Here’s you’ll find which newsletter plugin for WordPress focuses most on providing a great user experience when it comes to installation and admin UI design.
With the exceptions of a few plugins, such as Tribulant Newsletter and EasyMail, the designs of some plugins aren’t as polished as you’d expect from a professional plugin. You can visit the individual reviews of the plugins and check out the screenshots to learn more about how they look inside.
You can click on the name of the product below to view its full review.
Tribulant Newsletter
Installation of Tribulant Newsletter isn't as easy as some of the other plugins. After purchasing the plugin, you'll have to obtain a license key and activate the plugin. But don't worry, there's a pretty good user guide for that.
Once installed, the plugin is very easy to use, thanks to its professional design. The plugin is packed with features, options, and menus. Yet, things are sensibly labeled and laid out that you don't feel overwhelmed.
WP Autoresponder
While WP Autoresponder is free, it is not available on WordPress.org. To acquire a copy of the plugin, you must visit the plugin's site and give up your email address to receive the download link of the plugin. Once you have that, though, installation is easy. Just upload and activate.
Despite its powerful features, WP Autoresponder is well put together and easy to use. Creating newsletters, autoresponders, and individual emails is not confusing as is the case with some of the other plugins. WP Autoresponder works like one of those step-by-step computer wizards.
Satollo's Newsletter
Installation of the free version of the plugin is simple and can be done from the admin dashboard. And the pro version isn't any more complicated. You can use the upload feature of the admin dashboard to install it. There is no DRM or BS like that.
Satollo's Newsletter is an extensive plugin. It's not going to be easy to use it without reading the documentation and squeezing your brain a little bit.
EasyMail Newsletter
Installation is easy since EasyMail is a free plugin that's available from WordPress.org. The plugin utilizes WordPress API fairly well, so the plugin has a native feel, which makes it easy to use. For example, the screen for adding a new newsletter looks just like the screen for adding and editing normal WordPress posts.
Generally, the admin screens of the plugin are styled very similarly to WordPress own settings screens. The admin UI is pretty well done and is easy to use.
MailPress
Installation for this free plugin is straightforward--just go to your admin dashboard and install it from there.
Using MailPress is not so easy though. I was able to import subscribers into the plugin, but when I went to the "Add New Mail" screen to create my email broadcast, first, I noticed a little PHP warning at the bottom of the screen. It seemed minor and not something that would prevent the plugin from working. So, I went ahead and filled out the textboxes and everything and clicked "Send". I received "Email sent!" notification...but no emails went out...
Other newsletter plugins that I have tested just worked--without asking me to do much. I'm sure this one works too, it's just not easy to get it working...
Other admin screens and options seemed a bit too technical. Maybe I'm an idiot or maybe the plugin isn't so easy to use--you can check it out and decide for yourself.
[GWA] Autoresponder Professional
Nothing about [GWA] Autoresponder is easy. The installation process is long, the user interface is busy and cluttered, and extensions are installed in an un-user-friendly manner.
While the plugin is not easy to use and doesn't conform to WordPress UI conventions, it is still a functional and usable plugin.
WPMU DEV e-Newsletter
If you're a premium member of WPMU DEV then you can easily download the e-Newsletter plugin. Once downloaded, you can upload and activate the plugin the usual way. However, all of WPMU DEV's products require a helper plugin called WPMU DEV Notifications, which enables updates and whatnot. You'll have to have that installed as well.
As for ease of use, this plugin is pretty great. At first time run, you will only be able to access the general settings page when you click on the plugin's icon. After saving the initial configurations, you'll be able to go ahead and use the various features of the plugin.
Even though e-Newsletter uses some user interface design techniques that aren't native to WordPress, it's easy to understand what each field option stand for and what you're supposed to do on each screen. The usage flow of the plugin is intuitive.
MeeNews
Acquiring the paid version of MeeNews is a hassle. You'll have to create a full profile at the plugin's site where you include your name, mailing address, and more before you are redirected to PayPal to make the payment. Once payment is made and the plugin is activated, you'll have to input your license number to start using the plugin.
The admin screens of the plugin look beautiful and very professional. But when it comes to actually using the plugin, things aren't so nice. After you configure the plugin, it's not clear where you have to go in order to send your first newsletter.
