What the New Infusionsoft Features Mean for Marketers

Anyone who tries to start a business, or remain competitive knows that technology is a key leverage point.  This has never been more of a reality than for those using the Internet to grow their business.  This month Infusionsoft published an update to their marketing automation system for customers.  If you have not heard of Infusionsoft, they have developed technology that helps small businesses implement and automate aspects of marketing that would otherwise require multiple staff members to accomplish.  If you want to see an example of it’s use, have a look at the 21 Ways I Use Infusionsoft .  Today’s post will discuss the recent update and what they mean for marketers.

What the New Infusionsoft Features Mean for Marketers

The debate has gone on for some time, Window PC (or Mac) based software, or hosted software, otherwise known as Software as a Service (SaaS).  In recent years I’ve personally invested in hosted software services, and this is one of the benefits of the software… new features.  They appear by just logging in.  I’ve enjoyed this with updates to our hosted accounting software (see “Practical Note” callout here), and just a few days ago, with Infusionsoft.  There are 5 key feature updates they introduced.

Feature 1 – Integrated Help and Support

One of the challenges Infusionsoft has is communicating the functionality of the application to its users, also addressed in Feature #4.  The help is a movable window right within the application letting users search.  It also brings in relevant content from the Infusionsoft user community.  And the help is contextual, meaning, it draws information from the page you are currently on.  This means marketers will save time, get answers faster by not requiring them to go to a new window to start searching, etc.

Image 1: Integrated Help in Infusionsoft Saves Marketers Time.

Feature 2 – Built-In Credit Card Import and Excel (Import) Support

Import reportedly now supports Excel (.xls, .xlsx) formats insted of .CSV.  This allows imports to happen much faster, especially when dealing with credit card information. Marketers get started faster…Previously Infusionsoft had to manually approve credit cards on import which delayed customers converting to Infusionsoft.  The process is also PCI compliant (data security standards). Infusionsoft now offers a trial, it’s here.

Feature 3 – Improved Email Editor

When composing an email, you have three editors to choose from. These are called the Drag and Drop Email Builder, the Classic Builder, or the Code Builder.  The one they are encouraging customers to use most is the “Drag and Drop Email Builder”.  Just be aware that a template created in the Classic Builder, will be converted when choosing the Drag and Drop editor, and cannot be reverted back.

Image 1: Drag and Drop Email Builder – Create Professional Looking Emails Fast.

Now Marketers can create emails quickly that look much more professional to subscribers. It was nearly impossible to get such elegant emails created in classic email builder (unless you are a web wizard, which I am not). Try the editor with a Infusionsoft trial account.

Feature 4 – Improved Success Path

This goes along with Infusionsoft’s efforts to help customers get results quickly with the system.  The success path has been around for some time, but they have improved it and integrated it with the new help system.  It consists of 5 steps newer users can take to get started quickly with the system. Following these steps, marketers can speed up their return on investment with the system. One of the challenges I see with Infusionsoft customers is their desire to learn everything the system can do.  I believe there is a better way, do the core fundamentals that will give you the fastest return on your investment, then build from there.

Feature 5 – Ecommerce Enhancements

Not a whole lot here since the real time shipping integration came out (UPS) a while back. Customers can now have category discounts in the shopping cart and customizable invoices, this allows marketers to do a better job branding, by incorporating better branding in their customer invoices, things like motivational messages and customer only specials in invoices resulting in increased sales.

Bottom-line on this Update: Overall, I think these features are going to help marketers by freeing up time, especially those who are fairly new to the system.  Seasoned users will have to consider the cost benefit of creating future email templates in the Drag and Drop Builder, and perhaps updating old templates as needed.  It’s always good to revisit campaigns, and update them. The Drag and Drop builder might be just the excuse you need to do that.  Find out more here.

Your Turn: Do you incorporate automation in your marketing?  If not, would you like to?  Chime in below with your questions or feedback.

Other Posts of Interest:

More Infusionsoft Updates
See another Infusionsoft Review
My Infusionsoft Bonus