Let’s be real: most small business email marketing just doesn’t work.
Not because you’re bad at it. Not because email is outdated (it’s not — email still delivers an average $42 ROI for every $1 spent, according to Litmus). The real problem? You’re probably using the wrong tool.
Most small businesses default to Mailchimp or Constant Contact because “everyone uses them.” But that’s like bringing a minivan to a race. It’ll move you forward, sure — but you’re not winning anything.
Enter Kit (formerly ConvertKit): the email platform built for small businesses that actually want growth, not just “send newsletters.”
Why Old Email Platforms Fail
Traditional email tools were designed for one thing: blasting the same message to everyone.
Upload a list → write one email → hit send.
That was fine in 2010. But in 2025? It’s a recipe for being ignored.
Customers today expect personalization. They want emails that match their interests, actions, and buying stage. Sending the same generic newsletter to everyone is like yelling through a megaphone at a networking event. Loud, yes. Effective? Not at all.
The numbers prove it:
- Generic blasts: 15–18% open rates
- Personalized campaigns: 30–35% open rates
That’s not a small bump. That’s the difference between struggling and scaling.
Why Kit Works for Small Businesses
Kit is different because it was built for creators, consultants, and small businesses — not giant companies with email teams. It delivers automation, personalization, and growth tools without the complexity.
Here’s how:
1. Tags, Not Lists
Other platforms bury you in list chaos: new list for downloads, new list for webinars, new list for purchases. Result? Duplicate emails, annoyed subscribers, higher unsubscribes.
Kit uses tags instead. One subscriber profile, infinite tags. You can send targeted campaigns based on behavior without messy overlaps.
Example: Send an email to subscribers who downloaded your automation guide AND clicked your affiliate link BUT haven’t bought yet. In Kit, that’s a 2-minute rule. In Mailchimp, it’s an Excel headache.
2. Automations That Make Sense
Kit’s visual automation builder is drag-and-drop but powerful. Build workflows like:
- Clicks pricing link → tag as “hot lead” → send sales sequence
- Ignores 3 emails → tag as “cold” → send re-engagement
- Makes a purchase → exit sales flow → enter onboarding
It’s modern marketing automation — without the $500/month enterprise price tag.
3. Built-In Landing Pages
Why pay for three different tools? Kit includes:
- Email platform
- Landing page builder
- Form creator
All in one. Launch a simple, mobile-friendly lead capture funnel in under an hour.
4. Inbox Deliverability
Most email platforms don’t talk about this — but none of it matters if your emails land in spam.
Kit enforces strict deliverability standards: authentication (DKIM, SPF, DMARC), monitoring engagement, and onboarding limits for new senders.
The result? 25–35% open rates vs. the 15–20% industry average.
What Implementation Looks Like
A real small business setup with Kit might look like this:
- Week 1: Create lead magnet + landing page, authenticate domain (3 hrs)
- Week 2: Write 5-email welcome sequence with smart tagging (2 hrs)
- Week 3: Build weekly broadcast schedule + segmentation rules (2 hrs)
Total: 7 hours upfront
Ongoing: 30 minutes/week
Result: 30% open rates, 8% click rates, and automated lead nurturing that runs while you sleep.
Migration Pain (And Why It’s Worth It)
Yes, switching tools is annoying. Yes, you’ll spend a day cleaning lists and setting up automations. But Kit imports subscribers and engagement history, making it smoother than you think.
One day of hassle buys you years of better performance.
The Bottom Line
Your email marketing isn’t failing because you’re a bad writer or because email is “dead.” It’s failing because you’re using the wrong tool for today’s buyers.
Kit won’t magically make your subject lines better. But it will give you the tools to:
- Personalize campaigns
- Automate follow-ups
- Simplify your tech stack
- Actually land in inboxes
If you’re serious about using email as a revenue channel (not just a newsletter), Kit is the smarter choice.
Find out more at CONXD AI. CLICK HERE
