“Email marketing is dead.”
How often do we hear that statement shouted as the next shiny object of tech and social media takes center stage? … Only for that new thing to dull quickly, leaving consumers wanting more, or the next big thing.
Email marketing still works. Tried and true, and if anything, instead of losing its value, it has adapted and become even better.
In fact, I believe so passionately in this topic that I recorded a deep-dive podcast episode with Copyblogger founder Brian Clark on “Why the Future Is Still Email.”
Email is the gateway into your potential customer’s life, with opportunities at every turn to build relationships and trust … and eventually convert that engagement into sales.
And the system you use matters more than you think. Everything from automation potential, initial set-up needs, and the price tag can impact a user’s decision about the email marketing software they choose.
There’s a reason that ConvertKit, which is one of the newer email marketing systems out there (only established in 2013), outranks the competition in almost every area — user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, options for all-sized blogs and businesses, and a team that cares to serve their customers first and in the best way possible.
Follow along as I walk you through my ConvertKit review, and why you should choose it over the rest.
ConvertKit review: History of an outstanding digital product
Nathan Barry established ConvertKit in 2013 out of a desire to sell a product to an audience of his own. The problem was, he didn’t have an audience.
He had left his job as the head of a software design team for a startup, and began working with clients of his own building iOS apps and writing about it on his newly minted blog.
During this process, he wrote his first ebook (The App Design Handbook). When he launched the book sale to his small list (only 798 subscribers at the time), he was able to sell $12,000+ in the first 24 hours.
At this point, Nathan realized there was something special about digital products. A few months later, he wrote another book, which he shared with his audience that had doubled, but he still had a relatively small amount of subscribers.
A search for more predictable income
Nathan was excited that he had been able to create a big revenue stream from his ebooks ($80,000+ in sales in the first few months alone) but wanted to create something that could offer a more predictable income between book launches.
Using his knowledge of designing and software building, Nathan set out to create a SaaS app, even though he didn’t know what he would build, and wrote on his blog about it throughout the process.
He launched the project, The Web App Challenge, with a self-set cap of a $5,000 investment because he didn’t want to invest a lot of money in something without knowing if there was a market for it.
Relying mostly on pre-orders, he began to create a digital product for an audience he knew and was a part of — an email marketing tool that focused on the needs of authors/bloggers who wanted to sell digital products.
ConvertKit was born
Basic at first, but it grew over time. Every time Nathan came across something his Big competitors couldn’t do, or how un-user-friendly they were, a new idea or thought emerged about how he could improve the tool he was creating.
Eventually, he hired Ruby on Rails to build an app, and while he hadn’t hit the $5,000 mark he was hoping for in the first six months, he knew he was onto something great.
A year and a half in, a conversation that stopped him in his tracks made him amp up his efforts to go “all in” with ConvertKit.
Nathan hadn’t made up much ground in the months since creation. His friend, Hiten Shah, encouraged him bluntly to either “take ConvertKit seriously and go all in, or shut it down.”
Nathan noted the conversation with Hiten, but did nothing for another six months, until he finally came to a crossroads of either having to, in his words …
“Double down or shut down”
He decided to double down.
Nathan shut down the rest of his businesses, invested $50,000, hired a full-time developer, and went all in on his marketing efforts, continuing his content marketing while hardcore introducing direct sales through cold-emailing leads.
Bloggers liked the idea of ConvertKit, but hated the idea of all the work it would be to move from one system to a new one.
So, Nathan went out on a limb and offered to do all the heavy lifting, for free.
Six months after offering what ConvertKit now calls “concierge migration,” its revenue stream was finally hitting $5,000 per month.
ConvertKit coined the phrases “email marketing for bloggers” and “the power of Infusionsoft, but easier to use than Mailchimp,” during their new marketing focus and audience shift.
The first 50 customers of ConvertKit came from the original App Challenge, however by switching their focus to direct sales, Nathan began bringing in clients that were bigger and more likely to stick around.
Once ConvertKit had hit the $20,000/month mark, they rolled out an affiliate program, which worked great because their new target market/users were bloggers with big lists who could share their experience with the software.
Since they were known and trusted by their audience, this brought in a massive amount of new revenue, and a massive number of new subscribers.
