Best Email Marketing & Automation Software in 2023!

Are you looking for the best email marketing software right now?

In this video, the speaker shares their top picks for email marketing automation platforms that will help grow your email list and business. They have tested various options and will focus on platforms that cover the majority of users.

ConvertKit

• ConvertKit is an easy-to-use email marketing software with a simple and intuitive interface.

• It offers a powerful sequence builder for sending out groups of emails or email sequences.

• ConvertKit supports basic automations with an easy-to-use automation builder.

• It has basic landing page functionality but lacks customization options.

• Email subscriber segmentation in ConvertKit relies heavily on tags, which can become messy for complex tasks.

• A/B testing of email subject lines is supported but limited to one subject line and one variation.

Other Platforms

The transcript does not provide further information about other platforms.

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In this section, the speaker discusses the limitations of using built-in e-commerce apps compared to third-party options. They mention that built-in apps are suitable for basic digital products like e-books and free downloads, but may lack advanced features and control.

Built-in E-commerce Apps vs Third-Party Options

• Using built-in e-commerce apps is convenient but comes with restrictions compared to more powerful third-party options.

• Built-in apps are sufficient for basic digital products such as e-books and free downloads.

• Limited pro-level automations and control in built-in apps.

• ConvertKit is purposeful with no bloat and less potential overwhelm due to fewer advanced controls.

• Easy to pick up and suitable for non-technical users.

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This section focuses on ConvertKit's features, pricing plans, and ease of use.

ConvertKit Features and Pricing

• ConvertKit offers basic automations that can be expanded upon.

• Suitable for non-technical users who want to get the most out of email marketing.

• Free plan available for up to 1,000 subscribers.

• Creator plan unlocks advanced email sequences and visual automation builder.

• Pricing varies based on the number of subscribers.

• For example, $25 per month for up to 1,000 subscribers on the Creator plan.

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The speaker discusses pricing options for ConvertKit and highlights its advantages over other platforms regarding charges per subscriber.

Pricing Structure

• ConvertKit charges once per identified user, unlike some other platforms that charge multiple times if a user is on multiple lists.

• Monthly spend is easier to gauge as you only pay for each subscriber once.

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This section introduces ActiveCampaign as a more advanced option compared to ConvertKit, highlighting its features and controls.

ActiveCampaign Features

• ActiveCampaign offers more advanced features and controls compared to ConvertKit.

• Provides a wide range of email templates and a drag-and-drop email builder for customization.

• Longer process to create emails compared to ConvertKit but offers tools like hiding content on mobile devices and conditional content.

• Basic and advanced automations are built using the same automation builder, allowing for easy transition from basic to advanced.

• Advanced automations are where the power of ActiveCampaign shines, supporting everything that ConvertKit can do but with more complexity.

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The speaker discusses pricing for ActiveCampaign and highlights the advantage of being charged once per identified user.

Pricing Structure

• ActiveCampaign offers different plans based on the desired features.

• Creator Pro plan unlocks all features, including advanced reporting.

• Free plan or Creator plan may be suitable for beginners depending on their automation needs.

• Unlike some other platforms (e.g., EmailChimp), ActiveCampaign charges only once per identified user, making monthly spend easier to manage.

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This section compares pricing models between ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, and other options in terms of charging per subscriber.

Charging Per Subscriber

• ConvertKit charges once per identified user, regardless of multiple lists they may be on.

• Other platforms like EmailChimp charge multiple times for one user if they are on multiple lists.

• This makes it easier to gauge monthly spend as you only pay for each subscriber once.

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The speaker discusses the additional features and controls available in ActiveCampaign compared to ConvertKit.

Advanced Features in ActiveCampaign

• ActiveCampaign provides a wide range of actions, conditions, workflows, and triggers in its automation builder.

• Offers website tracking and event tracking capabilities for individual ActiveCampaign users.

• Includes a customizable landing page builder with drag-and-drop functionality.

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This section compares the ease of use and customization options between ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign.

Ease of Use and Customization

• ActiveCampaign is more complicated than ConvertKit due to its advanced features.

• Email creation process is longer in ActiveCampaign compared to ConvertKit.

• Provides tools to take emails to the next level, such as hiding content on mobile devices and conditional content.

• Custom merge tags allow for personalized email content.

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The speaker discusses the power of advanced automations in ActiveCampaign.

Advanced Automations in ActiveCampaign

• ActiveCampaign allows for advanced automations at any point in the workflow.

• Offers a wide range of actions, conditions, workflows, triggers, CRM-based options, and integration with website tracking.

