MailChimp vs Constant Contact: A User Experience Comparison
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach and engage with customers. With so many email marketing tools available, it can be overwhelming to choose which one to use. Two popular tools are MailChimp and Constant Contact. In this article, we'll compare the user experience of these tools and help you decide which one is right for your business.
User Experience Comparison
Interface
MailChimp's interface is highly intuitive and user-friendly. Its dashboard is well-organized and easy to navigate. It has drag-and-drop functionality that allows users to easily create and customize their email campaigns. The campaign creation process is streamlined, and it's easy to preview and test emails before sending them out.
Constant Contact has a slightly more outdated interface compared to MailChimp. It uses a tab-based structure that can be confusing for first-time users. The campaign creation process is more rigid, and there's less freedom to customize elements.
Templates
MailChimp offers a wide variety of templates, including customizable templates that allow users to tweak design elements like color schemes and fonts. The templates are modern and visually appealing, catering to users who value design aesthetics.
Constant Contact also provides an extensive selection of templates. However, these templates tend to be more basic and dated compared to MailChimp's templates. But for users looking for simplicity, it can be an advantage.
Features
Both MailChimp and Constant Contact offer similar features, such as list management, automation, A/B testing, and detailed analytics. However, MailChimp has more advanced options, such as integrations with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, and an AI-powered email designer that suggests design changes for better engagement.
Pricing
MailChimp's pricing is based on the number of subscribers, with a free plan available for businesses with less than 2,000 subscribers. Paid plans start at $9.99 a month for up to 500 subscribers and increase gradually based on the number of subscribers.
Constant Contact's pricing is also based on the number of subscribers. However, there's no free plan available. Pricing starts at $20 a month for up to 500 subscribers and increases with more subscribers.
Conclusion
Both MailChimp and Constant Contact are popular email marketing tools with solid user experiences. MailChimp has a more intuitive dashboard, more modern templates, and advanced features, making it a great choice for businesses that value design and e-commerce integration. Constant Contact has a slightly outdated interface but offers simplicity and reliable features for users who don't need advanced marketing automation.
It's important to assess your business needs and budget before choosing the right tool for you. And if you're still not sure, why not take advantage of both platforms' trial periods to see which fits you better?
References
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MailChimp. “Pricing Plans.” Accessed August 10, 2021. https://mailchimp.com/pricing/
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Constant Contact. “Pricing.” Accessed August 10, 2021. https://www.constantcontact.com/pricing.