Top Automational Alternatives for Small Business CRM and Marketing Automation
Automational is a robust Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software designed specifically for small businesses, offering a comprehensive suite of tools like marketing automation, email marketing with a drag-and-drop editor, web visitor tracking, and prospect scoring. While Automational provides valuable features such as social discovery and integrations with Gmail and Outlook, businesses often seek alternatives for various reasons, including different pricing models, specific feature requirements, or platform compatibility. This article explores the best Automational alternatives to help you find the perfect fit for your business needs.
Best Automational Alternatives
Whether you're looking for more advanced marketing automation, a simpler email marketing solution, or a different pricing structure, there are many excellent platforms that offer similar or expanded capabilities to Automational. Here are some of the top contenders.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is an all-in-one Marketing Platform that excels in helping small businesses market smarter and grow faster. It's a fantastic Automational alternative, offering a Freemium model with plans that scale, and is available across Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad, and even Apple Watch. Its key features include email automation, a user-friendly email template editor, strong email deliverability, IFTTT integration, marketing automation, newsletter capabilities, and advanced targeting user segments.
SendPulse
SendPulse focuses on maximizing email marketing's core metric: newsletter open rates. As a Freemium platform available on Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad, it leverages Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to automatically optimize campaigns. Beyond email, SendPulse also offers push notifications and SMS messaging, making it a versatile Automational alternative for multi-channel communication.
Shiftmail
Shiftmail is a Commercial, Web-based Cloud Email Analytics software designed specifically for deep dive email engagement analysis. It's a strong Automational alternative for businesses prioritizing understanding and improving their email performance. Features include email automation, robust email tracking, and IP geolocation, helping users stop getting binned and start connecting effectively.
1and1Mail
1and1Mail is a Freemium email marketing software specifically for Windows, designed for small and medium businesses to send mass email campaigns, manage contacts, and design newsletters. As an Automational alternative, its primary feature is efficient mass-emailing, providing a free desktop-based solution for fundamental email marketing needs.
Campaign Monitor
Campaign Monitor is a Commercial, Web-based platform also available on iPad, providing everything designers need to run successful email marketing campaigns for themselves and their clients. It stands out as an Automational alternative for its robust newsletter capabilities and the option to rebrand the interface, making it ideal for agencies or businesses that manage multiple client accounts.
ListShine
ListShine is an easy-to-use and affordable Freemium email marketing service available on the Web, focusing on simplicity and core features. It's a great Automational alternative for businesses looking for essential email marketing tools without unnecessary complexities. Key features include reliable email deliverability, email automation, a built-in editor, detailed delivery reports, email analytics, social media integration, and white-labeled options.
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is a Commercial, Web-based platform that combines all aspects of email marketing into a single, easy-to-use system. As a comprehensive Automational alternative, it allows users to seamlessly create beautiful and engaging emails. Its features include autoresponders, a robust CRM, email tracking, powerful marketing automation, and newsletter capabilities, making it an excellent choice for businesses seeking an integrated solution.
Mailforge
Mailforge is a Freemium, Web-based email marketing platform designed for sending professional-looking newsletters and growing leads through advanced website popups. It serves as a strong Automational alternative, offering features like customer segmentation, a drag-and-drop editor, email tracking, lead generation tools, multiple language support, and newsletter capabilities, ideal for businesses focused on lead nurturing.
STAR Desktop Mailings
STAR Desktop Mailings is a Freemium, desktop-based secure mass mailing and email marketing tool available for Mac and Windows. Unlike many cloud-based Automational alternatives, it runs directly on your computer using your own business's email account, eliminating monthly subscriptions. Its primary features include efficient list management and newsletter creation.
SendQuik
Sendquik.com is a comprehensive Freemium platform (with paid tiers) offering email marketing, ads, landing pages, and CRM tools to effortlessly grow your business. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad, and as Software as a Service (SaaS), SendQuik is a versatile Automational alternative with strong email automation capabilities, perfect for businesses seeking an all-in-one growth suite.
Choosing the right CRM and marketing automation software is crucial for small business success. While Automational offers a solid set of features, exploring these alternatives can help you discover a platform that aligns perfectly with your budget, specific feature demands, and preferred platform. Evaluate each option based on its unique strengths to find the best fit for your ongoing marketing and customer relationship management needs.