DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a diss post. The views and opinions in the post are my own, and are NOT meant as slander towards AWeber.
Now back to regularly scheduled programming…..
Email marketing is a huge part of my business. It’s one of the pillar of my business in fact.
This being the case, I need to be as comfortable with my email service provider as humanly possible. Not too long ago, that super high level of comfort I was use to experiencing with AWeber started to erode. That’s when my search for new ESP began, and ultimately I ended up choosing GetResponse.
In hindsight, switching from AWeber to GetResponse was one of the best things I’ve ever done for my email marketing program. Here are some of the main reasons why I made the switch:
1. Better User Interface
One of the very first things you’ll notice once you get on the backend of GetResponse is how easy it is to use. The user experience and interface is a few notches better than AWeber’s.
As you can see from the visual above, it’s very simple to find what you need and get it done. It’s very clear and clutter free. GetResponse really embodies that “Easiest Email Marketing” stuff. I’ve use my fair share of email marketing services and I’ve yet to find one that simplifies everything like GetResponse does.
If you’re a minimalist and/or admire simplicity, you’ll love using GetResponse.
2. Email Editor
While my switch was influenced by a number of different factors, none was more influential than the email editor. Anyone familiar with Aweber’s new editor will agree that it’s pretty fugly. When I started test driving GetResponse and experienced the email editor, I knew the switch was evident.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that the email editor from GetResponse is WAY better than AWeber’s. It’s like trying to compare a Kia Optima to a 550 Mercedes-Benz (in my eyes at least, you see for yourself at let me know what you think).
The difference between the two editor came down to this; saving time and headache when creating emails.
Check out this video to get a visual idea of what I’m talking about.
3. “There’s An App For That”
Mobile is huge. It’s definitely the next wave in this 24/7 info-driven world. I can’t imagine too many businesses out there, especially of AWeber’s caliber, NOT having an app. It baffles me to be quite honest.
I’m always on the go (I’m a New Yorker, it’s what we do). On top of that, I’m obsessed with numbers (analytics) and staying “connected” (I’m working on cutting back in 2013). I like having the ability to monitor everything remotely. Sometimes I just need that 30,000 ft view of what’s going on with my email marketing efforts.
I’ve tweeted and messaged Aweber a few times about exploring the idea of creating an app. The “wheels” didn’t seem to be rolling in that direction, and on the flip side, GetResponse already has one that pretty detailed available for iPhones and Android phones. The app features allow you to do some pretty cool things like create and send emails on the go, manage your list, track reports, and add subscribers.
4. One-Click Tracking
The one-click link tracking has to be one of my favorite GetResponse features. When using using AWeber I can’t tell you how many minutes or hours got lost in the process when trying to tag and track the links in my email newsletters. For you email-heads or those who attempted to manual tag a link, you know how tedious and stressful it can be.
GetResponse makes this absolutely idiot-proof; with the click of a button your links will be tagged and all click-throughs will be tracked in Google Analytics. Again, GetResponse saves me time and the stress associated with the tedious task of tagging and tracking links. This feature is a thing of beauty.
5. Importing Contacts
Another big factor in making my switch was the ability to import an email list, easily. GetResponse allows you to import a list or database of contact from another ESP or CRM. It took me about 5 minutes to import my list and be ready to start building my email marketing program.
Now you have to make sure that you have legit email list. I’ve heard in certain situations where folks have had their lists screened by GetResponse reps, but if really your list and you have the important data points you shouldn’t have a problem. For me, it was cool to be able to import another list from say a webinar or my contact from Salesforce for instance without having to have them opt-in all over again. Most times, doing so results in losing a big portion of your contacts.
What Next?…
The purpose of me writing this post was NOT to bash AWeber, I think they have a really great service. It just came to a point where I found another solution in GetResponse that fit my needs better. After reading this, you should assess your current situation and make sure your ESP (email service provider) is meeting your needs and act accordingly.
Obviously I think GetResponse is a stellar option if you’re looking for a simple, yet powerful email marketing service that’ll save you time and stress when cranking out email campaigns. There’s a bunch of other really dope features that I didn’t even mention here like video email, the free image gallery, and their landing page creator. If that sounds appealing to you, check out their free 30-day trial account that allows you get started right now. No credit card required.
Click my affiliate link here to get started, Try GetResponse Now!
About Dewane Mutunga
