Mailchimp vs. Squarespace Email: The Essential Choice for Your Business
Choosing the right email marketing platform is crucial for small businesses. Mailchimp and Squarespace Email offer different strengths, and understanding these can help you make the best decision for your growth. Let’s break down which one fits your needs.
As a small business owner, you’re juggling a million things. One of the most important, yet often confusing, tasks is building your email list and sending out engaging campaigns. You’ve probably heard of Mailchimp, and if you have a Squarespace website, you might be wondering about their built-in email marketing. It’s easy to get lost in all the features and pricing plans. But don’t worry! This guide is here to simplify the decision for you. We’ll compare Mailchimp and Squarespace Email head-to-head, so you can confidently pick the tool that will help your business thrive.
Contents
- 1 What is Mailchimp?
- 2 What is Squarespace Email Marketing?
- 3 Key Differences at a Glance
- 4 Features Comparison
- 5 Pricing Comparison
- 6 Ease of Use & Customer Support
- 7 Pros & Cons of Mailchimp
- 8 Pros & Cons of Squarespace Email Marketing
- 9 User Reviews & Case Studies
- 10 Which One Should You Choose?
- 11 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 12 Conclusion: Making Your Essential Choice
What is Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is one of the most recognized names in email marketing. It started as a simple email service provider but has grown into a comprehensive marketing platform. It’s known for its user-friendly interface, powerful automation features, and a wide range of integrations. Mailchimp is designed to help businesses of all sizes grow their audience, send targeted campaigns, and track their results.
What is Squarespace Email Marketing?
Squarespace Email Marketing is an integrated email marketing service offered by the popular website builder, Squarespace. If you already have a Squarespace website, it offers a convenient way to manage your email lists and send campaigns directly from your website dashboard. It focuses on simple design, seamless integration with your website, and is built for users who want a straightforward solution without needing a separate platform.
Key Differences at a Glance
Here’s a quick look at how Mailchimp and Squarespace Email stack up:
- Mailchimp: A dedicated, feature-rich email marketing platform suitable for advanced strategies and diverse integrations.
- Squarespace Email Marketing: An integrated tool designed for Squarespace users, prioritizing simplicity and website synergy.
Features Comparison
Let’s dive into the core features to see which tool offers what you need.
| Feature | Mailchimp | Squarespace Email Marketing |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Generally user-friendly, though advanced features can have a learning curve. | Very beginner-friendly, especially for existing Squarespace users. |
| Email Campaign Creation | Drag-and-drop editor, pre-built templates, custom code options. Extensive customization. | Drag-and-drop editor, clean templates focused on design. Simpler customization. |
| Automation | Robust automation builder with many triggers (welcome series, abandoned cart, birthday emails, etc.). | Basic automation options, primarily for welcome emails and simple sequences. |
| Segmentation | Advanced segmentation based on behavior, demographics, purchase history, etc. | Basic segmentation, often tied to website sign-ups and groups. |
| A/B Testing | Available on paid plans for subject lines, content, and send times. | Limited or no A/B testing capabilities. |
| Landing Pages | Built-in landing page builder. | Integrates with Squarespace website pages; no separate landing page builder within the email tool itself. |
| Integrations | Vast library of integrations with e-commerce platforms, CRMs, social media, etc. | Primarily integrates with your Squarespace website and connected e-commerce features. Limited external integrations. |
| Analytics & Reporting | Detailed reports on opens, clicks, conversions, audience growth, etc. | Basic analytics on campaign performance, opens, and clicks. |
| E-commerce Specific Features | Strong e-commerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce) with advanced features like product recommendations and abandoned cart recovery. | Integrates with Squarespace’s e-commerce, offering basic abandoned cart emails if you use their store. |
Mailchimp shines with its depth of features. If you’re looking for advanced automation, granular segmentation, or a wide array of integrations, Mailchimp is the clear leader. Squarespace Email Marketing, on the other hand, is built for simplicity and to work seamlessly with your existing Squarespace site. It’s great for straightforward newsletters and basic customer communication.
