Does email marketing still work?
Yes, but mostly for people who already bought from you. Email is the cheapest way to talk to existing customers again; it's a poor way to find new ones. In Kuwait it usually sits behind WhatsApp for conversation and in front of it for receipts and longer content.
ShoaibUpdated 3 min read
What is email actually good at?
| Good at | Not good at |
|---|---|
| Bringing repeat customers back | Finding brand-new customers |
| Abandoned cart reminders | Urgent, same-day messages |
| Order updates and receipts | Anything needing a quick reply |
| Launches to people who asked | Buying a list and blasting it |
What does it cost?
Very little to start. Mailchimp's free plan currently covers up to 250 contacts with a maximum of 500 sends per month and 250 per day — enough to find out whether your list opens anything before you pay. If you sell on Shopify, Shopify Email is built in and sends from your store data.
Why does the list matter more than the email?
Because a list built from real buyers responds, and a bought list doesn't. The practical rule is simple: collect addresses at the moment someone buys or asks for something, tell them what they'll receive, and make leaving easy. A small list of people who want to hear from you beats a big one that doesn't.
How does it fit with ads?
Ads bring strangers in; email keeps them. That's the same logic as retargeting — reaching people who already showed interest, which is covered in retargeting basics. The two together lower your real cost per customer, because the second sale costs nothing to reach.
Also read does WhatsApp marketing work.
Selling online and want the follow-up built in? See our Shopify service.