A Quick Email Service Provider Comparison
The best email service for one company could be the worst one for another, making it important to choose your provider based on your needs. Below is a quick email service provider comparison to help you understand some of the options available and the differences between some of the leading providers.
Constant Contact
You've likely heard of Constant Contact thanks to its radio and television ads. In fact, you probably receive more than a few emails from marketers who use this service. Constant Contact offers a robust platform that makes managing subscribers a snap. Features include email templates, opt-in forms, list management, email delivery, tracking and reporting, anti-spam checker, Facebook and Twitter links, social stats, live help, seminars and coaching, and monthly pricing plans based on the number of subscribers. Constant Contact offers a free 60-day trial with no credit card required.
Aweber Communications
Aweber is another popular email service. Like Constant Contact, Aweber includes email templates, website signup forms, anti-spam tools, list management tools, analytics and reports, email delivery, and live support. It also includes autoresponders, and a unique feature called RSS to Email. This tool automatically creates emails from your latest blog posts. You can try Aweber for a month for just $1. Monthly plans start at $19 for up to 500 contacts.
Vertical Response
Vertical Response keeps it simple: create it, send it, share it, track it. Like the other providers, Vertical Response includes standard features such as templates, forms, list management, tracking, and anti-spam tools. It also includes free image hosting, social sharing, and a mobile email app. While Vertical Response does offer monthly plans based on list size, it also offers a pay-as-you-go plan with no contract required.
MailChimp
Like the other email service providers, MailChimp includes templates, custom forms, list management, anti-spam tools, sharing tools, analytics and reports, and other email services generally considered standard. Some distinguishing features include: "Email Beamer" which allows you to create email campaigns in Outlook and email them to MailChimp where a draft campaign will automatically be created based on your message; dynamic content which serves up different content based on specific criteria such as subscribers' locations or interests; "Social Pro" which lets you look at social data associated with your subscribers; and paid newsletter subscriptions which allows you to charge subscribers for your content. MailChimp also has a "Free Forever" plan for marketers with less than 2,000 subscribers. This plan allows you to send up to 12,000 emails each month. However, not all MailChimp features are enabled. Monthly pricing is available based on volume as are pre-paid, pay-as-you-go plans.
Which is the best email service? It depends on what you are looking for. If you are just venturing into email marketing and growing your list, a pay-as-you-go plan might be the best choice. On the other hand, if you have a solid list and are committed to sending timely messages, a monthly plan might be better. Whichever provider sounds good to you, take it for a test drive by signing up for a free or low-cost trial before you buy.
Constant Contact
You've likely heard of Constant Contact thanks to its radio and television ads. In fact, you probably receive more than a few emails from marketers who use this service. Constant Contact offers a robust platform that makes managing subscribers a snap. Features include email templates, opt-in forms, list management, email delivery, tracking and reporting, anti-spam checker, Facebook and Twitter links, social stats, live help, seminars and coaching, and monthly pricing plans based on the number of subscribers. Constant Contact offers a free 60-day trial with no credit card required.
Aweber Communications
Aweber is another popular email service. Like Constant Contact, Aweber includes email templates, website signup forms, anti-spam tools, list management tools, analytics and reports, email delivery, and live support. It also includes autoresponders, and a unique feature called RSS to Email. This tool automatically creates emails from your latest blog posts. You can try Aweber for a month for just $1. Monthly plans start at $19 for up to 500 contacts.
Vertical Response
Vertical Response keeps it simple: create it, send it, share it, track it. Like the other providers, Vertical Response includes standard features such as templates, forms, list management, tracking, and anti-spam tools. It also includes free image hosting, social sharing, and a mobile email app. While Vertical Response does offer monthly plans based on list size, it also offers a pay-as-you-go plan with no contract required.
MailChimp
Like the other email service providers, MailChimp includes templates, custom forms, list management, anti-spam tools, sharing tools, analytics and reports, and other email services generally considered standard. Some distinguishing features include: "Email Beamer" which allows you to create email campaigns in Outlook and email them to MailChimp where a draft campaign will automatically be created based on your message; dynamic content which serves up different content based on specific criteria such as subscribers' locations or interests; "Social Pro" which lets you look at social data associated with your subscribers; and paid newsletter subscriptions which allows you to charge subscribers for your content. MailChimp also has a "Free Forever" plan for marketers with less than 2,000 subscribers. This plan allows you to send up to 12,000 emails each month. However, not all MailChimp features are enabled. Monthly pricing is available based on volume as are pre-paid, pay-as-you-go plans.
Which is the best email service? It depends on what you are looking for. If you are just venturing into email marketing and growing your list, a pay-as-you-go plan might be the best choice. On the other hand, if you have a solid list and are committed to sending timely messages, a monthly plan might be better. Whichever provider sounds good to you, take it for a test drive by signing up for a free or low-cost trial before you buy.
2 people like it
Comments