BigMailer - Detailed Review
E-Commerce Tools
BigMailer - Product Overview
BigMailer Overview
BigMailer is a cloud-based email marketing tool that is designed to help businesses of all sizes manage and automate their digital campaigns efficiently. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:Primary Function
BigMailer’s primary function is to streamline email marketing processes by integrating various campaign types, list management, and analytics into a single platform. It leverages Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) to send emails, ensuring reliable and cost-effective email delivery.Target Audience
BigMailer is tailored for businesses of all sizes, including startups, small to medium-sized enterprises, and larger corporations. It is particularly appealing to those looking for a scalable, cost-effective, and feature-rich email marketing solution. The platform is also agency-friendly, allowing multiple brands and users to be managed from a single dashboard.Key Features
Campaign Management
BigMailer allows users to manage multiple types of email campaigns, including promotional, transactional, and automated emails. It supports features like auto-responders, drip campaigns, and event-triggered emailing.List Management and Segmentation
Users can segment their audience based on various criteria such as campaign engagement, location, and custom fields. This enables targeted email campaigns that resonate with specific segments of the subscriber base.Template Customization
The platform offers a drag-and-drop editor for creating mobile-optimized templates, as well as the ability to import existing HTML templates or use pre-designed templates from a library.Analytics and Reporting
BigMailer provides advanced engagement reports, including insights into subscriber engagement, such as opens, clicks, and device usage. It also supports A/B testing and conversion tracking to help refine future campaigns.Automation
The tool allows for automated email sequences based on transactional email activity, such as welcome emails and cart abandonment reminders. It also supports RSS to email and email scheduling features.Integration and Support
BigMailer integrates with various CRM systems and other apps via Zapier, Integromat, Zoho, and Pabbly Connect. It offers chat support 7 days a week and the option for scheduled video calls for live support.Pricing
The pricing is straightforward and scalable, starting at $10 per 5,000 contacts per month, with no features locked. There is also a free tier available for up to 5,000 contacts. Overall, BigMailer is a comprehensive email marketing solution that helps businesses streamline their email campaigns, improve engagement, and make data-driven decisions, all while offering competitive pricing and strong customer support. BigMailer - User Interface and Experience
User-Friendly Interface
Intuitive Design
BigMailer.io boasts a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of tracking, managing, and creating email campaigns. Users have noted that the platform is easy to use, even for those without extensive technical experience. The interface is designed to be intuitive, allowing marketers to quickly set up and manage their email campaigns without significant hurdles.Ease of Use
Smooth Setup Process
Setting up and starting campaigns on BigMailer is described as very easy. The platform provides clear instructions, especially for integrating with Amazon SES, which makes the initial setup process smooth. Users have appreciated the straightforward nature of the mail builder, which allows even those who are graphically challenged to set up templates with their branding and optimized messaging.Customer Support
Responsive Assistance
The customer support offered by BigMailer is highly commendable. Users have praised the level of support, noting that any issues encountered were quickly resolved through chat support. This support has been particularly helpful for users who are new to email marketing or need guidance during the setup process.Overall User Experience
Positive Feedback
The overall user experience with BigMailer is positive, with many users expressing satisfaction with the platform. The UX/UI are highlighted as terrific, contributing to a seamless and efficient experience. Users appreciate the centralized view of customer engagement data, which helps in initiating email sequences based on transactional email activity. This centralized approach makes it easier to manage all types of email campaigns from a single platform.Conclusion
In summary, BigMailer.io offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for marketers to manage and create email campaigns. The ease of use, combined with excellent customer support, contributes to a positive overall user experience. BigMailer - Key Features and Functionality
BigMailer Overview
BigMailer is a comprehensive email marketing tool that offers a range of features, particularly beneficial for e-commerce businesses. Here are the main features and how they work:
Automation and Triggered Email Campaigns
BigMailer allows you to set up triggered email campaigns, which automate the process of sending emails at specific times or based on user actions. For example, when a subscriber joins your mailing list, you can automatically send them a welcome email. If a customer abandons their cart on your e-commerce website, you can trigger a reminder email to encourage them to complete their purchase. This automation ensures engagement with your audience at the right moments.
