Well, almost every day I get this sorts of messages and I agree this job is really intimidating. Every single day you can feel the pressure of a long list of jobs that you need to do. Previously I used to work with MailChimp, and getting past all the works efficiently was, in most of the cases, difficult. But the moment when I discovered ConvertKit, my life became easier by folds. I instantly loved the ConvertKit automation and switched to it.
Overview
ConvertKit [Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase] is a relatively new email marketing software in the market. Though it lacks all the bells and whistles that other big email marketing software providers offer, it still gets the job done for professional bloggers and small businesses. In fact, the best thing about ConvertKit is its tagline: “The power of Infusion soft, but easier to use than MailChimp.” Probably this is the boldest tagline in the email marketing history.
ConvertKit Review
System and Segmentation
ConvertKit is built on the idea of being a tag-based system, a far more effective tool to manage automation and subscribers. You can apply the tag to your subscribers based on their behaviour. You can also use the “merge tags” to create dynamic emails, meaning a single mail that displays according to the tag applied to each subscriber.
Automation
In fact, automation has become the standard for any email marketing tool today, and ConvertKit addresses the issue with ultra-simple automation manager.
The straightforward trigger and action system is extremely easy to use.
Form Building
Can you collect emails without form? Well, the short answer is no. That’s why email marketing software allows you to build embeddable forms within the tool itself. With ConvertKit, you can create inline, modal, or slide-in form. When it comes to design, you may start scratching your head. The customization options are lackluster, so to speak. So, if you want to do anything outside like simple colour change, you need to create custom CSS. ConvertKit also allows you to build an entire landing page. However, the only limitation is the customization options as mentioned earlier.
Integrations
Well, the integration list of ConvertKit may not be as thorough as you’d expect. However, it will integrate with the most popular third-party applications. Unless you are using obscure apps and services, they probably have you covered.
Tracking and Reporting
This is another area where ConvertKit really excels. You will like the overall simplicity approach of the tool. The dashboard will show your subscribers acquisition for the last 30 days. Also, you can filter them basing on different time frames. It will break down different entry points and show them not only in the main bar chart but also in the separate reporting areas. However, the report comes only with basic information: open rates, clicks, and unsubscribes.
Email Types
A/B testing, classic newsletters, automation, sequences (autoresponders), and landing page creation.
Deliverability
ConvertKit has shown impressive deliverability test results. You can reach popular inboxes like Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, or AOL without any sorts of complications.
Support and Documentation
Perhaps this is the best thing about ConvertKit. Shortly after signup, you will get personalized welcome videos. Though it isn’t really the “support” thing, it makes you wonder about their level of commitment. They claim that their average email response time is 1 hour 14 minutes, which is super cool. You will get the live chat support during the business hours. In fact, their support team will always respond promptly with coherent explanations about your query.
ConvertKit Pricing
Regardless of the plan you choose, you will get almost all of the features. The only thing that is missing from the lower tier plan is free platform migration. If you purchase a plan for more than 5000 contacts, they will automatically migrate your lists into their system, meaning you don’t have to worry about it.
Is ConvertKit Right for You?
Suitable If:
You want to run super-targeted email campaigns: ConvertKit has a very flexible and user-friendly tagging and segmentation system, helping you to run ultra-targeted automated campaigns to a very specific group of customers. The default landing page editor will allow you to manage end-to-end campaigns within the single tool.
Not Suitable If:
Running on a low budget: If you are a budget blogger, ConvertKit is not going to be the best option for you. The pricing of ConvertKit is more apt for big business, creating trouble for budget bloggers. You can check other cheap alternatives though they won’t be able to provide the performance of ConvertKit.
Completely indifferent to HTML: If you opt to use ConvertKit, you will definitely need some HTML knowledge with the passage of time. To add form fields, you will need this. Another important thing to remember is they provide you with only 3 email templates, meaning you will probably need to import your own at a certain stage. So, if you are a complete beginner and lack 101 of HTML, it’s better for you to go with some more userfriendly option like MailerLite.
ConvertKit Alternative
ConvertKit is not the only player in the email marketing tools. In fact, email marketing strategy has been there for years, and it still beats all another marketing strategy, making it a very powerful and handy tool. The email marketing tool is, indeed, overcrowded with competitors.
The most notable alternatives to ConvertKit are:
Added Support for GDPR
ConvertKit has created several new tools, forms, and support processes to help you stay compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- You can gather consent from the subscribers after they sign up without cluttering your forms with checkboxes.
- With the new feature, you can specifically select your subscribers from the European Union in the subscriber filter. Thus, you can easily gather consents from them without any hassles.
- You can combine the above two features and get the consent from any existing EU
subscribers, from whom you don’t have consent.
Follow me!
positive
- Flexible user-subscription management
- Tag-based subscriber system
- A simple but effective and powerful visual automation builder
- Responsive support available
- You can create a dynamic email with merged tags
- Various form types can be created
- An inbuilt landing page builder
- Comprehensive reporting for subscriber acquisition
negative
- It’s expensive and needs a credit card to trial it
- Limited email templates
- Very limited A/B testing functionality
- Reporting data are not in depth
- Few customization options for registration forms
Verdict
ConvertKit really excels in some areas. You can easily manage the subscribers with flexibility via its awesome tagging system. Their support is pretty much quick and responsive. It ships with a built-in landing page editor, allowing you to collect visitors even when you don’t have a website. In fact, it’s great for social media campaigns. Certainly, bloggers can get the full advantage of all these features while targeting communications to their subscribers.
However, ConvertKit has its downfalls. You surely know one size doesn’t fit all. Similarly, you cannot expect ConvertKit to be a panacea for all your problems. It also turns out to be pretty expensive. But most importantly you get what you paid for!
After all, ConvertKit is a dream come true for entrepreneurs who are just getting into email marketing. You will definitely love the simplicity and power of this tool.
Do you have a question?
Also published on Medium.
