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As an eCommerce director or manager, making decisions about the right marketing tools to employ can significantly influence the success of your online store. One area that requires special attention is email marketing.

Email Marketing platforms have emerged as crucial tools for businesses looking to engage with their customers on a personal level. Among the many platforms available, two heavy hitters in this domain are Klaviyo and Sendlane, which, due to their distinctive features and user experiences, have become frequent topics of discussion when considering which email marketing platform to choose.

In this blog, we dive deep into their functionalities to help you make an informed decision.

Klaviyo

Overview: Klaviyo positions itself as a multichannel marketing automation platform with tools for email, SMS, and push notifications. It provides in-depth customer insights, allowing for more personalised messaging.

Pricing: Klaviyo’s pricing depends on the number of subscribers. The Free plan caters to users with up to 250 contacts. The Email plan starts at $20/month, and the Email & SMS plan begins at $35/month. It's worth noting that SMS costs can significantly increase depending on the destination country.

Pros:

• Comprehensive cross-channel reporting.
• Extensive integrations with other platforms.
• Advanced segmentation and automation capabilities.
• Tools aimed specifically at eCommerce growth.

Cons:

• Customer support can be sluggish.
• Absence of an inbuilt landing page builder.
• SMS credits can't be rolled over.
• Limited to sending SMS in just four countries.
• Steep learning curve for newcomers.

Sendlane

Overview: Sendlane offers a more streamlined approach to email marketing, emphasising the essentials. Their platform is designed to retarget unengaged contacts easily and offers guidance for those migrating from other platforms.

Pricing: Sendlane's unique single-tier pricing is based on the number of contacts and required SMS credits, starting at a minimum of 5,000 contacts. 

Pros:

• Dedicated customer support, ensuring a smooth onboarding process.
• Excellent deliverability rates.
• Intuitive setup for custom event triggers. 

Cons:

• Constraints in customising email templates.
• High entry price point.
• Limited integrations compared to Klaviyo.

Klaviyo vs. Sendlane Features and Functionality

As Email Marketing Experts, we have used both Klaviyo and Sendlane for a while now. And we have noticed some significant differences and similarities between these two platforms, particularly with the features and functionality we use the most. Below is a list of the most frequently used features that we've compared between the two platforms.

Universal Blocks

Klaviyo: Offers universal blocks functionality that permits quick universal changes. This feature proves invaluable for editing common elements like headers, footers, logos, and social blocks across different emails.

Sendlane: Does not offer universal block functionality. If a block needs editing, users must manually enter every email containing that block and apply the changes. This can be a cumbersome process.

Verdict: Klaviyo offers a more streamlined process in this category.

Mobile Editing Abilities

Klaviyo: Provides mobile editing capabilities.

Sendlane: Limited mobile editing. Any significant side spacing or long-width CTAs can disrupt the mobile view despite claims that their designs are mobile-optimised.

Verdict: Klaviyo takes the lead with better mobile editing features.

Pop-Up and Sign-Up Forms

Klaviyo & Sendlane: Both platforms offer sign-up form functionalities. However, Sendlane's is reportedly more limited, requiring third-party integrations like Amped.io for enhanced designs, which ultimately adds to the overall investment required.

Verdict: It’s a tie, though Sendlane might need supplementary tools for better customisation.

Email Cloning

Klaviyo: Enables users to quickly clone and position an email as needed.

Sendlane: Allows email duplication, but these duplicates are stored within the Automation and cannot be dragged and dropped across the flow, making the process a bit more convoluted. 

Verdict: Klaviyo provides a smoother email cloning process.

Auto Saving

Klaviyo: Features auto-save after every action, minimising data loss.

Sendlane: Lacks auto-save, increasing the risk of unintended data loss.

Verdict: Klaviyo’s auto-saving capability gives it the edge.

Integrations

Klaviyo: Integrates with an extensive array of applications.

Sendlane: While it has some integrations, it misses out on significant ones like LoyaltyLion, Yotpo, and Judge.me.

Verdict: Klaviyo offers more comprehensive integration options.

Quick Image Size Change

Klaviyo: Allows image cropping but requires manual resizing.

Sendlane: Features a sliding scale for quick image resizing.

Verdict: Sendlane takes the lead with its intuitive image resizing tool.

Import Gallery

Klaviyo: Offers a robust image gallery with search functionality.

Sendlane: Lacks a gallery, necessitating frequent image uploads.

Verdict: Klaviyo stands out with its efficient image management system.

In-App Review App

Klaviyo & Sendlane: Both platforms offer review capabilities, though the extent and experience of these functionalities remain to be explored further.

Verdict: It’s a tie, pending more hands-on experience with the review features.

Extensive Reporting & Analytics

Klaviyo: Provides detailed reporting and analytics that help businesses pinpoint and address problem areas.

Sendlane: Features a more minimalistic approach to reporting.

Verdict: Klaviyo delivers a richer reporting experience.

Final Thoughts:

In summary, while both Klaviyo and Sendlane offer a range of features, Klaviyo appears to have a more user-friendly experience in many areas. However, businesses should assess individual needs and consider hands-on experience with both platforms before making a final decision. 

If you’re after a platform with a plethora of integrations, advanced reporting, and comprehensive eCommerce tools, Klaviyo might be the way to go.

On the other hand, if you desire a more straightforward approach with a focus on deliverability and dedicated support, Sendlane could be your best bet.

As always, it's recommended to thoroughly assess both platforms, maybe even trying out their respective trial versions, before committing financially. Making the right choice now can save a lot of time, effort, and resources in the future.

Carmen

Marketing Strategist

Our problem-solving enthusiast and Marketing Strategist, Carmen, has expertise that lies in the realms of analytics and strategy, where she’s been known to work magic and famously knows all the answers. What truly sets Carmen apart is her unquenchable thirst for knowledge. She’s continually adding new skills to her arsenal, all with the goal of making Blend an even better place and providing comprehensive solutions for our clients when it comes to their overall marketing strategy, whether on-site or through marketing.

Published: October 23 2023