Several weeks ago, I introduced a way to set up an email distribution list. In that post I discussed the key differences between Aweber and MailChimp. In the comments several readers also suggested using Constant Contact. In that post it was my intention to help introduce missionaries and churches to some of the email newsletter options available.
At the time, I mentioned that I was using MailChimp and I was quite happy with it. However, since I’m now using Aweber for my blogs, Money Help For Christians and Help Me Travel Cheap, I thought I should explain why I made the change.
First, everything I said in the previous post is still true and accurate (as far as I know). MailChimp is still a great service with some nice features, (especially if you have not used a mailing service before) and best of all, with less than 500 subscribers, you can send emails for free.
Why I Moved From MailChimp to Aweber
Dear MailChimp, It’s not you, it’s me …
Since my post several weeks ago, I’ve changed some of my ideas about blogging. Basically all I’ll say is that my list is more important to me now than ever before. I want to be sure I have the best possible emailing service and I’ve found that to be Aweber.
I using the list to provide exclusive information on budgeting, debt reduction, investing and the Bible and money. In addition, I notify subscribers of exclusive offers and promotions. For example, next month I’m going to be releasing my first eBook and my subscribers are going to have an exclusive opportunity to buy the eBook for 50% during a three day promotional period.
If you have not signed up for the MH4C Newsletter make sure you don’t miss out on any of this bonus information.
Advantages of Aweber as Compared to MailChimp
(Note to the reader – it is quite possible that MailChimp has all of these features; however, if they are available, they are harder to find and navigate. Either it is a difference in feature or ease of access).
- Outstanding customer support – I’ve needed feedback on a few issues and they have responded quickly.
- They have the easiest way to create a customized a sign up form on your blog. MailChimp’s subscription widget was not as easy to customize and it seemed to slow down my page load time. With Aweber I’ve had no such issues.
- Reports subscribers to Feed Burner – My list with MailChimp was did not count towards Feed Burner subscribes. Now, however, my Aweber subscribers also count as FeedBurner subscribers. That did provide a boost in my subscription count, but I’m also getting a dramatically higher subscription rate now that I have some more visible subscription options on my website.
- Customized subscription options. I love the fact that I can now offer both a weekly blog update (called the MH4C Newsletter) and a daily update. Now you, my readers, get to choose your favorite option, and it just doesn’t get any better than that.
- Deliverability rate. Some people prefer MailChimp because if you are migrating a list, your subscribers don’t need to reconfirm their email address (obviously you lose less subscribers this way). However, that double opt in helps Aweber maintain high deliverability. With MailChimp I uploaded about 500 people to whom we send our missionary newsletter. Over several years we have been building the list, and as I mentioned in my last post, many of those names were hand written on a piece of paper. Well, as it turns out, I must have entered a wrong email address and the recipient reported my email. MailChimp says you can have about 1 complaint per 1000, so now I need to see if I will start getting a lot of undeliverable blocks the next time I send out this list. With Aweber you completely avoid this risk.
- Popularity. Because Aweber has so many more users than MailChimp, it is so much easier to Google and find a solution.
- Easy to set up Blog Broadcast. I can use Aweber to send out my daily updates instead of FeedBurner. In fact, all new subscribers are receiving Aweber emails instead of FeedBurner. I can access much better stats – how many people opened the email, what links were clicked within the email, etc … In addition, I love the fact that I can easily add a note at the top of my daily broadcast. It’s easy to customize and personalize.
Disadvantages of Aweber as Compared to MailChimp
So far I’ve only found one – cost. Instead of getting a free service with MailChimp, I now pay $20 per month. However, as with many things, you get what you pay for. Since I want to provide the best for my readers, it is worth every penny.
All Aweber and constant contact links in this post are affiliate links.
Anyone else using a mail service that they would suggest? Anyone else using and enjoying Aweber?
More Great Articles:
- Blogging Tips and Tricks | Craig Ford’s Interview with Craig Ford
- Market Samurai Review & $50 Bonus Offer
 |
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I also chose Aweber for many of the same reasons you listed. After 500 subscribers the price is comparable so it comes down to usuability. For me the customizable Aweber forms where a nice selling point as well as deliverability.
