8 Email Marketing Tips Every Indian Business Owner Needs to Know
Did you know that email marketing generates more than six billion pounds globally, with that figure set to double by 2028? For small businesses in India, where digital adoption is skyrocketing, this represents a massive slice of the pie waiting to be claimed.
While social media gets a lot of hype, email remains the quiet powerhouse of digital marketing. In fact, for business-to-consumer (B2C) brands, it often beats paid social media and content marketing in delivering the best Return on Investment (ROI).
But gone are the days of “spray and pray” tactics. Today, successful email marketing is about nuance, trust, and providing value. Whether you are a startup in Bengaluru or a textile exporter in Surat, here are eight actionable tips to kick-start your email marketing journey.
1. Build a “Clean” Mailing List (And Never Buy One)
In the past, marketers would simply buy email lists and blast them with bulk messages. Today, with stricter privacy laws and a general dislike for spam, this is a recipe for disaster.
Building a mailing list is like growing a plant—it requires patience and care. You must ensure people consent to receive your emails, which aligns with global standards like GDPR and acts as good practice for India’s evolving digital data laws.
How to grow your list organically:
- Website Sign-ups: Add a sign-up form to your HostingInIndia website with an incentive, like a discount code or exclusive update.
- Lead Magnets: Offer a free resource—such as a “Guide to Digital Marketing in India”—in exchange for an email address.
Checkout Integration: Ask customers to opt-in when they purchase a hosting plan or domain from you.
2. Set Clear Goals Before You Hit Send
Don’t just send an email for the sake of it. Every campaign needs a specific objective to prevent confusing your subscribers.
Common goals for Indian SMEs might include:
- Re-engaging inactive customers (e.g., “We miss you” offers).
- Nurturing new leads who just signed up for a trial.
- Upselling services (e.g., upgrading from Shared Hosting to VPS).
- Building brand loyalty during festivals like Diwali or Holi.
3. Use a Professional, Branded Email Address
Trust is the currency of the internet. If your business email comes from rahul_business_123@gmail.com, it often looks unprofessional or, worse, like a scam.
Your “Sender Name” is the first thing people see. Using a professional domain (like rahul@yourbusiness.in) drastically improves open rates.
Formats to try:
- [Brand Name] (e.g., HostingInIndia Team)
- [Your Name] from [Brand Name] (e.g., Priya from HostingInIndia)
4. Craft Subject Lines That Demand Attention
The average email open rate hovers between 29% and 40%. To be in the top tier, your subject line needs to do the heavy lifting.
- Personalise it: “Amit, here is your exclusive offer” performs better than generic titles.
- Keep it short: Many people check emails on mobile devices where long subject lines get cut off. Aim for 4-5 words.
Avoid Spam Triggers: Words like “Free,” “Lowest Price,” or excessive exclamation marks (!!!) can trigger spam filters, sending your hard work straight to the junk folder.
5. Timing is Everything
When you send your email is almost as important as what is in it. While you should eventually rely on your own analytics, general data suggests that Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 am and 3 pm are prime times for open rates.
However, if you are looking for clicks (people visiting your website), Wednesdays often perform best.
6. Use “Calls to Action” (CTAs) That Work
A Call to Action (CTA) is the button or link that tells the reader what to do next.
- Be direct: Use verbs like “Buy Now,” “Sign Up,” or “Get Started”.
- One clear goal: Don’t clutter the email with four different buttons. One well-placed CTA is often more effective.
- Make it stand out: Ensure your button is near the top and uses a contrasting color so it is impossible to miss.
7. Send Relevant Content
What should you actually write about? Mixing up your content keeps your audience engaged. Consider sending:
- Educational Newsletters: “How to speed up your website.”
- Seasonal Greetings: Specific offers for Indian festivals.
- Case Studies: Success stories of other clients.
- Surveys: Asking for feedback to improve your services.
8. Test, Learn, and Optimise
Marketing is rarely perfect on the first try. You might have a “gut feeling” that a certain subject line will work, but data often proves otherwise.
Use A/B Testing (Split Testing). This involves sending two versions of an email to a small segment of your list to see which one performs better before sending the winner to everyone else.
Wrapping Up
Email marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. By building a clean list, setting clear goals, and presenting a professional brand image with a custom domain, you can turn subscribers into loyal customers.
Ready to look professional? A branded email address is the first step to email marketing success. It establishes credibility and helps you stand out in a crowded inbox.
Check out HostingInIndia’s Professional Email Plans today and start your journey toward higher open rates and better ROI.