These days, email marketing tools aren’t just about sending messages; they are about standing out. With so many creators, freelancers, and small businesses running their marketing, there’s a growing demand for platforms that are both easy to use and visually stunning.
So, what is Flodesk? It’s an email marketing platform built with design in mind. Since launching in 2018, Flodesk has gained popularity for its flat-rate pricing, $38/month, no matter how big your email list gets. No surprise fees. No price hikes as your subscribers grow.
What is Flodesk used for? You can create stylish emails with its drag-and-drop editor, automate your workflows, and even sell digital products directly through its Checkout feature. Want to build your list? Flodesk also lets you design custom landing pages that match your brand’s vibe.
This article will help you see if Flodesk fits your email marketing plan. You can sell digital products using its Checkout feature. Also, you can grow your subscriber base with custom landing pages.
What is Flodesk and What Does It Do?
Flodesk is often the answer when people ask what is Flodesk? and why it’s become so popular. Launched in 2019, it’s a visually driven email marketing platform that quickly caught the attention of entrepreneurs. Its appeal? The ability to create stunning designs without needing any tech skills. Built without funding or a flashy launch, Flodesk quietly redefined how small businesses approach email marketing with a focus on simplicity and aesthetics.
1. The Story Behind Flodesk’s Creation
Martha and Rebecca started Flodesk in 2018 after they spotted a huge gap in the digital world. They designed their first landing page in Photoshop from a San Francisco apartment. This simple start led to a design revolution in email marketing.
Their goal was crystal clear: to build “an email marketing tool that makes it ridiculously easy to design emails people love to get“. They launched with a beta product that lacked many competitor features. Still, they built it on five original pillars that remain the foundations of their design philosophy today.
A modest experiment with 30 test users grew beyond all expectations. The founders aimed to reach 500 paying customers by December 2019, just months after their August launch. The results were remarkable – they got 5,000 paying customers instead.
The platform grew exceptionally:
- By March 2020, Flodesk achieved profitability.
- Within their first year, they reached $5 million in annual recurring revenue.
- By July 2023, they grew to $20 million ARR with a 391% year-over-year growth rate.
- Currently, Flodesk generates over $25 million ARR while remaining profitable and bootstrap-funded.
These numbers show how well Flodesk solved problems that entrepreneurs faced with traditional email marketing platforms.
2. What is Flodesk used for? Core Features at a Glance
Flodesk provides user-friendly software tools built for entrepreneurs who want to grow through beautiful digital marketing. If you’re wondering what is Flodesk used for, the answer lies in its ability to simplify email marketing while keeping it visually stunning. The platform offers key features that help users design, send, and track engaging emails without the tech headache.
(i) Email Marketing
- Design-forward email builder with customizable templates.
- No coding experience is required for beautiful designs.
- Custom font support for brand consistency.
- Deep personalization options for targeted messaging.
- Knowing how to automatically resend to non-openers.
(ii) List Building & Management
- Beautiful opt-in form templates (popup, inline, and full-page)
- Landing page capabilities without needing a website.
- Advanced segmentation for organizing subscribers.
- Custom fields for gathering subscriber information.
- Form priorities to let subscribers select content interests.
(iii) Automation Capabilities
- Workflow creation for automated email sequences
- Welcome sequences for new subscribers
- Product launch campaign automation
- Link Action feature for automating based on subscriber clicks.
- Behaviour-based tagging for improved targeting.
(iv) Analytics & Tracking
- Visual analytics dashboards for performance metrics.
- Subscriber growth tracking.
- Email engagement metrics (opens, clicks).
- Revenue generation tracking.
- Funnel performance analytics.
(v) E-commerce Integration
- Sales pages for digital products.
- Online payment processing.
- Instant product delivery.
- No platform fees on transactions (only standard Stripe processing fees).
- Shopify integration for e-commerce businesses.
