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Bloggers & Small Business Owners, Here Is The Best Email Marketing Provider

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Bloggers & Small Business Owners, Here Is The Best Email Marketing Provider, email marketing strategy design tips, newsletter services and providers, #emailmarketing, #bloggintips, #bloggingadvice, #newsletter
This post contains affiliate links.

Doing a little “Ask Rachel” on the blog today.

One reader asks: “Hi Rachel! My only question for you is more of a blogging question, if that's alright. I'm a blogger as well, and I'm not very happy with the email service I'm using right now. Then I opened your beautiful email and got inspired! I love how all the information is organized and appears to be floating in its own little box. So my question is, what email provider do you use? “

So I wanted to introduce y'all to my mailing list provider: MAILERLITE!

I've compared Mailerlite vs. Mailchimp vs. Madmimi vs. Convertkit, to try and figure out which is the best email marketing provider for bloggers and small businesses and mailerlite has been the clear winner for me.

If you don't know about mailerlite you have been missing out! I've been with them for almost three years now and have just noticed them getting a little attention and love in FB groups and on the interwebs.

I have used mailchimp, madmimi, and leadpages before and made the switch to mailerlite almost two years ago and couldn't be happier (I never messed with Converkit since it's so expensive and just seems complicated). Here is why:

Unlike other more complicated mailing services (*cough* mailchimp *cough*) mailerlite is easy to use, it's price can't be beat, and it's functionality just keeps getting better!

Ease of Use:

Mailerlite is a drag and drop template editor! Basically all you need is your hex codes (for your brand colors) and everything else just falls into place!

You simply start with “campaign” and fill in the subject, language, and who it's from fields (BONUS: no code for personalization! Just choose from the drop down menu!)

mailerlite campaign fields

 

Next, you edit your content. You just drag and drop the type of layout you want.

mailerlite easy to use mailing provider design content

 

If you toggle from the “content” option to the “design” option, you'll see you can use their pre-done color schemes, or create one for your brand that saves for future use.

 

mailerlite easy to use mailing provider design content

 

You'll also notice in the top right corner, you can actually preview what your email will look like on mobile which is super fun!

After you finish editing, you just choose your recipients and send/schedule! WHAM! It's literally that easy!

To make things even easier, what I do each week is just click the “campaigns” tab in the menu, go to my last newsletter, and just click “copy”. It will then create a copy of my last newsletter in my “drafts” which I can easily edit.

No joke, my newsletter takes me 10 minutes each week. 

 

EASY OPT-INS:

Instead of spending a bunch of money on leadpages and leadboxes, you can actually do the exact same thing on mailerlite!

Click “Webforms” then “add new”. Name your form.

You will then be prompted to choose a form type.

mailerlite opt in options

 

POP UP:

It's literally a pop up on your website. The cool thing with mailerlite is you can turn it off when someone is on mobile (which Google prefers), and you can set the frequency! So I have it set to only show once every few days to visitors and triggered only when people are moving to X out of my site.

LANDING PAGE:

You can actually create a landing page with your unique domain name or a generic one. I use this for my Forbes opt-in. It's literally the same concept as Leadpages, so why pay more?

EMBED FORM:

I have this in my side nav menu and on my home page under my “featured” graphics. Easy to set up, and integrate with WordPress & Squarespace. Can't recommend it enough!

SUBSCRIBE BUTTON:

This is literally the same thing as leadboxes! I have this at the bottom of 99% of my blog posts but here are two examples just to show you how they've advance (the first is from a year ago before they did this snazy update to the second one (and I just haven't updated mine yet):

As you can see, you can change the text, width, colors, gradient, etc.

 

Easy Automation:

You can set up a single welcome e-mail for new subscribers (which I highly recommend, so they don't forget they signed up for your newsletter then mark you as spam if you don't mail out for weeks!) — or you can set up a series of emails (sales funnels, newsletter course, etc.).

You can also put different subscribers into different “groups” based on what they opted in under, which allows you to send a custom automation based on that “list”.

 

Okay,  I know this all looks good and sounds easyyyy… but what's it going to cost you?

PRICING:

For 1,000 subscribers and below, you get 100% access to everything FOR FREE!!

Mailchimp only grants you access to some of it's functionality for your first 1,000!

Other fun things about mailerlite: The free plan also has access to chat & email support if you get stuck or have any issues, you can do A/B testing, tracking, create an “unsubscribe” page & set up auto-resending for non-openers (very helpful when doing a sales funnel!)

Seriously, I don't get why anyone would use a different mailing provider. They are continuing to grow it, add features, and make improvements.

GDPR Compliant

Also with all the GDPR hoop-la Mailerlite was on top of making sure everything was compliant. They sent out regular emails to ensure there were no unnecessary freak outs. All of their forms now have GDPR check box tools to make sure things are super clear. And they created a “GDPR” segment of your list so you could mail out for re-subscribe confirmation or “forget” them if they didn't re-opt in. What gems!

You can sign up for mailerlite today for free by clicking here.

RELATED READS:

How You Can Connect With Brands For Sponsored Posts

How To Grow Your Email List With 3 Creative Lead Generators

10 Lessons From My First Year Blogging

Frustrated with Instagram? Here’s the blog post you ACTUALLY need to read about it

100 thoughts on “Bloggers & Small Business Owners, Here Is The Best Email Marketing Provider”

  1. Linda Luke

    I started with Constant Contact and then moved to MailChimp because it was simple and free. This one looks simple as well and I may check it out for some of my clients.

