ConvertKit Email Marketing Review 2023: Expert Rated 3.9/5

What Are the Pros and Cons of ConvertKit?

ConvertKit is an email marketing tool that helps over 428,000 e-commerce business owners support over 565 million customers making an impact on the future of email marketing.

It features a user-friendly interface, effortless integration, and five-star support. But users report frustration with limited tracking, A/B testing, and customization for more nuanced brands. We’re covering the pros and cons of choosing ConvertKit as your email marketing provider and evaluating the total benefit you could gain from making the swap.

1. Visual automation service and templates for easy launch

Automation is one of the hardest elements to master in an e-commerce business. However, ConvertKit offers a fantastic native tool that can limit the need for expensive developers or secondary services. The automation panel offers four core functionalities, including:

• Visual automations: This center offers a variety of templates you can leverage for new releases, pitches, and lead magnets, giving you pre-built tools to save you time on back-end development. I was surprised at the range of templates available, from promotions to fundraising. Using the visually-driven editing tool, you can also start from scratch or tailor any element of the pre-built templates to your needs.
• Easy-to-use templates and simple editing process ConvertKit has a variety of well-constructed, eye-catching templates to help you quickly win over that customer click. I was able to view and edit them in the clean native editor tool, featuring simple menu-bar designs and the option to use HTML formatting for a higher level of email personalization.
• Rules and trigger dashboards Your rules dictate the functionality of your automations. With ConvertKit, I could completely manage and optimize the automation rules associated with your triggers and link them up to your favorite integrations. The interface is easy to navigate and use, allowing you to get as granular as you want with your setup.
• Real Simple Syndication (RSS) If you use search engine optimization (SEO) tools or conduct lead generation through your blog feed, include it in any outbound emails you have with your customers. RSS allows you to do just that by connecting RSS 2.0 or Atom feeds – giving your customers a direct way to connect with your blog side of the business.

Here’s a look at what you can see from the internal automation management dashboard. Every element is visually driven and easy to access. 

2. Light native e-commerce support and product listings

ConvertKit isn’t just for established e-commerce businesses. If you’re newer to the e-commerce space or are still in a startup phase, you can begin listing your products through the native support features in the platform. Easily create product listings, arrange payment processing services, and sell as you grow your business.

3. Supportive customer service for business owners at all levels

While some email services offer limited customer service options, the team at ConvertKit has put customer service at the forefront of its experience in the form of:

• 24/7 chat support
• Tradecraft blog support
• Live workshops
• How-to guides and documentation
• Community forum via the Creator Community

You can connect with support whenever you need it most – even on the free plan. I appreciated seeing a lack of tiered support options, as price or membership status isn’t always an indicator of the extent of help needed.

4. Easy-launch broadcast system for quick communications

The best way to reach your customer base quickly is with a quick email broadcast. You can set up and send your broadcast in minutes thanks to the simple-launch system from ConvertKit. I could quickly pick a template, subject, and preview line, and create their emails – sending it to their entire base or a select few subscribers.

5. Robust integration library for streamlined operations

One of the most competitive features of ConvertKit is its robust integration library. Integration is a necessary functionality to keep your business running as well as it can – giving your customers and team members a sleek and efficient experience with each touch point. Some of the most appreciated integrations are with top service providers in the e-commerce space, including:

• Shopify
• eWebinar
• Groupboss
• ZipMessage
• Stripe
• WooCommerce
• Zapier
• Gumroad
• Payhip

There are hundreds of options to choose from, helping you to actively automate and refine your business’s processes.

New to integrations? No problem. ConvertKit offers step-by-step connectivity instructions to help you get up and running in seconds. 

What Are Some Good Alternatives to ConvertKit?

ConvertKit offers a robust range of functionality for a standalone email service. But alternatives such as Drip, Sendinblue, or AWeber may be better for you.

Below, we examine how each company stacks up – based on our experience with their services, extensive research, and review. Our goal is to provide objective information to determine confidently which email marketing tool is right for you.

See how ConvertKit compares to some of its top competitors:

How I Rated ConvertKit

My rating system allows me to give you the highest quality and most honest reviews possible, allowing you to truly experience what you would if you purchased the product yourself. After all – our goal at Digital.com is to be transparent and honest, providing you with an overall assessment of the tool’s quality for cost.

I provided this evaluation with intensive research of the tool, firsthand experience via a dummy account, and summarizing my experience after exploring every available facet of the free plan. I also included user experiences from past users found on public review sites, which influenced areas of the tools that I tested and reviewed.

While every element of ConvertKit was evaluated for its potential utility and value, certain areas were weighted heavier than others for the final scoring process. I chose these elements based on the total value to you – the consumer. Examples of some of these metrics chosen include customer service quality and availability, pricing, and the comprehensive nature of the tool.

After exploring ConvertKit, I feel confident in Digital.com’s rating of 3.9/5. It’s an exceptional e-commerce tool that goes far beyond simple email marketing, providing a full suite of digital marketing tools that can help you quickly grow and scale.