When I first heard about Flodesk, a "design-first" email marketing platform, I was a bit skeptical. Most email marketing tools out there were either clunky and hard to use or lacked aesthetic appeal.
But Flodesk caught my attention with its focus on design, and I had to see if it lived up to the hype.
Spoiler alert: It did, and I was genuinely impressed.
In this review, I'll share my thoughts on Flodesk, including its pros and cons, in plain and simple language.
Flodesk - Pros:
Stunning Email Templates: Flodesk stands out for its beautiful, easy-to-customize email templates. Unlike many other platforms that charge extra for good templates, Flodesk offers dozens of options that you can effortlessly tailor to your brand. You don't need any design or coding skills to make your emails look fantastic.
Intuitive Email Builder: Flodesk's drag-and-drop editor makes customizing templates a breeze. You can add graphics, images, GIFs, and text without breaking a sweat. If you prefer to start from scratch, Flodesk's blank-slate editor allows you to create your own templates.
Automatic Workflows: Setting up email sequences is a piece of cake with Flodesk. You can create workflows to send specific emails to your audience at predetermined times. For example, welcome emails can be sent when someone joins your list, followed by more details a few days later. It's as simple as designing emails – just drag and drop your workflow into the desired order.
Flat Rates: Unlike other email service providers that charge basis your subscriber numbers, thus putting a dent in your profits and pockets, Flodesk charges a flat rate for any number of subscribers.
At Flodesk, they like to keep it simple with an affordable flat fee. That means you'll get unlimited emails, subscribers, forms, workflows, and access to all features, forever at the same rate.
No Website Needed: One of the coolest features of Flodesk is its ability to help you grow your email list even if you don't have a website. You can create a Flodesk form, which is like a stand-alone landing page hosted by Flodesk, to collect email addresses. Share this form on social media, in emails, or with your community to start building your list, even before your website is up and running.
Robust Analytics: Email marketing is all about data and analytics. Flodesk provides comprehensive yet easy-to-understand analytics, allowing you to track opens, clicks, bounce rates, and more. This data helps you understand what your audience likes or dislikes, enabling you to create more effective emails.
Flodesk Checkout: In addition to being an email marketing platform, Flodesk now lets you sell your products with Flodesk Checkout. You can create attractive sales pages and accept payments while maintaining your brand's look and feel. Whether you're selling physical products, digital items, or services, this feature streamlines the sales process for your clients.
No platform fee: Most checkout tools take 10-20% of your revenue in platform fees. With Flodesk, keep your hard-earned money—only pay the Stripe processing fee.
Responsive Support: Everyone needs help sometimes, and Flodesk's support team is incredibly responsive. They offer numerous tutorials and educational resources to guide you through various aspects of email marketing. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your email marketing strategy, you'll find support when you need it.
Founded by Women: Flodesk is co-founded by Martha Bitar and Rebecca Shostak, which is inspiring in itself. It's great to see women-led businesses thriving, and it's something I wholeheartedly support.
Flodesk - Cons:
Potential Cost: Some may find Flodesk's flat-rate pricing of $38 per month a bit steep. While it offers unlimited subscribers, sales pages, workflows, and more, the cost remains the same regardless of your list size or business growth. However, they do offer a 30-day free trial and a 50% discount for your first year, making it more affordable for newcomers.
Fewer Advanced Features: Flodesk covers all the essential email marketing needs, but it may lack some advanced features that businesses with complex requirements might prefer. If you need highly intricate workflows, advanced list segmentation, or in-depth analytics, you might consider other platforms better suited to your needs.
Is Flodesk Worth It?
Absolutely, yes! I wholeheartedly recommend Flodesk for anyone starting or growing an email list. It's a platform I stand behind and support, and it has delivered significant results to thousands of my students. In my opinion, the advantages of Flodesk far outweigh the disadvantages.
With Flodesk, you can easily and professionally communicate with your audience, expand your reach without limitations, and manage your email marketing efforts with less confusion than other platforms.
Plus, you can try it for free for 30 days, so you have nothing to lose.
In a world where email marketing platforms vary widely in quality and usability, Flodesk is a refreshing and effective choice for those who value design and ease of use.
Give it a try, and you might be as blown away as I was!