Glossary of Key Email Marketing Terms
- Segmentation – The practice of dividing your email list based on data like purchase behavior, location, or interests to send more relevant emails.
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management) – A tool to manage customer interactions, data, and communication across marketing and sales.
- Automation Flow – A sequence of pre-scheduled or behavior-triggered emails (like welcome series or abandoned cart reminders).
- A/B Testing – The process of comparing two versions of an email (subject line, design, CTA) to see which performs better.
- Deliverability – The rate at which your emails land in the inbox, rather than the spam folder.
- Personalization – Tailoring content in real-time for each user, based on their actions, preferences, or profile data.
- Lifecycle Marketing – Email and SMS messaging that aligns with the customer journey (e.g., welcome, post-purchase, winback).
- Click-to-Open Rate (CTOR) – Percentage of people who clicked after opening your email. A better engagement metric than just open rates.
Table of contents
Introduction: Why Email Still Wins in 2025
Here’s a hard truth most marketers don’t want to face: algorithms change. Emails don’t.

While everyone’s scrambling to master the next social platform, email continues to be the one channel you actually own. No gatekeepers. No algorithm throttling your reach.
And with 4.3 billion global users, email isn’t just alive—it’s the central nervous system of eCommerce.
But here’s where brands fall short: they pick the wrong tools.
The right email software isn’t just about sending emails. It’s about customer intelligence, conversion flows, and profit per subscriber.
In this guide, we’re putting two of the biggest names head-to-head: Klaviyo and HubSpot.
Why Email Is Still the #1 Revenue Channel for eCommerce Brands
Data You Can’t Ignore
- Email ROI: $36 for every $1 spent
- 99% of consumers check their email daily
- Abandoned cart emails alone recover 10–30% of lost sales
Psychological Drivers
- Email creates a direct 1:1 conversation
- Subscribers give explicit consent, meaning intent is higher than social
- Inbox = trusted space; you don’t need to shout like you do in ads
Platform 1: Klaviyo – The eCommerce Powerhouse
Klaviyo is purpose-built for online stores. Period.
Who It’s For
- DTC brands
- Shopify/WooCommerce/BigCommerce stores
- Teams who want to scale with data, not guesswork
Core Features (Expanded)
1. Segmentation That Goes Deep
Not just “male vs. female” or “age 25–35.” Think:
- People who clicked a product but didn’t buy
- Customers with >$200 LTV
- Subscribers who only buy during sales
2. Revenue-Focused Flows
From welcome series to winback, Klaviyo automates your entire lifecycle.
Bonus: Every flow is tied to revenue reporting.
Top Flows You Can Build
- Abandoned Cart
- Welcome Series
- Post-Purchase Upsell
- Customer Winback
- Replenishment Flow
- VIP Experience
3. Real-Time Personalization
Dynamic blocks show:
- Last product viewed
- Personalized offers
- Product recommendations
4. Native Integrations
Works natively with:
- Shopify (deep integration)
- Recharge
- Gorgias
- Postscript
5. SMS + Email Together
Run both channels in the same automation. Seamless.
6. Reporting That Tracks Real Revenue
- Revenue per recipient (RPR)
- Campaign vs. Flow ROI
- LTV by segment
Pricing (2025 Update)
Free for up to 250 contacts.
Paid plans scale based on list size.
SMS billed separately or bundled.
Platform 2: HubSpot – The Inbound Growth Engine
While Klaviyo is laser-focused on eCommerce, HubSpot is a full-suite CRM and marketing platform. It’s email + social + ads + sales + service—all in one.
Who It’s For
- Brands with long sales cycles
- B2B eCommerce or hybrid B2C/DTC
- Teams who need CRM-level visibility
Core Features (Expanded)
1. All-in-One Marketing Automation
HubSpot combines:
- Email builder
- Blog/content tools
- Social media publishing
- Landing pages
- CRM and pipeline tracking
2. Lead Nurture Workflows
Automate based on:
- Lead score
- Email clicks
- Form submissions
- Lifecycle stage
3. Deep CRM Integration
See entire customer history:
- Web sessions
- Email opens
- Support tickets
- Past purchases
4. Dynamic Email Content
Smart blocks adjust based on:
- Geography
- Lifecycle stage
- Behavior triggers
5. Multichannel Campaign Management
Unlike Klaviyo, HubSpot lets you run:
- Google Ads
- LinkedIn Ads
- Facebook/Instagram from one place
6. Sales + Service Integration
Turn email engagement into:
- Live chat prompts
- Sales rep tasks
- Support tickets
Pricing (2025 Update)
- Starter: $50/month
- Professional: $890/month
- Enterprise: $3,600/month
Pricing includes CRM access and other tools. Email limits vary by plan.
