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Email marketing continues to be one of the most effective methods of engaging with your audience and growing your business. Marketing software is cost-effective, makes it easy to reach your mobile customers and contacts, and much of it can be automated. Better yet, there are now many software platforms that can help you plan, create, deliver, and monitor your email marketing for optimum results.
In this guide, we’ll be looking at a marketing software solution that aims to help you get the most from your email marketing campaigns: GetResponse. A company with over 350,000 customers, this marketing software hosts a wide range of email marketing tools and functionalities, suited to all sizes of businesses.
GetResponse email marketing platform offers a comprehensive e-marketing solution, with many features that go above and beyond the traditional elements of marketing software. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about GetResponse email marketing platform from the pricing structure to the features offered and how to use them.
Product Overview – What is GetResponse Email Marketing Software?
GetResponse is an easy to use powerful email marketing software package. It offers a customizable user interface, making it suitable for all levels of users and businesses of all sizes. The main functions of this marketing software are to help you create content, increase traffic to your landing pages, and to boost sales. It enables you to:
- Build your mailing list
- Capture data onto your mailing list
- Create emails and newsletters to send to your subscribers, using templates or creating them from scratch
- Use autoresponders to send emails to members on the list automatically
- Use advanced analytics to monitor and analyze email marketing campaigns, providing in-depth statistics on click-through and open rates.
- Learn what your customers want through using these analytics
The GetResponse email marketing software platform has recently evolved, offering more and more marketing solutions. You can now use GetResponse not only for email marketing, but also for creating landing pages, CRM, hosting webinars, and automated sales funnels.
Overall, GetResponse email marketing software offers excellent marketing capabilities and can help you easily move your users through the funnel. GetResponse can help you in all forms of email marketing and allows you to tailor the path depending on your business’s aims and objectives.
Product Features and How to Use Them
When compared with other email marketing platforms on the market, GetResponse email marketing has some of the most comprehensive features and the highest levels of customization available. With GetRepsonse email marketing, you have access to all of the key features you’d expect from email marketing software, as well as some added bonuses depending on the plan you buy.
This section will focus on the main email marketing features of GetResponse, and some of the newer additions such as webinar hosting and AutoFunnel. Do be aware that the availability of some of these GetResponse features depends on the package you buy (more on that later).
1) Autoresponders
What do they do?
Autoresponders are email messages sent automatically to subscribers on a list. They allow you to deliver targeted marketing emails and newsletters to your subscribers, according to the frequencies and rules you define.
For example, you may consider setting them up so that new users automatically get a welcome message, a discount offer a few days later, and a social media invitation after a couple of weeks.
The autoresponder feature offered by GetResponse allows you to send time-based and action-based messages. Action-based messages are triggered by users performing a particular action. These might include opening an email, subscribing to certain lists, making a purchase, or changing their data.
Meanwhile, time-based messages are sent in line with times set up by you. As in the example given above, you can set your autoresponders to be delivered immediately after sign-up, a week later, or a month later – whatever suits your needs.
The ‘Marketing Automation’ tool is a recent relaunch of GetResponse’s autoresponder feature. With this tool, you can create automation workflows by building flowcharts that direct the actions taken by GetResponse in particular circumstances. For example, you can set it to perform certain actions when a user clicks on a particular link or uses an offer.
This means that you can create highly customized user journeys for all of your subscribers – going far beyond the traditional capabilities of email autoresponders.
How do I use them?
To create an autoresponder on GetResponse, head to the Create Autoresponder button under the Manage Autoresponders page. Here you can choose which day in the cycle you want the message to go out, and customize days of the week and timings for the message.
Next, select the list that you want the email to go out to. You can then choose an existing message, pick a template, or create a new message in the Message Builder. When you’ve finished, simply save it to activate it at a late date, or hit Save and Publish if you want it to go live right away.
2) A/B Testing
What is it?
A/B testing, also known as split testing, is a method of comparing two or more variables to see which version is most effective. In the case of emails, this can tell you things like which font, text, or email header gets the most interaction.
One thing that makes GetResponse features stand out from its competitors is the comprehensive split-testing functionality it offers. You are able to perform A/B testing on five different email messages at a time, measuring variables such as content, sent time, and subject headers.
