My TOP 6 Email Marketing Tools for Your Online Business

Whether you‘ve been in the online space for a while or just starting out, the one thing you should know about business is that having a list with contact information of your audience (their name and email at the minimum) that’s outside of your social media following is an absolute must in 2024. Just think of those days when you tried to log in to Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok and nothing was working… 

But when it comes down to choosing an email marketing service for your business, the options may seem to be endless. I get it. The world of email marketing software can be overwhelming. There are many options available, each promising great features and increased engagement. However, finding the right software can be challenging with so many features and complicated pricing.

Don't worry, though! In this blog post, I highlight a few of the software that have been tried and true either by me personally or in conjunction with my clients or fellow solopreneurs. I will list some options for complete beginners as well as small business owners and companies.

I hope to help you navigate the world of email marketing software so you can find a tool that fits your business needs, budget, and goals best.

So let’s get started by discussing the key factors to consider when choosing the best email marketing software for your business.

1. Start by clearly defining your business goals for using email marketing software. Are you aiming to increase sales, build brand awareness, or drive website traffic? Understanding your objectives will help you select the most suitable software.
2. Next, decide on the types of emails you want to send. Are you planning to send out promotional offers, newsletters, transactional emails, or customer surveys? Identifying the types of emails you'll be sending will assist in finding a software solution that aligns with your needs.
3. Take the time to thoroughly research different email marketing software options available in the market. It's crucial to read reviews from other users to gain insights into the user experience, customer support, and overall performance of the software.
4. Consider the features offered by the email marketing software. Look for capabilities such as automation, list management, A/B testing, personalization, and integrations with other platforms (e.g., CRM systems or e-commerce platforms). Evaluating these features will help you select a solution that best fits your requirements.
5. Lastly, decide on a budget for your email marketing software. Consider the costs associated with the software, including subscription fees, additional charges for extra features, and potential scalability as your business grows.

Now that we've examined some key considerations, take a look below for a list of my TOP 6 email marketing tools. Please note that the list isn't ranked in a specific order of preference; rather, it presents a range of options for you to consider. As you review it, you'll find that I've included a brief summary for each software to assist you in determining whether that particular tool is suitable for your needs.

TIP: If you do not have a website, and are just starting out, I recommend looking at the last option “Standalone Landing Page Functionality” which would be one of the critical key points if I were new to the game.

So, without further ado, let’s get to it!

FloDesk

If you love aesthetics for both emails and the backend interface, FloDesk might be your winner. Founded just a few years ago, FloDesk boasts a user-friendly drag-and-drop builder with gorgeous pre-designed templates, making it a dream for creatives and small businesses who want their email marketing to look as good as it performs. While there's no free plan, Flodesk offers a generous 30-day free trial to test out all its features before committing.

FloDesk Summary:

Free plan: No
Paid Plan Free Trial: Yes, 30 days with full access to features
Credit Card required to sign up: No
Minimum paid plan: $38/month (unlimited subscribers). Get 50% off for your first year here. Only $19/m!
Best for: Creatives and small businesses prioritizing beautiful email design.
Standout feature: Drag-and-drop builder with stunning, pre-designed email templates.
Standalone Landing Page Functionality: Limited to 1 section only with an opt-in form. Various layouts and designs are available.

Try FloDesk here!

ConvertKit

ConvertKit is a comprehensive email marketing solution tailored to the needs of content creators and online influencers. Its features are designed to help creators grow and monetize their audience, automate their marketing, and sell their digital products with ease. It offers customizable sign-up forms and landing pages to help bring in more email subscribers.

ConvertKit Summary:

Free plan: Yes, limited to your first 10,000 active subscribers and 1 email sequence but offers unlimited one-off broadcasts
Paid Plan Free Trial: Yes, 14 days
Credit Card required to sign up: No
Minimum paid plan: $29/month (up to 1,000 subscribers)
Best for: Content creators and bloggers who want to nurture leads and grow their audience.
Standout feature: Powerful tagging and segmentation capabilities. ConvertKit allows for highly targeted email campaigns based on subscriber behavior and interests.
Standalone Landing Page Functionality: Limited to 1 section only with an opt-in form. Various layouts and designs are available.