Flodesk solves common frustrations with traditional email marketing platforms. One enthusiastic user says: “With a simple and minimal interface, I was finally able to understand segmentation, easily build landing pages for my subscribers, and create effective funnels without breaking my brain in the process”. If you browse Flodesk reviews, you’ll often see praise for the platform’s intuitive design and ease of use.
Flodesk’s pricing structure sets it apart. Unlike competitors who charge more as subscriber lists grow, Flodesk offers unlimited subscribers with flat pricing. Businesses can grow their email lists without worrying about increased costs—a huge advantage for expansion-focused companies.
The platform keeps evolving and adds new features while staying committed to user-friendly, beautifully designed experiences. Flodesk University offers free educational resources with video courses under 10 minutes that cover everything from email marketing basics to sales best practices.
Entrepreneurs who value design and simplicity find Flodesk a compelling alternative to complex email marketing solutions. Creative professionals, solo entrepreneurs, and small businesses love the platform’s beautiful templates and intuitive workflows. They can create polished communications without dealing with technical complexity.
How Flodesk Works: A Visual Tour
Flodesk’s user-friendly visual interface shows why entrepreneurs love its simplicity more than other marketing platforms. You’ll appreciate how the platform’s design removes technical confusion without losing any features. Let me show you how Flodesk works in your daily routine.
1. Setting Up Your First Account
You can start using Flodesk quickly. The platform offers a free 14-day trial with complete access to everything, and no credit card is needed. The clean dashboard makes it easy to find your way around.
Your first-time setup needs these key steps:
- Account details: Add your business info and timezone to schedule emails correctly
- Email setup: Choose up to two email addresses to send from
- Brand customization: Add your logo, pick up to five brand colours with hex codes, and link your website
- Social integration: Link your Instagram to show your feed in emails and add other social links
The brand settings matter a lot because they create a consistent look across your messages. Your logo shows up in emails automatically, and your colours are ready to use in the email editor.
Domain authentication helps your emails reach inboxes instead of spam folders. Gmail and other providers will recognize your messages as legitimate when you complete this step.
2. Creating Your First Email Campaign
The email creation process shines with its visual approach and simplicity. Here’s how to build your first campaign:
- Click “New Email” on your dashboard
- Pick a template that fits your style
- Add your content, images, and branding
- Send now or schedule for later
The user-friendly editor lets you change anything with a click. Switch fonts, update colours from your palette, and add images from your computer. You can also use free photos from Unsplash or GIFs from Giphy.
E-commerce businesses will love the specialized templates that showcase products well. The countdown timer feature effectively adds urgency to sales campaigns.
After your email design is ready, you can:
- Send it right away to specific groups
- Pick a future date and time
- Set up automatic sending through workflows
Clean dashboards show you which emails work best, when to send them, and how subscribers interact with your content.
3. Building Landing Pages and Forms
You can create standalone landing pages without a website, which is one of Flodesk’s best features. It helps collect email subscribers before your site launch or during specific campaigns.
Flodesk gives you four form options:
- Popup forms: These catch attention by appearing on your website
- Inline forms: These fit naturally within your content
- Full-page forms: These work as independent landing pages
- Link in bio forms: These work perfectly with social media profiles
Creating a landing page is straightforward:
- Go to Forms and click “+ New Form.”
- Choose “Full Page” and select your template
- Add your brand elements, text, and images
- Choose where new subscribers go
- Share your unique URL
The form builder matches the email editor’s style, which keeps everything consistent. You can change fonts, colors, and fields and let subscribers pick their content priorities.
Mobile users can create and edit full-page forms and link-in-bio forms from their phones, something many other platforms don’t offer.
This design-focused approach explains why creative entrepreneurs and small business owners love Flodesk. It gives them sophisticated design options without technical headaches.
Flodesk Pricing: Is It Worth the Investment?
The Flodesk pricing often becomes a deciding factor when you’re exploring email marketing platforms. Flodesk breaks away from traditional email marketing services with its simple pricing structure.
