Email marketing is crucial for companies of all sizes. Choosing the proper platform has a huge impact on your marketing success. Constant Contact and Mailchimp are two of the most popular email marketing solutions. While both platforms provide a wide range of functionality, they address slightly different needs.
Overview of Constant Contact and Mailchimp
Constant Contact, launched in 1995, is a well-known tool for small and medium-sized businesses. It’s easy to use and focuses on simplifying email marketing. Its user-friendly design makes it ideal for people new to email campaigns. Beyond emails, Constant Contact offers event management and social media ad integration.
Mailchimp, founded in 2001, has grown into a powerful marketing platform. It goes beyond email marketing, offering advanced automation and integrations with other tools. This makes it excellent for companies that require a comprehensive marketing solution.
Difference Between Mailchimp and Constant Contact
When you compare Constant Contact and Mailchimp, several key features stand out:
Email Templates and Design
Constant Contact offers over 200 customizable templates. The drag-and-drop editor makes it simple for beginners to create emails without coding knowledge.
Mailchimp provides a more extensive range of templates, including AI-driven recommendations. Its design tools are slightly more advanced, appealing to users with creative needs.
Automation
Constant Contact includes basic automation, such as welcome emails and follow-ups. It’s perfect for businesses starting with email automation but lacks the depth of advanced workflows.
Mailchimp is known for its advanced automation capabilities. You can create multi-step workflows tailored to customer behavior, such as cart abandonment emails or re-engagement campaigns.
List Management
Constant Contact is simple and intuitive, focusing on segmentation by contact details. It works well for businesses with straightforward list management needs.
Mailchimp offers detailed segmentation options, including demographic data and purchase history, making it better for targeted campaigns.
Analytics and Reporting
Constant Contact offers basic performance information, such as open and click-through rates. It’s enough for users who don’t need in-depth analytics.
Mailchimp excels in reporting, offering detailed insights and predictive analytics to refine your campaigns.
Email Deliverability Rates
Deliverability rates indicate how frequently emails reach their recipients’ inboxes. Constant Contact had a deliverability rate of 91.5% in March 2021, compared to 86.9% for Mailchimp. This difference matters, especially for businesses sending high volumes of emails, as it can impact your marketing success.
Both platforms achieved a 100% deliverability rate for Gmail. However, Constant Contact performed better at ensuring emails landed in the primary inbox instead of being filtered into promotional tabs. This is crucial for boosting engagement and making sure your audience sees your emails.
Pricing Plans
When comparing these platforms, it’s essential to understand their pricing.
Constant Contact offers two main pricing plans. The Email Plan starts at $12 a month for up to 500 subscribers and includes essential email marketing features. For those that require more powerful tools, the Email Plus Plan begins at $45 per month for up to 500 subscribers and includes features such as automation.
Mailchimp, on the other hand, provides more flexibility with its pricing tiers. The Free Plan allows up to 500 subscribers but has limited features. The Essentials Plan begins at $13 per month for up to 500 subscribers, while the Standard Plan is $20 per month and provides more advanced options for scaling your campaigns.
Mailchimp stands out by offering a free tier, which Constant Contact does not. If you have a limited budget or are new to email marketing, this may influence your decision. However, if you need advanced features, Constant Contact might still be worth considering.
Integration Capabilities
Integrations are important for connecting your email marketing platform to other tools. Constant Contact works well with popular tools like Shopify, WordPress, and social media platforms, making it ideal for e-commerce and event-focused businesses.
Mailchimp provides even broader integration options, including WooCommerce and Magento, catering to businesses that need a more comprehensive marketing solution.
Customer Support
Customer assistance might be a determining factor. Constant Contact offers live chat on all plans, along with helpful resources like tutorials and webinars.
Mailchimp offers email and chat help; however phone assistance is only available on the higher-tier services. If immediate help is a priority, Constant Contact’s support options may be more appealing.
Pros and Cons of Mailchimp vs Constant Contact
Constant Contact
Pros:
- Easy to use, even for beginners.
- Excellent customer service, including live chat and phone options.\
- Includes tools for event management and social media advertising.
Cons:
- Limited advanced automation.
- Fewer templates compared to Mailchimp.
- Reporting features are less comprehensive.
Mailchimp
Pros:
- Advanced automation and detailed analytics.
- Robust free plan for small-scale users.
- AI-driven tools for personalization and design.
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for beginners.
- Customer support is limited on lower-tier plans.
- Pricing increases significantly as your audience grows.
When to Choose Constant Contact and Mailchimp
Choose Constant Contact if:
- You’re a small business or organization seeking a straightforward tool.
- You want hands-on customer support.
- You need event management or basic social media tools.
Choose Mailchimp if:
- You need advanced analytics and automation workflows.
- Scalability and integration with other platforms are priorities.
- Your campaigns require detailed segmentation and targeting.
Finding the Right Email Marketing Platform for Growth
Choosing between Constant Contact and Mailchimp comes down to your business goals. If you want an easy-to-use tool with strong support and simple features, Constant Contact is a great choice. But if you need advanced tools, better automation, and the ability to scale, Mailchimp may be the better option. Think about your current needs and future growth when making your decision.