Why Email Marketing Is Still The #1 Channel For Online Brands?

In a world buzzing with social media trends, influencer campaigns, and AI-driven ads, one classic digital marketing tool continues to reign supreme: Email Marketing.

Yes, even in 2025, email marketing remains the #1 channel for online Shopify store brands to reach, convert, and retain customers. With an ROI that averages $42 for every $1 spent, email has not only stood the test of time but has also evolved to become smarter, more personalised, and indispensable for eCommerce success.

In this blog, we will explore why email marketing is still leading the way, how it compares to other channels, and why Shopify store owners using AiTrillion’s Shopify Email Marketing Program outperform their competition.

Why Email Marketing Still Works in 2025?

Despite all the shiny new platforms and tech innovations, email marketing continues to grow and for good reason.

Below are the top reasons why email marketing still delivers incredible value for online brands:

1.) You Own the Audience:

Unlike social media platforms that can change their algorithms overnight, your email list is yours. You don’t have to pay to reach your followers or worry about visibility dropping.

When someone subscribes to your list, they have permitted you to communicate directly, no middlemen, no restrictions.

2.) Personal and Direct Communication:

Emails feel personal. They land in your customer’s inbox, not in a noisy feed. With the best Shopify email marketing apps like AiTrillion, you can customise each message with the shopper’s name, location, order history, and preferences. It’s like speaking 1-on-1 at scale, and that’s powerful.

3.) Automation with a Human Touch:

Thanks to modern email platforms, you don’t need to send every email manually. You can automate key campaigns, like welcome emails, cart abandonment reminders, birthday offers, and win-back flows.

But here’s the magic: they still feel personal and timely. With AiTrillion, every automated message can reflect your brand’s voice and empathy.

4.) Cost-Effective and Scalable:

An email blast can reach 10,000 customers with a new product drop for a fraction of the cost of ads. There are no bidding wars or rising CPCs, just solid, predictable performance. Whether you are a small Shopify store or a growing e-commerce brand, email grows with you.

Email Marketing vs Other Channels: Performance Breakdown:

As the table shows, email marketing outperforms every other channel in both value and versatility, making it the ultimate growth tool for online brands.

Real Benefits of Email Marketing for Online Brands:

Email marketing isn’t just about sending newsletters; it’s a powerful, multi-functional tool that can drive revenue, build loyalty, and elevate customer experience.

Here’s how it delivers real results for eCommerce brands:

1.) Drive More Sales:

Want to turn traffic into transactions? Email is your go-to sales engine. If you are launching new arrivals, announcing flash deals, or offering personalised discounts, email ensures your message lands directly where it matters, in the customer’s inbox.

With audience segmentation, you can target specific buyers based on their shopping habits, preferences, or lifecycle stage. That means more relevant messaging, higher open rates, and increased conversions.

For Example:

A fashion brand could send personalised campaigns like:

“Hi Rachel, we just dropped the Summer ’25 Collection. Based on your last order, we think you will love our new linen dresses, plus, enjoy 10% off for being a loyal shopper!”

2.) Recover Abandoned Carts:

Every eCommerce store experiences cart abandonment, and it’s normal. But what separates top-performing brands is what they do afterwards.

With automated abandoned cart emails, you can re-engage potential buyers who have almost completed their purchase. These emails serve as gentle nudges and can include product images, urgency-driven language, and even discount codes to win them back.

This simple strategy can recover up to 15–20% of otherwise lost sales, without lifting a finger.

For Example:

“Oops, you left something behind! Your cart is still waiting. Check out in the next 2 hours and get free shipping on us!”

3.) Boost Repeat Purchases:

Email marketing isn’t just for first-time conversions; it’s also your best tool for long-term retention. By sending post-purchase follow-ups, reorder reminders, or exclusive loyalty offers, you stay top-of-mind and build habits around your brand.

You can also automate win-back flows for dormant customers or reward your most loyal shoppers with early access or birthday gifts.

For Example:

“Hey Jake, it’s been 30 days since your last order. Ready for a refill? Enjoy 15% off just for coming back!”

