Why I Left MailChimp for Flodesk to Host My Email List + Flodesk’s New Features

In today’s fast-paced digital world, email marketing remains a vital tool for businesses of all sizes. With countless platforms available, Flodesk has quickly made a name for itself as a go-to solution for entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners who want an intuitive, aesthetically driven platform.

But beyond its sleek design and user-friendly interface, Flodesk’s recent feature updates have turned it into a powerful all-in-one tool for email marketing, lead generation, and e-commerce. Let’s dive into why I left Mailchimp for Flodesk and their latest game-changing features that can take your business to the next level.

>> Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk here!

Why Choose Flodesk?

One of the biggest challenges for businesses, especially those just starting out, is managing costs as they scale. Many email marketing platforms lure users in with free or low-cost plans, but these often come with restrictions on the number of subscribers or emails sent. As your list grows, these platforms can become prohibitively expensive. This is where Flodesk truly shines, offering flat-rate pricing that doesn’t increase as your subscriber base grows—whether you have 200 subscribers or 200,000, your price stays the same.

Most platforms start with a free or low-cost option, but those often come with strict limitations on features or the number of emails you can send per month. For instance, platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or ActiveCampaign offer free tiers, but their pricing escalates sharply once you hit a subscriber threshold. As you build a strong email list with a solid lead magnet, this can quickly get expensive. For example, Mailchimp’s free plan covers up to 500 subscribers, but once you surpass that, the price increases based on the size of your list, sometimes reaching hundreds of dollars per month for larger lists.

Flodesk offers a single flat-rate pricing model at $38 per month, regardless of how many subscribers you have. What’s more, they offer 50% off the first year for new users, making it an incredible deal for growing businesses.

This means that whether your list is just getting started with 200 subscribers or scaling to 200,000 subscribers, you’ll still pay the same rate.

This pricing predictability allows businesses to plan their budgets without worrying about escalating costs as their email list grows. For businesses with a solid lead magnet that attracts thousands of subscribers, this flat-rate model can save a significant amount of money in the long run, compared to other platforms that charge per subscriber tier.

For entrepreneurs, small businesses, and creatives who are focused on growth, Flodesk’s pricing structure is not only affordable but also scalable, providing peace of mind that their email marketing expenses won’t skyrocket as they expand.

Flodesk’s combination of unlimited emails, visually stunning templates, and a pricing structure that doesn’t penalize growth makes it one of the best choices for businesses that want to scale without breaking the bank.

Flodesk’s platform is known for its easy-to-use automation workflows and beautiful, on-brand email templates that don’t require any design expertise. Whether you’re running an e-commerce store or promoting digital services, Flodesk offers a seamless experience for both beginners and experienced marketers alike.

Why Flodesk Is a Better Option Than Mailchimp

When comparing email marketing platforms, Flodesk stands out as a strong alternative to Mailchimp for several reasons, particularly for businesses focused on aesthetics, pricing stability, and ease of use.

1. Flat-Rate Pricing vs. Tiered Pricing

One of the most significant differences between Flodesk and Mailchimp is their pricing models. Mailchimp operates on a tiered pricing system, meaning that as your subscriber list grows, so do your monthly fees. For instance, while Mailchimp offers a free plan for small lists, it can become expensive quickly as you scale, especially when you need more advanced features.

In contrast, Flodesk’s flat-rate pricing ensures you pay the same amount whether you have 200 subscribers or 200,000. For $38 per month, you get access to unlimited emails and subscribers, allowing you to grow without worrying about increased costs. Flodesk also offers 50% off the first year, making it an even more affordable option.

2. Beautiful, User-Friendly Design

Flodesk has a clear edge when it comes to design. It offers beautiful, customizable email templates that are geared toward users who want visually appealing emails without having to hire a designer. The interface is sleek, intuitive, and designed with creatives in mind. This simplicity in design extends to Flodesk’s forms and automations as well.

Mailchimp, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive platform but can often feel overwhelming with its array of features and a more cluttered interface. Users report that it takes more time to design emails in Mailchimp and may require a steeper learning curve.

