Act-On: The outstanding marketing system for my small business needs
October 06, 2014
Act-On: The outstanding marketing system for my small business needs
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Software Version
I'm unaware of version data. I have a small version if that helps.
Overall Satisfaction with Act-On
I started a company to assist OEM buyers with custom manufacturing sources. Success requires creation of a data base of contacts, and then a robust system to communicate with them as well as organize responses. After a great deal of research I chose Act-On in 2012, and have had zero reasons to think it was not the very best choice. The system is comprehensive, fairly easy to use (even for an old guy like me) and the best thing is infinite access to my success counselor, who's been wonderful. As one-man company heavily involved in marketing (not a skill area), the success counselor has been essential in the company's progress.
- Since I have experience with only Act-On, I cannot compare them to other alternatives. However, the price is fair and reasonable. The tools for creating messages are all I ever would need, and easy to use.
- Segmenting the total data base, add or subtract contacts, and keep track of all the above is pretty easy to do. Tracking the results of a message campaign is also pretty easy to use.
- A problem with absolutely any aspect of Act-On can be swiftly addressed via the success counselor I'm assigned. This is the 3rd one I've had; all have been outstanding. When they don't know the answer, further Act-On assets are deployed, and I ALWAYS have gotten satisfied with results. This is the #1 reason I chose Act-On, and it was a good decision for me.
- There are very many features I've not yet used, but are available when I am. Thus, it looks like Act-On will meet my needs for as far as the eye can see.
- Manipulating the data base is pretty easy and well designed. But choosing actions to track could be improved--for example, if I wanted to know results in a particular month over several years I don't think I can do that. It is also cumbersome to select individual web pages' visitors for tracking. I think it would be relatively simple to allow some segmentation/organization of a website and then use that organization's results for tracking. Now, only individual web pages can be chosen.
- I'm not sure if I can alter my data base, which has been grown over several years using different sources. As a result, fields are duplicated and some redundant ones are present. I'm not aware of a method to tell the system to consolidate "these named fields" and put all into "this field". This capability would be helpful.
- Act-On is the only system I've used, other than my CRM. in fact, I have not used the CRM very much, since the Act-On data base is sufficient for my needs at this point, since I'm able to create contact segments easily.
- Since I'd be comparing Act-On to nothing, there is no useful ROI data. I'm also the only employee, although I have contract people using different features of Act-On.
I chose Act-On from a listing of about 15-20 systems for automated cloud-based digital marketing. Act-On offered the best email marketing system for me by a wide margin. I needed a versatile, easy to use, and comprehensive system to create attractive marketing communication vehicles, have the capability to incorporate forms, check lists, document/photo inclusions, and other basics so I could create professional advertising to be sent and results tracked. Act-On offered all of this for a very good price in a size package that fit my needs very well. Overall, the compelling attraction was infinite access to helpers without limitation or extra cost.
Using Act-On
I'm a one-man company, so all functions are represented.
1 - No skill required, other than dialing the phone number of the assigned success counselor.
- What's a use case? I use Act-On to send newsletters to my data base.
- Act-On is useful in sending RFQ's to several different organizations.
- If I wish to send an email to someone, and know if it's opened, Act-On makes that easy. I maintain a data base segment of such people for this very reason.
- There are many features of Act-On I've not gotten into yet; mostly these have to do with lead scoring, competitors (I don't have any exact competitors), and automated programs.
Evaluating Act-On and Competitors
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Third-party Reviews
Unlimited access to help
I'm very happy with my decision and am unaware of any missing feature with the Act-On system I'm using.
Act-On Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Change management was minimal - None--I did it all myself; it was pretty easy.
- I needed extensive hand-holding learning email creation, data base segmentation, and simply how to use all the tools needed to create an outbound marketing program.
Act-On Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
No - Infinite access to help is included in Act On, or at least my plan.
Yes - Yes. Immediately.
I rate their support outstanding all the time. Whenever I have a question, problem, or complaint, I have instant access to a specific individual who's responsible for keeping me happy. He does, every time. Occasionally I've had some issue requiring more advanced knowledge, and these people communicate with me by name and do so FAST. The Act-On customer service is about as good as it gets.
Using Act-On
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | Requires technical support |
- Organizing/reorganizing the entire data base is simple.
- Nothing I've tried so far.