ConvertKit Review for 2024
Is It The Best Email Marketing Tool Around?
ConvertKit is an email marketing software specifically for content creators like:
bloggers
podcasters
youtubers
course creators.
The platform offers a set of features designed to enable you to grow and monetize your audience, streamline your marketing efforts and facilitate seamless sales of digital products. 🛍️
- You can easily create marketing campaigns
- Best for email software online creators
- There is a paid newsletter feature available
- Only basic analytics in the reports feature
In this comprehensive ConvertKit review, we’ll test and judge whether the platform delivers on its promises. We’ll delve into the details, examining both the pros and cons of the tool.
In addition, we’ll examine pricing plans and provide insight into potential alternatives, ensuring that by the end of this review, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether ConvertKit is right for your needs.
Let’s explore ConvertKit features and see if it really the best choice for creators who want audience growth, marketing automation and digital product sales.
Are you ready? 🤠
⏰ ConvertKit review quick summary
ConvertKit is perfect email marketing tool for bloggers, video content creators, podcasters, freelancers, e-commerce store owners and digital product developers. Here are the highlights:
The full interface of the software is very simple and intuitive
ConvertKit integrates with over 90 applications (including Zapier)
There is a free version (forever) up to 1000 subscribers available
They have quite a small portfolio of ready-made templates
The newsletter and landing page editor is very basic (very)
In short, ConvertKit stands out as a good tool mainly for content creators. It offers solutions for audience growth, monetization and emailing.
Table of contents
ConvertKit core features
ConvertKit offers many email marketing features.
Here are the most important ones:
List Management: Easy import and host mailing lists
Email editor: Create your emails in a basic email editor
Email Templates: Access to responsive email templates
Email Automation: Set autoresponders for emails
Analytics: Statistics from all sent newsletters
A/B Testing: Optimize with split testing option
Segmentation: Target groups with list segmentation
Landing Page builder: Create custom landing pages
Support: Assistance via phone, email, and live chat
Integrations: Connect easily with many other tools
Ecommerce: Features to sell digital products and subscriptions
Let’s now check each ConvertKit feature in detail. 🤠
ConvertKit pros and cons
Wondering what pros and cons, AWeber has? 🤔
Here’s what we noticed during our testing of this email marketing software.
ConvertKit pros
Landing page builder: Creating landing pages is easy with ConvertKit user-friendly editor. They have some nice templates, and you can use your own domain on a free plan.
High deliverability: ConvertKit consistently performs well when it comes to email deliverability – it has a solid track record in making sure emails are delivered.
Paid newsletters: You can turn your newsletters into a money-making venture by charging your readers for access. It’s a smart move to grow your income streams.
Many integrations: ConvertKit has over 90 integrations, making it a versatile choice for syncing up with your favorite tools effortlessly.
ConvertKit cons
Poor design options: Design options are here limited, offering just 9 text-based email templates. More variety for better visual appeal would be a welcome enhancement.
Reporting is basic: It is only providing open rates, click-through rates, and unsubscribes. I lack advanced features like click maps, geo-tracking, and bounce rates.
High pricing: During our research for this ConvertKit review, we found that the tool is more expensive compared to other similar email marketing platforms.
Customer support: Overall, our experience with their support team was positive – they were quick to respond and offered clear explanations. Good job ConvertKit!
ConvertKit dashboard
ConvertKit’s dashboard is easy to navigate. It is well organized, making it very easy to find what you need without any hassle. The design is simple and straightforward, which saves time and makes it especially friendly for email marketing beginners.
Email marketing campaigns
ConvertKit main feature is, of course, sending emails. The process is really simple and doesn’t require any specialized knowledge, which is a big plus.
Go to Send > Broadcasts in ConvertKit and you can create, send and schedule one-time emails. Just click + New Broadcast, select a template, you can start building your newsletter! 💌
Ready email templates
ConvertKit offers a small portfolio of 9 ready email templates, but they are fairly basic. Unfortunately, you can’t include grouped images or column-based layouts in them, which limits your ability to create visually appealing content.
All of these templates are responsive, which is a huge plus, especially in this era where most people use their phones. If you’re looking for more personalization, the recently added ability to upload HTML code allows you to create your own templates.