3. Simpler Automations

While both platforms offer automation capabilities, Flodesk makes it easier for users to set up simple workflows, like welcome sequences or product follow-ups, without the complexity often found in Mailchimp. Flodesk’s automation is built for ease of use, offering customizable workflows that allow you to engage with your audience seamlessly.

Mailchimp provides more advanced automation options, but these can often be more complicated to set up and typically come at a higher price point as your needs grow. For users who need streamlined, effective automations without added cost, Flodesk is the clear winner.

4. No Hidden Costs

One of the challenges with Mailchimp’s pricing is that as you grow your subscriber list or need additional features like multivariate testing or more detailed reporting, the cost escalates quickly. Flodesk keeps things simple—the flat-rate pricing means you know exactly what you’re paying each month, no matter how many features or subscribers you add.

5. Ideal for Creatives and Small Businesses

Flodesk is particularly well-suited for creatives, small businesses, and entrepreneurs who value a platform that’s easy to use and creates stunning emails. The platform focuses on simplifying design and workflow, allowing users to concentrate on engaging their audience. While Mailchimp offers more integrations and features tailored to larger businesses with more complex needs, Flodesk’s streamlined approach makes it a perfect choice for users who want powerful email marketing without the fuss.

While both Mailchimp and Flodesk are robust platforms, Flodesk offers more affordable and aesthetically focused options for those who prioritize simplicity, beautiful design, and cost stability. If you’re looking to grow your list without increasing costs or complexity, Flodesk’s flat-rate pricing, intuitive design, and ease of use make it a superior choice over Mailchimp for many businesses, especially creatives and entrepreneurs.

Link Actions: Boosting Engagement and Personalization

Flodesk’s Link Actions feature is a powerful tool that allows you to personalize and automate your email marketing campaigns with a few clicks. By using Link Actions, you can trigger various automated processes based on how your subscribers interact with the links in your emails, providing a seamless and tailored experience. Here are a couple of examples showing how you can leverage Link Actions to boost engagement and create a personalized journey for your audience:

1. One-Click Webinar Registration

If you’re hosting a webinar and want to streamline the registration process for your email subscribers, Link Actions can be used to create a one-click registration experience. Instead of having subscribers go through a lengthy sign-up process, they can simply click a link within your email that:

Automatically adds them to a segment tagged as “Webinar Attendees.”
Triggers an automated workflow that sends a “You’re registered!” confirmation email, complete with the webinar details.
Redirects them to a custom “You’re Registered” landing page, where they can get more information or add the event to their calendar.

This removes friction in the sign-up process and increases the likelihood that more people will register for your event.

2. Segmenting Subscribers Based on Preferences

Another powerful use of Link Actions is for content segmentation and subscriber preferences. Let’s say you send out a promotional email for a new product launch, but not all your subscribers may be interested in hearing more about this particular offer. To keep your list healthy and engaged without losing subscribers, you could include a link that:

Removes the subscriber from the “Product Launch” segment if they click the link indicating they don’t want to receive further emails about that specific promotion.
Adds them to a “Weekly Newsletter” segment, ensuring they continue to receive your regular content without opting out entirely.

This way, you’re respecting your subscribers’ preferences, reducing unsubscribes, and continuing to nurture the relationship with the content that’s relevant to them.

3. Content-Specific Segmentation

If you offer multiple services or products, Link Actions can help you segment your audience based on the type of content they engage with. For example, if your email contains links to different blog posts or product categories (e.g., DIY projects, social media tips, or budgeting advice), you can:

Segment subscribers based on the content they click on. For instance, if someone clicks on a link about social media strategies, you can add them to a “Social Media” segment, allowing you to send follow-up emails that align with their interest.
Trigger specific follow-up automations. If a subscriber clicks on a link for budgeting advice, they could be automatically enrolled in a nurturing sequence that provides them with more related resources, tips, and product offers.

By leveraging Link Actions in this way, you can send highly personalized content to your audience, boosting engagement and conversions.

