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How to create a marketing plan for your small business - build a brand, target customers and set prices that will maximise sales.

The internet has transformed business marketing. No matter what you do, the internet is likely to be at the heart of your marketing strategy.

Social media is firmly established as a marketing tool. Having a presence opens up new lines of communication with existing and potential customers.

Good advertising puts the right marketing message in front of the right people at the right time, raising awareness of your business.

Customer care is at the heart of all successful companies. It can help you develop customer loyalty and improve relationships with your customers.

Sales bring in the money that enables your business to survive and grow. Your sales strategy will be driven by your sales objectives.

Market research exists to guide your business decisions by giving you insight into your market, competitors, products, marketing and your customers.

Exhibitions and events are valuable for businesses because they allow face-to-face communication and offer opportunities for networking.

12 email marketing tools to use in 2024

Email marketing remains essential for businesses, offering a powerful way to connect with customers and prospects. Alongside this, the importance of online security and privacy is increasingly recognised, leading many marketers to use tools like VPN Chrome extensions. These VPNs, such as ExpressVPN, ensure secure and private internet browsing, which is crucial when managing sensitive customer data and executing digital marketing strategies.

Choosing the right email marketing tool and complementary security solutions can significantly impact the effectiveness and efficiency of your campaigns.

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is a versatile tool that benefits small businesses and B2B companies. Mailchimp's strengths lie in its user-friendliness, a wide range of templates, and a comprehensive customer journey builder. Features like behavioural targeting and dynamic content enhance engagement. It also offers a practical free tier, making it accessible for businesses starting their email journey. Pricing escalates with the subscriber list size, starting at £10.45/month.

Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)

As an all-in-one platform, Brevo stands out for its versatility, offering services from email marketing to CRM functionalities. The platform excels in personalisation with email and SMS marketing features. The drag-and-drop editor, landing page builder, and live chat integration make it a robust choice for diverse marketing needs. Brevo's free plan allows up to 300 emails per day, while its paid plans, offering more advanced features, start at £16.00/month.

Omnisend

Tailored for ecommerce businesses, Omnisend integrates email marketing with SMS and push notifications. It provides pre-built ecommerce workflows and advanced segmentation, making it easy to create targeted campaigns. Its unique features, like Wheel of Fortune popups and sign-up boxes, add an engaging element to marketing strategies. A free plan is available for small businesses, with more comprehensive plans beginning at $16/month.

Hubspot

Known for its comprehensive CRM system, Hubspot's free email marketing tool is a boon for B2B companies. It provides features like form and email automation, landing pages, and a live chat tool, all of which integrate seamlessly with its CRM. This integration makes it an excellent tool for managing and nurturing leads. Hubspot's plans are tailored to business growth, with the CRM Suite Starter starting at around £18/month.

Drip

Focused on ecommerce, Drip offers sophisticated automation features and a range of pre-designed templates. The platform allows easy setup of email campaigns like abandoned carts or post-purchase emails. Its advanced drag-and-drop builder and extensive integrations make it highly customisable. Pricing starts at $39/month for up to 2,500 contacts, with a 14-day free trial available.

ConvertKit

Ideal for creators, ConvertKit streamlines email marketing with features like landing pages, sign-up forms, and easy-to-use templates. Its basic segmentation capabilities and email drip campaigns are well-suited for small businesses and ecommerce sites. ConvertKit offers a free plan for up to 300 subscribers, with paid plans starting at $9/month.

Email Octopus

An affordable alternative to more prominent brands, Email Octopus offers essential features like email automation and segmentation. It's ideal for businesses seeking a straightforward, no-frills email marketing solution. The free plan includes up to 2,500 subscribers, and paid plans start at £6/month, making it a budget-friendly option.

Aweber

Aweber is a step ahead of Mailchimp in catering to ecommerce needs, with direct integrations to platforms like Shopify. Its features include a landing page builder, email automation, and a unique integration with Canva for easy design. A free plan covers up to 300 subscribers, while paid plans start at $12.50/month.

Klaviyo

A powerhouse for ecommerce email marketing, Klaviyo offers a comprehensive suite of features, including advanced automation, list segmentation, and multi-channel attribution. Its integration with ecommerce platforms like Shopify makes it highly efficient for online stores. Klaviyo's pricing is flexible, starting with a free plan for small businesses and increasing based on the number of subscribers.

Campaign Monitor

A close competitor to Klaviyo for ecommerce, Campaign Monitor offers a range of features like a unique Link Review tool, drag-and-drop builder, and comprehensive reporting. Its focus on mobile optimisation and A/B testing helps in crafting effective campaigns. Pricing starts at a competitive £9/month.

ActiveCampaign

This tool combines email marketing with CRM and automation, making it ideal for B2B and ecommerce businesses. Known for its user-friendly interface, ActiveCampaign offers advanced personalisation, custom email flows, and extensive A/B testing capabilities. Its integration with over 880+ apps enhances its functionality. Pricing begins at $29/month.

MailerLite

An affordable option for smaller businesses, MailerLite offers a simple yet effective suite of tools for email marketing. It includes features like email segmentation, popups, and a site builder. Its ability to build ecommerce stores and create marketing emails from scratch makes it suitable for startups and content creators. The free plan covers up to 1,000 subscribers, with paid plans starting at $9/month.

Conclusion

Each of these tools offers unique advantages, and the best choice depends on your specific business needs, the size of your email list, and your budget. Starting with a free plan can help you gauge the tool's effectiveness before committing to a paid subscription. For a more tailored approach, consulting with a specialist or an agency can optimise the use of these tools for your business strategy.

Copyright 2023. Featured post by Mahendra Kumawat.

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