What is Mailchimp and Why Do Businesses Use It?
Mailchimp is an online platform that helps businesses send marketing emails. It lets you create beautiful emails. You can also send them to a large list of people. Many businesses in the UK use Mailchimp. This is because it is easy to use. It helps them stay in touch with customers. They can also tell people about new products. Mailchimp also offers tools for building websites and landing pages. This makes it a complete marketing toolkit.
Sending emails helps businesses grow. They can tell their customers about sales. They can share important news. Mailchimp makes this process simple. It also helps businesses understand how their emails are doing. This means they can make their messages even better. Thus, it is a valuable tool for many.
How Mailchimp Counts Your Contacts
It is very important to understand how Mailchimp counts your contacts. Mailchimp charges you based on the number of contacts you have. This includes people who have subscribed. It also includes people who have unsubscribed. Even archived contacts count towards your total. This can be different from other email tools. Therefore, you need to keep your contact list clean. Removing old or inactive contacts can save you money. Always check your contact count regularly. This will help you manage your costs effectively.
If your list grows, your price may go up. This is a key thing to remember. Mailchimp wants you to pay for all contacts. So, watch your list size carefully.
Mailchimp's Different Pricing Plans
Mailchimp offers a few different pricing plans. Each plan is made for different kinds of businesses. They have a free plan for beginners. There are also paid plans for growing and large businesses. The cost changes based on how many contacts you have. It also changes based on the features you need. Understanding these plans is important. It helps you pick the right one.
Let's look at each plan in detail. We will see what features come with them. This will help you decide which is best for your UK business.
The Free Plan: A Great Starting Point
Mailchimp has a Free plan. This plan is good for new businesses. It is also good for those with small lists. You can have up to 500 contacts. You can send up to 1,000 emails per month. There is a daily sending limit of 500 emails. This plan gives you basic tools. You can create emails and landing pages. You can also use basic reporting. However, some advanced features are not included. The Mailchimp logo will also appear on your emails. This plan is a good way to start. You can try Mailchimp without paying.
Image 1: A simple graphic illustrating Mailchimp's Free Plan limits (e.g., a small cloud with "500 Contacts" and an email icon with "1,000 Emails/Month" below it).
You get one audience with this plan. Only one user can access the account. You get a limited choice of email templates. Basic reports help you see how campaigns perform. This plan is good for learning the ropes. It is a stepping stone to more advanced options.
Essentials Plan: More Features for Growing Businesses
The Essentials plan is the first paid option. It is great for businesses that send emails often. This plan starts with 500 contacts. The price goes up as your contacts increase. You can have up to 50,000 contacts on this plan. Your monthly email send limit is ten times your contact count. For example, with 500 contacts, you can send 5,000 emails.
With Essentials, Mailchimp branding is removed. You get access to all Mailchimp email templates. You also get A/B testing. This helps you find what works best. You receive 24/7 email and chat support. This plan provides more power. It helps small businesses grow their email marketing.
This plan offers three audiences. Three users can access the account. You get single email automations. Automation flows can have up to four steps. Scheduled emails are also available. The SMS Marketing add-on is also offered.
Standard Plan: Advanced Tools for Accelerating Growth
The Standard plan is for businesses growing quickly. It offers more powerful tools. The base price starts with 500 contacts. Just like Essentials, the cost increases with more contacts. You can have up to 100,000 contacts. Your monthly email send limit is twelve times your contact count. This means more emails can be sent.
With Standard, you get expanded automation flows. You also get advanced segmentation. This helps you target messages better. Custom-coded email templates are included. Multivariate testing is also available. This plan provides deeper insights. It helps you make smarter marketing decisions.
You can have five audiences. Five users can access the account. Personalized onboarding is also available. This helps you get started quickly. You receive 24/7 email and chat support. The Standard plan is a strong choice. It supports rapid business expansion.
Image 2: A graphic showing a growth curve with different db to data Mailchimp plan names (Free, Essentials, Standard, Premium) at various points on the curve, suggesting progression.
Premium Plan: For Large Businesses and Enterprises
The Premium plan is for very large businesses. It is also for businesses with big audiences. The base price includes 10,000 contacts. The price increases with more contacts. You can have up to contacts. If you need more, custom plans are available. The monthly email send limit is fifteen times your contact count. This allows for very high volume sending.
Premium offers dedicated onboarding services. You get priority phone support. This means faster help when you need it. Migration services are also included. This plan provides the most comprehensive features. It is designed for complex marketing needs.
You get unlimited audiences. Unlimited users can access the account. Extended personalized onboarding is provided. This ensures full support. You also get advanced reporting. This gives you deep insights into your marketing. The Premium plan is Mailchimp's top-tier offering.
Pay As You Go Plan: Flexible Sending
Mailchimp also offers a Pay As You Go option. This plan is good for businesses that send emails sometimes. It is also good for seasonal businesses. You buy email credits. Each email sent costs one credit. For example, sending an email to 100 people uses 100 credits. Credits do not expire. This means you can use them whenever you like.
This plan offers flexibility. You only pay for what you use. It is a good choice for testing campaigns. It is also good for irregular sending. If you send emails rarely, this could save you money. However, if you send often, a monthly plan might be cheaper. Check your sending frequency. Then decide if Pay As You Go suits your needs.
This plan can be useful for small, project-based campaigns. It avoids recurring monthly costs. This makes it a good option for specific tasks. It also helps you manage your budget easily.
Key Factors Affecting Your Mailchimp UK Price
Mailchimp pricing in the UK depends on a few main things. Understanding these factors helps you predict your costs. It also helps you choose the most cost-effective plan. Being aware of these points is very important for budgeting.
First, your number of contacts is crucial. Second, the features you need matter. Third, how often you send emails plays a role. Let's explore these in more detail.