This is a real selling point, as the majority of competitors only allow you to test 2 messages against one another, and others don’t provide this feature at all. Therefore, if one of your key aims to build your marketing is testing, GetResponse has some of the best functionality in this area on the market.
How do I use it?
To find this feature, head to the Distribution Settings section when you’re building a newsletter message (be careful – it can be easy to miss!)
Simply click the button to turn on A/B testing. This will extend the Newsletter Creator, displaying all of the additional steps you need to take. From here, you will be able to define the rules and settings of the test. Remember, you can test up to 5 messages against each other.
In order to disable the split test, turn the test off in Message Settings.
3) Analytics
What are they and what do they do?
With GetResponse marketing software, you get a strong range of reporting and analytics features. You are able to monitor basic data, including things like unsubscribe rates and click-throughs. On top of that, it offers a great range of reporting and analytics options. Customers get all the basics – click-throughs, open rate, unsubscribe rates, etc. – but as well as that, there are some extremely useful reporting features, such as:
- One-click segmentation: you can identify and segment your subscribers who did not open or engage with an email in order to send them a different version of the email.
- Performance comparison for e-newsletters: it’s easy to view the performance data of two different e-newsletters or marketing messages side-by-side.
- Metrics over time: you can view the times at which the majority of subscribers open and take action on your marketing emails, and use this information to inform when you send future messages.
- Per-user information: You have the option to view the data of individual subscribers, including useful information such as their location and which of the emails you’ve previously sent have been opened by them.
How do I use them?
You’ll find these options listed on the ‘Reports’ page. This shows all the statistics for your send-outs, and you can view them as a summary or for individual messages or users. You can also customize your account dashboard with the widgets you like – and these can include analytics and data. There are widgets available for:
- Newsletter send stats
- Landing page conversion stats
- Form stats
- Survey stats
- Webinar stats
Aside from these, you’ll need to head straight to the Reports section for stats and data. This will provide you with a sidebar, listing all of the features for which analytics are available. Simply select from the list (e.g. ‘Newsletter’ or ‘Autoresponders’) to view the relevant data.
4) Responsive Email Designs
What are they?
Responsive email designs are emails that automatically adapt depending on the device that a user is opening the email on. This means that whether the email is viewed on a computer or on a smartphone, it will be fully optimized for the reader. Without strong marketing software, this can be a time-consuming task. Luckily, GetResponse offers responsive email design software, which automatically converts your design for different devices – so you just have to create it on email!
This is important to do because it provides a better user experience, and you’ll see better conversion metrics as a result. Furthermore, the majority of emails that are poorly displayed are instantly deleted, so you’ll lower your unsubscribe rate by making sure emails are optimized for all devices.
GetResponse marketing software has an excellent range of responsive email designs. These are email templates that automatically adjust your email and its content when a user opens it on a mobile device. At current, GetResponse has over 500 responsive email design templates, which you can fully adjust.
How do I use them?
Because the software does all of the hard work for you, you only need to create one version of each email. To see how it will look on different platforms, there is a simple Mobile Preview button. This enables you to see what the responsive email will look like when opened on a mobile device. You are also able to ‘flip’ the smartphone preview to landscape, meaning you can see how the email will look depending on how the user is holding their smartphone or device.
The major bonus with this feature is that any email you create on GetResponse will automatically be mobile-friendly, and it doesn’t cost any extra.
5) E-newsletter Templates
What are they?
E-newsletters are essential to all marketing campaigns. They are the most simple and easy way to keep in contact with your customers and let them know about any upcoming deals, promotions, or new products/services.
GetResponse marketing software has two methods of creating e-newsletters. The HTML Source Editor is one, but it’s only really suitable for people who are familiar with HTML coding. The second option – which we’ll be focusing on here – is the Drag-and-Drop Email Editor. This allows you to use the wide range of GetResponse E-newsletter templates to build your emails.
GetResponse has over 200 templates to choose from. They are categorized under clear and logical headings, so you should be able to find a decent template to work from with ease. The templates are customizable, so you can tweak things like images, fonts, layouts, and imagery until you’re happy with the design.
How do I use them?
