Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to communicate with your audience, promote your products or services, and generate more sales. According to a study by DMA, email marketing can deliver an average return on investment (ROI) of $42 for every $1 spent. That’s impressive!
But email marketing is not without its challenges. You need to create engaging content, design attractive layouts, manage your contact lists, ensure deliverability, track performance, and more. And you need to do all that without spending a fortune.
That’s where affordable email marketing services come in handy. These are tools that help you create and send professional-looking emails to your subscribers, without breaking the bank. They offer various features and pricing plans to suit your needs and budget.
But how do you choose the best cheap email marketing service for your business? What are the key factors to consider? And what are some of the best options available?
In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more. We’ll explain what email marketing is and why you need it, what to look for in an affordable email marketing service, how to compare the best cheap email marketing services, and how to get started with affordable email marketing.
What is email marketing and why do you need it?
Email marketing is the process of sending emails to a group of people who have given you permission to contact them. These people are called your subscribers or contacts, and they have signed up to receive your emails through a form on your website, a landing page, a social media platform, or another channel.
Email marketing can help you achieve various goals, such as:
- Building trust and loyalty with your audience
- Educating your subscribers about your products or services
- Nurturing leads and moving them along the sales funnel
- Increasing conversions and sales
- Driving traffic to your website or blog
- Boosting brand awareness and reputation
- Providing customer service and support
- Collecting feedback and reviews
Email marketing can also help you save time and money compared to other marketing channels. For example, you can automate your email campaigns based on triggers or actions that your subscribers take, such as signing up, making a purchase, abandoning a cart, celebrating a birthday, etc. This way, you can send personalized and relevant messages to each subscriber at the right time, without having to manually create and send each email.
You can also measure the effectiveness of your email campaigns using various metrics, such as open rate, click-through rate (CTR), bounce rate, unsubscribe rate, conversion rate, etc. These metrics can help you understand how your subscribers interact with your emails, what they like or dislike, what works or doesn’t work, and how you can improve your email marketing strategy.
Email marketing benefits
Some of the benefits of email marketing are:
- It’s cost-effective. Email marketing is one of the most affordable ways to reach your audience. According to Litmus, the average cost per mille (CPM) of email is $42.08, compared to $58.75 for social media ads and $75 for search ads.
- It’s scalable. Email marketing can help you reach a large number of people with minimal effort. You can create one email campaign and send it to thousands or millions of subscribers at once.
- It’s targeted. Email marketing can help you segment your audience based on various criteria, such as demographics, interests, behavior, preferences, etc. This way, you can send tailored messages to each segment that match their needs and expectations.
- It’s personal. Email marketing can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. You can use personalization techniques, such as addressing your subscribers by name, using a friendly tone, adding images or videos, etc. to make your emails more human and engaging.
- It’s measurable. Email marketing can help you track and analyze the performance of your campaigns. You can use various tools and platforms to measure the metrics that matter to you, such as opens, clicks, conversions, revenue, etc. You can also use A/B testing to compare different versions of your emails and see which one performs better.
Email marketing challenges
Some of the challenges of email marketing are:
- It’s competitive. Email marketing is a popular and effective marketing channel, but that also means that your subscribers receive a lot of emails every day. According to Statista, the average number of emails sent and received per day in 2020 was 306.4 billion. That’s a lot of noise to cut through. You need to make sure that your emails stand out from the crowd and catch your subscribers’ attention.
- It’s complex. Email marketing is not just about writing and sending emails. You need to consider various aspects, such as email design, deliverability, spam compliance, list management, automation, analytics, etc. You also need to keep up with the latest trends and best practices in email marketing, such as mobile optimization, interactive elements, dynamic content, etc.
- It’s risky. Email marketing can also have some negative consequences if not done properly. For example, you can damage your reputation and brand image if you send irrelevant, annoying, or spammy emails to your subscribers. You can also lose subscribers and customers if you don’t respect their privacy and preferences. You can also face legal issues if you don’t comply with the email marketing laws and regulations in your country or region.
What to look for in an affordable email marketing service
An affordable email marketing service is a tool that helps you create and send email campaigns to your subscribers without spending too much money. There are many cheap email marketing services available in the market, each with its own pricing plans and feature offering.
But how do you choose the best one for your business? What are the key factors to consider?
Here are some of the things to look for in an affordable email marketing service:
-
Pricing and features:
The first thing to consider is how much you are willing to pay for an email marketing service and what features you need. Some of the common features that most email marketing services offer are:
-
Email templates and editor:
These are pre-designed layouts and elements that you can use to create your emails without coding or designing skills. You can also customize them according to your brand identity and style.