1. Flat-Rate vs. Tiered Pricing Models
Traditional email marketing platforms use a tiered pricing model that increases costs as your subscriber list grows. It means you pay more as your business succeeds. Flodesk takes a different approach with a flat monthly fee, depending on your subscriber count.
The price difference becomes clear as your email list grows:
- At 1,000 subscribers: Flodesk ($39/month) vs. Mailchimp (Free up to 2,000) vs. ConvertKit ($29/month).
- At 5,000 subscribers: Flodesk ($39/month) vs. Mailchimp ($99/month) vs. ConvertKit ($49/month).
- At 10,000 subscribers: Flodesk ($39/month) vs. Mailchimp ($199/month) vs. ConvertKit ($79/month).
The savings become even bigger beyond 10,000 subscribers. Flodesk costs over $500 LESS per month than some competitors – that’s more than $6,000 saved each year.
2. What’s Included in the $38/Month Plan
You can choose between two main pricing options with Flodesk:
- Email Plan: $38/month (or $35/month when paid annually at $418/year).
- Email & Checkout: $64/month (or $59/month with annual subscription).
The standard Email plan has the following:
- Unlimited subscribers without list size restrictions.
- Unlimited emails without sending caps or volume limits.
- Full access to all email features with templates and automation.
- Form creation tools to grow your subscriber list.
- Workflow automation to create automated email sequences.
- Beautiful templates for emails, forms, and landing pages.
Businesses selling digital products can use the Email & Checkout plan that adds e-commerce features without platform fees. You just pay Stripe’s standard processing fee of 3% + $0.30 per transaction.
The flat-rate structure helps you predict your marketing budget. Many users say Flodesk’s pricing is “a steal” since other email services charge hundreds for similar features. If you check Flodesk reviews, you’ll find that users consistently appreciate the platform’s straightforward pricing and transparent costs, which make it an attractive choice for growing businesses.
3. Free Trial and Discount Options
Flodesk doesn’t have a permanent free plan like others, but you can try and save money through:
- 30-day free trial with complete feature access.
- No credit card is needed to start the trial.
- 50% discount for your first year with promo codes.
- Free “Link in Bio” plan to collect subscribers (without email sending).
You can save money by:
- Starting with the 30-day free trial to test everything
- Use the discount code “YAY50” to get 50% off your first year.
- Choosing annual billing to save about one month’s payment.
The discount brings your first-year cost down to $19/month (or $209 annually), making it a great starting point.
Flodesk offers great value, especially for growing businesses. You won’t worry about your subscriber list growth causing higher costs. This predictable pricing lets entrepreneurs budget confidently as their marketing succeeds.
The platform’s worth depends on your needs and growth plans. Businesses with faster-growing lists or those near higher subscriber tiers on other platforms will find significant long-term savings and budget certainty with this flat-rate pricing.
Flodesk Templates: Design Without the Headache
Flodesk stands out with its beautiful, ready-to-use templates that take away the design headaches you get with other email platforms. These templates give entrepreneurs who lack design skills or time a professional starting point with minimal tweaks needed. Your subscribers will experience a unified visual style across emails, forms, and landing pages.
1. Pre-Built Email Templates
The platform’s extensive template gallery meets almost every email marketing need. You’ll find templates organized by purpose:
- Newsletter templates for regular updates
- Thank you emails for acknowledging subscriber actions
- Welcome sequences to introduce new subscribers to your brand
- Sales emails are designed to convert
- Product launch sequences to build excitement
These templates shine because of their visual quality. They feature sophisticated design elements, thoughtful typography, and strategic layouts that maximize engagement, unlike the text-heavy templates you see on other platforms.
The platform has built a community of template creators who share their designs. Members like Angela Mondloch create template bundles ranging from minimalist to dreamy aesthetics. Katie Zana’s templates mix bold colours with retro vibes to help you craft authentic emails that show your brand’s personality.