Click on the ‘Drag and Drop Editor’ under the ‘Create Newsletter’ tab. Enter the basic settings (such as the title and subject line) and then head to the ‘Next Step’, which will display all of the available templates.
You can then choose a pre-designed template and have the option to add, edit, and rearrange both text and images. When you are happy with your design, you can select the list you want to send this e-newsletter to. Send it right away or save it for later.
6) Landing Page Creator
What is it?
You’re more likely to generate more leads from your online advertising campaigns if you direct your subscribers to well-designed ‘squeeze pages’, rather than an unclear website homepage. These ‘squeeze pages’ are specially designed landing pages that are aimed at capturing user data and opt-ins.
GetResponse provides you with a platform to create these kinds of landing pages for your marketing campaigns. You can pick a template from hundreds of responsive landing page designs that have been created with high conversion rates in mind. Whether you’re creating a page for opt-ins, downloads, sales, or promotions, you can find a template and add your own personal touch.
GetResponse also offers the option to test out these landing pages against each other. Make multiple versions and compare their conversion rates in real time. You can then go live with the one that performs best.
Like the email templates and designs, your landing page design can be easily optimized for mobile devices. You can preview your landing page design for mobile in the Mobile View Workspace, and use this to edit and tweak your page for better mobile conversions.
An added bonus is that GetResponse’s landing page tool is included in all plans, so you can make use of this feature even if you have the Basic package. Considering that the leading competitors charge upwards of $50 per month for this kind of software alone, it’s a great deal.
How do I use it?
Locate the ‘Landing Pages’ tab and hit the ‘Create Landing Page’ button. This will allow you to select a template that suits your business needs.
Now you can get creative. Edit the landing page so that it represents your business and what it is you’re promoting or capturing. From the side toolbar, you can add additional sections, forms, shapes, videos, PayPal buttons, and video. Click on the cell phone icon if you want to create a mobile-friendly version of the landing page. You can tweak this if it doesn’t look quite right.
At the next step, you can edit the settings for your page, and give it a page title and description. Select a URL for the page, and then you’re ready to publish!
7) Recent Updates
Here we’ll take a quick look at a couple of the newer additions to the GetResponse software. New features such as Autofunnel and webinar hosting offer you extra tools for your marketing toolkit that many other email marketing software packages do not. This makes GetResponse more of a one-stop shop for all of your marketing solutions, rather than simply email creation and automation.
8) Webinars
GetResponse now offers you the option of hosting webinars on the platform. This means that you have your webinar tool and your email database in the same place, which can be really useful for generating leads. With audio and video streaming, customers can learn more about what you offer.
The webinar function is useful because of the fact that your attendees don’t need to install any software to attend the webinars. You can also use file sharing, digital whiteboards, online polling, and desktop sharing. Attendees can make use of the live chat box during webinars to ask questions and provide feedback. GetResponse has a one-click recording of your webinars as well as free online storage of them.
The number of participants you can host for anyone webinar depends on the GetResponse plan you have (see the pricing section for more information). Even so, the pricing is competitive when compared with other solutions designed exclusively for webinar hosting.
We think the webinar functionality offered by GetResponse could be a highly useful feature for additional e-marketing. They are a great way to let users know more about your product or services and can help you build your marketing list.
9) AutoFunnel
AutoFunnel is a handy new feature from GetResponse and departs from the traditional offerings of email marketing software. In fact, you could pretty much use it to run a small e-commerce business. You can do things like:
- Run Facebook ad campaigns
- Create product catalogs
- Take payment for products
- Send abandoned cart emails
- Create landing pages
This means that you don’t really need any other apps to create full sales funnels – you can do all of this in the GetResponse environment. All of these features have templates to help you get set up. There is also the option to use third-party platforms. You can integrate this feature with the likes of Shopify and Etsy.
GetResponse Pricing
GetResponse has six different pricing packages, which vary in the kinds of features and tools they offer. The tiers are Free, Email Marketing, Marketing Automation, E-commerce Marketing, Max, and Max 2. Here we’ll take a look at each package in more detail, and outline the differences between each one.