Pricing Comparison
Both platforms offer free plans, but their paid tiers differ significantly.
| Plan Name | Mailchimp (Approximate Pricing) | Squarespace Email Marketing (Included with Squarespace Plans) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Up to 500 contacts, 1,000 sends/month, basic features, Mailchimp branding. | Included in Squarespace Personal Plan (up to 3 marketing emails/month, 500 contacts, limited features). Higher tiers offer more. |
| Entry-Level Paid Plan | Essentials: Starts around $13/month for 500 contacts, unlimited sends, more templates, basic automation, A/B testing. | Squarespace Business Plan (starts around $23/month, billed annually): Includes 3 marketing emails/month, 500 contacts, basic automation. Higher tiers (Commerce, Advanced Commerce) offer more emails and contacts. |
| Mid-Tier Paid Plan | Standard: Starts around $20/month for 500 contacts, advanced automation, better segmentation, more templates. | Squarespace Commerce Plan (starts around $27/month, billed annually): Includes 10 marketing emails/month, 1,500 contacts, more advanced features. |
| Advanced/E-commerce Focused | Premium: Starts around $300+/month for larger lists and advanced features. Offers robust e-commerce tools. | Squarespace Advanced Commerce Plan (starts around $49/month, billed annually): Includes unlimited marketing emails, 3,000 contacts, advanced e-commerce features. |
Mailchimp’s pricing can scale up quickly as your contact list grows, but its free plan is more generous for a larger number of contacts and sends compared to Squarespace’s lowest tier. Squarespace’s email marketing is bundled into its website plans. This can be cost-effective if you’re already paying for a Squarespace website, but if you only need email marketing, it might mean paying for website features you don’t use. For detailed and up-to-date pricing, check out Mailchimp’s pricing page and Squarespace’s pricing page.
Ease of Use & Customer Support
Mailchimp: Mailchimp is generally considered easy to use, especially for creating and sending basic newsletters. Its drag-and-drop email builder is intuitive. However, as you delve into advanced features like complex automations or custom segmentation, there can be a steeper learning curve. Mailchimp offers a knowledge base, email support, and chat support (availability depends on your plan). They also have a strong community forum.
Squarespace Email Marketing: This tool is designed with extreme ease of use in mind, especially for those already familiar with the Squarespace ecosystem. The interface is clean and straightforward. If you’re building your website on Squarespace, managing your email campaigns within the same dashboard feels natural. Customer support is integrated into Squarespace’s excellent 24/7 customer care, which typically includes email and chat support.
Pros & Cons of Mailchimp
👍 What Users Like
- Comprehensive feature set, including advanced automation and segmentation (G2).
- User-friendly interface for creating newsletters (Trustpilot).
- Wide range of integrations with other business tools (Capterra).
- Robust analytics to track campaign performance (Reddit).
- Generous free plan for beginners with a growing list (User feedback).
👎 Common Complaints
- Pricing can become expensive as your list grows (G2).
- Advanced features can have a learning curve for absolute beginners (Capterra).
- Customer support can be limited on lower-tier plans (Trustpilot).
- Some users find the interface cluttered with too many options (Reddit).
Pros & Cons of Squarespace Email Marketing
👍 What Users Like
- Seamless integration with Squarespace websites, a huge plus for users (Squarespace Community).
- Very easy to use and get started quickly (User feedback).
- Clean, modern templates that match website aesthetics (Squarespace Community).
- Included in website plans, offering good value if you already use Squarespace (User feedback).
- Basic automation for welcome emails is helpful for new subscribers (Capterra).
👎 Common Complaints
- Limited features compared to dedicated email marketing platforms (G2).
- Less advanced automation and segmentation options (Capterra).
- Fewer integrations with third-party tools outside the Squarespace ecosystem (User feedback).
- The free/lower-tier plans have very restricted email sending limits (Squarespace Community).
- May not be sufficient for businesses with complex email marketing needs (Trustpilot).
User Reviews & Case Studies
Real user experiences offer valuable insights:
“Mailchimp’s automation features are a lifesaver. I set up a welcome series that converts new subscribers automatically, saving me so much time. The analytics are also incredibly detailed.”
— Small Business Owner, G2
“As a Squarespace user, their email marketing is incredibly convenient. I can create and send newsletters directly from my site dashboard, and the templates look great. It’s perfect for my needs.”
— Freelancer, Trustpilot
“I found Mailchimp a bit overwhelming at first with all the options, but once I got the hang of it, it’s a powerful tool. The deliverability is also very good.”
— E-commerce Store Owner, Capterra
“Squarespace Email Marketing is good for simple announcements, but I wish it had more advanced segmentation. I’m considering a separate platform for more targeted campaigns.”
