Choosing the Right Platform for Your Store
The best email marketing tool for your e-commerce store depends on three factors: your e-commerce platform, your list size, and your budget.
If you are on Shopify and have the budget, Klaviyo's deep integration is hard to beat for product recommendations and predictive analytics. If you want similar automation without the price tag, Drip and Omnisend are solid alternatives.
If cost matters most, look at pricing models carefully. Contact-based pricing (Klaviyo, Drip, ActiveCampaign) punishes you for having a large list even if most subscribers only buy during sales. Pay-per-email pricing (Sequenzy, Brevo) means you only pay when you actually send, which is often cheaper for stores with seasonal buying patterns.
If you want simplicity, Sequenzy and MailerLite stand out. Both have clean interfaces that do not require a marketing degree to navigate. Sequenzy's AI sequence builder is particularly useful if you want automation set up fast without manually configuring every workflow step.
The E-Commerce Email Revenue Formula
Three automations drive the majority of email revenue for e-commerce stores:
Abandoned cart recovery recaptures 5-15% of lost sales. This is free money sitting on the table. A three-email sequence with product images, social proof, and a small discount converts browsers into buyers.
Post-purchase follow-ups build lifetime value. Customers who receive helpful follow-up emails, usage tips, and personalized recommendations have significantly higher repeat purchase rates. The second sale is where profit starts.
Win-back campaigns re-engage lapsed customers at a fraction of the cost of acquiring new ones. A 90-day inactivity trigger with a compelling offer and new product showcase brings dormant customers back.
Getting Started with E-Commerce Email
Start with these steps regardless of which platform you choose:
- Set up cart recovery first because it delivers the fastest ROI with minimal effort
- Build a welcome series that converts new subscribers into first-time buyers within the first week
- Create post-purchase automation to request reviews and recommend complementary products
- Segment your list by purchase history, spending level, and engagement so every email feels relevant
- Plan seasonal campaigns on a yearly calendar so you are never scrambling at the last minute
The stores that win at email marketing are not the ones with the most expensive tools. They are the ones that set up the right automations, send relevant content, and stay consistent.