Email editor and personalization
The first thing that caught our attention was an email editor that looks more like a regular word processor. If you’re used to the drag-and-drop email builders found in most newsletter software, this is something a little different.
ConvertKit email designer focuses on simplicity, offering a very basic email editor. In it, you can modify text, add bulleted or numbered lists, and insert blocks of quotes. In addition, you have the option to insert links, CTA buttons, images, videos and even timers for better conversion.
On the other hand, ConvertKit makes it easy to test A/B subject lines, which is a useful feature. However, the downside comes when you realize that you can’t change the layout of the email content once it’s in place. Accidentally deleting the layout? Tough, it can’t be restored, which we found quite frustrating.
ConvertKit email designer is a good choice for beginners with no experience. However, for experienced users, it will be far too poor in features. ❌
Landing page builder
The landing pages editor in ConvertKit offers over 53 landing page templates. Let’s give credit where it’s due – these landing page templates look really good.
However, when it comes to customizing the design, options are very limited. In terms of usability, especially when compared to GetResponse or MailerLite, ConvertKit’s landing page builder is a little weaker.
On the other hand, even with a free plan, you can connect your own domain, adding a professional touch to your landing pages. In addition, it’s worth mentioning that you can track the performance of your landing pages through tools such as Google Analytics and Facebook Business.
Email marketing automation
Automation takes center stage in email marketing, and ConvertKit makes it clear right off the bat that you’re in capable hands!
Visual automation builder
The platform offers an impressive visual workflow builder that is not only user-friendly, but also simple. ConvertKit offers a rich selection of 28 pre-built automation templates, covering a wide range of developers’ needs – quite impressive! 🤩
For those who want personalization, the visual automation builder is a powerhouse. It allows you to create complex workflows based on actions, events and conditions, giving you the flexibility to create customized automation workflows.
Each automation can have up to 5 entry points, meeting the requirements of most users. These points include subscribing to a form, subscriber receiving a tag, changes to a custom field, and subscriber making a purchase.
ConvertKit doesn’t stop there. Users are provided with various actions and conditions to shape their sequences. While it may seem a bit overwhelming for beginners at first, once mastered, the process becomes much smoother.
Noteworthy is ConvertKit’s additional feature for optimizing email sequences – “Rules”. Using an intuitive “if/then” rule system, you set triggers and subsequent actions. This feature is a game changer, allowing even beginners to apply advanced automation effortlessly.
List management & segmentation
Adding new subscribers with ConvertKit is simple. You have three options:
Manually add a single subscriber
Import a CSV file
Import contacts from other providers like Mailchimp, Drip, AWeber, ActiveCampaign, and MailerLite.
However, it is worth noting that the only accepted file format for upload is .csv. It would be more better if users could also import contacts from Excel/.xls files.
When it comes to organizing subscribers, ConvertKit takes a unique approach with tags and segments. Tags help organize subscribers based on past behavior, such as clicking links or making a purchase.
Segments, on the other hand, allow you to create smaller parts of your email list using one or more tags. Tags will likely be your primary method for organizing subscribers, catering to different preferences.
While ConvertKit’s overall list management is good, there is one aspect that can be improved. Cleaning your list from unengaged subscribers is a bit hard without the “Subscriber Scoring” feature, which is only available on the Creator Pro plan.
This feature measures how often subscribers open your emails and click links, providing valuable insights. Without it, managing and cleaning your list effectively might feel like a bit of guesswork. 😅
Sign-up forms
Working with ConvertKit forms is a great experience. Customizing registration or contact forms is easy, and the visual editor is both fast and simple. It works similarly to the email designer (although the drag-and-drop feature is missing).
ConvertKit offers 9 pre-made sign-up templates that can be easily customized, adjusting colors and adding images, text, quotes and even timers to suit their message and purpose.
ConvertKit offers flexible form formats to suit various needs:
Inline Forms: Embedded within webpage content.
Modal Forms: Pop up over webpage content.
Slide-in Forms: Slide into view from corners or sides.
Sticky Bars: Persistent bars at the top or bottom of the webpage.
