Beyond Constant Contact: Better Email Marketing Alternatives

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Email marketing statistics don’t lie. The channel is the highest-converting around. Unlike social platforms, streaming services, and traditional marketing channels, almost everyone uses email and checks it regularly. That’s why 82% of marketers rely on it.

So if you’re frustrated with Constant Contact, don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. And if you’re new to email marketing and want a cheaper alternative, there’s more than one place to clean a baby.

(Okay, I’ll admit it. That analogy took a strange turn.)

If you’re looking for a Constant Contact alternative, check out these other email marketing platforms. Find the right service for your business — perhaps even one that will encourage growth instead of penalizing each incremental victory with new fees. (I’m just saying…)

Why Look for a Constant Contact Alternative?

Constant Contact is a popular email marketing service that's been around since the 90s. Indeed, its experience and success contribute to both its strengths and its weaknesses. On the plus side, the service has developed a large repertoire of integrations and marketing functions. These include some social and Google marketing tools as well as email marketing. You can also make use of its deep library of help articles and tutorials.

But today's Constant Contact is also bloated in some places and outdated in others. And it's expensive everywhere.

Constant Contact Cost

The current pricing for Constant Contact's Core plan varies depending on the number of contacts you have:

• 0-500: $9.99/month

• 501-2,500: $35/month

• 2501-5,000: $55/month

• 5001-10,000: $80/month

• 10,001-15,000: $105/month

And so on. The price for the higher tiers increases by $25/month (up to 30,000) and then by $30/month (up to 50,000). Above 50,000 contacts, you need to call for a custom quote. You'll also need to pay extra to maintain a newsletter archive where on-the-fence subscribers can view past issues and see what they're missing.

The company's core plan comes without many of its bells and whistles. Pricing for the plus plan starts at $45/month for 0-500 contacts and increases from there. In addition to ad-targeting tools, the plus plan is where you'll find most of Constant Contact's automation and segmentation features.

Other Constant Contact Cons

Because Constant Contact comes with a heavy price tag, you want to ensure that you're getting all you need from it. Here are a few of the platform's weaknesses.

Clunk Factor

Many Constant Contact users struggle when handling videos, and the platform’s connectivity is slower than the current standard. Moreover, the bulky draft process can be frustrating. You have to go through multiple stages of formatting and confirmation. If your business needs to compose and send messages quickly, this may not appeal.

Outdated Templates

I don't have to find the Constant Contact logo before identifying the brand in my inbox. Templates are blocky, over-general, and recognizable between companies.

Visuals matter. You need to capture a busy audience’s attention with an attractive email marketing design. Don’t make it easy for readers to dismiss your communications as yet another promotion.

While the service boasts about its built-in integration with Canva, this only allows you to customize your graphics. To the best of my knowledge, you cannot import a Canva template as a responsive and dynamic part of your email.

Lack of Personalization Features

Constant Contact doesn't offer a lot of personalization features in-platform. (Though there are a few, such as the ability to incorporate your contact's name.) It does integrate with many customer relationship management (CRM) systems, so you can create emails and then distribute them using the CRM and customer data. But at that point, you're mainly using Constant Contact for its templates.

Find a Better Alternative to Constant Contact

If you've decided to switch your email marketing service, you have options. There's more than one strong Constant Contact alternative for brands.

Sendinblue

Sendinblue is an all-in-one digital marketing toolbox businesses can use to grow and promote their brand. Sendinblue excels in automation capabilities. You can set up targeted, personalized email campaigns based on specific triggers, such as a customer's behavior or actions on their website.

Downsides include a convoluted pricing structure. While the platform does offer a free plan, businesses may quickly outgrow this limit and need to upgrade to a paid plan. Additionally, some users report issues with deliverability.

Campaign Monitor

Campaign Monitor is a straightforward email marketing platform. Novices can get going quickly, developing well-targeted email campaigns. Its segmentation and personalization features are strong, and it now offers SMS services, as well.

Plans start at $9/month, but like Constant Contact, Campaign Monitor offers a free trial. Its unlimited email plan is also a comparative bargain at $29/month. That said, the platform lacks some of the more advanced features provided by other platforms, and social media integrations are minimal.

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is perhaps the best-known Constant Contact alternative. Its templates and design tools are attractive and easy to use. It also performs well when it comes to list management and segmentation, but its automation features are less strong than those provided by competitors such as Sendinblue.

Mailchimp offers a limited free plan for up to 500 contacts, but most of its marketing tools only come with paid plans. The price for these climbs quickly through "overages," charges paid for additional contacts and email sends. Another drawback is that subscribers in multiple lists count multiple times for monthly pricing, which can quickly add up for businesses with complex email campaigns.

beehiiv

Last, but never least, there’s our personal favorite, beehiiv. You won't find better design capabilities, email deliverability, or reporting tools. A flexible editor empowers you to create newsletters that look unique and professional. Conversion tracking allows you to easily track the success of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions to improve your results. The platform also offers automatic segmentation and automated email campaigns. Send only the most relevant material with minimal effort.

In addition to email marketing tools, you'll get access to web hosting for your archive, a top-of-the-line referral program, and the opportunity to connect with other newsletters and influencers in your industry. You can even turn your newsletter into its own source of revenue by offering paid subscriptions.

beehiiv also prides itself on affordability. The free plan allows for up to 2,500 subscribers and unlimited sending. Paid plans start at $42/month and don't creep up incrementally (though if you grow big enough, you may want to upgrade to the Scale or Enterprise plan for added features).

But our goal is to help you find the best alternative to Constant Contact for you. So when might beehiiv not be the answer? beehiiv's tight focus on email and newsletters allows for best-in-class features in this arena, but the platform is not a one-stop, omnichannel marketing hub. If you want to run your social, digital ads, and events from one place, you'll need to look at some of the other platforms' premium plans.

How to Choose the Best Email Marketing Service for You

Email marketing is an essential tool, so how can you find the right service for you?

Start with your hard parameters. What is possible in your current situation? Designate your:

• Budget – Do you have one? If not, you need a free service. If so, find one in your range, factoring in all add-ons and upgrades.

• List size – How many contacts do you have, and how quickly do you expect that number to grow? Most services offer tiered pricing structures.

• Essential integrations – Your email marketing should be incorporated into the rest of your business.

Next, think about the features that matter most to you. Do you need advanced automation capabilities or robust analytics? Are customizable templates important to you? Make a list of must-have features and prioritize them based on their importance to your business.

Take the time to evaluate your options before making a decision. Pick a solution that you’ll want to stay with for the long haul.

You Have Options. Exercise Them.

Voilà. Viable Constant Contact alternatives to help you create better and/or cheaper email campaigns. There’s sure to be one that fits your needs.

One final piece of advice. Before you commit to a service, take it out for a date. Sign up for a trial or free plan. Without firsthand experience, it’s hard to know whether this is the one for you. You’ll be spending a lot of time with the software. How intuitive is it to use? How long do common tasks take?

Might we suggest you start with beehiiv? Sign up for your free account today.