This is the point in my review of ConvertKit where people say “the rest is history.” The revenue numbers skyrocketed as the cold sales and referrals continued to roll in.
ConvertKit review: Core values
ConvertKit’s values alone set them apart from the competition.
In fact, you can find those core values listed right on their website. That’s one of the most critical parts of this ConvertKit review.
They care about the customer and their experience, creating a better product, keeping it simple, and offering support that is bar none.
ConvertKit’s values include:
- Teach everything you know.
- Create every day.
- Work in public.
- Default to generosity.
- Do less, better.
From the list, it’s easy to see they value relationships with both customers and their team, as well as honesty.
ConvertKit review: Exceptional features
What makes ConvertKit better than the rest?
Going back to one of their core values to “create every day,” the system’s already-excellent features are always improving.
Landing pages
Not only are the free landing page templates beautiful and completely customizable, you don’t need a website to host them.
With no code and tons of options, you can create your landing page quickly and efficiently, so it’s ready to land in front of potential subscribers in no time.
Plus, they work seamlessly with the sign-up forms that you can create in house with ConvertKit.
Sign-up forms
Your subscribers get the first glimpse of what they can expect from you by how seamlessly they can join your email list.
Something as simple as a sign-up form makes the process of joining your email list smooth.
A major aspect to note in this ConvertKit review is that the tool has something for everyone. From gorgeous, customizable designs to forms for any need, you’re able to determine the data you need to collect and embed the forms on your current website.
But don’t forget, users don’t even need a website to use these amazing features! Sign-up forms can be housed right on the landing pages you build in ConvertKit. Win!
Bonus: Have a deliverable? You can use a sign-up form to deliver a free incentive if you have one (you should definitely have one!) for joining your email list.
Visual automations
When it comes to automation tools, often times, more complex means more confusing.
ConvertKit keeps it simple, with easy-to-follow steps so that you can spend your time doing things you actually want to do, like focus on growing your business.
With ConvertKit, you can build easy to set up automated funnels that are user-friendly yet packed with customizable options. The beauty of the system is that you can see everything that is happening for your subscriber, from start to finish.
Need to edit the content? Add a tag or create a segmentation? Integrate with one of your favorite tools like WordPress, Zapier, etc.? It’s all possible with ConvertKit.
Tagging/Segmentation
Being able to tag subscribers and segment your list into separate parts or sections is by far one of the greatest functions ConvertKit has to offer. A key differentiating feature I wanted to note in my review of ConvertKit.
Tagging is as simple as it sounds. If someone does a certain action (i.e., joins your list through a specific opt-in, purchases a product, clicks a link within an email, etc.), they are labeled with the tag you’ve created.
This comes in handy during the segmentation process. In ConvertKit, you can choose to segment your list, or only send a specific email to customers with a certain tag or tags. You can choose several tags, or just one (the any or all functions). Or, you can choose to send it to “none” with that tag.
The choice is yours. Once you’ve begun creating tags, you won’t believe how easy it is to ensure the right target audience receives your message.
Auto resend broadcasts to un-opens
What do you do when subscribers don’t open an email? Do they just miss the opportunity all together, or do you resend in hopes to catch their attention?
With some email marketing systems, resending unopened emails can be a nightmare. With ConvertKit, the backend will show you the statistics of who opened, who didn’t, and give you resending options at the click of a button.
You can edit the title and the body of the broadcast, schedule the resend in advance, and have peace of mind knowing that all the automation is taken care of, so you can move onto other things in your business.
Conditional email content
When someone greets you by name in person, the conversation feels more personable and connected. So why would you want your email to be any different?
At ConvertKit, using the Conditional Content feature helps to systemize the personalization of emails. Depending on the tags you have created, you are able to add personalization like first and/or last name to your email.
The real beauty of these “conditional content” options? If the subscriber didn’t provide that information, don’t worry, they won’t see weird punctuation and errors where their name should be.
ConvertKit review: Competitors
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is free. But free isn’t always better. The high ROI that ConvertKit offers as your email marketing system, not to mention the high value you receive, makes paying for the service worth it.
ConvertKit offers features like tagging subscribers, easy-to-use automations, and endless options to upgrade.
