Despite being one of the “older” digital marketing channels, email can still deliver a very strong return on investment.
There are many reasons this is the case. A major one is the simple fact that email makes it easy to consistently engage your followers.
This is even easier when you automate your email campaigns. Instead of trying to remember to send emails on a regular basis, with email automation tools you can determine when you want certain messages to be sent ahead of time.
Not sure which tool is right for your needs? This guide will compare email automation software across three popular options.
Email Automation Tools: Options to Consider
Hubspot Email Automation
Pros:
Hubspot’s Marketing Automation is one of the most popular email automation tools thanks to the range of templates it provides users with. For instance, if you’re trying to set up a drip campaign, Hubspot provides templates you can use to develop one relatively quickly. It’s no substitute for marketing skills, but it’s a useful feature.
Cons:
Many find that managing campaigns through the Hubspot email automation tool can be tedious. Additionally, the free plan isn’t very feature-heavy. You’ll likely have to choose a premium plan if you want to truly take advantage of this software. Unfortunately, the more followers you add to your list, the more you’ll have to pay.
Salesforce Email Automation
Pros:
Salesforce’s overall marketing automation tool is useful because it provides audience insights. This helps you develop personalized content.
That’s important to the success of an email marketer. For instance, simply segmenting your email list into multiple smaller lists based on audience preferences has been shown to boost email open rates.
Cons:
Salesforce’s email automation platform offers a range of features. One the one hand, that may sound appealing, but the problem lies in unifying these features. Users often find the tool is simply too complex to use efficiently. The UI is a constant source of frustration for marketers in this capacity.
Mailchimp Email Automation
Pros:
When you compare email automation software, Mailchimp is particularly worth considering if you run a small business, or you’re simply a blogger. That’s because it offers a free plan that nevertheless boasts a range of useful features. With Mailchimp’s free plan, you can send up to 10,000 emails a month, and add up to 2,000 subscribers to your list. Of course, upgrading to a paid plan gives you access to even more features.
Cons:
Don’t use Mailchimp as an email automation tool if you’re an affiliate marketer. Doing so is prohibited under Mailchimp’s Terms of Use. Additionally, some users report finding the process of setting up automations to be less intuitive than advertised.
It’s best to explore these options in-depth before choosing one. Again, email automation tools help you maintain consistent contact with your followers. Choosing the right one for your business will help you work much more efficiently.