Free Plan
With the Free plan, it is possible to have up to 500 contacts. There is a website builder, signup forms, and popups available as well. It is also possible to create 1 landing page although there is a limit of 1,000 visitors per month
Email Marketing Plan
Prices for the Email Marketing Plan start at $19 per month. All basic features are included, but some advanced features are limited in number or not included. There’s no limit on the number of emails you can send. For the $ 19-a-month plan, you can only have a list of 1,000 contacts, although it is possible to pay more if you have a larger list.
Marketing Automation Plan
The Marketing Automation Plan starts at $59 per month for lists of 1,000 contacts or less. Receive everything in the Email Marketing Plan, plus extra features including webinars and automation builder.
E-commerce Marketing Plan
Prices for the E-commerce Marketing Plan begin at $119 per month for 1,000 subscribers. It offers more than the Marketing Automation Plan, including unlimited sales funnels and unlimited webinar funnels.
Max & Max2 Plan
Prices are customized and vary depending on your needs, it is generally most useful for lists with more than 100,000 subscribers. The precise cost for this package varies according to your requirements, so you need to contact GetResponse for this. They’ll help you set up a demo, discuss your list size and needs, and offer you a customized price.
Plan Differences
The core features of GetResponse are available in all of the plans. However, some of the more advanced features and tools are only available in the more costly plans. Here’s an outline of some of the differences that you should be aware of before choosing a package.
- On the Free plan and Email Marketing plan you may only have one user account. On the Marketing Automation plan, E-commerce Marketing plan, and Max packages, you can have 3, 5, and 500 user accounts respectively.
- CRM is only offered on the Plus plan or above
- Webinars are not featured on the Free plan or Email Marketing plan, and the permitted number of attendees is limited to 100 on the Marketing Automation plan, 300 on the E-commerce Marketing plan, and up to 1000 on Max2.
- E-commerce tools are only offered on the Email Marketing plan or higher
- Automation builder, one of the best features of the GetResponse software is not featured on the Free plans.
It’s worth noting that you can get significant discounts on your packages if you choose to pay upfront for a set amount of time, rather than on a rolling monthly basis. You’ll receive 18% off if you pay in advance for 12 months, or a 30% discount if you pay upfront for 24 months of service.
Before you commit to buying, you may consider using a free trial for the Email Marketing, Marketing Automation and E-commerce Marketing packages, GetResponse offers a free 30-day trial.
Is GetResponse Right for You?
GetResponse can be a useful tool for all kinds of online businesses, small or large. We think that GetResponse is particularly suited to you if:
- You want sophisticated automation tools: GetResponse’s workflow builder allows you to set up complex automation reactions to a number of user actions. This makes it perfect for those looking for a highly sophisticated and intuitive automatic email marketing platform. You can create automations for segmentation, data updates, sending emails, contact tagging, and assigning lead scores. Do note that you’ll need the Professional package or higher to make use of this feature.
- You are an e-commerce business looking to drive more sales: GetResponse has an impressive number of features designed to help you drive more sales for your online business. In particular, you can create dynamic email content based on previous user purchases, and create abandoned cart campaigns. You have the option to use sales tracking, and the software also has integrations with platforms such as Shopify and Magento. These features require the Professional plan or higher.
- You’re looking to capture more customer leads: The new Autofunnel feature offered by GetResponse makes it quick and easy to capture customer leads. The software provides a landing page editor, flexible forms, and integration with Google Analytics, which is great for inbound marketing. The highly functional automation for emails and segmentation helps you captures and nurture new leads.
GetResponse email marketing software may not be right for you if:
- You don’t have the time to make it work: GetResponse has a rich and varied toolkit for email marketing, but this can take some time to master – particularly if you’re new to it. The more advanced plans have so many tools available that you’ll need to set aside some time to see just how powerful and useful they can be. If you don’t have the time to really work with the software and see what it can do for you, it’s not the best choice.
Conclusion
GetResponse manages to combine both a wide array of pro features with an intuitive design and ease of use that many other email marketing platforms fail to do. The only downside is that there isn’t a free option available, unlike some of its competitors.
On the plus side, even the basic plan offers an excellent array of features with impressive functionality. Depending on the plan you buy, you can gain access to some highly advanced marketing tools to help you take your business to the next level.
Why not find out for yourself? If you’re looking to improve all aspects of your email marketing with one easy-to-use software package, it’s definitely worth giving GetResponse email marketing platform a go!