How to Use Brevo for Email Marketing (Step-by-Step Guide)
Email marketing remains one of the highest-ROI digital channels. If you’re looking for an affordable yet powerful tool, Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) offers email campaigns, automation, CRM, SMS, and transactional emails, all in one platform.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to use Brevo for email marketing, from account setup to automation and analytics.
Why Choose Brevo for Email Marketing?
Brevo is popular among startups, ecommerce stores, and small businesses because it offers:
✅ Free plan with daily sending limits
✅ Unlimited contacts (pricing based on emails sent, not contact count)
✅ Built-in CRM
✅ Email + SMS marketing
✅ Automation workflows
✅ Transactional email via SMTP
If you're switching from tools like Mailchimp or HubSpot, Brevo can be a more budget-friendly option.
Step 1: Create Your Brevo Account
Visit the Brevo website and sign up.
Verify your email address.
Complete business details.
Verify your sending domain (important for deliverability).
Why Domain Verification Matters
To avoid emails going to spam, set up:
SPF
DKIM
DMARC
These improve email authentication and boost deliverability.
Step 2: Import or Build Your Email List
Brevo allows you to:
Upload CSV files
Copy-paste contacts
Sync from other tools
Use signup forms
Pro Tip:
Segment your contacts immediately based on:
Location
Purchase behavior
Signup source
Engagement level
Segmentation improves open and click rates significantly.
Step 3: Create Your First Email Campaign
How to Create a Campaign
Go to Campaigns
Click Create Campaign
Choose Email
Select a template
Brevo provides:
Drag-and-drop builder
Pre-designed templates
Plain text editor
HTML editor (for advanced users)
Step 4: Design Your Email
Focus on:
✔ Strong Subject Line
Example:
“Exclusive 20% Discount Ends Tonight”
“You Left Something in Your Cart 👀”
✔ Clean Layout
Use short paragraphs
Add CTA buttons
Include brand colors
Optimize for mobile
✔ Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
Examples:
Shop Now
Download Free Guide
Claim Offer
Step 5: Set Up Email Automation
Brevo’s automation builder lets you create workflows like:
Welcome email series
Abandoned cart emails
Lead nurturing sequences
Re-engagement campaigns
Example: Welcome Email Automation
Trigger: User subscribes
Action 1: Send welcome email
Wait: 2 days
Action 2: Send product introduction
Wait: 3 days
Action 3: Send discount offer
Automation increases engagement and sales without manual effort.
Step 6: Send Test & Schedule Campaign
Before sending:
Send test email to yourself
Check links
Review formatting on mobile
Preview spam score
You can:
Send immediately
Schedule for later
Optimize send time
Step 7: Track Email Performance
Brevo dashboard shows:
Open rate
Click rate
Bounce rate
Unsubscribes
Heatmap of clicks
Key Metrics to Monitor
Metric | Good Benchmark |
Open Rate | 20–30% |
Click Rate | 2–5% |
Bounce Rate | Below 2% |
Unsubscribe Rate | Below 0.5% |
Use A/B testing to improve subject lines and content.
Brevo Pricing Overview
Brevo pricing is based on the number of emails sent per month.
Plan | Monthly Emails | Starting Price |
Free | 300 emails/day | $0 |
Starter | 20,000 emails | ~$25/month |
Business | Advanced automation | Higher tier |
Enterprise | Custom | Contact sales |
Click here to check Brevo plans and pricing
Best Practices for Success
1️⃣ Keep Your List Clean
Remove inactive users regularly.
2️⃣ Avoid Spam Triggers
Avoid excessive caps, spam words, and too many links.
3️⃣ Personalize Emails
Use first names and behavioral data.
4️⃣ Use Automation
Automation generates higher ROI than one-off campaigns.
5️⃣ Test Frequently
Run A/B tests on subject lines and CTAs.
Real FAQs About Using Brevo
❓ Is Brevo free to use?
Yes, Brevo offers a free plan with daily sending limits.
❓ Does Brevo provide unlimited contacts?
Yes, pricing is based on email volume, not contact count.
❓ Can I send transactional emails with Brevo?
Yes, Brevo supports SMTP and API for transactional emails.
❓ Why are my Brevo emails going to spam?
Usually due to missing domain authentication (SPF/DKIM) or poor list quality.
❓ Is Brevo good for small businesses?
Yes, especially for startups and SMBs needing affordable automation.
Final Thoughts
Brevo is a powerful yet cost-effective email marketing platform suitable for beginners and advanced marketers alike. With automation, CRM, segmentation, and SMS marketing included, it offers strong value compared to competitors.