These options cater to different user preferences and engagement strategies.
You have various display options such as exit intent, scroll percentage, and timing. Additionally, you can choose which devices will display the form and control how often a visitor will see it. Overall, ConvertKit form features offer a range of options with user-friendly customization.
Reporting and analytics
When it comes to analytics, ConvertKit keeps it pretty basic.
The platform tracks fundamental metrics like open rate, click rate, clicks, and unsubscribes. However, it doesn’t provide insights into the bounce rate or offer heatmaps detailing subscriber engagement.
One handy feature we appreciated was the “Resend to unopens,” allowing you to target those who missed your email the first time.
For more advanced reporting you need buy ConvertKit Creator Pro plan. With this plan, you gain access to trends in user engagement, clicks, overall email deliverability, and even purchase data.
ConvertKit eCommerce tools
What sets ConvertKit apart is that it allows users to sell digital products directly through the platform, and the process is seamlessly handled by Stripe, eliminating the need for third-party applications.
This feature opens up a range of possibilities, such as selling:
music albums
ebooks and audiobooks
coaching services
paid newsletter subscriptions
presets for photos or videos
To leverage this functionality, users incur a 3.5% + $0.30 transaction fee once they start selling products, with weekly payouts directly to their bank accounts.
Creators can connect their custom domain and showcase various digital products. However, it’s important to note that ConvertKit shopping cart is relatively basic, lacking advanced features like upsell, downsell, or bump offers.
ConvertKit integrations
ConvertKit has over 90 integrations, catering to popular categories such as:
eCommerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, OrderDesk, SendOwl, Stripe
CRM Sortware: JetpackCRM, Monday.com
Workflows: Make (Integromat), Coda.io, n8n
Surveys & Quizes: Typeform, Gravity Forms, Lead Quizzes
Lead capture: OptinMonster, Poptin ClickFunnels, LeadPages
Memberships & Courses: Patreon, Memberful, MembersPRO
Webinar services: WebinarNinja, EasyWebinar, Demio, WebinarJam
Website platforms: Wix, WordPress, SquareSpace, Pabbly, Kajabi
That’s not all – ConvertKit also integrates with Zapier, providing thousands of integrations with other applications. 😄
While the number of integrations is impressive and meets the needs of most developers, it is worth noting that the ConvertKit API could be more developer-friendly. For most users, however, this may not be a significant problem.
ConvertKit customer support
In our experience, ConvertKit’s support was very fast and provided clear explanations. You can contact them via tickets (email) or live chat, offering flexibility for different preferences.
They also offer useful tutorials, although some users may want more detailed information in some cases. Overall, ConvertKit’s customer support options are solid, ensuring that you can get the help you need, when you need it.
ConvertKit email deliverability
ConvertKit consistently achieves high deliverability rates. This means that when you use ConvertKit to send emails, you can be sure that your messages really reach their recipients. The platform’s commitment to high deliverability is a key factor in ensuring that your emails have the best chance of hitting subscribers’ inboxes and don’t get lost in spam folders. 📈
ConvertKit pricing plans
When it comes to ConvertKit pricing, you’ll find three plans for different needs.
It’s important to note that the pricing model is subscriber-based, meaning you’ll be billed based on the number of subscribers you have.
Now, let’s break down each plan, starting with the free one:
Free Plan – $0/month
ConvertKit free plan is an excellent starting point for new creators venturing into email marketing. It generously allows up to 1,000 subscribers, but keep in mind that it comes with some feature limitations. Free plan users can enjoy:
Unlimited landing pages, broadcasts (emails) and forms
Audience tagging and segmentation
Selling digital products & subscriptions
Community support
While lacking autoresponders and live chat support, this plan serves as a great introduction. Try the Free plan here.
Creator – $15/month
The Creator plan, starting at $15/month for up to 300 subscribers, provides additional features to automate processes and scale your business. In addition to the free plan features, you get:
Live chat & email support
Automated email sequences
Visual automation builder
Third-party integrations
One additional team member
ConvertKit offers a free migration service from your previous email marketing tool, making the transition smoother. Try the Creator plan here.