Audience Segmentation
BigMailer enables you to segment your audience based on various criteria such as location, demographics, purchase history, or engagement level. This segmentation allows you to create highly targeted email campaigns that resonate with specific segments of your subscriber base, increasing the effectiveness of your email marketing efforts.
Integration with SaaS Applications
BigMailer integrates seamlessly with various Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, including CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, and customer support tools. For instance, integrating BigMailer with your e-commerce platform can automate the sending of transactional emails like order confirmations and shipping notifications. This integration ensures that your email marketing campaigns are always up-to-date and reflective of your customers’ interactions with your brand.
Analytics and Reporting
BigMailer provides comprehensive analytics and reporting features that allow you to analyze the performance of your email campaigns. You can track email opens, clicks, and conversions, and integrate this data with tools like Google Analytics to gain a full view of the customer journey. This helps in making informed decisions and improving sales performance.
Customizable Templates and Sign-Up Forms
BigMailer offers a drag-and-drop interface for creating and customizing email templates, including mobile-friendly designs. You can also build sign-up forms to allow website visitors to join your mailing list. Additionally, the system provides free stock photos for commercial use, enhancing the visual appeal of your emails.
Custom Sender Configuration
With BigMailer, you can configure an unlimited number of custom senders (e.g., sales@your-brand.com, support@your-brand.com). This feature helps in maintaining authenticity and improving email deliverability, as the sender signature remains consistent even in future migrations.
AI-Driven Integration
While BigMailer itself does not inherently integrate AI within its core features, it can be connected with AI-driven tools through platforms like Zapier. For example, integrating BigMailer with WooCommerce via Zapier allows you to automate workflows using AI models like OpenAI and Anthropic. This integration can help in extracting, summarizing, and transforming your integration data, making your automation processes more efficient.
Location-Based Marketing
BigMailer imports consumer IP addresses and manages sign-up forms, which aids in promoting location-based marketing. This feature helps in targeting customers based on their geographical location, making your email campaigns more relevant and effective.
Conclusion
In summary, BigMailer is a versatile tool that streamlines email marketing by automating campaigns, segmenting audiences, integrating with SaaS applications, and providing detailed analytics. While it does not natively include AI features, it can be enhanced through integrations with AI-driven platforms.
BigMailer - Performance and Accuracy
When Evaluating BigMailer for E-commerce
When evaluating the performance and accuracy of BigMailer in the context of e-commerce tools, several key aspects stand out:
Delivery and Inbox Placement
BigMailer boasts an impressive delivery rate, averaging 99.7% due to its built-in email validation feature, which helps eliminate invalid emails and typo spam traps. This feature is particularly beneficial as it protects the sender’s reputation and improves deliverability without the need for external validation tools.
However, it’s important to note that delivery rates and inbox placement are distinct. While BigMailer offers good delivery rates, inbox placement can vary, especially if using Amazon SES without dedicated IPs. To improve inbox placement, users can opt for a dedicated IP, which costs $25/month.
Automation and Campaign Management
BigMailer excels in automation and campaign management. It supports various email types, including newsletters, transactional emails, RSS-to-email, and automated campaigns. The platform offers features like A/B testing for up to three subject lines and advanced engagement reporting, which helps in segmenting and re-engaging clients.
User and Brand Management
The platform is highly effective for managing multiple brands and projects from a single dashboard. It allows for unlimited sub-accounts, user roles, and access control, making it ideal for agencies and franchises managing large subscriber lists across different brands.
Integration and Data Sync
BigMailer integrates with various apps through Zapier, Integromat, Pabbly, or Zoho, enabling seamless data synchronization. This feature helps in automating data flows and keeping customer records up-to-date.