Since reading your previous post, I did move from Constant Contact to Mailchimp. That was mainly because my list is small and I have no intent that it will either grow or make any money. It is mainly for sending information to the congregation, and I would rather pay nothing than the $15 per month CC charges Christian organizations. I have since noticed that ShareFaith is partnering with them to enhance services to churches. That likely wouldn’t have changed my mind, but may give more possibilities for church newsletters.
@jarthurford.
Any early impressions of MailChimp?
Thanks for the informations. I have been trying to find a solution to picking in between the two and you have given me a lot of help. Thanks.
.-= DavidJParsons´s last blog ..8 Stupid Inventions That Made People Extremely Rich =-.
I would only recommend Omnistar Mailer for my email marketing http://www.omnistarmailer.com
@Kirris
Why only Omnistar? What do you like about it?
hi folks, great post, thank you! ya know, i was keen on aweber but i had an experience that had me look closely @ mailchimp (when i wished i could stay with aweber)…. maybe i’m wrong but even aweber help confirmed this issue … and that was that i had 2 campaigns set up on aweber with MY email addy in both. when i sent out a broadcast to ONE list only, i did not get the email. aweber help said this was coz i had my email addy on the list to be excluded… (huh?)…. i want to be able to have 1 master list, know their interests and locations, and pulse those segments and KNOW my emails are getting thru…. but i felt this was not possible after this issue… maybe i got something wrong? all comments welcome.
I really don’t know a lot about the technicalities of Aweber. If the Aweber support staff is unable to resolve the issue I don’t think I could add anything valuable to the conversation.
I’ve set a up a lot in Mail Chimp and im just getting things going. I would like to know how your transition was from mail chimp to Aweber. I’m looking to help people build their businesses in the ocean of social media. Before I get too far into things, your feedback is appreciated.
Wayne
http://www.islandconsultingcorp.com
Building your island in the ocean of social media.
Romans 8;28
.-= Wayne Ulery´s last blog ..Welcoming our newest client!! Katies Korner Howland, Ohio =-.
@Wayne
I’m really glad that I changed to Aweber. Things are working a lot better for me. For some reason I found that the MailChimp templates and sign up forms were not as user friendly.
As for the transition the only issue was exporting and importing my mailing address. From there everyone had to reconfirm their email address. I think I kept about 70-80% of my subscribers so people need to be prepared that they will lose some subscribers in the transition. But, chances are those are not your committed subscribers.
Otherwise it is a very simple and smooth transition.
Mail Chimp seems to be like a good solution to recommend to people with lists of under 500 people. This could help out a lot of affiliate marketers that are just getting started.
@Elite Events
I think MailChimp is a great option for those who have less than 500 subscribers and expect there list to stay under 500 subscribers. However, if you think it will grow beyond 500 then Aweber is a better option because during the transition where people must confirm their opt in you typically lose 30% of your subscribers. After all that hard work to get subscribers I’d hate to see someone lose such a large percentage.
I do still use MailChimp for my ministry related newsletters because I don’t expect that list to grow beyond 500. For my blogging mailing lists I’ve moved all of those to Aweber.
Hi found your site through Yakezie. Article was just what I was looking for. Your writing style is very readable and concise. Regards, Barrb
@Barb
I’m glad you liked the article. Thanks for visiting. As always, it is good to connect with fellow Yakezie members.
Is it easy to migrate the list from mailchip to aweber? What do we need to do it?
Is there a way to put people in aweber without a double optin? I have been using aweber but want to sign up a bunch of people who just filled out their emails on paper.
@Buddy
Not that I am aware of. When I moved my list from MailChimp everyone still got an email they had to confirm. But, actually this is a good thing because you know they won’t report you as spam if they confirm their subscription. Better safe than sorry.
@Dana
What you would need to do to transfer you list is export your Mailchimp list to a csv type file then when you get an Aweber account just import that same list. It is quite simple.
Very important: Aweber requires a double opt in which means they will send an email to everyone on your list asking them to confirm their subscription. If someone does not confirm their subscription they will be lost as a subscriber. Typically, I hear people lose about 35% of their subscribers. In my case I had just started my list and moved over before my list was too big. I think I probably kept 60% of my subscribers.
{ 1 trackback }