MailChimp for Non-profit Communication!
Updated January 10, 2020

MailChimp for Non-profit Communication!

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

Current

Modules Used

  • Email

Overall Satisfaction with Mailchimp

I use MailChimp to manage our communications email list and send emails for a general newsletter (monthly), Alumni newsletter (monthly), conference invitations and other timely announcements (such as holiday card...etc.)

Pros

  • I think MailChimp has a very easy to use interface. It is cleanly designed and intuitive to navigate the different parts of setting up and sending an email.
  • I think MailChimp provides good pre-built templates for users who do know know how to code HTML/CSS.
  • I think MailChimp has a great integration with Google Analytics.
  • I think MailChimp is a reasonable price for its offerings compared to other email marketing platforms.

Cons

  • I wish MailChimp had more robust testing capabilities. I'd love to be able to A/B test internal content, not just subject line, date and send time.
  • I think MailChimp's reporting is basic. You cannot dig that deep into analytics. For example, you cannot sort data by list segment. I also would love to be able to run a report on select emails and date ranges.
  • I think MailChimp's segmentation function could be improved. There seems to be a disconnect between groups and segments. I think you should be able to segment to a group you've created.
  • We cleaned up our list using MailChimp data on engagement and was able to see a lift in open rate. Specifically, we segmented out the names that had not opened an email for the past 6 months from our full list and are sending them a separate campaign to try to appeal to them to open.
  • We moved to MailChimp from Convio because of cost, so MailChimp has allowed us to save money.
  • We appreciate that MailChimp supports responsive email. All of our email designs have been converted to responsive designs in the past six months and we are hoping this will increase engagement on mobile devices and increase open rate, click through rate and ROI.
I also use Convio, as mentioned before. Convio is extremely higher and more robust when it comes to list segmentation and reporting. However, MailChimp is much more user friendly when it comes to designing and building emails. I find that I can build emails from "best practices" and they will work in MailChimp. However, when I port them over to Convio, they will break because of Convio's built-in programming and lack of responsive design support. In this sense, I prefer working in MailChimp. However, I wish MailChimp offered more in the ways of list segmentation, testing and reporting.
I think MailChimp is great for the basic to intermediate user. Since I am an expert in web and UX, I feel that my complaints with the system are more based on my need for a more advanced system. Most users would probably not have the same problems or needs that I would. For a larger, complex organization, I do think a larger program would be needed (Like Convio).
We have not integrated anything into MailChimp but appreciate the potential.
A/B testing. We've learned that time of day sent is very important and have schedules for different locations to send emails at different times.
While MailChimp is good for basic email, we use Convio for our fundraising email list because MailChimp does not have the capability to integrate with Convio's database so we can link email to donations. We wish we could have one email platform rather than manage two lists. However, we choose MailChimp over Convio for our communications list because of cost. So that is a plus for MailChimp.

Intuit Mailchimp Feature Ratings

7.0
WYSIWYG email editor
8
Dynamic content
7
Ability to test dynamic content
7
A/B testing
5
Mobile optimization
8
Email deliverability reporting
8
List management
6
Triggered drip sequences
Not Rated
Lead Management ()
Not Rated
Campaign Management ()
Not Rated
Social Media Marketing ()
Not Rated
6.3
Dashboards
7
Standard reports
7
Custom reports
5
Platform & Infrastructure ()
Not Rated

Using Mailchimp

1 - Marketing Comms.
1 - Tech savvy. Self-motivated. Ability to self-teach and troubleshoot.
  • Newsletters
  • A/B testing
  • None
  • Pop up box for email sign up feature is nice
We are likely to keep using it for non-fundraising efforts.

Evaluating Mailchimp and Competitors

Yes - We needed a separate email platform that charged less than our fundraising platform. We use MailChimp for our general list serve and then move users to our fundraising one once they are lead scored.
  • Price
  • Product Usability
Free accounts for low-sized lists allowed us to try MailChimp before buying.
No change.

Mailchimp Implementation

It's hard to use two different email platforms and comply with regulations.
  • Implemented in-house
Change management was minimal
  • List uploads
  • List exports

Mailchimp Support

ProsCons
None
None
No - We are a non-profit and MailChimp is not our primary email platform.
Nope.

Using Mailchimp

ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
Familiar
None
  • Creating new emails.
  • Viewing email reports.
  • The dashboard is very easy to read.
  • Looks good on a phone or tablet.
  • The reports section is slightly confusing.
  • Inbox inspections take a very long time to finish (like 24 hours) sometimes. But this is inconsistent.
  • There isn't a place that has a template for uploading lists. This would be helpful.
Yes - I have the iPhone app and it allows me to see data, but not to create any new campaigns or add any new lists...etc. It is more for reference, but is not a replacement for the website. I would not be able to do any work from the MailChimp app beyond reporting. However, it is nice to have for meetings.

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