4.) Build Brand Loyalty:

Email gives you a platform to tell your brand story and build a genuine connection with your audience. You can use it to share:

• Customer success stories
• Tutorials and product how-tos
• Behind-the-scenes content
• Team spotlights or founder notes
• Invitations to join exclusive memberships or communities

Over time, this kind of value-packed content builds trust, emotional loyalty, and a sense of belonging that no paid ad can replicate.

For Example:

“Go behind the scenes with us: Here’s how your favourite candle is hand-poured, packaged, and shipped with love.”

5.) Measurable and Optimizable:

One of the biggest advantages of email is that everything is trackable. From open rates to clicks to conversions, you get rich data that tells you exactly what’s working and what’s not.

Using the best Shopify email marketing apps even lets you access heatmaps, A/B testing, and engagement scoring, so you can optimise campaigns over time and make data-driven decisions that improve ROI.

Pro Tip:

Test two versions of a subject line (“Last Chance: 20% Off Ends Tonight” vs. “Still Thinking It Over?”) and track which one drives more opens and clicks.

Best Practices for Email Campaign Success:

Every inbox is a battlefield. Your email is fighting for attention among newsletters, shipping updates, promotions, and spam. So, how do you cut through the noise and actually get results?

Whether you are nurturing new subscribers or reactivating loyal buyers, these best practices will help you build emails that connect, convert, and keep customers coming back.

1.) Use Engaging Subject Lines:

Think of your subject line as a movie trailer; it needs to spark curiosity, hint at value, and compel someone to “click for more.”

• Be concise: Aim for 6–10 words or under 50 characters
• Be human: Use natural language, emojis (when appropriate), and personal touches
• Create urgency or exclusivity: Time-sensitive offers perform well

Example: “🔥 24 Hours Only – Your VIP Access Is Waiting”

2.) Segment Your Audience:

Don’t blast the same message to your entire list. Today’s customers expect relevance.

You can use behavioural data and preferences to group your contacts into segments like:

• First-time buyers vs. repeat customers
• Location-based offers (e.g., winter jackets in cold regions)
• Gender or interest-based categories
• Loyalty tier members (Bronze, Silver, Gold)

For Example:

“Hello Alex! Based on your last purchase, here are 5 styles we think you’ll love.”

3.) Optimise for Mobile:

Over 70% of all emails are opened on mobile devices, so a non-optimised email is a dealbreaker.

You need to make sure your emails:

• Use responsive layouts that adjust to screen size
• Have large, tappable CTAs
• Use short paragraphs and clear fonts
• Load fast, even on slower mobile connections

Pro Tip:

Test every email on both mobile and desktop before sending.

4.) Include Dynamic Content:

Make every email feel personal, not just in the greeting, but throughout the message.

With dynamic content blocks, you can:

• Show personalised product recommendations
• Display earned loyalty points or upcoming reward milestones
• Include recently viewed or wishlisted products
• Use countdown timers or location-based promotions

For Example:

“Hi Priya, you’ve earned 450 points! Just 50 more until your next $10 reward.”

This adds relevance, urgency, and motivation, all key drivers of clicks and conversions.

5.) Test & Improve:

There’s no perfect formula on what works for one audience might not for another. That’s why A/B testing is your secret weapon.

You need to test different elements, such as:

• Subject lines
• CTA button placement or text
• Layout formats (grid vs. single column)
• Product recommendations or image styles

Use the data to refine future campaigns and continually boost engagement.

Pro Tip:

Start with one test at a time so you know exactly what impacted the results.

Final Thoughts:

Even with countless new marketing channels emerging, email marketing remains the most powerful and proven way to grow an online brand.

It offers full control, exceptional ROI, and the ability to build deeply personalised experiences, especially when paired with loyalty rewards, affiliate incentives, and exclusive membership perks.

With the Shopify Email Marketing Program, you can turn every email into a meaningful customer journey that drives long-term growth.

About the Author:

I am Sachin Dhanotiya, At AiTrillion, I help Shopify sellers and eCommerce brands grow faster, boost customer retention, and streamline their marketing using AI-powered tools and smart design.

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