How to Migrate from Constant Contact to Mailchimp
Businesses switch from Constant Contact to Mailchimp for its more modern interface, stronger automation capabilities, and broader integration ecosystem. Constant Contact's interface can feel dated, and its automation options are limited compared to Mailchimp's customer journeys. Mailchimp's extensive app integrations, more sophisticated segmentation, and advanced reporting appeal to businesses ready for more capable email marketing tooling.
What Transfers?
Method: CSV export/import
Export Constant Contact contacts as CSV. Import into Mailchimp audience.
Rebuild in Mailchimp's drag-and-drop editor.
Recreate as Mailchimp customer journeys.
Build new forms in Mailchimp.
Historical data stays in Constant Contact.
Method: CSV column mapping
Constant Contact tags transfer via CSV columns to Mailchimp tags.
Step-by-Step Migration Guide
- 1
Export contacts from Constant Contact
Go to Contacts > Export. Choose to export all contacts or specific lists. Download the CSV file.
- 2
Create a Mailchimp audience
Set up your Mailchimp audience with merge fields matching your Constant Contact data. Create tags to match your Constant Contact lists or segments.
- 3
Import contacts into Mailchimp
Go to Audience > Import contacts > CSV. Map fields from Constant Contact to Mailchimp merge fields. Apply appropriate tags.
- 4
Build email templates
Recreate your email designs in Mailchimp's drag-and-drop editor. Mailchimp offers more modern templates than Constant Contact.
- 5
Set up automations
Create Mailchimp customer journeys to replace Constant Contact automations. Mailchimp's automation capabilities are more advanced.
- 6
Create signup forms
Build Mailchimp embedded forms, pop-ups, and landing pages. Replace Constant Contact form codes on your website.
- 7
Authenticate domain and test
Set up DKIM and SPF records for Mailchimp. Send test campaigns before going live.
Watch Out For
Constant Contact lists and Mailchimp audiences are structurally different. Mailchimp charges per audience-level contact, so consolidate into one audience with tags rather than creating multiple audiences.
Mailchimp's free plan is very limited (500 contacts, 1,000 sends). If your Constant Contact list is larger, budget for a paid Mailchimp plan.
Constant Contact's event management features do not exist in Mailchimp. If you use event registration, you'll need a separate tool like Eventbrite.
Ready to switch to Mailchimp?
Start with Mailchimp's free plan and import your contacts.
What You Get with Mailchimp
Pros
- +Most recognized brand in email marketing
- +Excellent drag-and-drop editor
- +300+ integrations with third-party tools
- +Strong analytics and reporting
- +Good for beginners with guided setup
Cons
- −Free plan severely limited (500 contacts, 1,000 sends)
- −Premium plan is expensive ($350/mo)
- −Charges for unsubscribed contacts
- −Affiliate marketing restricted
- −Deliverability has declined in recent years