Beginner's Guide to Email Marketing

Step 4

Quick Guide to Email Service Providers

Why can't I use my regular email service provider?

You are probably familiar with inbox providers, which are email platforms like Gmail or Yahoo Mail. Inbox providers are amazing options for sending one-on-one social emails. But if you are a business, you are sending emails to hundreds and even thousands of people, which is also known as "bulk emailing" or "mass emailing."

When you hear "bulk emailing" or "mass emailing," what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Most likely, it's spam. Spam is frequently sent in bulk, either by a bot or an anonymous sender. More often than not, spam contains hostile malware.

At one point or another, we've all received spam in our inbox or junk mail folder. With time, we have learned to treat spam with caution, and we're not the only ones. You may be a legitimate business, and you pride yourself with great quality email newsletters. But regardless of whom the emails are from, mass emails can still give red flags to both inbox providers and internet service providers (ISPs). 

Quick tip: Always keep deliverability in mind. Most inbox providers and ISPs have email sending limits. If you go over, then you may be blacklisted. Being blacklisted will prevent you from reaching all of your customers within their network for a period of time or indefinitely.

Benefits of email service providers for email marketing:

Email service providers that are created with businesses in mind help ensure your emails reach your clients. These platforms can help inbox providers and ISPs differentiate you from actual spammers, improving your deliverability. Some email service providers will manage deliverability for you. Others will require you to handle your own sending reputation. Even if you have to take charge of your own reputation, the provider will still provide some level of support. It's up to you to decide what works best for your business.

Quick tip: If you have a small business, then you probably do not have the manpower or time to manage and maintain a dedicated IP. Look for email service providers that have shared IP options and will manage sender reputation for you.

Another benefit of email service providers is that they have tools to help  you create effective email campaigns. Different email marketing platforms provide you with different combinations of tools and services. However, many platforms do have similar features. For example, the majority have tracking tools to check the performance of your campaigns. What they track and how they present the information differ from one email service provider to the next.

Quick tip: Different businesses need different benchmarks to track their progress. Choose an email service provider that can track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are most relevant to your specific business.

What if my list is not big yet?

• Check out Step 2 for our tips on how you can build your list.
• Also consider:
  • Free option plans
    • Pros: Great for the budget!
    • Cons: These typically have the platform's branding, limited features, and/or only a trial period.

Recap: The Checklist

Write down what are the ideal and must-have features you want from your email service provider. This way, you have an idea on which features are non-negotiable. It will be easier to evaluate different email service providers. Read Step 3 for inspiration on different questions to ask.

Now that you're all caught up...

It's time to compare and contrast! To help you make an informed decision, we compiled a list of several email service providers and some of their features.

Please note: This list does not include every email service provider nor every feature that each company has. However, you can use this list as a frame of reference. Make sure to do a more in-depth research before making your final decision.

Final tip: Choose an email service provider that can grow with your business. Where your business is right now may be very different in 2, 5, or 10 years.  Whether its increased volume, different KPIs, or expanded reach, your email service provider should be able to adapt with your changing needs.

Directory:

Note: Mail Designer 365 has direct integration for email service providers such as MailChimp & Campaign Monitor, but you can also export your design and use it with other services. However, since not every email service provider listed has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, we cannot guarantee that some of the features will work with Mail Designer 365. Check out our Integrations Guide & Newsletter Services for email service providers that have been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility.

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ActiveCampaign

✔  This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our ActiveCampaign integration guide.

Benefits from ActiveCampaign: 

Admail

✔  This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our Admail integration guide.

Benefits from Admail:

AWeber

✔ This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our AWeber integration guide.

Benefits from AWeber:

Benchmark

✔  This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our Benchmark integration guide.

Benefits from Benchmark:  

CakeMail

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from CakeMail: 

Campaign Monitor

✔ Mail Designer 365 has direct integration for Campaign Monitor.

Benefits from Campaign Monitor: 

Campaigner

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from Campaigner: 

CleverReach

✔ This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our CleverReach integration guide.

Benefits from CleverReach: 

Cobalt

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from Cobalt: 

ConvertKit

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from ConvertKit: 

Constant Contact

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from Constant Contact: 

DirectIQ

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from DirectIQ: 

dotmailer

✔ This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our dotmailer integration guide.

Benefits from dotmailer: 

Elastic Email

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from Elastic Email: 

Elite Email

✔  This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our Elite Email integration guide.

Benefits from Elite Email: 

Email Marketing Professional

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from Email Marketing Professional: 

Emma

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from Emma: 

ExpressPigeon

✔  This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our ExpressPigeon integration guide.

Benefits from ExpressPigeon: 

FreshMail

✔  This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our FreshMail integration guide.

Benefits from FreshMail: 

GetResponse

✔ This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our GetResponse integration guide.

Benefits from GetResponse: 

iContact

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from iContact: 

JangoMail

✔  This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our JangoMail integration guide.

Benefits from JangoMail: 

Mad Mimi

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from Mad Mimi: 

MailChimp

✔ Mail Designer 365 has direct integration for MailChimp.

Benefits from MailChimp: 

Mailigen

✔  This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our Mailigen integration guide.

Benefits from Mailigen: 

Mailify

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from Mailify: 

Mailjet

✔  This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our Mailjet integration guide.

Benefits from Mailjet: 

PinPointe

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from PinPointe: 

ReachMail

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from ReachMail: 

Red Cappi

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from Red Cappi:

SendGrid

✔  This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our SendGrid integration guide.

Benefits from SendGrid: 

SendInBlue

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Benefits from SendInBlue: 

Sharp Spring Mail+

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

Sharp Spring Mail+ 

SparkPost

✔ This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our SparkPost integration guide.

SparkPost 

StreamSend

✔  This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our StreamSend integration guide.

StreamSend   

Vertical Response

✔ This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our Vertical Response integration guide.

Vertical Response 

WhatCounts

This email service provider has not been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility, which means that some of the features may not work.

WhatCounts  

Zoho Campaigns

✔ This email service provider has been tested for Mail Designer 365 compatibility. Read our Zoho Campaigns integration guide.

Zoho Campaigns  

Key Messages:

• Look for tools that track your most important KPIs
• Research available platforms
• Compare and contrast your options
• Make an informed decision

Until next time,
Your Mail Designer 365 team