Feature Set:  

You can copy and paste your contacts or upload them from a .csv file directly into MailChimp. However, we didn’t like that your columns needed to be in the order MailChimp specifies for your list to import properly. But, we did like that you could export your created lists into an Excel file.

Bounced emails are automatically deleated from your list, you can change your alias and use merge tags to make campaigns more personal. MailChimp also prompts and encourages you to include a line about where your contact signed up for your emails as a reminder and keep unsubscribes at a minimum. This was the only service we reviewed that did this.

MailChimp can also integrate an API for shopping carts.

MailChimp does have a spam tester add-on for $39. This will preview your campaign in 16 different email clients including Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL and more. It will check your SPAM score and detects errors in HTML code. The price allows you to check your message three times.

This was the only email marketing service we evaluated that for SPAM security reasons, would not let us sign up using a hotmail account. We had to use a business account.

Ease of Use:  

MailChimp is extraordinarily easy to use. The included wizard takes you through all the appropriate steps to setup your contacts, templates and campaigns. They also include tips for writing subject lines attached to the FAQ section.

All of your past and current campaigns are located on your home dashboard for easy selection. However, for added convenience we would like to see MailChimp place sections for your lists and reports directly on the dashboard as well.

Email Campaign Creation:  

With MailChimp you can add your own HTML email design or use one of their simple templates. They only offer four of the most common campaign types. MailChimp takes a unique approach to building and modifying your email campaign. Their WYSIWYG editor allows you to add images and change color schemes. After you’ve made the design modifications you can then save your template and use it multiple times just changing out the text.

MailChimp includes free unlimited image hosting, although all images have to be less than 1mb to upload.

We did encounter some difficulties when using the template editor. While we could change heading color and font, we were unable to change what the headings said. There was nothing along the way that prompted us to change article headings to our own.

Additionally, MailChimp does not support Unicode or international languages.

Campaign Reporting:  

We found MailChimp to provide the standard reports, but there was nothing particularly special about what they offered. You can track click-throughs, sent emails, bounced, opened and more. MailChimp can also integrate with Google Analytics.

Missing reports include conversion tracking, undeliverable and comparisons.

MailChimp also has an additional AIM reporting add-on  for $99. 

Help/Support:  

MailChimp has a comprehensive help and support section that includes a searchable knowledgebase, huge PDF guide, email tickets and live chat. When we contacted live chat it only took a moment for someone to respond. They politely and quickly answered our questions.

They also have a blog that includes articles and tips about email marketing and a weekly webinar.

MailChimp is a fun, easy service that still has a few quirks to work out. However, we found our overall experience with them to be pleasant.