Why Small Business Owners Should Use Newsletters (and the Top 10 Affordable Platforms)

In today’s digital world, newsletters remain one of the most effective tools for small business owners to engage with customers, build brand loyalty, and boost sales. Unlike fleeting social media posts, newsletters land directly in your audience’s inbox, creating a personal and lasting connection. Best of all, starting a newsletter can be budget-friendly, making it an excellent choice for small businesses with limited resources.

Here’s why you should use newsletters and a list of the top 10 affordable or free platforms to get started.

Why Small Business Owners Should Use Newsletters

Direct Communication

Newsletters allow you to speak directly to your audience without worrying about social media algorithms. You control the message and its delivery.

Builds Relationships

Personalized newsletters can help build trust and establish your business as a valuable resource. Share insights, updates, and promotions to keep your audience engaged.

Boosts Sales

Email marketing has a high ROI (return on investment). With strategic campaigns, you can promote products or services, upsell to existing customers, and re-engage dormant ones.

Drives Traffic

Include links to your website, blog, or social media platforms in your newsletters to drive more traffic and increase engagement across all channels.

Affordable and Scalable

Newsletter tools are often free or low-cost, making them accessible to small business owners. Plus, as your audience grows, you can scale your campaigns accordingly.

Top 10 Affordable or Free Newsletter Platforms

Mailchimp

Cost: Free plan available (up to 500 subscribers)

Why It’s Great: Mailchimp is user-friendly and offers templates, analytics, and automation even in its free plan. Perfect for beginners and small businesses.

MailerLite

Cost: Free plan available (up to 1,000 subscribers)

Why It’s Great: This platform offers drag-and-drop email design, automation, and excellent customer support. It’s simple and effective for small business needs.

Substack

Cost: Free to use (they take a percentage of paid subscriptions)

Why It’s Great: Substack is ideal for content-heavy businesses. You can monetize your newsletters by offering subscriptions directly on the platform.

HubSpot Email Marketing

Cost: Free plan available (up to 2,000 emails per month)

Why It’s Great: HubSpot integrates with its CRM tools, making it perfect for businesses focused on managing customer relationships.

Benchmark Email

Cost: Free plan available (up to 500 contacts)

Why It’s Great: Benchmark Email offers a clean interface, responsive templates, and basic automation features in its free plan.

ConvertKit

Cost: Free plan available (up to 300 subscribers)

Why It’s Great: Designed for creators, ConvertKit simplifies email campaigns with easy-to-use tools and landing pages to capture leads.

Omnisend

Cost: Free plan available (up to 250 contacts)

Why It’s Great: Omnisend is tailored for eCommerce businesses, offering features like product recommendations and cart recovery emails.

Sender

Cost: Free plan available (up to 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails per month)

Why It’s Great: Sender provides advanced analytics and an intuitive email builder, making it a great choice for small businesses on a budget.

Moosend

Cost: Free plan available (up to 1,000 subscribers)

Why It’s Great: Moosend is known for its easy automation workflows, customizable templates, and affordable premium plans.

Constant Contact

Cost: Free trial (then plans start at $9.99/month)

Why It’s Great: Constant Contact is robust, offering features like surveys, event invitations, and eCommerce integrations.

How to Make Your Newsletter Stand Out

Focus on Value: Provide content that’s helpful, entertaining, or informative. Avoid overly promotional messaging.

Use Eye-Catching Design: Choose professional templates that reflect your brand’s personality.

Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your newsletter looks great on smartphones, as most people check emails on mobile devices.

Include a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Guide readers to the next step, whether it’s visiting your website, checking out a new product, or replying to your email.

Newsletters are a cost-effective way for small businesses to connect with their audience, build loyalty, and drive sales. With affordable platforms like Mailchimp, MailerLite, and Substack, you can start growing your email list without breaking the bank. By crafting engaging and valuable content, your newsletter can become a key driver of your business success.