If you’re starting or growing your online business, one of the first decisions you’ll face is choosing the right email marketing tool. And I know, it can feel overwhelming. With so many platforms available, each promising something different, it’s easy to get stuck. That’s exactly why learning how to choose the right email platform for your business is such an important step.
Most entrepreneurs don’t need something complicated. You just need a platform that’s easy to set up, fits your goals, and helps you grow without stress. And the good news? You don’t need to test every tool to figure it out. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the key things to look for, how to compare the top platforms, and how to make a confident decision, even if tech isn’t your favorite thing.
So, let’s make this simple, clear, and practical.
Why Choosing the Right Email Platform Matters More Than You Think
Many business owners start with whichever platform someone recommends to them, without considering what they actually need. However, choosing the right email platform for your business affects:
How easily can you send emails
How confident do you feel managing tech
How fast does your list grow
How professional your automations look
How well your emails reach inboxes
How much time do you save every week
In short, the right tool supports your growth. The wrong one slows you down.
This is why learning how to choose the right email platform for your business is a decision that warrants careful consideration.
Start With the Question That Matters Most
Before comparing features, integrations, and templates, begin with one simple question:
What do you want your email platform to do for you right now?
Because your answer will determine your best fit.
Here are the most common goals:
You want to grow your list with freebies or lead magnets
You want beautiful email templates that match your brand
You want simple automations that don’t require coding
You want to connect your emails with your course platform
You want better deliverability for your e-commerce shop
You want a tool that’s easy to learn without overwhelming
When you know your goal, choosing becomes so much easier.
The 5 Must-Have Features for Any Beginner-Friendly Email Platform
Before choosing the right email platform for your business, make sure it supports these essentials:
1. Easy Email Editor
You want an editor that lets you drag, drop, duplicate, and customize without frustration.
If the editor feels confused, you’ll avoid sending emails, which hurts your growth.
2. Simple Automation Builder
You don’t need advanced funnels. You just need to create:
welcome sequences
freebie delivery
tags and segmenting
simple newsletters
Look for a platform that makes this feel easy, not scary.
3. Clean Landing Page & Form Options
If you plan to grow your list, you need:
signup forms
popups
embedded forms
landing pages
And most importantly, they need to look good without hiring a designer.
4. Strong Deliverability
None of your hard work matters if your emails land in spam.
Deliverability is the invisible factor that decides whether subscribers even see your content.
5. Integrations With Your Other Tools
Your platform should connect to:
Your website
Your course platform
Your shop
Your CRM
Your checkout pages
If it doesn’t integrate easily, you’ll fight with tech nonstop.
Those five features are the foundation of choosing the right email platform for your business.
The 3 Best Platforms I Recommend (Based on 10+ Years of Experience)
After helping entrepreneurs, coaches, handmade businesses, and e-commerce stores for over a decade, I’ve tested almost everything. Some tools are too complicated, others too limited, and a few are just right for most people.
Here are the three platforms I consistently recommend, depending on your business.
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1. MailerLite – Best for Coaches, Creatives & Beginners
MailerLite is the platform I set up most often for clients, because it’s simple, intuitive, and gives you all the essentials without overwhelm.
Why people love it:
clean, modern landing page builder
simple automation builder
beautiful templates
very strong deliverability
easy integration with websites and course platforms
perfect for freebies, welcome sequences, and newsletters
Who it’s for:
coaches
online service providers
course creators
handmade businesses
small business owners who want simple, powerful tools
Why MailerLite is great for beginners:
Everything is easy, from dragging elements to building workflows. It’s the perfect balance of simplicity and capability.
If you want the easiest experience while still looking professional, MailerLite is likely the best choice.
2. Klaviyo – Best for E-commerce & Product-Based Businesses
If you sell physical products, Klaviyo is usually the top choice. It was built specifically for e-commerce, so the integrations are extremely strong.
Why people love it:
advanced segmentation
deep Shopify and WooCommerce integrations
revenue tracking from every email
advanced automations (browse abandonment, product recommendations, win-back flows)
powerful analytics
Who it’s for:
e-commerce stores
handmade shops
product-based businesses
businesses ready for complex automations
Why Klaviyo isn’t always beginner-friendly:
It’s powerful, but it can also feel overwhelming. If you don’t need advanced features, the platform may feel like too much.
But for e-commerce? Nothing beats it.
3. Zenler – Best for Course Creators Who Want All-In-One Tools
Zenler is not an email platform alone; it’s a full course platform with built-in email tools.
Why people love it:
courses + emails + landing pages
built-in funnels
membership support
simple student management
- live webinars etc.
Who it’s for:
online course creators
coaches who sell digital programs
educators who want everything in one place
Why Zenler works:
Because you don’t need three different tools. Everything connects: lessons, emails, automations, and checkout pages.
If you want simplicity and everything under one roof, Zenler is a great option.
How to Make the Final Decision (Step-by-Step)
Now that you understand the main platforms, let’s go through a simple process you can follow to choose the right email platform for your business, without overthinking.
Step 1: Define Your Main Goal
Ask yourself:
“What’s the one thing I need this platform to handle right now?”
Examples:
“I want to grow my list with a freebie.”
“I want to automate my shop emails.”
“I want my course and emails in one place.”
Your goal eliminates confusion.
Step 2: Decide Your Skill Level
Be honest with yourself:
Do you want something very simple?
Do you want something advanced?
Do you want something in-between?
If you want simple → MailerLite
If you want advanced e-commerce tools → Klaviyo
If you want all-in-one course + email → Zenler
Step 3: Check Your Integrations
Look at the tools you already use:
What platform is your website on?
Where are you selling your course or products?
Do you need checkout integration?
Choose the platform that integrates the smoothest with what you already have.
Step 4: Think About Future Growth
Maybe your needs are simple now, but they may change.
Ask yourself:
Will I launch a course soon?
Will I sell digital products?
Will I start an e-commerce shop?
Your email platform should support your next step, not just your current step.
Step 5: Don’t Overthink, Choose the Platform That Feels Easy
The best tool is the one you will actually use.
If a platform feels stressful, confusing, or heavy…
You won’t stick with it.
So choose the tool that feels:
comfortable
empowering
simple
doable
That’s how you choose the right email platform for your business without pressure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing an Email Platform
Even though the process is simple, here are mistakes I see often, and they’re easy to avoid.
Mistake 1: Choosing based on someone else’s business
Your business is unique. What works for them may not work for you.
Mistake 2: Picking overly complicated tools
You don’t need complicated funnels to grow. Start simple.
Mistake 3: Switching platforms too quickly
Give yourself time to learn one tool before jumping to another.
Mistake 4: Ignoring deliverability
Pretty templates mean nothing if your emails go to spam.
Mistake 5: Waiting too long to decide
Perfection delays progress. Start with one tool and grow into it.
So… Which Platform Is Right for You?
Here’s the simplest way to break it down:
If you want the easiest experience → choose MailerLite
If you have an online shop → choose Klaviyo
If you want everything all in one place → choose Zenler
And remember, nothing is permanent.
You can always grow and upgrade later.
But for now, choose the tool that gives you clarity, ease, and momentum.
This is exactly how you choose the right email platform for your business without confusion.
Want Help Choosing or Setting Up the Platform You Pick?
If you want to skip the tech headache, I can help you choose the right tool, set everything up, design your templates, and make sure your automations run smoothly.
But first…
Download my free Effortless Setup Starter Kit.
It includes checklists, platform comparisons, and beginner-friendly steps that guide you through choosing and setting up your email system, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
