Item: Mailchimp
Rating: 8
Author: Kevin Miller

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Mailchimp is currently my go-to option when setting up clients with a newsletter. The majority of my clients are twenty something who aren't tech savvy. They typically don't want their newsletters looking plain so being able to customize their emails, even on the free plan helps quite a bit. With a quick account setup process, they find it easy to get in and get started while I connect it to their new wordpress site.

Pros and Cons

Easy account setup.
Drag and drop newsletter building.
Painless connection to WordPress.

Perhaps a little more customization offerings for free tiered users.

Return on Investment

Clients have experienced moderate success with using Mailchimp. They are new to newsletters so that falls on them and not the software.
The free plan is generous with the amount of subscribers to start with, so even for my business I don't need to upgrade just yet.

Alternatives Considered

I've not used any of the other big names out there like Sendgrid, constant contact etc. Mailchimp is a name that I've heard about since before college. They've been in the game for quite some time, and are always improving their offerings. It was very easy to manage my list and add/remove subscribers to different list. It's also easy to coach a client on how to use the system via video chat.

Usability

I give it a perfect 10 because the free version alone is enough for most new and small business owners that need to get their message or products in the inboxes of their community. From building a newsletter from scratch or even a basic template, the editor makes it very easy to get up and running with your first campaign. If you need more features the next plan up at the time of writing is just ten bucks a month!

All-in-One Marketing Platform

As a business grows, the more advanced features like split testing etc. are right there ready for you when it's time to upgrade. For myself and my clients, the free version handles pretty much everything to get going with a new shop or newsletter promotion. As a Web Designer who mainly builds in Wordpress, Mailchimp integrates seamlessly via a variety of methods. The official plugin is fine by itself and gives you a good amount of control.

Lessons for Success

I don't see many businesses and individuals having problems finding success with Mailchimp. You can pretty much learn everything by just working around the dashboard. If you need further help, the knowledge base is very helpful in getting you acquainted with their system. I like that the address footer is pretty much automatic, showing new account holders some of the basic rules of writing and sending newsletters.

Likelihood to Recommend

It's suited for knowledge levels of all types, thanks to the ease of use and straightforward account portal. Making the account only takes seconds, and once you're logged in you pretty much know where you need to go within the [first] five minutes of use. The newsletter builder is drag and drop, so getting your first newsletter created from scratch isn't hard.

Mailchimp a solid option for all

Software Version

Overall Satisfaction with Mailchimp