Zoho Campaigns is the email marketing tool in the Zoho suite. If you already use Zoho CRM, it is the obvious choice -- the integration is native and contact sync is seamless. It is also one of the most affordable paid options available. 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.
Zoho Campaigns at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting price | $3/mo (Standard, 500 contacts) |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Free trial | Free plan up to 2,000 contacts |
| Setup time | 1-2 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Best for | Businesses already using Zoho CRM or other Zoho apps |
How to set up Zoho Campaigns in 6 steps
Go to Zoho Campaigns and sign up. If you already have a Zoho account, log in with the same credentials. The free plan supports up to 2,000 contacts and 6,000 emails per month -- one of the more generous free tiers in this category. Enter your organization details and complete the account setup.
Go to Settings > Sender Domains and add your domain. Zoho Campaigns provides DKIM records to add to your DNS. Log in to your domain registrar, add the TXT records, and verify in Zoho. If you are already using Zoho Mail or other Zoho products with your domain, some authentication records may already be in place.
If you use Zoho CRM, go to Contacts > Sync with Zoho CRM to pull your contacts in directly -- this is the main advantage of using Zoho Campaigns. Otherwise, go to Contacts > Import and upload your CSV. Map columns to Zoho fields, assign contacts to a mailing list, and confirm the import. Zoho also supports importing from Google Contacts and other sources.
Go to Forms > Create Form. Design your signup form using the builder, set which list new subscribers are added to, configure the confirmation email, and then either embed the form on your site or share the hosted URL. Zoho also offers a landing page builder if you want a standalone opt-in page.
Go to Automation > Workflows > Create Workflow. Set the trigger to 'When a contact is added to a list'. Add a Send Email action for your welcome email, then a Wait action, then a follow-up email. Zoho's workflow builder is visual. If you are on a higher plan, you can add CRM-based triggers and update CRM records from within the workflow.
Go to Campaigns > Create Campaign. Choose a template or start with a blank canvas. Customize the design with the drag-and-drop editor, write your subject line and preview text, select your mailing list, and send a test email. When ready, schedule or send. Campaign reports show opens, clicks, bounces, and spam complaints.
Tips before you start
- If you use Zoho CRM, sync contacts directly rather than importing via CSV -- it keeps data consistent across both tools.
- Zoho Campaigns is part of the broader Zoho One bundle, which can be cost-effective if you use multiple Zoho apps.
- The pre-built autoresponder templates cover common use cases -- start there before building custom workflows.
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 Zoho Campaigns is the right long-term fit.