Email marketing has become an integral part of the outreach efforts of online and offline businesses alike. In order to reach your contacts or subscribers, it becomes necessary to use a platform that can integrate your campaigns, collect data, and help you to manage your outcomes more effectively.
Two solid choices for entry-level email marketers are iContact and Constant Contact. Here are the pros and cons of both options.
What Are the Pros and Cons of iContact?
iContact offers competitive pricing plans that begin at just $14 per month. There are premier services offered as well, including a dedicated account manager, and you can try the platform out for free.
Pros: Users receive up to 5 MB for image storage to include visual graphics with emails. It integrates well with Salesforce and other CRM platforms and gives you an HTML editor so that you can change your templates. It offers apps for iOS and Android, gives you list segmentation options, and gives you access to API and a developer portal.
Cons: No weekend support is available with iContact. Landing pages that are responsive are not included with the basic tiers. RSS-to-email can be somewhat difficult to use and app integration is fairly limited.
The premier tier is really the best option if you prefer to use iContact vs Constant Contact. That tier provides you with Google Analytics integration, gives you multiple social media sharing options, split A/B testing, and ROI reporting. Advanced list management options are also available, including design services, so that you can customize every email broadcast.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Constant Contact?
Constant Contact has been providing email marketing supports as a platform since 1996, making it one of the longest-serving options that is available right now. Pricing begins at $20 for a limited number of subscribers, but you’re provided with unlimited email sends even at the entry level tier. You also have the option to try this platform out for free as well.
Pros: Longevity in this particular niche has allowed this platform to have hundreds of integration and app opportunities, which includes Google Analytics. Campaigns can be tracked in real-time and you have access to hundreds of email templates. The interface is extremely easy to learn and most users can send out their first broadcast in just minutes after signing up. There is a 30-day money back guarantee as well.
Cons: There is no trigger messaging on this platform. You’re only allowed to store about 5 images for free at any given time. The only way to get around this limitation is to use free stock images or upgrade your library. Template designs are somewhat limited and their editor does not work with any personal designs. Only one sign-up form per account is allowed as well.
Constant Contact may have some limitations as a platform, but it also has a reputation that others do not. Although it can be difficult to cancel an account for some, there is a long history of businesses using this platform to expand their customer base on local and regional levels – even if they do not have an actual business website.
What Are the Costs of iContact vs Constant Contact?
iContact features what they call “No Haggle” pricing. Entry-level pricing begins at $11.90 with an annual prepay plan. Their Pro Automation tier is offered at $99 per month, with an annual prepay discount offered as well. A third tier, called Expert Services, is a quote-based email marketing solution. You can try iContact for up to 30 days without the need to input a credit card number.
Constant Contact allows you to try it for free for up to 60 days. This free trial does not require a credit card. The entry-level tier has pricing begin at $20 per month, while the Email Plus tier has pricing begin at $45 per month. Discounts are available for franchises, associations, NGOs, and similar organizations. Constant Contact then has pricing that scales upward from there based on the total number of subscribers that you have.
Both require a valid email address to verify a free trial account.
Each email marketing solution offers something that can be used by specific businesses and entrepreneurs. Because the needs to be met are so individualized, there is no generic recommendation to be made in the iContact vs Constant Contact debate. Try each one to determine how well it can meet your personal needs and that will be the best way to make your final decision.
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