Customer Support
One of the standout features of BigMailer is its customer support. Users have consistently praised the live chat support, available 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm EST, for its responsiveness and helpfulness.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Despite its strengths, there are some areas where BigMailer could improve:
- Template Limitations: Some users have noted that the platform could benefit from more templates and the ability to dynamically select products within templates.
- Setup Difficulty: A few users have mentioned that the initial setup can be challenging, although this is somewhat mitigated by the excellent customer support.
- Feature Expansion: While BigMailer has a solid feature set, upcoming updates such as multi-brand reporting dashboards, AI-assisted subject line generation, and expanded automations will further enhance its capabilities.
Summary
In summary, BigMailer performs well in terms of delivery rates, automation, and user management, with strong customer support. However, it has some limitations, particularly in template options and initial setup, which are being addressed through ongoing feature updates.
BigMailer - Pricing and Plans
BigMailer Pricing Overview
BigMailer offers a structured pricing system with various plans to cater to different needs, particularly in the email marketing sector. Here’s a breakdown of their plans and the features included in each:
Startup Plan
- Contacts: Up to 1,000 contacts
- Users: Up to 5 users
- Features: Brand management, landing pages (3), 1 site domain, templates, and image hosting. The BigMailer logo appears in the email footer and unsubscribe page.
- Amazon SES: Required for sending emails
- Cost: Free, no credit card required as long as you stay within the 1,000 contact limit.
Business Basic Plan
- Contacts: 1,000 to 200,000 contacts
- Users: Up to 20 users
- Features: Brand management, landing pages (20), 10 site domains, chat and email support, templates, and image hosting.
- Email Sending: Send up to 12 emails per month per contact
- Amazon SES: Required
- Cost: Starting at $24/month, with pricing based on the number of contacts (e.g., $5 per 5,000 contacts).
Business Pro Plan
- Contacts: Up to 200,000 contacts
- Users: Up to 50 users
- Features: All features from the Business Basic plan plus white label option, 50 landing pages, and 20 site domains.
- Email Sending: Send up to 10 emails per month per contact
- Amazon SES: Required
- Cost: Starting at $50/month.
Agency Plan
- Contacts: 200,000 contacts
- Users: Up to 100 users
- Features: All features from the Business Pro plan plus 100 landing pages, 50 site domains, and a white label option.
- Email Sending: Send up to 10 emails per month per contact
- Amazon SES: Required
- Cost: Starting at $400/month, with volume discounts available for large volumes of contacts.
Additional Costs
- Amazon SES: Additional cost of $0.10 per 1,000 emails sent after the free tier (62,000 emails per month for the first 12 months).
- Additional Users: Extra cost for additional users beyond the plan limits; contact BigMailer for a quote.
- Dedicated IP Address: Available for high-volume senders (over 50,000 daily sends), but not included in the standard plans.
General Features
- All plans include brand management, landing pages, unlimited sender/from addresses, templates, and image hosting.
- Customer support is available via chat and email for paid plans.
- Accounts can be set up for free, and BigMailer offers assistance with account setup.
This structure allows users to choose a plan that fits their specific needs and scale as their email list grows.
BigMailer - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with SaaS Applications
BigMailer can integrate with a multitude of Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, including CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, and customer support tools. This integration is facilitated through several methods:
- API Connectivity: BigMailer’s API allows for custom integrations with your unique tech stack, enabling connections with any other system or tool you use. This is particularly useful if you have in-house developers or work with integration specialists.
- Pre-built Connectors: BigMailer offers pre-built connectors that connect seamlessly with popular third-party applications. For example, integrating with CRM systems allows you to sync contact lists, track interactions, and personalize email campaigns based on CRM data.
CRM Integration
Integrating BigMailer with your CRM system enables you to sync contact lists, track interactions, and use CRM data to personalize your email campaigns. This alignment ensures that your email marketing efforts are in sync with your sales and customer retention strategies.
