Instantly or Smartlead? What are people using to send emails? I've been using Instantly due to ease of setup -- the DFY. Even though their UX is clunky and terrible. The little box you write emails in is the absolute worst. It's like they're not even trying on the UX front-- or actively trying to make it as hard as possible for you. But just today I was with a client, had set up DFY emails 2 weeks ago, and was about to start outreach and now finding the DFY emails were never warmed (or maybe they were-- the warmup counter was ticking upward, now suddenly at 0). Also tried starting a campaign and getting an unknown error message. Absolute zero support from Instantly. The worst. They are saying they will get back to me in a few hours-- that was yesterday. Disappeared until I finally made enough noise to get someone back on. Now ghosting me again. Absolutely atrocious. So I'm considering Smartlead from now on. Of course, there is no DFY -- so this means setting up DKIM / SPF / DMARC on dozens if not hundreds of accounts per client!?! How do people get around this? Any alternatives out there for email and domain setup? Thanks!
Check out the options listed here.
John F. A few thoughts. Instantly is not my favorite either. Many people pick it for its ease of use. There are many small issues I have with it. I personally use Quickmail as my go-to. Yes, you have to set up the domains and mailboxes yourself. They have just started a new offer where you can buy mailboxes from them that are fully set up. The issue is you have to buy the domain from them and the mailboxes. you are restricted to 3 mailboxes per domain, and you have no access to the workspace. They are working on getting their warming back up and running. I would also stay away from reply.io also. they only allow one mailbox connection and for the others, you have to contact them, and you can only have 3 mailboxes per user total. The mailbox rotation also doesn't really work. On that list the only two I would use are either Smartleads or Snov. I have small issues with both but they are the better of the group.
Thanks Josh M.! I agree there are so many UX issues with Instantly. This was my first messup on the DFY front. But ease of use is there with Instantly. I also know Smartlead is good. Have had limited interaction with the others, so would only trust those two. But Smartlead doesn't offer DFY, so that's an issue
