Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to engage with your subscribers. Studies show that email achieves an average return on investment of $42 for every $1 spent (Campaign Monitor). With the right newsletter plugin, you can start building meaningful relationships through email.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll compare the top 6 WordPress newsletter plugins based on features, integrations, deliverability, ease of use and pricing. As an experienced webmaster, I‘ll also share tips to help you succeed with email newsletters.
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Why Email Newsletters Are Valuable
Here are some compelling stats that demonstrate the value of email newsletters:
- Email boasts a median ROI of 122% – much higher than other marketing channels (DMA)
- 89% of marketers say email is their biggest source of ROI (Ascend2)
- Email generates $44 for every $1 spent, outpacing social media, direct mail and more (DMA)
Simply put, email marketing pays off. By sending regular newsletters, you can build trust with subscribers and promote products in a non-invasive way.
Comparison of the Top Newsletter Plugins
Here‘s an overview of how the top newsletter plugins stack up against each other:
| Plugin | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | $9.99/mo – $299/mo | Automations, email builder, reports, integrations |
| Constant Contact | $20/mo | Templates, drag and drop builder, automations, detailed analytics |
| Sendinblue | Free – $25/mo | Drag and drop editor, automations, SMS marketing |
| MailPoet | Free – $10/mo | Templates, forms, automation, spam testing |
| Easy Newsletter | Free | Create and schedule newsletters, email stats |
| Sendfox | Free – $6.25/mo | 15,000 emails/mo free, email editor, forms, basic automation |
As you can see, Mailchimp and Constant Contact are great for powerful features and detailed email analytics. Sendinblue, MailPoet and Sendfox are affordable options with decent deliverability. Easy Newsletter is a simple free plugin for basic newsletters.
7 Tips for Email Newsletter Success
In my 15+ years of managing websites, I‘ve learned a few key strategies for creating successful email newsletters:
1. Offer an opt-in incentive
Entice readers to subscribe by offering a lead magnet like a discounted ebook or coupon code in exchange for their email. This gives them an immediate reward.
2. Send welcome and onboarding emails
When someone signs up, send them a series of 3-4 emails introducing yourself, sharing valuable content and getting them engaged with your brand.
3. Segment your list
Divide subscribers into groups like new customers, repeat customers, inactive subscribers, etc. Then send content relevant to each segment.
4. Find the right email frequency
Sending too many or too few emails will cause subscribers to tune out. Test to find the sweet spot for your audience.
5. Personalize subject lines
Personalized subject lines using the reader‘s first name see higher open rates. Generated subject lines also tend to perform better than static subject lines.
6. Make mobile-friendly emails
With mobile email usage skyrocketing, ensure your newsletter templates are optimized for small screens.
7. Regularly test and optimize
Use A/B testing to determine which content, offers and subject lines resonate most with your audience. Then tweak your newsletters based on the results.
Real-World Examples
Here are just a couple examples of companies successfully using email newsletters to drive business:
- Online retailer AppSumo boosted sales 69% by sending consistent weekly newsletters to their customer base.
- Software company ConvertKit grew their email list from 0 to over 36,000 subscribers in 2 years by offering valuable content to blog readers. Their emails now generate over $500,000 per month in sales.
Get Started Building Your Email List
If you don‘t already have an email newsletter, now is the time to start. Follow this process to launch your first campaign:
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Choose a newsletter plugin that fits your needs and budget. Mailchimp and ConvertKit are great paid options. For free plugins, go with MailPoet or Sendfox.
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Create a lead magnet like a coupon code or ebook to entice visitors to subscribe. Offer this as an immediate download.
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Add email signup forms on your site. Embed forms on blog posts, in your navigation bar, and as popups.
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Set up automated emails to engage subscribers. Send welcome emails, cart abandonment emails, etc.
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Track email metrics like open rate, click rate, and unsubscribe rate. Use this data to continuously refine your approach.
If you dedicate time to nurturing your email list by providing value, it will pay dividends for your business. Use one of these excellent WordPress newsletter plugins to execute effective email campaigns.