E-commerce Platform Integration
Although BigMailer is noted to not be a great fit for e-commerce businesses due to a lack of direct integrations with Shopify and WooCommerce, it can still be connected via third-party integration platforms like Zapier, Integromat (now Make.com), Pabbly Connect, and Zoho. These integrations allow you to automate the sending of transactional emails, such as order confirmations and shipping notifications, and create targeted email campaigns based on customer purchase history and behavior.
Analytics and Reporting Integration
BigMailer can be integrated with analytics tools like Google Analytics to track the entire customer journey from email opens to website visits and conversions. This integration enhances the impact of BigMailer’s analytics and reporting capabilities, allowing you to gain comprehensive insights into how your email marketing campaigns influence user behavior.
Third-Party Integration Platforms
BigMailer supports integrations via several third-party platforms:
- Zapier: Allows you to connect BigMailer with hundreds of other apps and platforms. You can set up automations such as adding contacts to BigMailer lists when new responses are collected via Google Forms or when new rows are added to Google Spreadsheets.
- Integromat (Make.com): Offers more advanced integration capabilities but requires a basic understanding of programming for some parts.
- Pabbly Connect: Enables you to send contacts data from other apps into BigMailer.
- Zoho: BigMailer is listed in Zoho as one of the apps you can connect to, facilitating data synchronization and automation.
Automation Capabilities
BigMailer’s automation features allow you to set up various triggers and actions. For example, you can add a contact to a list in BigMailer when a new customer is added in another platform, update existing contact records based on customer actions, or trigger email sequences based on specific events like form submissions or purchases.
Conclusion
In summary, BigMailer provides versatile integration options through APIs, pre-built connectors, and third-party integration platforms, making it adaptable to various business needs and ensuring that your email marketing campaigns are well-integrated with your broader business operations. However, it may require additional steps for e-commerce businesses due to the lack of direct integrations with certain e-commerce platforms.
BigMailer - Customer Support and Resources
BigMailer Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
BigMailer provides live chat support 7 days a week, from 8 AM to 8 PM EST. This ensures that you can get immediate assistance with any questions or issues you might have during business hours. For more in-depth support, you can also schedule video calls. These calls can be used for setup, contact migration, or team training, ensuring that you and your team are well-equipped to use the platform effectively.Additional Resources
Integration Support
BigMailer allows you to integrate your data from CRMs or other platforms using tools like Zapier, Make, Zoho, or Pabbly Connect. This integration helps in automating data flows and keeping your customer records up-to-date.Email Campaign Analytics and Reporting
The platform offers detailed reports for each email campaign, including metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, bounce rates, unsubscribe rates, and conversion rates. You can also perform A/B testing to compare engagement rates and make data-driven decisions.Automation and Triggered Campaigns
BigMailer enables you to set up triggered email campaigns based on various events, such as when a subscriber joins your mailing list or abandons their cart. This automation ensures timely engagement with your audience.User Roles and Access Control
You can manage multiple brands and projects from a single platform, with the ability to control who has access and permissions to your valuable email lists. This feature is particularly useful for agencies managing multiple clients.Template Builders and Libraries
BigMailer provides a drag-and-drop editor, a Classic HTML editor, and a library of customizable pre-made templates. This flexibility allows you to create mobile-optimized templates that suit your needs.Landing Pages and Segmentation
You can create landing pages to capture emails for your list and segment your audience based on campaign activities or custom fields. This helps in creating highly targeted email campaigns. Overall, BigMailer’s support and resources are designed to make email marketing management efficient, automated, and highly effective for both individual users and agencies. BigMailer - Pros and Cons
Pros of BigMailer
BigMailer offers several significant advantages that make it a compelling choice for email marketing needs:Ease of Use
BigMailer is known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface. It is easy to set up and manage, even for those without prior experience in email marketing. The platform includes built-in tutorials and an interactive tour to help new users get started quickly.Multiple Brand Management
