The Pluses and Minuses of Email Marketing for Small Businesses in 2023

Small businesses using email marketing to reach current and new customers remains one of the most popular forms of advertising for small businesses. It is cost-effective, easy to track, provides information about active and prospective clients, and can help you reach many customers quickly.

However, you should be aware that there are also disadvantages to email marketing before adding it to your small business marketing strategy.

This article will look at the primary benefits and potential disadvantages of email marketing to promote your small business.

Benefits of Email Marketing

There are several benefits to using targeted email campaigns as part of your overall small business marketing strategy:

1. Email Marketing is Cost-Effective:
   Email marketing is cost-effective, making it an attractive option for small businesses with a limited marketing budget. According to a DMA, the Data & Marketing Association study, the average return on investment for small businesses using email marketing is $38 for every $1 spent. That is a very good return on investment, particularly for small businesses looking to grow their customer base.
   
   
2. Targeted Marketing:
   Email marketing allows you to target your message to a specific audience. You can create a single list or multiple email lists based on various demographics, such as purchase history and other factors, to ensure that your message is reaching the right people at the right time. You can increase your email open rates, click-through rates, and conversions by targeting your subscribers.
   
   
3. Measurable Results:
   The biggest advantage of email marketing is that it provides measurable results. With the right tools, you can track your campaign's performance in real time, including open, click-through, and conversion rates. Over time, this will allow you to refine your marketing strategy and improve your results.
   
   
4. Email Marketing Builds Relationships:
   Email marketing is an excellent way to build relationships with people. Done properly, you can establish trust and credibility with your target audience by providing valuable content and offers in your emails. Over time, this can lead to increased loyalty and repeat business.

Disadvantages of Email Marketing:

You can be sure that if something has a benefit to your small business marketing efforts, then there are potential drawbacks as well:

1. The Problem With Spam Filters:
   One of the biggest challenges of email marketing is getting your message past spam filters. According to a study by Return Path, only 79% of legitimate commercial emails make it to the recipient's inbox. The rest are either blocked or sent to the spam folder. Filters can be a significant problem if you rely heavily on email marketing to promote your small business.
   
   
2. Unsubscribes (a blessing and a curse):
   Another disadvantage of email marketing is the number of people who unsubscribe from your list. While some unsubscribes are expected, a high number of unsubscribes can be a sign that your emails are not resonating with your audience. This issue can be a challenge for small businesses with limited resources to create high-quality content.
   
   However, I think it's important to note that email marketing lists can and should be used to filter out potential customers vs. tire kickers. When someone unsubscribes from a newsletter list, they are telling you not to waste more time and energy on trying to acquire them as a client.
   
   If a large number of people who had been previously engaged with you start to unsubscribe, this is a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
   
   
3. Limited Reach:
   It's a fact that while email marketing can be an effective way to reach your existing customers, yet there may be better ways to get new customers. According to a study by McKinsey, email marketing is up to 40 times more effective for acquiring new customers than relying on social media channels.
   
   However, this still means that email marketing may not be the best way to reach customers who have not previously heard of your small business. A good marketing plan will include ways to put your business in front of people who have not heard of you and entice them to subscribe to your emails.
   
   
4. Design and Formatting Limitations:
   Email marketing also has design and formatting limitations. Email designs must be optimized for viewing on different devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. They also need to be visually appealing and easy to read. This can be a challenge for small businesses without access to a dedicated design team.

Email marketing can be a cost-effective and efficient way for small businesses to promote their products or services.

However, it does have its challenges.

Spam filters, unsubscribes, limited reach, and design and formatting limitations are all potential downsides of email marketing.

As with any marketing strategy, weighing the benefits and disadvantages before deciding if email marketing is right for your small business is important.

Are you taking advantage of email marketing? It's time to build a strong email list and send out regular newsletters or promotions to keep your customers engaged.

Looking to expand your customer base? As digital marketing experts, we can help you reach new audiences and grow your business. Contact ORP.ca now to learn more.

Sources:

- DMA. (n.d.). DMA Research. Retrieved from https://thedma.org/research/

- Return Path. (2017). The State of Email Deliverability. Retrieved from https://returnpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/