Klaviyo vs. HubSpot: Feature Comparison Table
Feature | Klaviyo | HubSpot |
---|---|---|
Core Focus | eCommerce email + SMS | Full-stack marketing CRM |
Best For | DTC brands, Shopify stores | B2B, service-led brands |
Pricing | Scales with contact count | Tiered plans + add-ons |
Segmentation | Advanced + predictive | Great, but less ecommerce-focused |
Automation | Visual, drag-and-drop | Powerful, more CRM-tied |
CRM | Basic | Deep CRM functionality |
Integrations | Shopify, Recharge, Gorgias | Salesforce, Pipedrive, etc. |
Analytics | Revenue-based | Funnel-based |
Multichannel | Email + SMS | Email + Ads + Blog + Sales |
Learning Curve | Easier for marketers | Deeper, more complex |
Use Case Breakdown: When to Use What
Scenario | Recommended Platform |
---|---|
You’re scaling a Shopify store | ✅ Klaviyo |
You run B2B ecommerce with reps | ✅ HubSpot |
You need powerful email automations + SMS | ✅ Klaviyo |
You want marketing + sales in one dashboard | ✅ HubSpot |
You want revenue-focused flows and flows only | ✅ Klaviyo |
You need a full CRM + content engine | ✅ HubSpot |
Real-World Flow & Campaign Examples
Klaviyo Flow Snapshot
Welcome Flow for New Subscribers (Non-Buyers)
- Email 1: Welcome + 10% off
- Email 2: Brand story + social proof
- Email 3: Bestsellers showcase
- Email 4: Reminder of discount + urgency
Abandoned Cart Flow
- Email 1: Cart reminder + urgency
- Email 2: Product reviews + 10% incentive
- Email 3: Final call + product recommendations
Winback Flow
- Email 1: “We miss you” check-in
- Email 2: Product updates + new arrivals
- Email 3: Last chance 20% off
HubSpot Email Campaign Examples
Lead Nurture for B2B Buyers
- Email 1: “Here’s what you missed on our blog”
- Email 2: “Case study: $100k revenue increase”
- Email 3: Schedule a demo CTA
CRM-Driven Trigger
- Trigger: Contact filled form + viewed pricing
- Action: Email with testimonial + sales team alert
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is Klaviyo better than HubSpot for Shopify stores?
Yes. Klaviyo has deep Shopify integration and revenue-focused automation that’s optimized for ecommerce.
2. Can HubSpot be used for email-only marketing?
You can, but it’s expensive for just email. Its power lies in being an all-in-one marketing + CRM platform.
3. What kind of businesses should choose HubSpot over Klaviyo?
B2B brands, hybrid service-product companies, or anyone needing tight CRM integration should look at HubSpot.
4. Does Klaviyo support SMS marketing?
Yes. You can build SMS into flows alongside email. Great for abandoned carts, sales, and VIP messages.
5. What about deliverability and inbox placement?
Both platforms offer strong infrastructure, but Klaviyo gives better control with dedicated domains and real-time reporting.
6. Can I integrate Klaviyo or HubSpot with my existing tools?
Yes. Klaviyo supports native integrations for ecommerce tools; HubSpot works with CRMs, ad platforms, and form tools.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Klaviyo if…
- You run an ecommerce store
- You want to build high-converting flows
- SMS + email are your core retention channels
Choose HubSpot if…
- You need a full CRM
- You want to manage content + social in one place
- You run a B2B or high-touch sales funnel
Still unsure?
📞 Book a free consultation and let us audit your stack, build a CRM roadmap, and pick the best tool for your revenue goals.
Need help implementing this?
Let us take the hassle of managing your email marketing channel off your hands. Book a strategy call with our team today and see how we can scale your revenue, customer retention, and lifetime value with tailored strategies. Click here to get started.
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Want to see how we’ve helped brands just like yours scale?
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