ActiveCampaign - Budget automation platform with 80% of the features that a $5k a month tool offers
December 11, 2017
ActiveCampaign - Budget automation platform with 80% of the features that a $5k a month tool offers
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Software Version
Small Business
Overall Satisfaction with ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is one of the best budget options for marketing automation. While there is a CRM aspect, and in theory a sales department appeal, I think the primary usage is around marketing automation (although for the price, having the selling tools is a nice perk).
Usually, ActiveCampaign is deployed within the marketing, or marketing operations department. Because of its placement in the market, it's often a good fit for smaller businesses that are not in a budget place to consider some of the pricier options, however, don't discount it as a tool for a larger company. If it has the tools you need, it can be a solid choice.
However, the weak integration with SFDC often prevents me from suggesting this as a tool for larger businesses. Some can be done with the built-in integration, and using some API work (either custom dev or through a middle company like Zapier) helps, it's still not as strong when it comes to a 1:1 CRM sync.
Usually, ActiveCampaign is deployed within the marketing, or marketing operations department. Because of its placement in the market, it's often a good fit for smaller businesses that are not in a budget place to consider some of the pricier options, however, don't discount it as a tool for a larger company. If it has the tools you need, it can be a solid choice.
However, the weak integration with SFDC often prevents me from suggesting this as a tool for larger businesses. Some can be done with the built-in integration, and using some API work (either custom dev or through a middle company like Zapier) helps, it's still not as strong when it comes to a 1:1 CRM sync.
- Sending emails at an affordable cost
- Plug-and-play website/email automations. Very easy to set up triggered emails based on web activity.
- The SMS messaging is a nice perk you don't often find in a tool at this price point
- Clean list management and basic CRM functionality
- Integration to 3rd party CRMs (particularly SFDC--- However I've heard they're working on this currently and there may be something available early 2018)
- Ability to auto-delete leads from automation (no idea why this is the case... there should be the option to have "delete lead" as a flow step; makes keeping the database clean unusually time consuming)
- Ability to specify multiple contacts for a single deal in the CRM
- Used it for a wide variety of clients. Because pricing is so aggressive, it's hard not to have a positive ROI.
- Ability to have CRM, email, web analytics (basic), SMS messaging, and others in a platform, allows companies access to these tools that they may not be able to afford if purchased ala carte.
ActiveCampaign is the budget option, no doubt. There isn't a single other tool even near it in price that offers anywhere near the level of tools that ActiveCampaign offers.
However, just because it's really inexpensive, don't let that lead you to think its a "cheap" tool. They spend a lot less on sales and marketing efforts than some of the larger platforms, but their core platform offers you 80% of the tools of the solutions that cost $3k-$10k per month.
However, just because it's really inexpensive, don't let that lead you to think its a "cheap" tool. They spend a lot less on sales and marketing efforts than some of the larger platforms, but their core platform offers you 80% of the tools of the solutions that cost $3k-$10k per month.