Agile Business Navigator

I've used nearly all the newsletter providers that are out there. Each has their own way of doing things. Let's talk about a few of my favorites:

1. ConstantContact.com
Pros: Easy to use, template based. I can setup a template for a client that matches their brand and they can continue to send it out without me being involved. If they need help, I can create and send for them.
Cons: The signup process doesn't allow a person who's already signed up for the list to download the goodies that are given away with an ezine signup a second time. It just tells them they're already signed up. I can't modify the look and feel of the pages that are displayed during the signup or send the user to my own page. Pricing structure is based on how many emails you send out – it can quite hefty for larger lists.

2. CampaignMonitor.com
Pros: Easy to use, for me, that is. Its geared toward a designer, not the client. But never fear, they have a client based version – MailBuild.com. I like CampaignMonitor, it gives me complete control for how the email looks, no templates, just html code. They have a great facility available to test emails for various email clients – you get an image of what they email looks like to each of them email clients. You'd be surprised how a little change in the html code can make your ezine look horrible. Also has the ability to verify your emails with the various receivers (Yahoo, Gmail, etc) by altering your DNS info.
Cons: Pricing structure is based on each mailing and how many you send out for that mailing. You pay $5 bucks per mailing plus 5 cents per subscriber. Hefty cost if you have a large ezine list. The delivery rates seem a bit low to me, but I'm continuing to test.

3.Aweber
Pros: Unlimited lists, unlimited autoresponders, low cost. Provides templates or the ability to use your own html content. RSS feed/Archive for your sent ezines. Pricing is easy – flat rate $20 per month.
Cons: Import facility is extremely sensitive – each email is checked for accuracy and can take a bit for each import to be reviewed by the Aweber folks.

4. MailChimp
Pros: Pretty much the same features as CampaignMonitor with a new version on its heels that seems to knock the socks off it. Templates, write your own html, A/B split testing, simple import method, an API, archive, RSS, spam checking, google analytics integration.
Cons: Darn pricing structure again. About the same as CampaignMonitor – $15 for 0-500 and it goes up from there.

So what's a person to pick. Just like I tell people about hosting selection. Go with what works for you now. Be flexible enough to realize that what you pick today may not work a couple of months from now. The important thing is being consistent in your delivery and letting your customers know if you switch. Let them have ample opportunity to know that you'll be changing and be aware that you may lose subscribers. There are methods to keep your existing subscribers and increasing your readership.

What do you use? How's it working for you?