-
Contact list management:
This is the ability to store, organize, segment, and update your contact list based on various criteria, such as name, email address, location, interests, behavior, etc.
-
Email automation:
This is the ability to set up automated workflows and triggers that send emails based on specific actions or events that your subscribers take, such as signing up, making a purchase, abandoning a cart, celebrating a birthday, etc.
-
Email deliverability:
This is the ability to ensure that your emails reach your subscribers’ inbox and not their spam folders or bounce back. This depends on various factors, such as sender reputation, authentication protocols, spam compliance, etc.
-
Email analytics and reporting:
This is the ability to measure and monitor the performance of your email campaigns using various metrics, such as open rate, click-through rate (CTR), bounce rate, unsubscribe rate, conversion rate, etc.
-
A/B testing:
This is the ability to compare different versions of your emails and see which one performs better based on a specific metric or goal.
Depending on your needs and budget, you may also look for other features, such as landing page builder, sign-up form builder, integration with other tools or platforms (such as CRM software), customer support options (such as live chat or phone), etc.
The pricing of email marketing services usually depends on the number of contacts or emails you have or send per month. Some services offer free plans or trials for a limited number of contacts or emails per month. Others offer paid plans with different tiers or levels based on the number of contacts or emails per month or the features included.
You should compare the pricing and features of different email marketing services and choose the one that offers the best value for money for your business.
-
-
Ease of use and design:
The second thing to consider is how easy it is to use an email marketing service and how good it is at designing emails. You want an email marketing service that has a user-friendly interface and intuitive features that make it easy for you to create and send beautiful emails without wasting time or effort. You should look for an email marketing service that has:
- A drag-and-drop email editor that lets you create emails by simply dragging and dropping elements (such as text, images, buttons, etc.) onto your email template.
- A library of email templates that you can choose from and customize according to your needs and preferences. The templates should be responsive, meaning that they adapt to different screen sizes and devices (such as desktop, mobile, tablet, etc.).
- A preview and testing feature that lets you see how your emails look on different devices and email clients (such as Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.) before sending them. You should also be able to send test emails to yourself or others to check for any errors or issues.
- A design tool that lets you create your own email templates from scratch or edit existing ones using HTML or CSS code. This is useful if you want more control and flexibility over your email design.
-
Deliverability and performance:
The third thing to consider is how well an email marketing service delivers your emails and how well they perform. You want an email marketing service that ensures that your emails reach your subscribers’ inboxes and not their spam folders or bounce back. You also want an email marketing service that helps you optimize your email campaigns and improve your results. You should look for an email marketing service that has:
- A high deliverability rate means that a high percentage of your emails are successfully delivered to your subscribers’ inboxes. This depends on various factors, such as sender reputation, authentication protocols, spam compliance, etc. You should check the deliverability rate of different email marketing services and choose the one that has the highest score.
- A spam checker feature that lets you scan your emails for any potential spam triggers or issues that may affect your deliverability. You should also follow the best practices for avoiding spam, such as using a clear and relevant subject line, providing an unsubscribe link, avoiding misleading or deceptive content, etc.
- A performance optimization feature that lets you improve your email campaigns based on data and insights. You should be able to use various techniques, such as A/B testing, segmentation, personalization, dynamic content, etc. to increase your open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, etc.
-
Customer support and resources:
The fourth thing to consider is how well an email marketing service supports you and provides you with resources. You want an email marketing service that offers you reliable and timely customer support and provides you with useful resources to help you learn and grow. You should look for an email marketing service that has:
- A customer support option that lets you contact them via various channels (such as live chat, phone, email, etc.) and get answers or solutions to your questions or problems. You should also check the availability and response time of the customer support team and choose the one that has the best ratings.
- A resource center that provides you with various materials (such as guides, tutorials, videos, webinars, blogs, etc.) to help you learn more about email marketing and how to use their service effectively. You should also check the quality and relevance of the resources and choose the one that has the most helpful content.
How to compare the best cheap email marketing services
Now that you know what to look for in an affordable email marketing service, how do you compare the best options available? Here are some of the steps you can take:
-
Define your goals and budget:
Before you start comparing different email marketing services, you need to define what you want to achieve with email marketing and how much you can afford to spend on it. This will help you narrow down your choices and focus on the ones that match your needs and budget.
-
Do your research:
Once you have a list of potential email marketing services, you need to do some research on each one of them. You can visit their websites and check their pricing plans and feature offering. You can also read their reviews and testimonials from other customers and see what they have to say about their experience with them.