— Blogger, Reddit
Case Study: Local Bakery Boosts Sales with Mailchimp Automation
A small bakery used Mailchimp to send weekly promotions and special offers. By implementing an abandoned cart automation for their online store, they recovered an average of 15% of lost sales. They also used segmentation to send personalized birthday discounts, increasing repeat customer purchases by 20%.
— Based on common Mailchimp use cases for small businesses.
Case Study: Artist Uses Squarespace Email Marketing for Website Updates
An independent artist uses their Squarespace website to showcase their work and also utilizes the integrated Email Marketing feature. They send monthly newsletters announcing new art pieces, upcoming exhibitions, and blog updates directly to their subscriber list. The seamless integration and ease of use mean they spend less time on marketing logistics and more time creating art.
— Based on common Squarespace Email Marketing use cases.
Which One Should You Choose?
The best choice between Mailchimp and Squarespace Email Marketing depends entirely on your business goals, existing setup, and technical comfort level.
Choose Mailchimp if:
- You need robust email marketing features like advanced automation, complex segmentation, and A/B testing.
- You want to integrate your email marketing with a wide variety of other business tools and platforms (beyond just your website).
- You plan to grow your email list significantly and require scalable features.
- You are serious about e-commerce and need advanced tools like product recommendations or sophisticated abandoned cart recovery.
- You don’t mind using a separate platform for your email marketing, even if you have a Squarespace website.
Choose Squarespace Email Marketing if:
- You already have a Squarespace website and want a simple, integrated solution.
- Your primary need is to send basic newsletters, announcements, and simple updates to your audience.
- Ease of use and a straightforward interface are your top priorities.
- You don’t require complex automation or advanced segmentation.
- You’re on a tight budget and can leverage the email marketing included in your Squarespace plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Mailchimp free?
Mailchimp offers a free plan that allows up to 500 contacts and 1,000 email sends per month, with basic features and Mailchimp branding. Paid plans are required for more contacts, advanced features, and to remove branding.
Does Squarespace Email Marketing support automation?
Yes, Squarespace Email Marketing supports basic automation, primarily for welcome emails and simple sequences. It does not offer the advanced, highly customizable automation workflows found in dedicated platforms like Mailchimp.
Which is better for small businesses?
For small businesses prioritizing simplicity and integration with their website, Squarespace Email Marketing is a good starting point. For small businesses looking to scale, leverage advanced marketing tactics, and integrate with a broader tech stack, Mailchimp is often the better choice.
Can I switch from Mailchimp to Squarespace Email Marketing?
Yes, you can export your contact list from Mailchimp and import it into Squarespace Email Marketing. However, you’ll be moving from a more feature-rich platform to a simpler one, so consider if Squarespace’s feature set meets your needs.
Is Squarespace Email Marketing worth it for Shopify stores?
If you have a Shopify store, Mailchimp generally offers much better e-commerce integrations and automation features specifically designed for online stores, such as advanced abandoned cart recovery and product recommendations. Squarespace Email Marketing is best suited for those with a Squarespace-hosted store.
What are the main differences in email design between Mailchimp and Squarespace?
Mailchimp offers a wider range of design flexibility, with more templates and advanced customization options. Squarespace Email Marketing provides cleaner, more modern templates that are easier to use but offer less granular control, aiming to match your Squarespace website’s aesthetic.
Conclusion: Making Your Essential Choice
In the battle of Mailchimp vs. Squarespace Email, there’s no single “winner.” The best platform for you hinges on your specific business needs and priorities. Mailchimp is a powerhouse for those who need robust features, advanced automation, and extensive integrations to drive sophisticated marketing campaigns. It’s a dedicated tool built for growth across various channels.
Squarespace Email Marketing, on the other hand, is a fantastic, user-friendly option for those who want a simple, integrated email solution that works seamlessly with their Squarespace website. It’s ideal for businesses focused on straightforward communication and those who value ease of use above all.
Here’s a final recommendation framework:
- Choose Mailchimp if: You need advanced automation, detailed segmentation, broad integrations, and are willing to invest time in learning its capabilities for potentially higher ROI.
- Choose Squarespace Email Marketing if: You are already a Squarespace user, prioritize simplicity, have basic email marketing needs, and want an all-in-one solution without extra costs or complexity.
The best way to decide? Take advantage of free plans and trials! Explore both platforms, send a test campaign, and see which one feels like the right fit for your business. Happy emailing!