Try ConvertKit here!

Kajabi

Kajabi is an all-in-one platform designed for creators and businesses to build, market, and sell digital products and services. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including website hosting, email list management, course creation, and a seamless student experience. Users can create and sell online courses, coaching programs, memberships, and other digital products through Kajabi's platform. The platform is known for its ability to centralize various business functions, making it a convenient and efficient solution for creators and businesses.

Kajabi Summary:

Free plan: No
Paid Plan Free Trial: Yes, 14 days. Get a 30-day Free Trial + Bonuses here.
Credit Card required to sign up: Yes
Minimum paid plan: $149/month (includes a website, podcast, 3 online courses or coaching hosting, email marketing, and so much more)
Best for: Course and Digital Products Creators who would like to monetize their knowledge
Standout feature: Focus on an all-in-one solution to sell online courses and manage memberships, send emails, host a website, run your podcast, and process payments. This eliminates the need for multiple integrations and simplifies managing your online business. It’s also great for segmenting, scheduling emails, and advanced automations when it comes to email marketing and customer database management.
Standalone Landing Page Functionality: Yes, add as many sections as you wish to a page or a website.

Try Kajabi here!

HubSpot

HubSpot is a leading customer relationship management (CRM), marketing, sales, and customer service software company with a mission to help companies maximize sales and grow better. It offers a connected platform consisting of 6 core products for marketing, sales, customer service, content management, operations, and commerce. Overall, HubSpot provides a comprehensive suite of tools and resources to help businesses capture and convert leads, manage customer interactions, automate processes, and scale inbound marketing efforts.

HubSpot Summary:

Free plan: Yes, with limited features and branding
Free trial: Yes, 14 days with full access to features.
Credit Card required to sign up: No
Minimum paid plan: $20/mo/seat (up to 1,000 marketing contacts)
Best for: Businesses looking for an all-in-one marketing platform that integrates email marketing with CRM, social media, and content management. 
Standout feature: Comprehensive marketing automation tools. HubSpot allows you to design complex workflows that nurture leads and convert them into customers.
Standalone Landing Page Functionality: Yes, add as many sections as you wish to a page.

Try HubSpot here!

Active Campaign

ActiveCampaign is designed for small-to-mid-sized businesses, offering a range of functionalities including email marketing, marketing automation, sales automation, and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) capabilities.

Active Campaign Summary:

Free plan: No
Free trial: Yes, 14 days with full access to features.
Minimum paid plan: $23/month (up to 500 contacts)
Credit Card required to sign up: Yes
Best for: Businesses seeking advanced automation features and powerful CRM functionalities.
Standout feature: Sales and marketing automation in one place. ActiveCampaign lets you automate tasks, track deals, and manage customer relationships within the platform.
Standalone Landing Page Functionality: Yes, add multiple sections to a landing page.

Try Active Campaign here!

Systeme.io

Systeme.io is an all-in-one marketing platform designed to help businesses manage their online presence. It essentially combines a number of tools into one place, allowing you to build sales funnels, create online courses, run email marketing campaigns, design landing pages and websites, manage affiliate programs, and maintain a blog.

Systeme.io Summary:

Free plan: Yes, for up to 2,000 contacts (limited features)
Free trial: No
Minimum paid plan: $27/month (up to 5,000 contacts)
Best for: Entrepreneurs and small businesses just starting out and solopreneurs and creators who want to sell digital products or online courses
Standout feature: All-in-one functionality as it offers a comprehensive suite of tools including sales funnels, email marketing, website building, course creation, and more.
Standalone Landing Page Functionality: Yes, add multiple sections to a landing page.

Try Systeme.io here!

As you can see, choosing the right email marketing software can feel daunting, but by considering your business goals, budget, and desired features, you can make an informed decision. This post explored some of the most popular options, from beginner-friendly solutions to feature-rich platforms for established businesses. Remember, the "best" tool ultimately depends on your specific needs. Don't hesitate to take advantage of free trials to test-drive different software and see which one feels most intuitive and effective for you.

So, what are you waiting for? Start building your email list and take your marketing efforts to the next level!

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I make earnings from some qualifying purchases if you click the links. I only recommend tools and products that I personally use and trust!