This post is not sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links for ConvertKit.
When it comes to email marketing, there are a variety of platforms you can choose from to get the job done. It can actually be a little overwhelming to make a decision! In this post, it’s my goal to make that decision a little easier for you by sharing the benefits of ConvertKit and why I made the switch to their platform.
By now, you’ve probably heard a lot of bloggers talking about ConvertKit. And it’s for good reason! It provides many benefits for bloggers and online business owners that want a robust platform for email marketing. But if you’re on the fence about whether or not it’s worth investing in, just keep reading for the full scoop!
Why I Made the Switch to ConvertKit
Like many bloggers, I started out using MailChimp. MailChimp is a great platform when you’re just starting out because it’s very affordable. In fact, if you have less than 2,000 subscribers, it’s actually free if you’re willing to pass on automation. Unfortunately though, as your blog and business grows, you may find that MailChimp is lacking in certain areas.
While it allows you to tag your subscribers and create various email sequences, there isn’t a way to handle multiple email opt-ins. These days, content upgrades have become a big way to grow your email list. People often have multiple freebies for their audience to sign-up for, as well as webinars and other events. And MailChimp just isn’t able to handle that in an efficient way.
You’d have to create a new list and a new sign-up form, which left you with multiple lists. If a subscriber was on multiple lists, they would count toward your total subscriber count multiple times. That means you’d be paying for one subscriber twice if they were on two lists. It just isn’t the best way to go about things because it winds up costing you more money in the end.
But my final straw with them was when I found out some people weren’t receiving my emails for no reason at all. I was running a course where the lessons were sent via email and so many people weren’t receiving them in their inbox. When I discovered that, I was done because this wasn’t the first time I heard of their deliverability issues.
In the summer of 2016, I made the switch to ConvertKit and I never looked back.
The Benefits of ConvertKit
So, what made me choose ConvertKit over the other email marketing platforms out there? I mean, I did have training on Infusionsoft… Well, keep reading to learn about some of the benefits of ConvertKit to see if it’s right for you.
It’s Subscriber-Centric
The first thing I want to point out is that ConvertKit is subscriber-centric. What does that mean? With their platform, you have only one email list. As I mentioned above, MailChimp requires you to create multiple lists in order to offer a variety of opt-in freebies. Many other platforms are list-centric just like they are. That isn’t the case with ConvertKit.
No matter how many freebies a person signs up for, you’re only paying for them once. This is one of the major benefits of ConvertKit because it’s going to save you money in the long run. It’s a factor that I think everyone should look for when considering a new email marketing platform. However, you may now be wondering how to segment those subscribers if they’re all on one list. More on that in a moment!
The Ability to Create Forms & Landing Pages
The ability to create forms and landing pages is essential for anyone who offers multiple freebies on their site. And ConvertKit has made it incredibly easy to do so. Whenever you have something new to offer, you can whip up a form or landing page to help share it. As you can see above, there are three built-in form templates for you to choose from. You can change colors with each one and the second form has a space for an image. If you’re handy with CSS, you can even add some custom coding to customize your forms a bit more. ConvertKit is all about keeping things clean and simple, which is evidenced by these forms.
On the flip side, you can even create a full landing page that’s hosted by ConvertKit in no time at all. It eliminates the need to pay for any additional landing page services. Personally, I use forms more often than landing pages. However, I do have a landing page to easily promote my email list overall. This feature really comes in handy, especially since it’s easy to create a landing page that looks nice.
Above, you can see the four different landing page templates ConvertKit currently has. You also have the option to use Instapage, who they’ve partnered up with. Using Instapage isn’t free, but it does allow for more customization in your landing page if needed. However, if you just need something simple, ConvertKit certainly does the trick. As you can see, you’re able to add copy and images to create a page that looks nice and is fully functional.
Another great feature is that you get full analytics for each form and landing page you create. It allows you to see how many visitors your form or landing page has had, how many subscribers it gained, and what your conversion rate is. You can even see where a subscriber was when they signed up! For example, if you’re reading this blog post and you sign-up via a form on this page, I’ll see it in my analytics.
Easy-to-Use Automations & Segmentation
If you’re serious about email marketing, you likely rely on automations and you want to know it’s actually functioning. For me, I rely on the automation rules to tag my subscribers, trigger sequences, and more. The best part is that it’s all incredibly easy to set up. With just a few clicks, you have your automation rules in place, which makes segmentation a breeze.
When you take advantage of this, you can easily trigger content for specific subscribers. You can also add tags based on someone’s interests because of a form they signed up to or a link they clicked. It really allows you to get to know who is on your email list. It’s a great way to maximize the value you give to your email subscribers.
One of the primary ways I rely on automation rules is for new subscribers to my list. Whenever someone joins my email list, they get tagged as a “New Subscriber.” That tag triggers an email sequence to introduce them to me, my brand, and my offerings. Once they’ve completed that sequence, the tag is removed and they get tagged as “Newsletter.” This places them on my weekly newsletter so I can keep in touch with them after the sequence wraps. I can also tag people with interests such as blogging or social media based on the form they signed up from.
A Simple Way to Create Sequences
Sequences inside ConvertKit couldn’t be easier to get started. You can create everything from one page, without ever having to leave. That was something I couldn’t do when previously using MailChimp. I always had to go back to the main sequence page to add more content. ConvertKit has everything in one place for quick and easy access. All you have to do is click that “Add Email” button and another blank email opens for you to add your content.
You’re able to add email copy and choose when an email sends. You can also exclude certain subscribers from a sequence altogether or a specific email within the sequence. You have enough control here to create an effective stream. This is perfect for creating a welcome sequence for new subscribers (like I mentioned above), an email course, and more. The ideas really are endless for how you can use sequences within your business.
It Provides Various Integrations
And finally, ConvertKit’s integrations make running your online business so much easier. All the available integrations are listed on their website. Personally, I’m only using two integrations at this time, but they make a huge difference for me. First, ConvertKit can integrate with WordPress to make it simple to add forms to your blog posts. The other way I use it is through my online shop, WooCommerce. Whenever someone purchases a product, it can add a tag or trigger a sequence in ConvertKit. Previously, I used this to trigger an email sequence with course lessons after someone completed their checkout. It takes work off my plate, but also saves me money because I don’t need another service to take care of this.
Ready to try ConvertKit?
There’s no time like the present to get serious about email marketing. I firmly believe that bloggers should invest the effort into building an email list and ConvertKit is great for both beginners and those with larger lists. It’s simple to use, while providing many benefits for their customers. You can feel confident in knowing that you have a reliable system on your side with deliverability you can trust.
Now that you know the benefits of ConvertKit, give it a try and I’m certain you won’t be disappointed in what they have to offer! You can also request a demo to try it out before you make a purchase and start migrating your list. It doesn’t get better than that!