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Top Email Marketing Platforms, Service Providers, and APIs for Startups and FinTech in Africa
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Good communication is essential for startups and Fintechs because they need to be able to pass relevant and prompt information to their customers and prospects.
For startups, this is the best time to build strong relationships that will, in time, help to create loyal customers.
Email communications and marketing go a long way to enhance productivity, real-time collaboration, sales, and customer engagement in business operations.
This means that a reliable email service provider and API are essential for these businesses, as they provide a permissive and seamless way to reach out to many people directly and simultaneously.
So, if you want to find the best email service providers and APIs for startups and fintechs in Africa, you have come to the right place.
What is an Email Service Provider and API?
An email service provider (ESP) is a platform or organization that helps businesses and large establishments create and send bulk emails, build an email list, and monitor, personalize, and automate email campaigns.
They enhance deliverability by ensuring your emails get to your subscriber’s inbox; they can also help you maintain a good sender’s reputation by verifying and validating email addresses and keeping your email list up to date.
An ESP allows you to create targeted and personalized email campaigns by segmenting your email list.
Emails will be sent to your subscribers when specific actions occur, and they will be prompt and particular to each subscriber.
Top Email Service Providers and APIs for Startups and FinTechs in Africa
1. Segnivo
Segnivo is an efficient and reliable email service provider with an intuitive user interface. It is beginner-friendly, and the API is easy to integrate. They offer numerous email marketing tools, including lead forms, email templates, automation, drag-and-drop editor, segmentation, and analytics.
Segnivo is affordable even while providing high-quality services with high deliverability, so it is suitable for startups and fintech companies.
Key features
- Automation.
- Dedicated IPs
- A/B testing.
- User-friendly interface.
- Seamless API integration.
- Custom templates.
- List management.
- Sender identity management.
- Lead forms.
- Inbound email routing.
- Detailed analytics.
- Localised support.
Pros
- Reliable and lightning-fast delivery.
- Very affordable.
- Transparent pricing.
- Complete marketing suite.
- Email templates.
- Promotional and transactional emails never mix.
Cons
- There is no free plan.
Pricing
Segnivo pricing plans are very flexible and affordable. They have 3 monthly plans that cost $8, $24, and $72 for different packages, but you can customize your plan according to your preference.
In addition, they offer a pay-as-you-grow plan that costs $0.00157 per credit, and to top it all, customers can also pay in their local currencies with the pricing for transactional emails starting as low as ₦0.1/sending credit for customers in Nigeria.
Also, customers can request dedicated IPs for a one-time fee of $10 per IP address.
2. Amazon SES
Amazon SES is a flexible, cost-effective, and scalable email service provider built on the reliable infrastructure of Amazon Web Services (AWS).
It is one of the cheapest email service providers in the market, so if price is one of your primary considerations when choosing an ESP and API, this platform should top your list.
However, while their services are very reliable and they offer a host of features for startups and fintechs, you have to keep in mind that they have limited features.
For example, there are no analytics, they do not handle bounce emails, and customer support is only available to customers with dedicated plans.
However, Amazon SES is still recommended for small businesses with strict budgets if they are okay with the basic features provided.
Key features
- Flexible email add-ons.
- Centralized email relay.
- Reputation Dashboard.
- Sender identity management.
- List management.
- Custom templates.
- Automation.
- Mailbox simulator.
Pros
- Affordability.
- Free plan.
- Speedy delivery.
- Flexible deployment options.
Cons
- Limited features.
- There is no customer support for lower plans.
Pricing
Amazon SES offers a pay-as-you-grow pricing plan; you only pay for what you use.
3. Messagebird
This email service provider, formerly known as Sparkpost, is an exceptional platform that accommodates many startups and fintech in Africa. It allows you to send bulk emails, manage sending processes, make quick changes on the go, and manage your reputation.
Messagebird is also well known for its dedication to speedy email delivery and advanced security. It ensures your data is secured and your email reaches inboxes without being filtered. SparkPost was acquired by MessageBird in 2020.
Key features:
- Delivery monitoring.
- Robust MTA.
- Advanced analytics.
- Custom templates.
- Automation and tracking.
- Editor.
- CRM integration.
Pros
- Scalable cost.
- Seamless integration.
- Beginner-friendly interface.
Cons
- There is no spam protection.
Pricing
Messagebird has a free plan, but the paid plan starts at $20 per month. They also have 3 other plans for $75, $170, and $525 per month, depending on the number of emails you send and the features you want to access.
FAQs
Does an ESP Support SMS/MMS Marketing?
Some email service providers offer additional features, such as SMS/MMS marketing, but these usually come with higher plans. So, if you want this feature, confirm if it is available in the ESP you chose before committing to a paid plan.
Does an ESP Allow Automated Emails and Drip Campaigns?
Email service providers allow users to automate their email campaigns, and most also allow drip campaigns. However, some of these features will depend on your paid plans.
Can you Share Posts on Social Media With an ESP?
Many ESPs, including Segnivo, offer various digital marketing tools beyond email marketing. These tools can be integrated with social media, allowing you to share posts on social media platforms. A combination of email marketing and social media marketing can help you reach more people and boost your brand visibility.
Conclusion
Choosing an email service provider and API should depend on your specific needs and budget; while there are many of them available, we have discussed 3 in this guide, and regardless of your business size and needs, you will undoubtedly find a suitable one among them.
Consider factors like email volume, pricing, desired features, scalability, integrations, and user experience when choosing the best among them. Also, feel free to use their free trials to compare the platforms accurately before you commit to any of them.
If you succeed in choosing a reputable and reliable email service provider like Segnivo, you will be able to improve delivery rates, run effective email campaigns, build a solid email list, gain valuable insight into your user engagement, and enhance your communication strategy.
