Frequently Asked Questions About MailChimp
FAQ From Web Designers & Creative Agencies
FAQ From Small Businesses
FAQ From Non-Profits
FAQ From People Who Shouldn't Use MailChimp
Can I use MailChimp on behalf of all my clients?
Yes. You can setup separate lists in MailChimp for all your clients, and manage them from within your agency's account. It works best if you manage everything for your clients. If you want your clients to have access to their own accounts and send their own emails, MailChimp won't do that.
Will the emails look like they're from MailChimp, or my client?
For every campaign you send, you can specify the "From:" name and "Reply-to:" information to be your client's.
Do you add the MailChimp logo or any MailChimp branding to our emails?
Don't you hate that? No, we won't insert our name or logo into your emails.
Can I use my own HTML email templates?
Although we do provide built-in HTML email templates (that'll make your life so much easier) you can bypass all of them and simply copy-paste your own HTML emails into MailChimp. Be sure to FTP images on your own server, and link to them with absolute paths. If that makes no sense to you, you may want to try our built-in templates.
Do you generate open and click reports for each campaign?
Yes, each campaign gets a report on how many people opened, clicked, which URLs were clicked, how many people forwarded it to friends, how many bounced, who unsubscribed, who reported you for spamming, and more. Each campaign report can be downloaded as an Excel file, too (reports screenshot).
Will MailChimp be using my clients' lists in any way whatsoever?
No, that's slimy. We don't touch your lists, or your clients' lists. You can read our privacy policy here if you want it in writing. We're Truste approved and registered with the BBB.
Do you offer a private label or white-label version of MailChimp?
No, but most agencies wouldn't need that anyways. If you're interested in sending emails on behalf of your clients, you should know that we don't brand emails or signup pages or anything at all with the MailChimp logo. So you could setup all your clients' lists and signup forms in MailChimp, then customize them completely to match their brands, and none of them would even know that we exist. If you don't want to provide email marketing as an ongoing service to your clients, you can charge them to setup a MailChimp account, setup their initial templates, customize their opt-in forms, and integrate with their website. Then, set them free to use MailChimp all by themselves. Many agencies who start out managing campaigns "full service" wind up setting clients up with their own accounts anyways. With MailChimp's built-in WYSIWYG content editor, you can setup their template designs, and all they have to do is plug content into the WYSIWYG.
If you are looking for a way to "resell" MailChimp's system under your own brand, we don't do that. When deliverability, or false spam complaints, or blacklisting issues arise (and they're inevitable), it's crucial that recipients have direct access to whoever's in charge of delivery (the "Abuse Desk"). Trust us. You want people contacting us, not you.
We do have an Agency Partner Program. Click here for details.
Is there an API so I can link my clients' sites into MailChimp?
Yes. First of all, you might not need it. That's because every list you setup in MailChimp comes with its own signup form and opt-in process (screenshots). You can totally customize the HTML for every step. Or, you can simply post your forms to MailChimp. But if you also want a way to seamlessly pass opt-in data from your clients' shopping carts to MailChimp, you can use our API at: http://www.mailchimp.com/api/
How does MailChimp work?
The best way to understand how MailChimp works is to watch it in action, then sign up for a free trial.
How much does MailChimp cost?
With MailChimp you decide whether to pay on a monthly basis or pay-as-you-go. The monthly fee is based on the number of email addresses in your contact list and starts at $15 per month. The pay-as-you-go works plan works like stamps. If you want to send to 500 people, you’ll need 500 “email credits.” Email credits start at three cents and go down to ˝ a cent for orders over $1,000. Email credits “roll over” and never expire. Here’s our pricing information.
Does MailChimp handle signup forms, unsubscribes, bounces, etc?
Yes. Whenever you setup a list on MailChimp, we'll generate a signup form that you can use on your website. We'll make sure your emails include an opt-out link (as required by CAN-SPAM) and we'll automatically clean bouncebacks from your lists. Find out more by watching this movie demo of our list management tools.
Do you provide built-in templates?
Even better. We provide you with an HTML Email Template Design tool, so that you can design your company's HTML email templates any way you want. It's easy, fun, and you don't even have to know how to code HTML! You can watch a demo here, or just sign up for a free trial.
Can I see how many opens and clicks I got?
Yes, for each email campaign you send, we'll generate a campaign report showing you how many people opened, what they clicked, who bounced, who unsubscribed, and more. Here's a screenshot of an email campaign report, or you can watch a demo movie here.
What's the catch? Any extra hidden fees?
Nope, no catches. You just pay if and when you send your emails. If you don't have time to send an email campaign one month (hey, we know you're busy) there's no fee. You can manage infinitely many lists on MailChimp, and it's free. Host your images on MailChimp for free. We'll even keep an archive of all your campaigns free. You only pay when you send.
Is there a non-profit discount?
Yes, we gladly provide a 15% discount to non-profits and worthy causes. Sign up for a free trial, and contact us with your username.
We don't have a credit card. Can we pay by check?
Yes, you can pay by check. Setup a MailChimp free trial account, and make sure it's right for you. Then print out this order form (40k PDF download), and mail it to us with your check. When we receive payment, we'll add the email credits to your account.
I have a list, but not sure if it's permission-based, or opt-in.
9 times out of 10, if you're not sure you have permission to send them emails, you don't. You may have lists of people who you met at tradeshows. You may have prospects who signed up for one of your events. You may have a list of people who dropped their business cards into a fish bowl at your cash register to win a free sandwich. But you don't have their permission to send them email marketing. Until you have their permission, you may not use MailChimp to send them anything. Here's our terms of use for more clarification.
I just bought 30 million totally legit opt-in emails. Can you blast 'em for me?
No, MailChimp is for permission-based lists only. Purchased, rented or 3rd party lists are not allowed on MailChimp. If you purchased a list of 30 million emails, you should unplug your computer. Then punch yourself in the gut.
I want to buy a targeted list of opt-in prospects from MailChimp
We don't sell lists, nor are purchased lists allowed on MailChimp. You can only use MailChimp for sending to people who gave you permission to send them email marketing.
I want a guarantee that MailChimp will get me past all the spam filters.
If you think anybody can guarantee 100% deliverability, you're not ready to do any email marketing. Most deliverability problems come from your content, not our delivery services. So if you put together a spammy looking email, there's nothing we can do about it. Read more about how spam filters work before you do any email marketing.
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