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Need email marketing software? Our 33 page review pack can help you choose.
Launched recently, the Email Marketing Software Review Pack contains independent reviews of 19 leading web-based email marketing systems. Taking the perspective of a small to mid-sized business, the reviews are designed to give you the hard facts and opinions that you need to cut through the marketing spiel and reach an informed decision. Here’s what a couple of customers have to say so far:
“This report is awesome. It’s comprehensive and concise at the same time.” (Yoel, Paralert.com)
“Excellent service and analysis. We are actually searching for a eDM system and this report has now made that easy.” (David, Leadmaster.com.au)
One of the most popular elements of the Email Marketing Software Review Pack is the convenient feature matrix. Here we looked in detail at 39 key features that are critical for email marketing and identified which of the 19 products offer each feature. As one reader explained:
“I really like the matrix of product features because it is very easy to identify things that I know I need and confirm or not whether a package provides them. It also triggered some thoughts about features that I hadn’t considered and maybe I should.” (Yoel, Paralert.com)
Also in the report, you’ll find plenty of information on each email marketing system. We’ve given each product we reviewed a full page and ensured it is in a consistent format so you can easily flip between pages and compare products. Information on each product includes:
- Written review about what our independent reviewer liked and didn’t like
- Overall star rating
- Ratings on ten key dimensions, such as ‘ease of use’, ‘powerful reporting’, ‘grows with your business’, etc
- Pricing information (with actual prices cited for all products)
- Vendor contact details
Interestingly, we’re finding that software vendors are buying the report for competitive intelligence reasons. They aren’t our primary audience – we focus instead on SMBs looking to buy software – but it is encouraging that they see the value of an independent perspective on how they and their competitors compare.
To find out more about the review pack, or to buy yourself a copy, visit the Email Marketing Software Review Pack page on our website.
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Have you been given the task of finding, evaluating and recommending software for the small business where you work ?
It’s a great opportunity ahead of you but it also presents some risks and pitfalls that need watching. The search process itself can also be a big hidden cost. Here are a few things you should be aware of before you jump into the process…
Deciding on software for small business
- Owners or partners of a small business often delegate the software selection process to employees they see as more technically-savvy or more organised than most. Your job is to present a shortlist of recommended options, to help them make the final decision. Think of the task as a vote of confidence in you.
- Employees made responsible for software selection often feel overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. There are so many products available, and you may not have been through a process like this before. That’s normal.
- A sense of personal risk is often involved – this is a chance to prove yourself but conversely you don’t want to make a recommendation that backfires on you. You don’t want to be “that guy” who suggested buying the software everyone hates.
- Research shows that owners of a business choose software differently than managers. [ref 1] For instance, managers often think the price and popularity of a package are critical … but business owners rate those amongst the least important! Research suggests owners tend to be more strategic, considering more factors and weighing them differently than managers do when evaluating software.
What does this mean for you?
Firstly, it means you should take the task seriously because the owners of the business certainly will.
You should also look for ways to educate yourself about good software selection practices and involve outside experts or information sources if possible. Adhering to a solid process gives the owner confidence, and can help you manage the many stakeholders involved.
You should also discuss what the important factors are with your boss and other stakeholders, and ensure that you are transparent in how you arrived at your recommendations. This focuses the discussion on the evaluation process (not just the end outcome) and not only does it help you choose software more intelligently, it also protects you from any perceived personal risk.
How Software Shortlist can help
Software Shortlist provides a “shortlist + compare” tool that can help you recommend software for your business. It steps you through a more robust software evaluation process than small businesses typically use, but it is still simple and easy to use for non-IT experts.
Software Shortlist also gives you the flexibility to adjust the weighting of different factors (e.g. price, ease of use, scalability). So if your boss turns out to have a different view on priorities you can easily adjust your shortlist accordingly. Plus, we’ve screened out products that aren’t up to scratch and have conducted independent reviews on each software product included in the comparison service. User reviews are available too to give you an additional, external perspective.
Go find that software
I hope this post helps you understand a bit more about the challenge and opportunity ahead of you in choosing software for your small business.
Why not let us know how it goes, and share your thoughts or experiences below so others can benefit too?
[ref 1]: P.Y.K Chau “Factors use in the selection of packaged software in small businesses: Views of owners and managers,”Information & Management 29 (1995) 71-78
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Good news. We’re off to Silicon Valley to explore opportunities for Software Shortlist in the US market and to pitch the business to an audience of industry experts. It’s all part of the ANZA Gateway to the US Summit.
While we’re there, we are setting aside time to meet with executives from organisations interested in partnering with us.
There are still some slots available if you’d like to meet. We are seeking partners to help us reach a large number of small businesses. In return, we can offer a range of benefits, including useful content, discounted access to services, co-promotion opportunities, and more. Sound interesting? Let’s talk…
Our recent press release about the trip is below:
Software Shortlist will soon be exploring inroads to the US market through ANZA Technology Network’s Gateway to the US Summit.
Culminating in a 3 day event in Silicon Valley in early October, the ANZA Gateway to the US program helps connect innovative Australian companies with potential investors and business partners in the world’s largest market.
As its name suggests, Software Shortlist helps small businesses make better software choices by providing a shortlist of relevant options. Their online software comparison service dramatically reduces the time and money that businesses spend choosing software.
Software Shortlist co-founders Craig Westcott and Xavier Russo will both attend the event, which includes a five minute pitch and various networking sessions and business forums.
“Making a major impact in the US is a top priority for us. The US is home to many leading software companies and over 25 million small businesses,” said Craig Westcott.
While in Silicon Valley, the two founders have set aside time to meet with executives from organisations that are interested in partnering with Software Shortlist.
“We will be talking with organisations that reach large numbers of small businesses and want to help them boost productivity by applying the right software,” said Xavier Russo.
The Software Shortlist team will be in Silicon Valley from 3rd to 11th October. To arrange a meeting or to find out more, please email partners@softwareshortlist.com.
About Software Shortlist
Software Shortlist helps small businesses choose the right software. Services include a free software directory, online software recommendation and comparison tool, articles and publications, and independent software selection consulting. Software Shortlist gratefully acknowledges the support of the Australian Government’s “Commercialising Emerging Technology” (COMET) program. For more information, please visit www.softwareshortlist.com
About ANZA Technology Network
ANZA Technology Network is the leading independent organization connecting the Australian, New Zealand and US technology and biotechnology sectors. Through its Gateway and Fast Track to the US programs ANZA has assisted hundreds of Australian and New Zealand companies as they enter the US market—more than any other non-government organization. For more information: http://www.anzatechnet.com/