2. Form and Landing Page Designs
Flodesk’s form-building tools help grow your subscriber list effectively:
Popup forms catch visitor attention at key moments by appearing over your website content. Inline forms fit naturally into your site’s content, while full-page forms work as standalone landing pages without needing a website – perfect if you haven’t launched one yet.
The link in bio forms stands out as an innovative feature. These shareable forms help you own your social media audience by collecting email addresses directly. They come with customizable elements like:
- Logo blocks
- Preference options
- Image sections
- Link lists
- Bio blocks
- Social icons
Flodesk Checkout templates provide high-converting designs for selling digital products. Clean, simple designs create pleasant visitor experiences. Strategic calls-to-action and visual sections showcase your offerings clearly.
Video forms add a new dimension to Flodesk’s template library. You can now embed YouTube or Vimeo videos directly into pop-up and landing page forms, adding persuasive power that static images can’t match.
3. Customization Options for Your Brand
The platform’s accessible editor makes template personalization simple without requiring technical skills. Creative control stays in your hands:
You can save up to 10 unique brand colours in your account to speed up design work across marketing materials. The colour picker palette includes a brightness slider and an eyedropper tool for exact colour matching.
Text editing gives you complete control over fonts, sizes, colours, alignment, spacing, and case styling. Images can come from your uploads, Unsplash stock photos, or Giphy’s GIF collection.
Layout blocks, Flodesk’s unique technology, provide just enough design structure so you never start from scratch. Each component can be edited with the right-hand editor to adjust images, text, and styling. These blocks appear as image elements in sent emails, keeping your design consistent across email clients.
The platform now lets you customize social media icons in email footers to match your brand colours – a small but important detail other platforms miss.
Accessibility remains a priority. Alt text can be added to all image blocks, including layout blocks, e-commerce sections, countdown timers, logos, and video blocks. It makes your communications more inclusive.
Flodesk Workflows: Automating Your Email Marketing
Email marketing needs regular follow-up. Manual sending becomes impossible as your list grows. Flodesk Workflows automate your email sequences to help you build relationships and generate revenue while you sleep.
1. Setting Up Welcome Sequences
Welcome sequences introduce new subscribers to your brand at a time when engagement rates peak. Flodesk makes this process simple with an accessible interface that creates automated email series quickly.
To create a welcome workflow:
- Direct to Workflows and click “New Workflow.”
- Choose either a template (like the four-part welcome sequence template) or start from scratch.
- Set your trigger, typically “When a subscriber is added to a segment” or “When a subscriber submits a form.”
- Add your welcome emails with time delays between them (generally 1-3 days apart)
- Publish your workflow
Businesses with multiple lead magnets can create separate workflows for each offering in Flodesk. Subscribers receive your welcome sequence only once. Add subscribers to a dedicated “Welcome Sequence” segment after they receive their freebie. Your primary welcome workflow triggers from that segment.
2. Creating Product Launch Campaigns
Product launches work better with automation. It removes the stress of sending time-sensitive emails during your busiest period. Flodesk lets you schedule your entire launch sequence ahead of time.
Your launch workflow should:
- Map out email content, including problem-solving, FAQs, product details, and testimonials
- Schedule urgency emails for the final days before the cart closes
- Add appropriate time delays between messages
- Include clear calls to action in each email
Published workflows send the right message at the right time. This allows you to focus on other launch activities. Flodesk’s recent workflow improvements trigger campaigns from form submissions without creating segments first. This saves valuable setup time.
3. Link Action Feature Explained
Flodesk’s Link Action feature is a powerful automation tool that creates individual-specific experiences. Link Actions automate tasks when someone clicks a link in your email.
Subscriber clicks with Link Actions can:
- Add them to one or multiple segments
- Remove them from segments
- Add them to a workflow
- Remove them from a workflow
- Tag them with custom field values
This feature enables sophisticated marketing strategies with a simple setup. To name just one example, see how you could create a poll asking “What do you want to hear more about?” with links for different topics. Each click segments subscribers based on their interests. It enables hyper-personalized content delivery.