Number of Contacts: The Biggest Factor
As mentioned earlier, Mailchimp charges based on your total contacts. This is the biggest factor in your price. More contacts mean a higher monthly fee. It's important to clean your list regularly. Remove inactive subscribers. Delete duplicate entries. This keeps your contact count low. A smaller list can lead to lower costs.
Mailchimp's pricing tiers are set by contact count. If you go over a certain number, you move to the next tier. This increases your bill. So, managing your contact list is key to managing your budget. Always monitor your audience size.
Desired Features: What Do You Need?
Different Mailchimp plans offer different features. The Free plan has basic tools. Paid plans unlock more powerful options. Do you need advanced automation? Do you require A/B testing? How about multivariate testing? Do you need phone support? These features come with higher-tier plans.
Consider what your business truly needs. Don't pay for features you won't use. Likewise, don't miss out on important tools. Carefully compare the features of each plan. Choose the one that matches your marketing goals. This ensures you get good value for your money.
Email Sending Volume: How Many Emails Do You Send?
Each plan has a monthly email send limit. This limit is based on your contact count. If you exceed this limit, you might pay extra fees. Or your sending could be paused. Make sure your plan's sending limit is enough for your needs.
High volume senders need higher-tier plans. Or they might consider the Pay As You Go option. Knowing your average monthly email sends is vital. This helps you select a plan that fits your usage. Plan your campaigns to stay within limits.
Understanding Mailchimp's Billing and Payments in the UK
Mailchimp generally charges in USD. However, for UK users, prices are often displayed as estimates in GBP. The exact amount charged depends on the exchange rate. This is at the time of payment processing. So, the price might vary slightly each month. Also, prices displayed usually exclude VAT. Applicable taxes will be added to your bill.
Mailchimp usually charges monthly. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime. Changes take effect immediately. If you downgrade, you might get a credit on your account. This credit can be used for future payments. Understanding these billing details helps avoid surprises.
Upgrading and Downgrading Plans
You can change your Mailchimp plan easily. If your business grows, you can upgrade. You will get more contacts and features. If your needs change, you can downgrade. This can help save money. Mailchimp makes it simple to switch. Just go to your billing settings. Then select the new plan you want.
Any changes to your plan are usually applied right away. If you move to a higher plan, you gain access to new features immediately. If you move to a lower plan, some features might become unavailable. Mailchimp will tell you what happens. They aim to make the process smooth for users.
Taxes and Exchange Rates
For UK customers, remember that Mailchimp's base prices are often in US Dollars. The Pound Sterling equivalent shown is an estimate. The final charge will depend on the live exchange rate. This can change daily. Also, VAT (Value Added Tax) will be added. This is a common tax in the UK. So, the total amount you pay will be slightly higher than the listed price. Always factor in VAT when budgeting. This ensures you have a clear picture of the true cost.
Being aware of currency fluctuations is important. It helps you anticipate potential small changes in your monthly bill. Plan your budget with these elements in mind. This way, you can avoid any unexpected financial surprises.
Mailchimp Alternatives and Their UK Pricing
While Mailchimp is popular, other email marketing tools exist. It's wise to compare prices and features. Some alternatives might offer better value for your specific needs. Especially for UK businesses, looking at local providers can sometimes be beneficial. They might offer UK-based support or different pricing models.
Some popular alternatives include Sendinblue (now Brevo), MailerLite, and Constant Contact. Each has its own pricing structure. They also have different strengths. For example, some might charge based on emails sent, not contacts. Others might have more generous free plans.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
Brevo is a strong Mailchimp alternative. Its pricing often depends on the number of emails you send. Not just on your contact list size. This can be cost-effective for businesses with large lists but low sending frequency. Brevo also offers SMS marketing and chat features. Their free plan is quite generous. It allows up temails per month with unlimited contacts. Paid plans start at a competitive rate.
Brevo's pricing can be simpler to understand. They offer different packages with clear email limits. This makes it easier to predict your monthly costs. Many UK businesses find Brevo a good choice. It provides a wide range of marketing tools.
MailerLite
MailerLite is another good option. It is known for being user-friendly. Their free plan allows up to 1,000 subscribers. You can send up to 12,000 emails per month. Paid plans start from a low price point. They are often more affordable than Mailchimp for similar contact numbers. MailerLite also offers website builder tools. It has good automation features too.
MailerLite's pricing is straightforward. It is based on the number of subscribers. This makes it easy to calculate your costs. Many small businesses in the UK choose MailerLite. They appreciate its simplicity and value.
Constant Contact
Constant Contact is a well-established email marketing service. It offers a free trial. Their pricing is based on your contact list size. Similar to Mailchimp. They provide good customer support. They also have strong event marketing tools. This can be useful for certain businesses.
Constant Contact's pricing can sometimes be higher. However, it comes with good features. It is a reliable choice for many. Compare its offerings carefully. See if it fits your budget and needs.
Making the Best Mailchimp Pricing Choice for Your UK Business
Choosing the right Mailchimp plan is important. It affects your budget. It also affects your marketing efforts. First, think about your current business size. Consider your contact list. How many emails do you plan to send? Next, think about your future growth. Will your list get much bigger?
Evaluate the features carefully. Do you need advanced automation? Is A/B testing crucial? Do you require phone support? Don't pay for features you won't use. Conversely, make sure you get what you need.
Finally, compare Mailchimp with other services. Look at their pricing models. Consider their features and support. By doing this, you can make an informed decision. You will find the best email marketing solution. This will help your UK business succeed.
Remember to review your plan regularly. As your business changes, so might your needs. Adjust your Mailchimp plan as required. This ensures you always have the most suitable and cost-effective solution.