-
Try them out:
The best way to compare different email marketing services is to try them out yourself. Most of them offer free plans or trials for a limited period of time or for a limited number of contacts or emails per month. You can sign up for their free plans or trials and test their features and functionality. You can also create some sample email campaigns and send them to yourself or others to see how they look and perform.
-
Compare them side by side:
After trying out different email marketing services, you can compare them side by side based on the criteria we discussed earlier: pricing and features, ease of use and design, deliverability and performance, customer support, and resources. You can use a comparison table or a spreadsheet to list the pros and cons of each service and see how they stack up against each other. You can also use a scoring system or a rating scale to rank them based on your preferences and priorities.
-
Make your decision:
Based on your comparison, you can make your final decision and choose the best cheap email marketing service for your business. You should consider the overall value and quality of the service, not just the price. You should also consider the future growth and scalability of your business and how the service can accommodate your changing needs and goals.
How to get started with affordable email marketing
Once you have chosen the best cheap email marketing service for your business, you can get started with affordable email marketing. Here are some of the steps you can take:
-
Set your goals and budget.
The first step is to set your email marketing goals and budget. You need to define what you want to achieve with email marketing and how you will measure your success. You also need to determine how much you can spend on email marketing and how you will allocate your budget across different aspects, such as tools, platforms, content, design, etc.
-
Build your email list and segment your audience.
The second step is to build your email list and segment your audience. You need to collect the email addresses of your potential or existing customers who have given you permission to contact them. You can use various methods, such as sign-up forms, landing pages, lead magnets, pop-ups, etc. to capture their email addresses. You also need to segment your email list based on various criteria, such as demographics, interests, behavior, preferences, etc. to send them more relevant and personalized messages.
-
Create engaging email campaigns and landing pages.
The third step is to create engaging email campaigns and landing pages. You need to use your email marketing service to create and send professional-looking emails to your subscribers. You need to consider various elements, such as subject line, preheader text, sender name, from address, reply-to address, content, design, layout, images, videos, links, buttons, calls to action (CTAs), etc. You also need to create landing pages that match your email campaigns and provide more information or value to your subscribers. You need to consider various elements, such as headlines, subheadlines, copy, design, images, videos, testimonials, social proof, forms, buttons, CTAs, etc.
-
Test, analyze, and optimize your email marketing strategy.
The fourth step is to test, analyze, and optimize your email marketing strategy. You need to use your email marketing service to measure and monitor the performance of your email campaigns and landing pages. You need to use various metrics, such as open rate, click-through rate (CTR), bounce rate, unsubscribe rate, conversion rate, revenue, etc. to evaluate your results. You also need to use A/B testing to compare different versions of your emails and landing pages and see which one performs better. You need to use the data and insights you gather to improve your email marketing strategy and achieve your goals.
Conclusion
Email marketing is a powerful and affordable way to connect with your audience and generate more sales. But you need to choose the best cheap email marketing service for your business and use it effectively.
In this article, we explained what email marketing is and why you need it, what to look for in an affordable email marketing service, how to compare the best cheap email marketing services, and how to get started with affordable email marketing.
We hope this article helped you find the best cheap email marketing service for your business and learn how to use it successfully.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about affordable email marketing:
What is the difference between free and cheap email marketing services?
Free email marketing services are tools that let you create and send emails to your subscribers without paying anything. However, they usually have some limitations or restrictions, such as the number of contacts or emails per month, the features included, the branding or ads on your emails, etc.
Cheap email marketing services are tools that let you create and send emails to your subscribers for a low price. They usually offer more features and flexibility than free services, but they may still have some limitations or trade-offs compared to more expensive services.
How much does email marketing cost?
The cost of email marketing depends on various factors, such as the email marketing service you use, the number of contacts or emails you have or send per month, the features you need or want, etc.
According to a survey by Capterra, the average monthly cost of email marketing for small businesses in 2020 was $51.45. However, this can vary widely depending on your specific situation and needs.
How can I save money on email marketing?
There are some ways you can save money on email marketing, such as:
- Choosing an affordable email marketing service that offers the best value for money for your business.
- Using a free plan or trial of an email marketing service before upgrading to a paid plan.
- Comparing different pricing plans and features of different email marketing services and choosing the one that matches your needs and budget.
- Using a pay-as-you-go or pay-per-email plan instead of a monthly or annual subscription plan if you don’t send emails regularly or frequently.