Subscribers can opt out of specific content (like holiday promotions) without unsubscribing completely. It reduces list churn while respecting subscriber priorities.
Link Actions lets subscribers self-segment through natural interactions with your content. It removes the guesswork from list organization and increases conversions by delivering precisely what subscribers want.
These automation tools help Flodesk revolutionize email marketing. What was once time-consuming becomes a strategic asset that nurtures leads and drives sales continuously.
Flodesk vs Mailchimp: Which Platform Wins?
Picking between email marketing platforms boils down to comparing what each does best. Flodesk vs Mailchimp takes two different paths to email marketing. One focuses on design and simple use, while the other provides detailed features but takes more time to learn.
1. Interface and Ease of Use Comparison
Flodesk stands out with its easy-to-use interface that works great for non-technical users:
- A clean, uncluttered dashboard with easy navigation
- Simple drag-and-drop email builder that “just works”
- The quick learning curve for beginners
- Focus on key features without too many options
Mailchimp has a more complex interface that shows its progress into a detailed marketing platform:
- A busy dashboard with multiple navigation options
- More settings and configuration screens
- Takes longer to learn, especially for beginners
- An optional guided tour with an onboarding specialist helps new users
Many users say that “because there are fewer options and settings, Flodesk is slightly easier to use than Mailchimp“. It makes Flodesk the clear winner for users who want something simple to use.
2. Template Quality and Design Options
These platforms show considerable differences in template quality:
- Flodesk templates are widely regarded as “more modern and stylish than Mailchimp”.
- Flodesk offers “a more extensive selection of fonts, making it easier to design more unique emails”.
- Flodesk’s form templates look better, with “a range of pop-up, inline, link in bio, and full landing page form types”.
Mailchimp lets you customize, but it doesn’t look as good:
- Simple template designs that focus on function over style
- Limited signup form options, “only nine landing page templates or five basic black-and-white pop-up form layouts”.
- More HTML/CSS customization options for tech-savvy users
Flodesk’s template quality makes it a better choice for businesses that care about looks.
Pricing Structure Differences
The pricing models couldn’t be more different:
- Flodesk: Simple flat rate of $38/month for unlimited subscribers and all features
- Mailchimp: Tiered pricing based on subscriber count and feature access
This difference matters more as your email list grows. Flodesk gives you predictable costs no matter how big your list gets, while “Mailchimp’s pricing can feel steep” as your subscriber numbers increase.
3. Automation Capabilities
Mailchimp shows its experience here:
- Over 100 pre-built automations (called “journeys”).
- Advanced triggering options and conditions
- Multi-channel automation capabilities beyond just email
Flodesk keeps things simpler:
- Four pre-built automations (called “workflows”) plus custom options.
- Visual workflow builder that’s easier to understand
- “Flodesk offers fewer workflow templates with more steps, whereas Mailchimp provides more automation with fewer steps”.
Your needs determine the best choice for automation, Mailchimp for complex features, and Flodesk for simplicity.
Your priorities should guide your choice. Flodesk works best if you want a beautiful design, simplicity, and fixed pricing. Mailchimp fits better if you need advanced automation and lots of integrations, and don’t mind a harder learning curve or rising costs as your list grows.
Top Flodesk Alternatives for Different Needs
Flodesk has won many hearts with its beautiful templates and flat-rate pricing. You might need specific features that better match your business needs. Here are three top Flodesk alternatives that shine in different areas.
1. ConvertKit: For Content Creators
Kit (formerly known as ConvertKit) serves over 500,000 creators and puts substance ahead of style. The platform stands out with tools that content creators need:
- Creator Network helps you connect with like-minded people and promotes newsletters automatically.
- Double opt-in customization for each signup form helps improve subscription confirmation rates.
- Advanced tagging lets you organize your audience with precision—a feature Flodesk doesn’t have.
- Easy commerce options let you sell digital products without extra fees.
You can start free with up to 1,000 subscribers and basic features, or get all features with the Creator plan ($25/month). The cost becomes higher than Flodesk after you cross 3,000 subscribers.
