What is Benchmark?
Benchmark Email is an international, internet-based email marketing software service provider with headquarters in the USA. It has been in operation providing business email marketing tools since 2004.
Benchmark offers free email marketing software, plus paid plans with powerful additional features, including advanced automated email marketing and advanced analytics. These make Benchmark one of the best email marketing software products for small to medium companies looking for ease-of-use combined with strong automation and analytics.
Benchmark gives you the tools you need to build and manage your contact lists. They take your reputation seriously, and have contact verification, delivery management, and smart sending features to keep you off your subscribers’ spam lists. You can create beautiful emails using their easy templates and tools and track your campaign results in real-time. Benchmark Email is an easy-to-use email marketing tool for any business that wants to benefit from personalized mass email marketing.
Benchmark’s website states that its goal is “to help you create relationships with your contacts that lead to sales” and to “get you back to what you love about your business.” Benchmark sees your customers as a loyal fanbase who will engage with your message, and these email marketing specialists will provide you with the email marketing tools you need to achieve this.
Benchmark
What popular features do you get with Benchmark?
- Import your contact lists.
- Segmentation by demographics, customer preferences etc.
- Engagement star rating for each contact.
- Polls and surveys.
- Contact list verification (charged separately)
- Dedicated IP address (charged separately).
- Email White Labeling (Enterprise plan only).
- Easy drag-and-drop email builder.
- Photo editing software.
- HTML code editor.
- eCommerce templates integrate with Shopify.
- Litmus customer view checker (charged separately).
- Basic drip email (email series)
- Automatic RSS emails.
- A/B testing on multiple variables.
- Live engagement reports, real-time tracking
- Landing page tracking
Customer Support is available at Benchmark
Starter plan:
- Free 24/7 online chat and email.
- Help with marketing strategy development from an email engagement specialist.
- Extensive knowledge base resources including guides, videos, webinars, blogs, articles, and newsletters.
Pro plan:
- All the above options plus:
- Live chat and live phone support.
Enterprise plan:
- Priority support, all the above options plus:
- Managed account setup service,
- Deliverability monitoring,
- Twice-yearly “health checkups.”
What kind of business is Benchmark ideal for?
Benchmark is ideal for any business that wants to benefit from direct email marketing. Mainly in these industries, Retail, Restaurants, Software and Technology, Entertainment, Travel and Hospitality, Education, Real Estate and Nonprofit.
Starter Plan suits new as well as small to medium businesses. Pro-plan manages larger lists of medium to large businesses and Businesses with very large subscriber lists should opt for the Enterprise plan.
Pros and Cons
- A free email marketing software starter plan is available.
- No credit card required.
- Payment options – PayPal, check, wire transfer, credit card.
- HTML code editor for those who want to do their own coding.
- Responsive templates – emails adapt automatically to any customer screen size.
- Contact list verification and smart sending improve your email deliverability and prevent you from being flagged as spam by customer ISPs.
- Behavior-based emails (only on paid plans)
- Landing page builder, to attract subscribers (paid plans only).
- Landing page on your own subdomain.
- Over 1500 integrations – WordPress, Facebook, Google, Shopify, Zapier, Salesforce, Unbounce, etc.
- 10 GB storage on the paid plans, including email newsletters archive. Only 10MB of free image storage on the free Starter plan and unlimited storage at an extra charge.
- The free Starter plan has several limitations as detailed in this article.
- Limited campaign integration with social media such as Facebook and Instagram.
- Users with a very high number of contacts who do not make use of all the features may consider this product to be expensive.
People like you also researched
Here are some products we think might be a good fit based on what people like you viewed.
Constant Contact
- All features on a single platform
- Easy to use, and time-saving
- Over three hundred pre-designed email templates
- Quick drag-and-drop email editor
Active Campaign
- A/B split testing
- Automation rules
- Customizable templates and branding
- Excellent customer support
How much does Benchmark cost?
*based on information provided by the vendor. Actual cost may vary.
| Number of Contacts | Starter plan Free | Pro plan (US$ per month) | Enterprise plan (US$ per month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 500 | $0 for max 3500 emails per month | $15 | – |
| Up to 1500 | – | $23 | – |
| Up to 2,500 | – | $35 | – |
| Up to 5,000 | – | $58 | – |
| Up to 10,000 | – | $89 | – |
| Up to 15,000 | – | $118 | – |
| Up to 20,000 | – | $138 | – |
| Up to 25,000 | – | $169 | – |
| Up to 30,000 | – | $218 | – |
| Up to 40,000 | – | $258 | – |
| Up to 50,000 | – | $279 | – |
| Up to 75,000 | – | $389 | – |
| Up to 100,000 | – | $499 | – |
| Up to 125,000 | – | – | $719 |
| Up to 150,000 | – | – | $829 |
| Up to 175,000 | – | – | $939 |
| Up to 200,000 | – | – | $1049 |
| Over 200,000 | – | – | Talk to sales for a quote |
- Special offers sometimes available on the website.
- 25% discount for non-profit organizations.
- Non-profits helping children/teens can qualify for a free account.
- Easy plan upgrades.
Limits:
- Starter plan limits apply: Max 3500 emails per month. Max 10 campaigns per day. Max 250 designs per month. Max 75 new contact signups per day. Free emails carry the Benchmark logo.
- Pro and Enterprise – unlimited emails per month.
Extras:
- List verification – $3 per 1000 contacts.
- Unlimited free image storage – $5 per month.
- Dedicated IP address – $28.95 per month.
- Inbox checkers – $14 for 100 tests
Final thoughts...
Whether you are looking for easy-to-use free email marketing software for your startup, or powerful yet affordable email marketing software for your small business, Benchmark might be the best email marketing service for you. Visit the Benchmark website to sign up and send your first emails today!