Plus, with the addition of ConvertKit’s new Freemium option, you can save time on bouncing back and forth between systems.
Start with ConvertKit, and as your list grows, you will already be in love with the system you use, the one with the endless possibilities, for lists big and small.
Aweber
Aweber has been around, for well, a while. And while they boast lots of things, there are some features that are too important to settle on not having.
ConvertKit has options such as a/b testing, easy access to broadcast resends, and an automatic opt-in delivery feature, where Aweber lacks in all of those.
The ability to automate things like opt-in delivery saves you and your team time, and ensures that your customers receive what you want them to, when you want them to.
Total back control over your email management and your business.
ActiveCampaign
While ActiveCampaign offers very similar features, at ConvertKit, the user experience and easy-to-use features are at the top of the list of importance when making improvements or changes to the system.
ConvertKit doesn’t require the hiring of an expert consultant to chart the unknowns of email marketing.
The user-friendly system offered by ConvertKit caters to users of all levels, from beginners to experienced, making the process of running a business enjoyable. Their responsive and helpful team ensures that any questions or issues are quickly addressed, providing valuable tips along the way. ConvertKit’s focus on user experience and essential features, such as form specific opt-ins and a/b testing, sets them apart from competitors like Infusionsoft and MailerLite.
ConvertKit, made for creators by creators, simplifies the process of getting started and guides users through every step, from creating an account to sending their first email. With a range of plan options, including a new Freemium plan, ConvertKit offers flexibility and affordability. The platform’s emphasis on easy integration and seamless functionality sets it apart from other systems, making it a top choice for creators looking to streamline their email marketing efforts. To incorporate your Welcome Sequence, select Event and choose your Sequence from the drop-down menu.
Congratulations on creating your first Automation! You can continue to expand and create more intricate funnels, or you can keep it simple.
ConvertKit offers a range of pricing options, with even the smallest paid tier providing unlimited features. The recent introduction of a Freemium option allows new creators to access unlimited landing pages and opt-ins before upgrading to send emails. Additionally, ConvertKit’s referral program allows users to unlock more features by referring others to sign up.
The pricing structure is based on the number of subscribers on your list, with tiered pricing starting at $29/month for up to 1,000 subscribers. The system eliminates duplicate email addresses, ensuring you only pay for what you need.
Even with the Freemium option, ConvertKit provides a comprehensive email management system that is easy to use and offers a wide range of functions. Additionally, there is a free plan available for those just starting out.
However, ConvertKit may not be suitable for everyone, especially those looking for fancy email templates or those who do not sell products. The system’s tagging and segmenting functions are valuable for tracking subscriber engagement and purchases.
In conclusion, ConvertKit offers a range of cool features, including a helpful support desk, a strong community of users, and a renowned conference for creators. Email marketing remains a powerful tool for building trust and growing your community, making ConvertKit a top choice for businesses looking to connect with their audience.
Why ConvertKit is the Ultimate Email Management System
If you’re looking for the best email management system on the market, look no further than ConvertKit. With its top-notch team, impressive features, and user-friendly interface, ConvertKit blows the competition out of the water. Head over to ConvertKit now to see for yourself why it’s the supreme choice for supercharging your email marketing efforts.
Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links to products. We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links. Rest assured, our reviews and comparisons are unbiased and based on products we’ve personally tested and recommend to help you make informed decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes ConvertKit stand out from other email management systems?
ConvertKit stands out for its exceptional team, robust features, and intuitive interface, making it a top choice for email marketers.
2. Can I trust ConvertKit’s recommendations for email marketing strategies?
ConvertKit provides valuable insights and recommendations based on industry best practices, helping users optimize their email marketing campaigns.
3. How user-friendly is ConvertKit for beginners?
ConvertKit is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to navigate and utilize its powerful features without a steep learning curve.
4. Does ConvertKit offer customer support for technical issues?
ConvertKit provides excellent customer support to assist users with any technical issues or questions they may have, ensuring a smooth user experience.
5. Is ConvertKit compatible with WordPress for seamless integration?
ConvertKit seamlessly integrates with WordPress, making it easy for users to incorporate email marketing strategies into their WordPress websites for optimized readability and SEO.