email marketing tool. It allows users to create and send newsletters and promotional emails. It offers a range of features to help businesses target their audiences, track their campaigns, and analyze their results.

Features and benefits

Mailchimp has a range of features, including customizable email templates, automated campaigns, social media integration, and list segmentation. It’s easy to use, even for beginners. It also offers a free plan for users. This plan lets you have 2,000 subscribers and send 10,000 emails per month.

Mailchimp's also has a user-friendly interface. Through it, businesses can easily create email campaigns and segment their audience. Plus, they can track campaign performance in real time. 

Signing up and logging in

Users must create an account via Mailchimp. They must enter their email address and other details. They will then receive a confirmation email. To create their first campaign, they just need to log in. The homepage of the Mailchimp dashboard provides an overview of campaign performance and other key metrics.

Comparison to other email marketing tools

Mailchimp is a popular email marketing tool. But it’s not the only free marketing software available. Other options include Constant Contact, Campaign Monitor, and Zoho, each with its own set of features, benefits, and drawbacks. However, Mailchimp offers a range of integrations and a user-friendly interface. These make it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.

Constant Contact

Constant Contact is another popular email marketing tool. It allows users to create and send email campaigns easily. This tool offers a wide range of features and benefits. This can help businesses grow their email lists and engage with their subscribers. This also allows them to track their performance.

Email marketing features and benefits

Constant Contact has a drag-and-drop email editor. This makes it easy to customize email templates and create professional-looking designs. This tool also offers a variety of email marketing automation workflows, such as welcome emails, abandoned cart emails, and follow-up messages. Additionally, Constant Contact provides users with list-building tools, social media integration, and detailed analytics to track the success of their campaigns.

Signup and login process

To sign up for a Constant Contact account, users can simply visit the website and follow the prompts. Once they have created an account, they can log in from any device. They can then start using the platform immediately. Users can also access customer support and other resources via phone, chat, or email.

Comparison to other email marketing tools

Constant Contact is known for its user-friendly interface. It’s recognized for its comprehensive support options. It doesn’t offer as many advanced features as some other tools. But Constant Contact is a great choice for users who want a simple yet effective email marketing solution.

Other email marketing tools

There are other email marketing options available apart from Mailchimp and Constant Contact. 

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign is a popular email marketing tool that offers automation features, including tagging and sequencing. It provides detailed analytics and has a drag-and-drop email editor. However, its features may be overwhelming for beginners. And it may take them some time to learn.

Campaign Monitor

Campaign Monitor is another email marketing tool that offers drag-and-drop email design options and automation features. It is user-friendly. It has an intuitive interface. However, some users may experience limited design options compared to other email marketing tools.

Zoho

Zoho is a web-based email marketing software that offers multiple features. These include email campaigns, autoresponders, and list management tools. It has a simple drag-and-drop email builder, with several templates to choose from. However, its reporting features may be limited, and some users may have difficulty operating the platform.

MailerLite

MailerLite is a popular email marketing tool that offers automation features, landing page creation, and web form integration. It has a user-friendly interface. It also has a simple drag-and-drop editor. However, it may be slower than other email marketing tools, and its customer support may be limited.

When evaluating email marketing tools, compare the benefits and drawbacks of each option. You must ensure that the tool fits your budget and meets your requirements, including marketing automation, analytics, design capabilities, and customer support. Consider conducting a trial period before committing to a free email marketing tool to ensure that it's suitable for your business.

Choosing the right email marketing tool

When choosing the best free email marketing tool, consider several factors. Here are some key aspects you should evaluate.

Budget

Consider your budget first. While some email marketing tools offer free plans, others require a monthly or annual subscription fee. Know how much you’re willing to spend. Then find an email marketing service that fits within your budget. The most expensive tool doesn’t necessarily mean the best email marketing tool for your business.

Features

Different email marketing tools offer varying features. Make a list of the features most important to your business. These could be automation, list segmentation, A/B testing, responsive design, and analytics. Then, compare the features of different email marketing tools. This will help you find the one that best meets your needs.

Ease of use

Consider the ease of use of each email marketing tool you are considering. Look for a tool that has a user-friendly interface. It should provide easy-to-follow tutorials or customer support. You don't want to spend hours trying to figure out how to create a simple email campaign. So choose a tool that you feel comfortable using.

Integration

Finally, consider how well the email marketing tool integrates with your existing systems. If you use a CRM, make sure the email marketing tool you choose can integrate seamlessly with those platforms. Having integrated systems can save you time and streamline your marketing efforts, so this is an important aspect to evaluate.

By carefully considering these aspects, you can choose an email marketing tool that helps you reach more customers and grow your business. Don't rush your decision. Take your time and evaluate different tools. 

Take care of your email needs with B12

Email marketing can be a powerful tool for growing your business, but you need the right tool for the job. Following our tips and recommendations will let you find the best email marketing tool that meets your needs and helps you achieve your business goals.

Looking for an emailing solution that’s built-in to your business website? B12 offers the perfect product. Our emailing functionality allows you to send branded emails using pre-written templates, straight from the B12 Editor, stored in the same place as all contact interactions, appointments, payments, and more. You can also automate workflows to save time and effort on your part. Get started today.