Aurea List Manager vs. Zoho Campaigns

Lyris LM is suited well with an organization or group that have several lists, as virtual list hosting is not represented by any other hosting company as far as I can tell.

It is well suited in scenarios:

1. Well-defined static list with proper info.
2. Not building email templates from scratch
3. Litmus testing involved
4. Easy to use simple automation journeys involved

Not well-suited scenarios:

1. Complex Customer journeys
2. Dynamic content involved
3. Integration with other products other than the ZOHO suite
4. Testing API limits

Incentivized

• Reports: extensive reporting on mailings and membership. Pre-built reports/charts include Mailings, Members, Server Performance, Web site, Purchases, Interest and Surveys. If Aurea ListManager doesn't have the built-in chart needed, you can easily create your own.
• Easy to analyze mailings: Completed mailing can be analyzed quickly. Options include viewing any errors that may have resulted, and checking list performance, evaluating recipient actions, ( opens, click-troughs). Details can be seen on a per-recipient basis, allowing you to see exactly what happened with each message sent.
• Discussion Lists. There are numerous list setting to customize each list.

Incentivized

• The best thing about this software is its integration with G-suite.
• It's user interface is so easy that any user can learn it quickly. And it is very easy to operate.
• It helps users to engage subscribers via various social media platforms.
• It allows users to compare various email campaigns.

Incentivized

• Tech support is limited for standard users, especially during non business hours even for critical errors
• Installation/upgrade is often complicated
• Version releases are too frequent

Incentivized

• Zoho should start by throwing this tool in the trash and then recreate it from scratch. There are so many flaws I would be here all year trying to list them all. Start by the fact that creating templates is an absolute nightmare. You'll find over and over again that something that should be easily executed can't be done. It is NOT a plug and play program. Everything is trial and error.
• The reporting SUCKS bad. It gives you basics, but if you want any real insights... I have to export all my data into my own spreadsheets to compare results from multiple campaigns.
• Customer service is B.A.D. You'll spend HOURS upon HOURS with a tech support team that knows less than you. The only time anything gets accomplished is when you work with a programmer. BUT, you'll seriously waste 1-2 hours explaining a problem to someone who is only taking notes. You'll get so frustrated when they try to show you how they think it works and you respond with... "I know how this works because I have used it for a year - the problem is that it stopped working the way it always did before. They will argue with you. You will respond accordingly. They will close tickets without resolution. Speaking of tickets, you'll never get one. They say they will take care of it and a week later you will follow-up and no one will have any idea what is going on. You'll start from scratch and be even more frustrated. You will learn to "fix" it on your own or deal with it, broken.
• After two years, I'm still not sure if my emails even make it to an inbox. When asked, you'll be told that you need to write better subject lines. I call bull****. Don't rely on this product to deliver your email. And don't question Zoho, as it will always be your fault.
• You can't use this tool to send to ANY group email addresses. You can't even override the system. I have a lot of clients that use info@xxx.com or sales@xxx.com, etc. and I have to send them personal emails since this will not allow them to be sent. They say it is to protect them from getting blacklisted. I call bull**** again.
• The templates offered by the system are crap - unless you only send holiday emails. Not a large selection of just generic templates. You'll be pulling your hair out trying to use their builder to create your own. In the end, you'll end up sending emails with nothing "pretty" about them.

Incentivized

We will most likely not use Lyris LM for much longer. We have recently been offered to utilize a different software that better meets our needs, is current, user friendly, and has fantastic reporting capabilities.

Because I am a single user organization and the subscription is free for up to 3 users.

Incentivized

I have not needed to utilize customer support during my use of Lyris LM.

I was not part of the implementation process.

We selected Lyris LM based on cost, the fact that we can create custom reports and the way that they handle bounced emails just to name a few, It is easy to use and we have control of who can and cannot use. With a virtual list I can create a list or take a list down at any given time without filling out a form or contact with my provider and my list looks as if it is coming from my own server @museum.com.

Zoho Campaigns is not for beginners to email marketing, but it’s an excellent choice for those who want to send out a lot of emails with few restrictions and great reporting. It’s a no-brainer if you’re already a Zoho user, as Campaigns is included in Zoho One subscriptions and integrates nicely with other Zoho apps.

Incentivized

• Aurea as a company is mediocre with support. The former LM staff was better informed about the product.
• LM can do almost anything you need. it's complete.
• ROI has suffered as Aurea has not updated the product, charges a considerable amount for renewals, promises with no results.

Incentivized

• It allows us to communicate with all our customers or lists together or individually, and to track how successful our campaigns are.
• Customer Service is a target area of why we use Zoho Campaigns, and it meets our needs greatly.
• To date we have not really measured the ROI or impact that Zoho Campaigns has on our marketing efforts but with this product it certainly has the means to do such.

Incentivized