When it comes to email marketing, the right platform should work for you—not the other way around. I initially chose Flodesk for its simplicity and beautiful design, but as my needs grew, I realized it lacked key features, like the ability to use a custom domain for landing pages. That’s when I started looking for a more flexible and scalable option. After exploring different platforms, I landed on MailerLite, which offered a feature-packed free plan, affordable upgrades, and powerful automation tools. If you’re re-evaluating your email marketing tool, this post will walk you through my decision to switch and what to consider when choosing the right platform for your needs.
My Experience with Email Marketing Tools
I’ve been working with email marketing tools since 2020, and most of that experience has been on behalf of clients. The main point? I’ve used many different platforms that have served various purposes.
Why I Chose Flodesk Initially
In the second half of 2021, someone encouraged me to have my own email tool for collecting information from interested people. That person suggested using Flodesk, for which they received an affiliate commission for every month I paid for the platform at the discounted rate they offered me. As far as paid platforms go, Flodesk was affordable enough. I paid maybe $15/mo to fully access Flodesk’s features with their early-day pricing.
At this point, I knew enough to know that all I needed was something simple. I wasn’t trying to have a complicated website to accompany this, just a one-page website where people could download my service guide. Then, they would receive a few nicely timed emails as reminders to ask questions or book a call with me. Simple.
What I Liked About Flodesk
Simple and easy to use is exactly what Flodesk is. The templates are beautiful and easy to customize to fit your needs. I had access to the email sequence feature I wanted, and I could create as many opt-in pages as necessary.
I used Flodesk for over three years. I didn’t do much with it, but it existed in the background like I wanted.
The Dealbreaker: Custom Domain Limitations
When I was finally ready to start being more intentional with my email tool and started thinking about my platform as an author in the fall of 2024, I wanted to use a landing page as a one-page website.
My only concern at the time? The paid plan would not allow me to use a custom domain for the website, so I couldn’t use “caseybertelsman.com” as the URL for the page. As a paid user, I found that frustrating and limiting.
So I started looking elsewhere.
Full disclosure: I created an account for Flodesk to double-check this since they changed their plans since I used it. Its plans list that it allows for custom domain usage, but this is only for the email domain, not the page URLs.
Why Does the Domain URL Matter?
So why was being able to control the domain URL such a sticking point for me? I want to build my one-page website on my email newsletter platform and have the URL people type into the search bar be the website I want.
Flodesk only offered a customized subdomain with flodesk.com in the link. That means if someone else has the subdomain I want, I can’t use it. You can see what this looks like in the image below.
I found it frustrating that even when I pay for the plan, I can’t use my custom domain for this – something that has become relatively standard across other email marketing tools, like Kit (formerly ConvertKit).
I made sure this was a feature of whatever new platform I chose, even if it was only an option for paid accounts. Then I get to decide what it’s worth to me.
Making the Switch
Based on my past experience, I knew what I was looking to get from my email marketing tool’s free plan:
- Ability to schedule emails to send in the future
- Option to host multiple web pages or landing pages
- Can automate multiple email sequences
- Allows tagging and segmenting
- Is easy to use
- Is affordable when it comes time to upgrade
Enter – MailerLite.
Why MailerLite?
Even though I’d used several platforms previously, I’d never used MailerLite with a client. I had started seeing peers use it, though, and was intrigued. MailerLite wasn’t the only product I’d come across this way. I love learning about new platforms and tools, so I often explore different options.
But MailerLIte was the one that stood out to me.
Pricing & Value
MailerLite was the only one with a feature-packed free plan and affordable upgrades. I know how important the bottom line is to authors, so this was at the top of my mind.
So, instead of paying $35 a month (according to Flodesk’s current prices), I’m paying $0, and an upgrade will likely cost me $9 based on 1000 email subscribers. MailerLite’s monthly price is $35 after reaching 5,000 subscribers.
Automations & Features
MailerLite’s free plan also allows for more than one multi-step automation, including email sequences, like a welcome sequence or responses to a quiz.
Its drag-and-drop editor for landing pages and emails also has many different features, including quizzes and surveys.
Many other platforms allow for one email sequence or one automation with limited steps allowed.
It’s Top Rated
With how feature-packed I found MailerLite’s free plan, it’s no surprise that it’s getting noticed. It has several accolades from the end of 2024, including Easiest to Use (Fall 2024) and Best of 5 Email Deliverability, with an average deliverability rate of 94.41% from the last five rounds of testing, as listed on its website.
Anything I’m Missing About Flodesk?
When I say Flodesk embraces simplicity, I mean that using it was simple. There were few places to click, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.
MailerLite is not tricky, but it has more integrations and options, making the screen look less simple. But this has not impacted my ability to navigate and finish my work. It is an amazing Flodesk alternative.
Other than having a lot of options to choose from and having/getting to actually choose!
I would have back any other features I miss if I chose to upgrade my plan, but right now, I love that my plan is free!
Final Thoughts
Because I was looking for an email marketing platform that balances ease of use with robust features, MailerLite has been a clear winner for me, especially when I have that even on its free plan.
While Flodesk served its purpose after the recommendation in my early days, the ability to use my own custom domain, set up multiple automations, and access a feature-packed free plan made the switch a no-brainer.
If you’re re-evaluating your own email marketing tool, I recommend making a list of your must-haves and seeing which platform best aligns with them. After all, the right tool should work for you—not the other way around.
The TLDR:
- Flodesk is great for simplicity but lacks key features – While Flodesk is easy to use and visually appealing, it falls short on essential functionalities like custom domain usage for landing pages, which can be a dealbreaker for someone who isn’t looking to build a full website or wants full, branding control.
- MailerLite offers more flexibility and value – With a feature-rich free plan, affordable upgrades, and powerful automation tools, MailerLite provides a better long-term solution for those wanting more control over their email marketing.
- Choosing the right platform depends on your needs – The best email marketing tool is the one that aligns with your specific goals. If customization, automation, and scalability matter to you, it’s worth exploring alternatives beyond Flodesk’s beautiful user experience.
Want to See More of the Tools I Use and Love?
Join my email list for insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes updates on how I’m building my author platform!
