Constant Contact is one of the most beginner-friendly email platforms out there. The interface is clean, onboarding is guided, and support is strong. If you are new to email marketing, this is a solid place to start. Here is how to get set up.
Total setup time: 1-2 hours. Difficulty: Easy. You do not need any technical background to follow this guide.
Constant Contact at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting price | $12/mo (Lite) |
| Free plan | No |
| Free trial | 60-day free trial |
| Setup time | 1-2 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Best for | Small businesses and nonprofits new to email marketing |
How to set up Constant Contact in 6 steps
Go to constantcontact.com and start your 60-day free trial. Enter your business name, email, and details about your organization. Constant Contact will ask what type of business you run -- this helps it suggest relevant templates and features. No credit card is required to start the trial.
Go to Settings > Email Settings > Authentication. Constant Contact will provide DKIM records to add to your domain DNS. Log in to your domain registrar and add them as TXT records. Once propagated, Constant Contact will confirm authentication. This step significantly improves deliverability, especially for new accounts.
Go to Contacts > Import. You can import from a CSV file, paste a list directly, or import from Gmail, Outlook, or other sources. During import, map fields and assign contacts to a list. Constant Contact will flag any addresses that look invalid. After import, you can create segments based on contact fields.
Go to Contacts > Sign Up Forms and create a new form. Choose between a landing page, an embed form, or a pop-up. Customize the fields and design, then either embed it on your website using the provided code or share the hosted URL. New signups are added to whichever list you connect the form to.
Go to Campaigns > Automated Email. Choose 'Welcome new contacts' from the templates. Customize the email content and timing, then activate the automation. Constant Contact's automation is simpler than some competitors -- you can set up triggered sequences but not complex branching logic on the basic plan. For more advanced automation, you need the Standard or Premium plan.
Go to Campaigns > Create > Email. Choose a template from the library -- Constant Contact has a large selection organized by industry. Use the drag-and-drop editor to customize it, write your subject line, select your list, and send a test. When you are ready, schedule or send. Campaign reports are available shortly after sending.
Tips before you start
- Constant Contact's phone support is a genuine differentiator -- use it if you get stuck during setup.
- The event management and social posting features are useful if those are part of your marketing mix.
- If you are a nonprofit, ask about the nonprofit discount -- Constant Contact offers reduced pricing.
Next steps
Once your account is set up, focus on building your first automation before sending any broadcast campaigns. A working welcome sequence ensures every new subscriber gets a consistent first experience. After that, review your migration guide if you are moving contacts from another platform, and use the recommendations quiz to confirm Constant Contact is the right long-term fit.