  2. Sarah Jean

    Wow you have convinced me to make the switch! I currently use Mailchimp and while I think it’s relatively easy to set up, feel like the process could be even simpler, like you suggest Maillite is. I also like that it’s cheaper than mailchimp anyway!

  4. Candy Kage

    Always nice when someone else does all the work for you and helps you decide which is the best way to go.

  5. Bria | Tendril Wild Blog

    I first heard about Mailerlite from TCM in one of your previous posts, Rachel, and I almost immediately signed up after browsing their site. I had been using MailChimp and found it to be really…frustrating. Especially when it came to trying to deliver content upgrades – what a pain in the booty! :/

    I’m now IN LOVE with Mailerlite and think it’s the best option for bloggers who aren’t yet ready to splurge on something as expensive as ConvertKit or just for the long run, I think it’s the best way to go. I switched over from MailChimp during the Christmas holidays and haven’t looked back. My email marketing has never been easier…seriously. I may never use another ESP! So glad you’re sharing the tools you use! 🙂

  7. Jenny

    I’m on ConvertKit right now but I’ve been hearing good things about MailerLite. I totally need to check it out and compare the two because I’m all about saving a little money where I can.

  10. Allison Boyer

    I’m going to have to give Milerlite a try. I was with Aweber, but have a bunch of weird functionality problems with my account, and customer service basically said, “yeeeeah it’s screwed up, sorry!” So I switched to ConvertKit, and while I do love the functionality, it seems too expensive for what it is. It definitely isn’t as intutive as Aweber (though it is MUCH better than Mailchimp). I hate having to move all my lists AGAIN… but it seems like it might be worth it!

  11. Alicia Romelia

    I have free mail chimp lol but i haven’t gotten anywhere with it. I need to work on an email thing. lol I will be checking this out!

  13. Sherry Keezer

    Oh wow! I haven’t heard of them yet so thank you for this. I’m using MailChimp right now. Well, when I say “using” I mean I have an account. I REALLY need to work on my email game!

    2. Erica

      Yup, so far you’re legit the only person I’ve heard from who still doesn’t get them. I HAVE NO IDEA. If you tell me again exactly what email(s) you want on it, I’ll talk to them specifically about you. Maybe it’s weirdly on your end for some reason????

      P.S. We skype so soon and I’m STOKED.

  19. Oksana | FOXYOXIE.com

    Love the drag and drop feature! I’ve been using Mailchimp and thankfully my web design background has come in handy; otherwise it’d be a nightmare trying to make it look just right.

  21. Kristine Circenis

    Mailerlite seems so intuitive! When I finally sit down and work on my email list, I will definitely be using Mailerlite,

  22. Courtney Drew

    Wow I use MailChimp and I didn’t even know about MailerLite. It seems like its even easier to use! I like MailChimp because it is easy to use but this seems even better!

    Courtney Drew

  23. Elly Leavitt

    been meaning to get into an email newsletter (I know, I’m so crazy behind #badblogger) for ages now, and had never even heard of mailerlite, I had assumed mailchimp was the only way to go! definitely gonna go with them when I do get my act together to make a mailing list haha x

  24. Brittany Daoud

    Thanks for sharing this, I’m always looking for better applications to use for the blog, and I’m definitely going to check this out! I’m using Mailchim currently 🙂

  30. Cameron

    I definitely should look into switching! I’m with Mailchimp now, and they are annoying to deal with, especially if you don’t want to pay for things like automation!

  37. Erin of Very Erin

    I’ve heard a lot about MailerLite recently! I use ConvertKit, which I really love. It is a bit on the expensive side, but the tools is has were SO nice to have when I was launching my eBook!

    2. Erin of Very Erin

      The amount of automation is just far more than what I’ve been able to find in some of the lower priced options. It was really a godsend when I was going through my eBook launch specially!

  40. Seersucker Sass

    You have convinced me to make the switch! I have heard really great things about the program from my friend Jenny of Confetti Social, but this comparison to Mailchimp (what I’m currently using), makes me realize that it’s time to make the switch!

    XO, SS || Seersucker Sass

  42. Missy Burson

    I joined MailChimp and have yet to even create a newsletter because it seemed too complicated. Glad I’m not the only one- will def check out Mailerlite!

  43. Hannah Palamara

    I am so glad I read this article! I literally have never hear of them so I am so excited to check them out!

  45. Angela J. Ford

    Yay for MailerLite! I switched over 4 or 5 months ago and I was floored by how amazing they are! I actually switched from ConvertKit, haha. And I’ve been trying to recruit everyone ever since. So glad you’re a fan too!

    1. Rachel Ritlop

      Haha no way! So how does it actually compare to ConvertKit? I still see a lot of people saying that when they grow and need more control they are going to ConvertKit but don’t get why

    2. Angela J. Ford

      Nope it’s quite different. ConvertKit has advanced automations and more integrations. But it only allows plain emails otherwise you need to learn how to do HTML formatting. Yikes!

  46. Ashley Mason

    YES to this Rach! I chose Mailerlite after working with you 😉 It’s super easy to use and I rave about it to everyone I know. It’s the best!!

  47. Katie

    YAAASSSS! I use Mailerlite and I love it! The interface is so easy to use and I love how I can customize things. I tried MailChimp for like a day and ended up not liking it, so I quickly made the switch!

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