• Supports everything that ConvertKit can do but provides more advanced capabilities.

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This section highlights the extensive customization options available in ActiveCampaign's landing page builder.

Landing Page Builder

• ActiveCampaign includes a highly customizable landing page builder with a drag-and-drop interface.

• Offers numerous templates that can be customized by swapping elements, adding sections, rows, columns, etc.

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The speaker explains how contact segmentation works in ActiveCampaign using lists instead of tags like ConvertKit.

Contact Segmentation

• In ActiveCampaign, contact segmentation relies more on lists rather than tags like ConvertKit.

• Using lists can make overall segmenting cleaner and less clunky within automations.

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This section discusses the advanced A/B split testing features available in ActiveCampaign.

A/B Split Testing

• ActiveCampaign offers advanced A/B split testing features for subject lines, sender's name, email content, and images.

• Allows customization of testing and sending ratios.

• Can build different split tests within workflows for more targeted testing.

ActiveCampaign vs. Built-in E-commerce Tools

This section discusses the benefits of using ActiveCampaign over platforms with built-in e-commerce tools.

• ActiveCampaign's lack of built-in e-commerce tools is not a downside because its integrations are excellent and provide more flexibility and control.

• Using dedicated tools for e-commerce allows for easier transition if needed, as opposed to being locked into a platform's billing and subscription systems.

ActiveCampaign's CRM Features

This section highlights the advanced customer management tools offered by ActiveCampaign.

• ActiveCampaign includes a built-in CRM that offers one of the most advanced customer management features among email marketing software.

• The CRM allows users to track customer history, interactions, and other relevant information within the platform.

Pricing Plans for ActiveCampaign

This section provides an overview of ActiveCampaign's pricing plans.

• There is no free plan available with ActiveCampaign.

• Users can start with the Lite plan at $29 per month (billed annually), which includes email marketing and marketing automation features.

• Upgrading to the Plus plan at $49 per month adds landing pages, Facebook custom audiences, and conditional content.

• The Professional plan at $149 per month provides access to tracking conversions and split testing automations but only covers email marketing. To access sales and CRM features, users need to choose one of the Sales plans or Bundle plans.

Depth and Complexity of ActiveCampaign

This section discusses the depth and complexity of using ActiveCampaign compared to other platforms like ConvertKit.

• ActiveCampaign offers a high level of depth in terms of functionality but may be more challenging for beginners compared to simpler platforms like ConvertKit.

• ActiveCampaign provides more options and flexibility for users who want to build complex automations and grow their email marketing strategies.

Introduction to Bento as an Advanced Option

This section introduces Bento as a more advanced option for sophisticated email marketing.

• Bento is a powerful platform that goes beyond the capabilities of ActiveCampaign and ConvertKit.

• It offers advanced features and flexibility, making it suitable for users with technical expertise.

• Bento provides fast load times, an easy-to-use interface, and unique approaches to email marketing.

Unique Features of Bento

This section highlights some unique features offered by Bento.

• Bento allows users to batch send campaigns over a specific duration, reducing the likelihood of triggering spam filters.

• It includes built-in email filtering at the time of opt-in, preventing spam or incorrect emails from being added to the list.

• Bento offers powerful ad and website tracking tools that help map and refine customer journeys.

Different Approach to Email Building in Bento

This section discusses how Bento differs from other platforms in terms of email building.

• Unlike other platforms that provide pre-designed templates, Bento takes a different approach by not offering its own templates.

Overview of Email Builder

The email builder in Bento offers over 1,000 free templates, more than any other email marketing software. It also allows for custom templates to be created. The email builder is user-friendly and provides advanced tools similar to ActiveCampaign but with a smoother and more seamless experience.

Features of the Email Builder

• Bento offers over 1,000 free templates and the option to create custom ones.

• The email builder provides advanced tools comparable to ActiveCampaign.

• It offers a seamless and user-friendly experience for creating emails.

Sequence Builder and Automation

Bento includes a built-in sequence builder for basic email automations. This feature saves time by allowing users to easily duplicate sequences for repetitive tasks like product launches. Additionally, Bento's advanced automation capabilities provide flexibility but may require some learning curve.

Sequence Builder and Automation Features

• Bento has a built-in sequence builder for basic email automations.

• Sequences can be duplicated with ease for repetitive tasks.

• Advanced automation features allow users to create custom events and criteria.

• Users can schedule emails based on specific time periods between each email.