Flodesk’s Link Actions feature is a gamechanger when it comes to audience engagement and email personalization. By tailoring your emails based on subscriber behavior, you can create a more meaningful connection with your audience, leading to better open rates, click-through rates, and overall conversions. Whether it’s streamlining webinar registrations or segmenting your audience based on their content preferences, the possibilities with Link Actions are endless.

My favorite tools in my business:

TubeBuddy: YouTube channel management tool for keyword research, video optimization, analytics, and competitor analysis. It helps me save time and grow my audience by optimizing content and gain insights into my channel’s performance.
ThriveCart: This is what I use to host my online courses and membership. One-time fee of roughly $495 for a lifetime license.
Flodesk: My email provider, get 50% off your first year, unlimited email subscribers at no increased price. It comes with email templates, lead, popup, & opt-in forms for collecting email and is very intuitive.
Honeybook: Platform for Virtual Assistants and Freelancing; templates for contracts, create and send invoices, scheduling, automations, and manage your clients all in one place!
Create an LLC for $39: Super easy to use service to create an LLC for your online business, walks you through the whole process, step-by-step.

Spinner Forms: Adding Fun to Subscriber Growth

One of the most exciting new additions is the Spinner Forms feature, which brings an element of fun and interactivity to lead generation. Instead of a standard pop-up, visitors to your site can spin a virtual wheel to receive a discount or special offer. Businesses can customize the wheel’s design, select rewards, and manage the form’s overall aesthetic to align with their branding

The real value here lies in engagement—users are more likely to opt-in when there’s a playful reward mechanism in place. The ability to control which reward is shown ensures a predictable outcome, while still offering the user a sense of excitement and anticipation.

Video Forms: Capturing Attention with Visual Content

Incorporating video into marketing campaigns has proven to boost engagement, and Flodesk’s Video Forms make this process easier than ever. This feature allows you to embed custom video content directly into your opt-in forms. Whether you’re explaining your product, offering a demonstration, or simply showcasing your brand, video forms create a more engaging and dynamic experience for potential subscribers.

These forms support YouTube and Vimeo links, and you can customize the video thumbnail, playback button, and form fields. Imagine having a customer watch a short video about your product while filling out their contact information—all in one seamless experience. It’s a perfect tool for coaches, consultants, or anyone who wants to add a personal touch to their lead generation.

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Mobile Form Builder: Create Forms Anytime, Anywhere

For business owners constantly on the go, Flodesk’s Mobile Form Builder is a game-changer. This feature allows you to create and edit forms, including full-page and “link in bio” forms, directly from your mobile device.

You can customize everything from colors and fonts to segment preferences, without needing to be tied to your desktop.

Whether you’re tweaking your forms during a break or launching a last-minute campaign, this flexibility means you can manage your lead generation efforts whenever inspiration strikes. For busy entrepreneurs, it’s an invaluable tool that helps you stay productive, no matter where you are.

Flodesk Checkout: Turning Subscribers Into Customers

One of Flodesk’s standout new features is Flodesk Checkout, an integrated solution that lets you sell digital products, services, or subscriptions directly from the platform. With this tool, you can create beautifully designed sales pages that convert leads into paying customers—all without the need for an external e-commerce solution.

Flodesk Checkout integrates seamlessly with Stripe for payment processing and offers upsell and down-sell options, allowing businesses to optimize their revenue streams. Plus, the checkout experience is customizable, ensuring that your brand’s visual identity remains consistent throughout the sales funnel.

For businesses looking to monetize their email list and create additional revenue streams, this feature makes Flodesk an all-in-one powerhouse.

Conclusion

Flodesk continues to push the envelope when it comes to email marketing, offering innovative features that help businesses of all sizes grow and engage their audience. From fun and interactive spinner forms to seamless e-commerce checkout experiences, these new tools provide everything you need to elevate your marketing strategy.

As Flodesk evolves, its combination of style, functionality, and affordability makes it a must-try platform for anyone serious about scaling their online business. If you’re looking to upgrade your email marketing game, these features make it easier than ever to connect with your audience and boost your bottom line.

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