- Cleaning up your contact list and removing inactive or unengaged subscribers who don’t open or click on your emails.
- Segmenting your contact list and sending more targeted and personalized emails to each segment that increase your open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, etc.
- Testing different versions of your emails and landing pages and using the one that performs better based on your goals and metrics.
- Optimizing your email design and content for mobile devices and different email clients to ensure a consistent and positive user experience.
- Following the best practices and tips for email marketing to avoid spam, improve deliverability, increase engagement, etc.
What are some of the best cheap email marketing services?
Some of the best cheap email marketing services are:
-
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue).
Brevo is an all-in-one digital marketing platform that offers email marketing, SMS marketing, chat, CRM, landing pages, sign-up forms, etc. Brevo charges you based on the number of emails you send per month, not the number of contacts you have. Brevo offers a free plan that lets you send up to 9,000 emails per month to unlimited contacts. Brevo’s paid plans start from $25 per month for 20,000 emails per month to unlimited contacts.
-
Moosend.
Moosend is an email marketing service that offers email templates, drag-and-drop editor, automation, segmentation, analytics, etc. Moosend offers a free plan that lets you send unlimited emails per month to up to 1,000 contacts. Moosend’s paid plans start from $9 per month for unlimited emails per month to up to 2,000 contacts.
-
MailerLite.
MailerLite is an email marketing service that offers email templates, drag-and-drop editor, automation, landing pages, pop-ups, surveys, etc. MailerLite offers a free plan that lets you send up to 12,000 emails per month to up to 1,000 contacts. MailerLite’s paid plans start from $10 per month for unlimited emails per month to up to 1,000 contacts.
-
Cakemail.
Cakemail is an email marketing service that offers email templates, drag-and-drop editor, automation, segmentation, analytics, etc. Cakemail offers a free plan that lets you send up to 500 emails per month to up to 500 contacts. Cakemail’s paid plans start from $8 per month for up to 2,500 emails per month to up to 500 contacts.
-
Mailchimp.
Mailchimp is an email marketing service that offers email templates, drag-and-drop editor, automation, landing pages, sign-up forms, CRM, etc. Mailchimp offers a free plan that lets you send up to 10,000 emails per month to up to 2,000 contacts. Mailchimp’s paid plans start from $13 per month for up to 50,000 emails per month to up to 500 contacts.
How can I improve my email marketing skills?
Some of the ways you can improve your email marketing skills are:
- Learning from the experts and influencers in email marketing. You can follow their blogs, podcasts, videos, webinars, courses, books, etc. and learn from their tips, insights, case studies, examples, etc.
- Practicing your email marketing skills. You can create and send email campaigns to your own subscribers or to a test list and see how they perform. You can also experiment with different elements, such as subject lines, content, design, layout, etc., and see how they affect your results.
- Getting feedback and advice from others. You can ask for feedback and advice from your peers, colleagues, mentors, coaches, etc. who have more experience or knowledge in email marketing. You can also join online communities and forums where you can interact with other email marketers and learn from their questions, answers, discussions, etc.
- Keeping up with the latest trends and best practices in email marketing. You can subscribe to newsletters, blogs, podcasts, videos, webinars, etc. that provide you with the latest news, updates, trends, best practices, etc. in email marketing. You can also attend events and conferences where you can network with other email marketers and learn from their presentations and sessions.
How can I measure the success of my email marketing campaigns?
Some of the ways you can measure the success of your email marketing campaigns are:
- Setting SMART goals and KPIs. You need to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for your email marketing campaigns. For example, you can set a goal to increase your email open rate by 10% in the next month and use the open rate metric as your KPI.
- Using email marketing tools and platforms. You need to use email marketing tools and platforms that provide you with various metrics and reports to measure and monitor the performance of your email marketing campaigns. For example, you can use your email marketing service to track the open rate, click-through rate (CTR), bounce rate, unsubscribe rate, conversion rate, revenue, etc. of your email campaigns.
- Using analytics tools and platforms. You need to use analytics tools and platforms that provide you with more data and insights to measure and monitor the impact of your email marketing campaigns on your website or business. For example, you can use Google Analytics to track the traffic, sessions, page views, bounce rate, time on site, etc. of your website visitors who came from your email campaigns.
- Using attribution tools and platforms. You need to use attribution tools and platforms that provide you with more data and insights to measure and monitor the contribution of your email marketing campaigns to your overall marketing and business goals. For example, you can use HubSpot to track the customer journey and lifecycle stages of your leads and customers who came from your email campaigns.
