If you have reached the stage of shortlisting the top 2-3 email marketing service and confused between making the final decision between Aweber vs Mailchimp, here is a quick piece of summary meat from an email marketing practitioner to make things easier:
We’ll summarize the software on the parameters:
1. Size/type of business use
2. Support and interface
3. Performance on Deliverability and Reporting
4. The 3rd fantastic alternative if you are open to one
AWeber
Features
AWeber has more than 150 email marketing templates to choose from. It integrates with WordPress, PayPal, Eventbrite and a few others. AWeber also allows you to quickly segment your lists by subscriber opens or clicks, location, and even what pages subscribers visited on your website.
The Good
Known to handle big volumes easily, good for professional digital marketers who would be able to create great email marketing solutions out of this . This provider has an option for custom HTML and also allows you to add attachments to your email. Ideal for bulk email marketing campaigns.
The Bad
No free trial (although $1 won’t hurt). No image hosting (Edit: now free unlimited hosting).
Pricing
AWeber offers a variety of pricing options, but their monthly plans range from $19/month for up to 500 subscribers to $149/month for up to 25,000 subscribers. If you want to send an email blast to more users than that, just ask for a custom quote.
One Line Verdict
Best solution if the quality of delivery and ease of handling huge volumes is important for you Perfect solution for visionary entrepreneurs and companies who expect to scale up thier business pretty soon. The interface may not be as slick, but in terms of performance there is no question of mailchimp even coming close . Sign up here
Hope this has started answering the question of Mailchimp vs Aweber in a way so far, more below:
MailChimp
Features
MailChimp again has more than 500 templates to choose from. They recently implemented a drag and drop editor for quick, easy email layouts. Many of their templates are optimized to display on mobile devices. You also have the option of coding your email directly with HTML and inline CSS.
MailChimp uses an advanced open API and encourages other applications to integrate with it. SurveyMonkey, PayPal, FreshBooks, Google Analytics, Shopify and many more currently integrate with Mail Chimp.
They also lend performance advice by comparing your open rate with your industry average and your lists average, which is a plus. If you are looking for a free email marketing software for simply using it as a email newsletter service, this may fit the bill, but not for advanced stuff and scaling up.
The Bad
Auto responder missing. A lot of restrictions on the type of campaigns which can be done.
Pricing
They score high if you are beginner looking for a free version, which offers up to 2k subscribers and 12 k mails. MailChimp has a number of monthly plans to choose from ranging from $10/month for up to 500 subscribers to $240/month for up to 50,000 subscribers. All paid plans have an unlimited number of sends.
One line verdict
Nice clean interface, but a relatively newer kid on the block. May not be the best value for money as it is slightly expensive, the interface can get sucky at times due to forced sense of humour of the developers (it’s pretty good at times, but not always). If your key decision parameter is interface, support, ease, integration, and an option of a free version, this scores higher. But nothing can my recommendation that is to try check Mad Mimi, which is one of the neatest and robust email marketing service in the market with a free trial. It combines the best of mailchimp (with an even better interface) with the deliverability of aweber.
Addendum:
MadMimi
Mad Mimi is a good piece of service, tastefully developed with a lot of personal effort by a really talented silicon valley couple. Useful for creating email marketing campaigns and creating a pool of loyal customers. Must Try the interface
The Good
Mad Mimi is integrates with many other applications that will further propel your brand. A beautiful interface and great support. Surprisingly affordable. Even offers a free version for up to 2500 contacts.
Pricing
3 plans beginning FREE for 2500 contacts, followed by a PRO which is for $42 for up to 10,000 contacts. Well suited for the email marketing players with a vision of grow and expand. Also offers the cheapest Jumbo plan which supports 100k plus contacts for a nominal price.
One line verdict
One of the best players around, slick interface, fantastic customer support, great price, my personal favorite. Must try now if huge volumes is not a core requirement for you right now. Highly recommended.
Let me know your views, let’s start a discussion to see other’s learning’s on this topic.
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