You can manage multiple brands under one account, each with all the necessary features to format emails, organize lists, and manage campaigns. This is particularly beneficial for agencies, franchises, and marketers handling multiple product lines.Comprehensive Features
BigMailer includes a wide range of features such as autoresponders, drip campaigns, event-triggered emails, dynamic content, image library, web forms, template management, and powerful reporting and analytics. It also supports bulk, transactional, and automation emails through API calls or user-defined triggers.Customization and Flexibility
Users can configure unlimited custom sender addresses, host their own “unsubscribe” pages, and customize email templates using a drag-and-drop editor. The platform also supports mobile-optimized emails and allows for the import of existing HTML templates.Cost-Effective
BigMailer offers a free plan and competitive pricing based on the number of unique subscribers. This structure helps in realizing significant savings and higher ROI compared to other email marketing tools. The integration with Amazon SES further enhances cost efficiency.Reporting and Analytics
The platform provides powerful reporting features for both campaigns and contacts, allowing users to track engagement metrics and make data-driven decisions. It also includes features like campaign reporting by mailbox provider and custom tracking domains to improve inboxing rates.Support and Integration
BigMailer offers excellent customer support through live chat and email. It also integrates seamlessly with various marketing and sales tools, including Zapier, Integromat, Pabbly, and Zoho, making data synchronization easy.Cons of BigMailer
While BigMailer has many advantages, there are a few limitations to consider:Lack of Annual Payment Option
BigMailer does not offer an annual payment plan, which might be a preference for some users who could benefit from the savings associated with annual payments.No A/B Testing Features
The platform lacks A/B testing features, which can make it challenging to optimize online forms, marketing emails, or landing pages by comparing different versions.Basic Forms and Landing Page Options
Currently, BigMailer’s forms and landing page features are quite basic and could be improved to provide more functionality for users.No Landing Page Feature
As of now, BigMailer does not offer a landing page feature, which is a significant omission for some users who rely on landing pages as part of their marketing strategy. Overall, BigMailer is a strong choice for email marketing due to its ease of use, comprehensive features, and cost-effectiveness, despite a few areas where it could be improved. BigMailer - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing BigMailer to Other AI-Driven Email Marketing and eCommerce Tools
BigMailer Key Features
- BigMailer is a cloud-based tool that automates digital campaign management using Amazon Simple Email Service (SES). It offers a unified dashboard for managing multiple brands, campaigns, lists, and forms.
- Key features include auto-responding, drip campaigns, event-triggered emailing, mailing list management, customizable fields, and landing pages/web forms. It also supports location-based marketing by importing consumer IP addresses and managing sign-up forms.
- Users can define lists based on custom data and measure engagement through opens and clicks. The platform provides a drag-and-drop interface for modifying templates and creating mobile-friendly ones.
Comparison with Campaigner
- Campaigner is another email marketing platform that shares some similarities with BigMailer but has several differences. Both platforms offer marketing automation, RSS type email campaigns, landing pages, custom HTML and drag-and-drop template editors, segmentation, and reporting.
- However, Campaigner does not support transactional emails, has storage limits for images, and a hard limit on sending emails (six times the list size compared to BigMailer’s ten times). Additionally, some advanced features like dynamic content and full-featured automations are only available on Campaigner’s higher-tier plans.
- BigMailer is significantly more cost-effective, being three to six times cheaper than Campaigner depending on the list size.
Comparison with Seventh Sense
- Seventh Sense is an AI-driven tool that optimizes email marketing campaigns by identifying the best time to send emails and providing personalized content recommendations based on customer engagement. Unlike BigMailer, Seventh Sense focuses more on optimizing the timing and content of emails rather than managing multiple campaigns and lists.
- While BigMailer offers a broader range of features including drip campaigns, event-triggered emailing, and mailing list management, Seventh Sense is specialized in email timing and personalization.