2. MailerLite: Budget-Friendly Option
MailerLite makes a strong case for businesses that want great features without breaking the bank:
- The free plan gives you 1,000 subscribers with 12,000 monthly emails.
- The clean interface works like Flodesk but adds advanced features like A/B testing.
- Website builder sets it apart from other email platforms.
- Visual click maps show you how customers interact with your content.
The Growing Business plan costs just $9/month, making it a better deal than Flodesk for smaller lists. The cost goes up as your subscriber count grows, following the usual tiered pricing model.
3. ActiveCampaign: For Advanced Automation
ActiveCampaign packs powerful features that go beyond Flodesk’s basic workflows. This platform works best when your business needs sophisticated marketing automation:
- Predictive sending picks the best email delivery times based on how each person behaves.
- Advanced lead scoring helps you spot your most engaged prospects.
- Split automation uses if/then logic to create customized experiences.
- Deep integration connects with CRM tools to manage your sales pipeline.
The Plus plan starts at $49/month (yearly payment) and includes both email marketing and sales automation tools. The platform takes time to learn but delivers great value for businesses ready to use advanced marketing strategies.
These alternatives each bring something special to the table. Your choice depends on what matters most to you, whether that’s creator-focused features, staying within budget, or having sophisticated marketing automation tools.
Is Flodesk Right for Your Business?
The biggest problem remains after learning about Flodesk’s features, pricing, and capabilities: will this platform work for your business needs? Email marketing solutions don’t work the same way for every business. You need to know your unique requirements to make the right choice.
1. Perfect-Fit Businesses
Flodesk works best for several business types:
- Creative entrepreneurs: Designers, photographers, and artists love the visually appealing templates that match their style.
- Small-to-medium-sized businesses: Especially when you have simple, beautiful emails without technical complexity.
- Digital product creators: The Checkout feature lets you sell digital products without a website.
- Solo entrepreneurs: The accessible interface needs no coding or design skills to create engaging emails.
- Service providers and coaches: Automation tools help you connect with clients and manage subscriber lists.
Flodesk works best for businesses that value design and simplicity over complex marketing needs.
2. When to Consider Alternatives
Some businesses might find other platforms more suitable:
- Complex e-commerce needs: Businesses that need advanced analytics and segmentation might find Flodesk’s features limited.
- Enterprises needing API access: Flodesk doesn’t give you webhooks to trigger automation from business logic.
- Businesses needing sophisticated automation: you might need more complex funnels with unique logic in campaigns.
- For teams requiring extensive third-party integrations, limited integration options might push you toward Zapier.
- Companies needing advanced A/B testing: Flodesk can’t test subject lines, content, or send times.
3. Getting Started Guide
Here’s how to start with Flodesk:
- Sign up for a free trial: You get everything Flodesk offers for 30 days without credit card requirements.
- Set up your account: Add your brand details and verify the email address you are using.
- Authenticate your domain: This vital step will improve email deliverability.
- Import your subscribers: You can transfer your list from previous platforms easily.
- Create your first email: The drag-and-drop editor comes with pre-designed templates.
Users say Flodesk’s optimized approach makes setup substantially easier than other platforms.
Conclusion
What is Flodesk? It’s an email marketing platform designed for entrepreneurs and small businesses who value simplicity and beautiful design. Flodesk offers a flat-rate pricing of $38/month, which means no price hikes as your subscriber list grows. It makes it a great option for businesses aiming to scale without worrying about increasing costs.
Flodesk provides stunning, customizable templates, an easy-to-use interface, and essential tools like email automation, landing pages, and form creation. It’s especially popular with solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital product creators looking for a simple yet effective email marketing solution.
However, if you need advanced features like complex automation, A/B testing, or third-party integrations, Flodesk might not be the right fit. For those looking for straightforward, design-focused email marketing, Flodesk is a fantastic choice, and you can try all its features for free with a 30-day trial.