Creator Pro – $29/month
Geared towards established creators seeking advanced tools, the Creator Pro plan encompasses everything in the Creator plan and adds:
Facebook custom audiences
A newsletter referral system
Advanced analytics (subscriber engagement scoring)
Starting at $29/month for 300 subscribers, this plan also allows you to edit links even after sending your email campaigns. It comes with priority support for those extra features. Try the Creator Pro plan here.
Migration Service
For users opting for the Creator or Creator Pro plan, ConvertKit offers a free migration service.
The process is user-friendly: fill out ConvertKit’s migration form, and their team handles the rest. For those with fewer than 5,000 subscribers, a mini migration covers tags, segments, etc. For over 5,000 subscribers, a full migration service includes forms, email sequences, templates, and automation.
The migration period typically ranges from 2-10 business days. 📅
ConvertKit provides a 14-day free trial (no credit card required) for users to explore its advanced features before committing to a plan.
ConvertKit review summary
ConvertKit rating details
| ⭐ Rating | 📝 Details |
|---|---|
Easy of use: 5/5 | ConvertKit generally offers user-friendly basic features with a logical backend navigation. However, there are instances where dealing with HTML code becomes necessary, especially for tasks like formatting emails. |
Editor: 3/5 | While ConvertKit's editor is quick and easy to understand, it leans towards being quite basic – similar to a regular text editor for standard emails. The available options are somewhat limited, including regular text, lists, horizontal lines, basic images, and restricted file uploads. Despite the introduction of an updated editor featuring videos, Spotify songs, and CTA buttons, users may still find themselves wishing for more visual display options. |
Ready templates: 3.5/5 | The available email templates in ConvertKit are limited to just 9, and they are fairly basic. Notably, you can't incorporate grouped images or create layouts based on columns, restricting your options for visual content creation. Despite these limitations, the templates are responsive. An alternative is the ability to upload HTML code to craft your own templates. |
List management: 4/5 | The tagging system in ConvertKit is highly flexible when it comes to adding or removing users from campaigns and email sequences. This flexibility makes it a breeze to segment your subscribers effectively based on various criteria. |
Email deliverability: 4.5/5 | ConvertKit delivers emails effectively with high deliverability rates. This means that when you use ConvertKit for sending out your emails, you can trust that they have a strong record of making sure your messages reach your audience |
Customer support: 5/5 | In our experience, ConvertKit's support has been consistently prompt, providing clear explanations. You have the option to reach out to them through tickets (email) or live chat, offering flexibility for different preferences. They also offer helpful tutorials, though some users might wish for more detailed guidance in certain areas.
|
Marketing automation: 3/5 | Even with their most budget-friendly plan at $15/month, ConvertKit allows you to create email sequences and visually design automations based on workflows. When users trigger specific events, such as subscribing to a form or making a purchase, you have the flexibility to tailor your communications by incorporating actions like adding tags or subscribing them to sequences. |
Landing page builder: 3.5/5 | The landing page editor in ConvertKit offers modern templates, and you're free to create as many as you need. However, when it comes to modifying the design, the options are limited, and the usability might not match up to the standards set by platforms like GetResponse or MailerLite. A positive aspect is that you have the flexibility to use your domain, even with the free forever plan. |
- You can easily create marketing campaigns
- Best for email software online creators
- There is a paid newsletter feature available
- Only basic analytics in the reports feature
ConvertKit review summary
ConvertKit stands out in several aspects that contribute to its appeal. The support is noteworthy for being quick, friendly, and effective – a positive experience for users. The tagging system for managing subscribers offers great flexibility, especially for bloggers and digital marketers looking to target communications precisely. This flexibility is why ConvertKit is considered a viable alternative to platforms like Mailchimp.
The landing page editor is another plus, enabling you to gather subscribers even without a website, making it particularly useful for social media campaigns. A standout feature are ConvertKit eCommerce tools, allowing you to sell digital products and subscriptions directly through the platform. This is a unique offering not commonly found in other email marketing tools.
However, it’s important to highlight that ConvertKit truly shines with its paid options, and this can lead to a relatively higher cost. Before committing, it’s advisable to explore alternatives to ConvertKit, as there may be other platforms that better suit your needs and budget.