Alternatives and Unique Features
- Nosto: This AI-driven platform creates personalized shopping experiences by analyzing customer behavior, preferences, and purchase history in real-time. Unlike BigMailer, Nosto is more focused on eCommerce personalization across websites, mobile apps, and email campaigns. Nosto offers dynamic targeting and personalized product recommendations, which are not the primary focus of BigMailer.
- OptiMonk AI: This tool enhances website engagement and conversion rates through real-time personalization. It segments visitors based on their actions and presents relevant offers and content. While BigMailer focuses on email marketing automation, OptiMonk AI is more about on-site personalization and conversion optimization.
Conclusion
BigMailer stands out for its comprehensive email marketing automation features, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to manage multiple brands from a single dashboard. However, if your primary need is transactional emails or advanced eCommerce integrations, you might need to consider other options like Campaigner or specialized tools like Seventh Sense for email timing optimization. For eCommerce personalization, Nosto or OptiMonk AI could be more suitable alternatives.
BigMailer - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about BigMailer
What are the pricing plans for BigMailer?
BigMailer offers several pricing plans. The free Startup plan allows for up to 1,000 contacts and requires a connection to Amazon SES. The Business Basic plan starts at $24/month for up to 200,000 contacts, with Amazon SES required and an additional cost of $0.10 per 1,000 emails sent. The Business Pro plan starts at $50/month for up to 200,000 contacts, and the Agency plan is for over 200,000 contacts, starting at $400/month. There is also an option to send emails without Amazon SES, starting at $40/month for up to 5,000 contacts.
Do I need an Amazon SES account to use BigMailer?
Yes, for most plans, you need to connect your own Amazon SES account to BigMailer. If you don’t have an AWS account, you need to create one and verify it via phone or credit card. However, BigMailer also offers a plan where you can send emails without using Amazon SES, but this requires sender domain verification and approval from BigMailer.
What types of emails can I send using BigMailer?
You can send marketing, automation, and transactional emails to subscribers you have permission to send emails to. However, cold outreach emails and any kind of unsolicited emails are not allowed according to BigMailer’s terms of service.
How do I improve inbox placement with BigMailer?
Inbox placement can be improved by using a dedicated IP address, which costs $25/month. Using Amazon SES without dedicated IPs may result in lower inbox placement rates compared to other providers. BigMailer also provides an Email Deliverability and Inbox Placement Guide to help with best practices.
Can I manage multiple brands from a single BigMailer account?
Yes, BigMailer allows you to manage multiple brands and projects from a single platform. This includes multi-brand management, where you can define lists and campaigns based on custom data and collect sources, and measure engagement for each brand separately.
What kind of support does BigMailer offer?
BigMailer offers live chat support 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm EST, as well as email support. During the first 30 days, you also get free setup assistance. Additionally, BigMailer provides a comprehensive FAQ section and guides to help with setup and usage.
Does BigMailer offer any free features or plans?
Yes, BigMailer offers a free Startup plan that allows you to manage up to 1,000 contacts and send emails using Amazon SES. This plan includes basic features like landing pages, templates, and image hosting, though it does display the BigMailer logo in email footers and unsubscribe pages.
Can I customize the templates and branding in BigMailer?
Yes, BigMailer allows you to customize templates using a drag-and-drop interface or by bringing your own HTML email templates. For enterprise users, there is also a white-label option that enables you to host BigMailer on your domain with your logo and remove references to BigMailer.
How does BigMailer handle email validation and deliverability?
BigMailer includes built-in email validation to help weed out invalid emails and typo spam traps, which protects your sender reputation and improves deliverability. It also averages a 99.7% delivery rate thanks to this feature.
Can I segment my email lists in BigMailer?
Yes, BigMailer allows you to segment your email lists based on campaign activities or custom fields. This helps in targeting specific groups of subscribers with relevant content.
What additional features does BigMailer offer?
BigMailer offers several additional features, including RSS-to-email automation, A/B testing for subject lines, landing pages to capture emails, and advanced engagement reporting. It also includes a library of free stock photos for commercial use and supports all types of emails such as newsletters, transactional emails, and automations.