Reports show that checking email is the #1 activity on the internet with 94% of internet users getting online for this reason alone. This means that email actually surpasses social media usage and online searches. Email marketing’s power comes from its ability to break through cultural, generation, and class barriers. Its effectiveness for marketers lies in its ability to target a specific audience while providing a steady return on investment.
There are 3.9 billion active email users, as compared to 3.5 billion social media users worldwide. 86% of B2B marketers are putting this to good use, reporting that they rely on email marketing campaigns to promote new business. But, keep in mind that American workers receive an average of 126 emails a day. So this means you need to cut through the noise to make sure your content gets noticed.
You also have to keep up with changing technology, because not only is martech evolving to help marketers and businesses streamline processes with automation and other tools — it is also helping end-users cut down on marketing and sales emails in their inbox. For instance, Gmail now offers an easy unsubscribe button right at the top of an email, so you don’t even have to scroll down to the bottom or find it within the content.
So let’s talk about the best programs to streamline your email marketing efforts, and how to use them effectively. Because in order for email marketing to give you a strong return, you must first set up your third-party email platform correctly, or your content is going to end up missing the target completely.
When choosing the best email marketing software for your business, you need to evaluate several factors – starting with your goals for using the system.
What messages will you communicate? What does your audience want from you? How will you best be able to provide that resource while nurturing or converting leads for your business?
Because, let’s remember, yes, this is a sales and marketing tool. But we also need to provide quality content that our audience wants to receive. Only then will it work to our advantage and provide us with leads.
Once you’ve laid out your goals, consider these factors:
Cost & value. Some email marketing tools may seem affordable when you have just a few thousand contacts, so make sure you plan ahead and look at what value you’re getting for the cost.
What features are included? Look at pre-built email templates, whether multiple contact lists are included, whether you’ll have access to A/B testing, automatic send-time optimization, emojis in subject lines, placement for custom code, etcetera. Each business needs different features, so find what appeals most to you.
Is the platform user-friendly? Is the interface easy to use or are you going to spend hours trying to make your template look the way you want on a mobile device?
Does it have a built-in CRM? Unless you’re a big company or already have a separate robust CRM, it might make sense to combine your email marketing tool and CRM. This will be helpful with automation and segmentation… Two more factors to consider as you’re checking out platforms.
Integrations will also be important. You need a system that will connect with your website, and other platforms like webinars, payment systems, and your CRM if you have a separate system.
Deliverability. What good is an email marketing tool if 15% of your emails end up in the spam folder? Some platforms are definitely better than others. Do some research. I like the site EmailToolTester, which includes detailed reviews on multiple services to help as you compare systems.
And finally, don’t forget analytics and support! You need to know how your email campaigns are performing and whether you’ll have tech support if you run into problems. 
Some platforms do not offer support for the free versions of their systems, so factor that into your decision.
With all of that in mind, some platforms to consider:
- Active Campaign
- Constant Contact
- Hubspot
- iContact
- Klaviyo
- MailChimp
Keep in mind: each b