Frequently asked questions
How to create a ConvertKit account?
Creating an ConvertKit account is quick and easy:
Go to ConvertKit’s website.
Click on “Sign Up for Free.“
Fill in your details and choose a plan.
Set up your first email list.
Confirm your email through the verification link.
Log in to your new account and follow the setup wizard.
Congratulations! Your ConvertKit account is now ready. 🥳
Does ConvertKit offer a free plan?
Yes! If you have fewer than 1,000 email subscribers and don’t require the features provided in the Creator or Creator Pro plans, you can stick with ConvertKit’s free plan for as long as you need. It’s a great option to get started without any immediate cost.
What are the user reviews of ConvertKit?
Most user reviews of ConvertKit are very positive. Users often compliment the platform for its user-friendly interface, robust automation features and excellent customer service. ConvertKit is widely praised by content creators, bloggers and digital marketers for its effectiveness in developing and engaging audiences through email marketing.
How many people use ConvertKit?
More than 629,703 creators use ConvertKit, sending as many as 2.5 billion emails each month. That’s a significant number of users using the platform for their email marketing needs.
Who should use ConvertKit?
ConvertKit is perfect for bloggers, video content creators, podcasters, freelancers, e-commerce store owners and digital product developers. It is a versatile platform that caters to the needs of those who want to grow and engage their audience through effective email marketing.
Is ConvertKit a legit software?
Yes, ConvertKit is a legitimate email service provider designed for small businesses and creatives. It provides a secure platform to store customer data and effectively manage subscribers, ensuring a reliable and trustworthy environment for sending out email campaigns.
Does ConvertKit have a mobile app?
No, ConvertKit currently does not have a mobile app available.
How much does ConvertKit cost?
ConvertKit offers a free forever plan for new creators with up to 1,000 subscribers. The Creator plan, starting at $15/month, adds automation features. For established creators seeking advanced tools, the Creator Pro plan, at $29/month, includes additional features like Facebook custom audiences and advanced analytics. Each plan caters to different needs and budgets.
Is ConvertKit better than Mailchimp?
In the clash between ConvertKit and Mailchimp, declaring a clear winner is no easy task. ConvertKit offers multi-step automation, advanced segmentation and a responsive support team. Mailchimp, however, offers a template library and a great email designer, which sets it apart from ConvertKit. Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Is ConvertKit deliverability good?
ConvertKit deliverability is consistently impressive, ranking among the top 3 email marketing providers. This means that, based on our evaluations, ConvertKit reliably ensures that your emails effectively reach their intended recipients.
Can I create a landing page in ConvertKit?
Yes, you can create landing pages in ConvertKit. The platform provides a landing page editor that allows you to design and customize landing pages to capture and convert leads effectively.
Does AWeber offer phone support?
Yes, AWeber offers a phone support team, ensuring users can easily reach out for assistance with any questions or concerns they may have.
ConvertKit alternatives
Looking for a different platform to send newsletters?
Here are the best ConvertKit alternatives:
GetResponse
GetResponse is a versatile email platform known for its user-friendly interface and a wide range of features. It offers advanced automation tools, responsive email designs, and a landing page builder. With functionalities like webinar hosting, it caters to both beginners and more advanced users.
- GetResponse pricing is very well tailored
- Advanced email automation available
- Unlimited landing pages in cheapest plan
- Great drag-and-drop email and page editor
MailerLite
MailerLite is a budget-friendly email marketing service with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. It provides features such as drag-and-drop email builders, landing pages, and automation workflows. MailerLite is particularly popular for its affordability and suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.
- Unbelievably intuitive drag and drop editor
- Excellent 30-day trial with premium features
- Many ready-made email automations
- Customer support answers very quickly
AWeber
AWeber is a well-established newsletter platform with a reputation for reliability. It offers a range of templates, autoresponder capabilities, and integrations. AWeber is often chosen by small businesses and entrepreneurs for its straightforward approach and customer support.
- E-commerce tracking information in available
- Portfolio of over 600 ready-made templates
- AI-powered writing assistant to create emails
- Canva integration in drag and drop email editor
Rating
4.0
