Email marketing companies provide services to help businesses send large numbers of commercial emails (such as newsletters or press releases). Most email service providers such as Gmail and Yahoo Mail, along with web / email hosting companies, typically set limits on the amount of email which may be sent per hour (for example 100 messages / hour). Also, even if no limits are set, sending a large amounts of email can cause an IP Address to be blacklisted by various automated security software.
For email lists containing over 200 unique email addresses, Waypoint Web Design recommends using an email marketing company. Benefits of using a top email marketing company include:
- Better email delivery (less likelihood of emails landing in junk / spam folders) through feedback loops.
- Reduced risk of IP address blacklisted.
- Email delivery statistics.
- Built-in compliance with email regulations (such as the Can Spam Act).
- Visually appealing email through email templates and design options.
The following companies are popular options for email marketing services:
Constant Contact
Constant Contact was founded in 1995 and has over 650,000 customers. In 2016, Constant Contact was acquired by Endurance International Group. Constant Contact features include customizable email templates, autoresponders, list management, email delivery statistics, and an API.
MailChimp
MailChimp started providing email services in 2001 and today has over 12 million customers. MailChimp provides all the basics of email marketing such as easy subscriber upload and list management, customizable email templates, automation, email delivery statistics, integration with apps and services, and an API. MailChimp also provides transactional email options through it's Mandrill service which links into MailChimp accounts.
Campaign Monitor
Campaign Monitor started in 2004 and has over 150,000 paying customers. Their features include customizable email templates, automation, list management, email delivery statistics, and integration via an API.
GetResponse
GetResponse started in 1998 and currently has over 350,000 customers. GetResponse email marketing services include marketing automation, responsive email design, form creator, landing page creator, webinars, a/b testing, autoresponders, email templates and editor, email delivery statistics, list management, and email compatibility testing. GetResponse also provides access to its services through an API.
Benchmark
Benchmark was founded in 2004 and has over 500,000 customers. Benchmark features include customizable email templates, autoresponders, list management, email delivery statistics, integration with popular applications and services, and an API.
SendGrid
SendGrid was founded 2009 and has over 120K customers (42K paying). SendGrid provides email marketing and transactional email features including responsive email templates, list management, email delivery statistics, and an API.
iContact
iContact was founded in 2003. iContact's features include email marketing, automation and Salesforce integration.
VerticalResponse
VerticalResponse was founded in 2001 and has over 1,000,000 customers. VerticalResponse features include responsive email templates, autoresponders, list management, email delivery statistics, integration with popular applications and services, and an API.