Custom Events and Criteria

Unlike other platforms that offer pre-selected options for triggers or events, Bento allows users to create entirely custom events and criteria. This level of flexibility enables users to build powerful workflows tailored to their specific needs.

Custom Events and Criteria Features

• Bento allows users to create their own entirely custom events and criteria.

• Users have the freedom to define event triggers and workflows according to their requirements.

• This customization provides greater flexibility in building automated processes.

Landing Page Builder and Site Tracking

Bento does not have a built-in landing page builder, as it prioritizes flexibility. Instead, it offers robust site tracking tools that integrate with external platforms like WordPress or Webflow. This approach caters to users who prefer custom websites over template-based solutions.

Landing Page Builder and Site Tracking Features

• Bento does not provide a landing page builder to maintain flexibility.

• It offers powerful site tracking tools for integration with external platforms.

• Users can build their own landing pages using WordPress or Webflow and seamlessly connect them to Bento.

Form Builder and A/B Split Testing

Bento's form builder stands out with customizable logic similar to Typeform, eliminating the need for additional SaaS tools. However, A/B split testing is currently more of a do-it-yourself option in Bento compared to ActiveCampaign's more advanced built-in features.

Form Builder and A/B Split Testing Features

• Bento's form builder includes customizable logic without requiring additional tools.

• A/B split testing is available but currently requires more manual setup.

• ActiveCampaign offers more powerful out-of-the-box A/B testing features.

Segmentation Options

Unlike many email marketing software that rely on lists or tags for segmentation, Bento provides various options such as tags, custom fields, segments, and events. This allows for neater contact segmentation without solely relying on tags.

Segmentation Options Features

• Bento offers multiple options for segmenting contacts beyond just tags.

• Users can trigger events or store updates in custom fields instead of adding tags.

• This approach provides a cleaner way to segment contacts without relying solely on tags.

E-commerce Integration

Bento and ActiveCampaign take a similar approach to e-commerce integration by focusing on powerful tools and integrations rather than providing built-in e-commerce stores. This approach allows for automation, analysis, and growth without being tied to a specific ecosystem.

E-commerce Integration Features

• Bento and ActiveCampaign prioritize powerful tools and integrations over built-in e-commerce stores.

• Both platforms offer automation, analysis, and growth opportunities for e-commerce businesses.

• They cater to users who prefer customization and are more technically inclined.

Overall Impressions

Bento offers numerous impressive features such as a wide range of email templates, advanced automation capabilities, custom event creation, site tracking tools, customizable form builder with logic, flexible segmentation options, and robust e-commerce integration. While it may require some learning curve for beginners due to its clean canvas interface, it provides great flexibility for building tailored automations.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the support and features of Bento, a marketing software.

Support and Features of Bento

• The biggest killer feature of Bento is its support. Users can chat with the founder, Jesse, on Discord for quick assistance.

• The support provided by Bento is incredible and questions are resolved within a few hours.

• Multiple feature suggestions made in their Discord have been built out and shipped within a day or two.

• In contrast, using ActiveCampaign during a product launch resulted in waiting for a regular seven-day turnaround to get issues sorted.

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This section focuses on the pricing structure of Bento.

Pricing Structure of Bento

• Bento offers simple pricing with no hidden fees or surprises.

• It operates on a sliding scale system with no free plan available.

• The minimum monthly spend is $30, which unlocks 3,000 users.

• Additional users cost 1 cent per user above the initial limit.

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This section highlights that all plans in Bento provide access to every feature without any restrictions.

Access to Features in Bento

• Regardless of the plan chosen, all users have access to every feature in Bento.

• The amount paid depends on the size of the user's list.

• Bento is recommended for those who want maximum power and flexibility and enjoy technical aspects.

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This section emphasizes that Bento offers innovative features and provides a clean canvas for creativity.

Innovative Features and Flexibility in Bento

• Users have access to innovative features that redefine email marketing.

• Bento provides a clean canvas where almost anything is possible, allowing users to unleash their creativity.

• It is suitable for those who want to test the boundaries of the software and have a technically-minded approach.

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This section compares ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, and Bento based on user preferences and requirements.

Choosing the Best Email Marketing Software

• ConvertKit is recommended for users who want a quick and easy solution with minimal complexity and a low learning curve.

• ActiveCampaign offers more customization options, advanced automations, scalability, but requires time to learn and utilize effectively.

• Bento is ideal for technically-minded individuals who seek maximum flexibility, innovative features, and are not afraid to get technical.

• The choice of email marketing software depends on individual needs and preferences.