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Why is a newsletter important for an online store?

Nov 25, 2025

Newsletters are the most important marketing channel for online stores because they enable direct and cost-effective communication with customers. Email marketing, on average, yields a better return on investment than other digital channels. Newsletters build long-term customer relationships through regular communication and personalized content, significantly increasing customer loyalty and sales.

What makes email newsletters the most effective marketing channel for online stores?

A newsletter offers an online store a direct connection to customers without intermediaries or algorithmic limitations. Unlike social media, where visibility depends on platform decisions, email reaches the recipient directly in their inbox. This guarantees message delivery and enables consistent customer communication.

The cost-effectiveness of email marketing makes it particularly attractive to e-commerce entrepreneurs. Sending a single message costs a fraction of the price compared to paid advertising or printed materials. At the same time, the message can be personalized and segmented for different customer groups without significant additional costs.

Measurability sets email newsletters apart from traditional marketing channels. Every open, click, and purchase can be tracked in real time. This allows for rapid optimization and precise evaluation of campaign effectiveness. Online stores can test different subject lines, content, and sending times to find the most effective solutions.

How does a newsletter build long-term customer relationships in online retail?

Regular contact keeps the brand in the customer's mind between purchase decisions. A newsletter naturally reminds customers of the online store's existence by offering valuable content instead of mere advertising. This builds trust and positions the company as an expert in its field.

Useful information about product usage, care instructions, or industry trends demonstrates care for the customer even after the sale. When a customer feels they are receiving added value beyond the purchase, they are more likely to return to the same provider.

Personalization significantly deepens customer relationships. When a newsletter includes content related to a customer's previous purchases or interests, the message feels personal and relevant. This reinforces the customer's feeling that the company understands their needs.

Exclusive offers for newsletter subscribers create a sense of community. Customers appreciate the special treatment and feel like they are part of an inner circle, which significantly increases brand loyalty.

What kind of content makes an e-commerce newsletter effective?

Effective newsletter content balances useful information with commercial messaging . Pure product advertising quickly bores readers, but too little commercial content fails to support sales goals. The right ratio is approximately 70% value-added content and 30% direct sales messaging.

Product descriptions work best when they focus on the benefits for the customer rather than technical specifications. Descriptions of use cases and problems the product solves resonate better than just listing features. Customer examples and user experiences make the product more tangible.

Segmentation significantly improves content relevance. When a newsletter is tailored to the recipient's previous purchases, demographics, or interests, open rates and click-through rates improve. New customers require different content than long-term loyal customers.

The visual design supports the message's delivery. A clear structure, high-quality images, and easy-to-read text maintain the reader's interest. Mobile optimization cannot be forgotten, as most emails are opened on smartphones.

How does a newsletter actually increase online store sales?

Newsletters primarily increase sales through repeat purchases . Regular reminders about products and services keep the online store in the customer's consideration set. When a need for a product arises, the customer is more likely to return to a familiar provider than to search for new alternatives.

Abandoned shopping carts can be effectively recovered with email reminders. An automated message sent a few hours after an interrupted purchase process brings a significant portion of customers back to complete their purchase. A small discount can be included in the reminder to facilitate the purchase decision.

Upselling and cross-selling work naturally through newsletters. After a customer has purchased a specific product, they can be recommended suitable accessories or upgrades. The recommendations are based on actual purchases, making them feel helpful rather than like advertising.

Measurement is key to ensuring effectiveness. Key metrics to track include open rate, click-through rate, conversion rate, and revenue per message. These figures reveal what content works and where improvements can be made. A/B testing different versions helps identify the most effective approaches for your customer base.

Brancoy toimitusjohtaja Samuli Ala-Kasari mustassa hupparissa.

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