Switching email marketing platforms can feel like moving house—lots of boxes, a few nerves, and the hope that the new place will be better suited to your needs. If you’re considering leaving Mailchimp for Selzy, this guide walks you through every stage of the migration while highlighting where Selzy shines.
Why Move From Mailchimp to Selzy?
Both tools offer robust automation, but Selzy brings a few distinct advantages for growing businesses:
- Transparent pricing: No hidden tiers; you pay for the contacts you actually have.
- Built‑in SMS & WhatsApp: Reach audiences on multiple channels from a single dashboard.
- AI‑powered content suggestions: Generate subject lines and copy in seconds.
- GDPR‑ready compliance: Fine‑tuned consent management for EU audiences.
Pre‑Migration Checklist
1. Audit Your Current Mailchimp Setup
- Export all audience lists (CSV or Excel).
- Download every campaign report you might need for future analysis.
- Identify segmentation rules, tags, and custom fields.
- Make a note of automation workflows you rely on.
2. Prepare Your Selzy Account
- Create your Selzy workspace and set up sender authentication (DKIM/SPF).
- Map Mailchimp custom fields to Selzy’s contact properties.
- Enable double‑opt‑in if you need to refresh consent.
Step‑by‑Step Migration Process
Step 1 – Export Audiences from Mailchimp
Navigate to Audience > All contacts > Export audience. Choose the CSV (all fields, merge tags) option. This file will contain email addresses, first/last names, tags, and any custom data.
Step 2 – Clean & Segment Your List
Before importing, remove hard bounces, inactive contacts, and duplicate rows. Use a simple spreadsheet filter or a free tool like Google Sheets’ Remove Duplicates. Segment the list based on engagement (e.g., Recent Openers, Never Opened) – these segments will become Selzy groups.
Step 3 – Import into Selzy
In Selzy, go to Contacts > Import. Upload the cleaned CSV, then:
- Match each column to a Selzy field (email, name, tags, custom fields).
- Select the target group or create new groups for each segment.
- Enable the opt‑in confirmation toggle if you want a re‑verification email.
Step 4 – Re‑create Automation Workflows
Selzy’s visual flow builder makes recreating sequences straightforward:
- Open Automation > Workflows and click New Workflow.
- Choose a template (welcome series, cart abandonment, etc.) or start from scratch.
- Drag‑and‑drop triggers (e.g., "joins group X") and actions (send email, wait, add tag).
- Paste the email copy you exported from Mailchimp, then replace merge tags with Selzy’s syntax (e.g.,
{%contact.first_name%}). - Test each step using the Preview & Test feature.
Step 5 – Transfer Templates & Design Assets
Mailchimp’s HTML templates can be imported directly:
- Copy the full HTML source of a saved template.
- In Selzy, go to Templates > Create > Code editor and paste the HTML.
- Replace Mailchimp’s editable regions with Selzy’s (
{%content%}blocks) so the drag‑and‑drop editor can still edit the design.
Step 6 – Verify Deliverability
Send a test email to a handful of accounts (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo). Check:
- Spam folder presence.
- Rendering on mobile vs. desktop.
- Link tracking and UTM parameters.
If you see issues, adjust the From Name and Reply‑To address, then re‑authenticate your domain.
Step 7 – Go Live & Monitor
Schedule your first campaign in Selzy. During the first 48 hours, watch the real‑time analytics dashboard for bounce rates, open rates, and click‑through trends. Compare these metrics to your last Mailchimp reports to confirm no major drop.
Positioning Selzy Against Mailchimp
| Feature | Mailchimp | Selzy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Tiered by contacts & features | Flat per‑contact price, no hidden fees |
| Multi‑channel | Email only (add‑ons for SMS) | Email + SMS + WhatsApp built‑in |
| AI assistance | Basic subject‑line suggestions | AI copy generator, design suggestions |
| Automation depth | Visual builder, limited conditional logic | Advanced branching, event‑based triggers |
| Compliance tools | Standard GDPR templates | Dynamic consent forms, audit logs |
For businesses that need a single platform for email, SMS, and WhatsApp, or those looking to keep costs predictable, Selzy often ends up a better strategic fit.
FAQ
Is there a limit on how many contacts I can import?
No. Selzy lets you import unlimited contacts; you only pay for the active subscriber count each month.
Will my existing Mailchimp automations stop working automatically?
Yes—once you deactivate the Mailchimp account, all automations cease. Recreate them in Selzy before the cut‑over to avoid gaps.
Do I need a developer to migrate templates?
Most templates transfer with a simple copy‑paste of HTML. Complex merge‑tag logic may need a developer to map Mailchimp tags to Selzy’s syntax.
Can I run A/B tests in Selzy right after migration?
Absolutely. Selzy’s split‑testing feature works on any campaign, allowing you to test subject lines, content blocks, or send times.
What support is available if I get stuck?
Selzy offers 24/7 live chat, a knowledge base, and a dedicated onboarding specialist for new accounts.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Migration is a chance to clean up data, rethink segmentation, and leverage new channels. Follow the steps above, keep an eye on deliverability, and you’ll be sending smarter, more cost‑effective campaigns in no time.
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