Switch from Mailchimp to Xendy – Onboarding guide

Introduction

Xendy is an easy-to-use alternative to Mailchimp — with lower and clear pricing, all the tools you need, and support when you need it. You can move your contacts and emails in just 30 minutes, and we’ll guide you through it. Start now and see how simple email marketing can be.

Switching from Mailchimp? Make it easy with Xendy

Moving over is quick and painless. Import your contacts and campaigns, and you’re ready to go — no technical skills required. We’ll guide you every step of the way.

Pay less, get more – With Xendy Free, send newsletters to up to 500 contacts at no cost. Need more? Try Xendy Pro free for 14 days. After that, upgrade from just €9/month — no hidden fees, cancel anytime.

All the features you know — just simpler – Use contact lists, segments, automations, and newsletters just like you did in Mailchimp. But with a clean, intuitive interface that’s made to save you time, not confuse you.

A European platform with real support – Xendy is built in Europe and designed for growing businesses. Our support team is here to help — from webshop integrations to automation setup. No extra fees, no outsourced service — just help when you need it.

Free onboarding included – Book a call and we’ll walk you through the switch from Mailchimp. You’ll be fully up and running within 30 minutes.

Preparing for the switch

Before migrating from Mailchimp to Xendy, a little preparation can make the process smooth and efficient. Follow this checklist to ensure you’re ready to start the transition.

1. Gather your account information

• Ensure you have access to your Mailchimp account credentials.
• Confirm you have admin privileges to export audience data and access other settings.

2. Review your Mailchimp data

Take stock of what you want to migrate:

• Contacts: export active subscribers only to avoid importing unsubscribed or outdated data.
• Templates: identify the email templates you want to recreate in Xendy.
• Campaign insights: note performance data for reference when setting up new campaigns.

3. Clean up your contact list

A clean database ensures better deliverability and engagement:

• Remove invalid email addresses, duplicates, and unsubscribed contacts.
• Segment your audience to maintain organized groups during the import process.

4. Decide which automations to recreate

If you’re using Mailchimp for automated workflows (e.g., welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders), list the workflows you’ll recreate in Xendy.

• Note triggers, timing, and email content for each automation.

5. Prepare for domain verification

To send emails from your domain with Xendy, ensure you have access to your domain’s DNS settings.

• Familiarize yourself with your domain host’s process for adding DNS records (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, TransIP).
• Xendy will provide DNS records during the setup process.

With these preparations in place, you’re ready to begin the migration. In the next section, we’ll walk you through exporting contacts from Mailchimp.

Exporting contacts from Mailchimp

The first step in switching to Xendy is exporting your contacts from Mailchimp. Follow these simple steps to download your audience data:

1. Log in to your Mailchimp account

• Navigate to Mailchimp.com and log in with your credentials.
• Access the dashboard to find your account information.

2. Access your audience data

1. Click on “Audience” in the main menu.
2. Select the audience (list) you want to export.
   • If you have multiple audiences, choose the one with the contacts you plan to migrate.

3. Export the audience

1. Once inside your audience, click the “Manage audience” dropdown menu.
2. Select “Export audience.”
3. Mailchimp will generate a downloadable CSV file.

4. Download your data

• After the file is ready, Mailchimp sends you an email with a “Download” button.
• Save the file to your computer in a location where you can easily access it for the next step.

5. Review and clean the file

Before importing the data into Xendy, take a moment to review the file:

• Check for errors: ensure all email addresses are valid and properly formatted.
• Remove unnecessary data: delete columns or fields you don’t need in Xendy.
• Focus on active contacts: remove unsubscribed, bounced, or inactive contacts.

Tips for exporting contacts from Mailchimp

• Exporting data doesn’t affect your Mailchimp account or audience. Your data remains intact in Mailchimp.
• If you encounter issues, Mailchimp’s support team can assist you with exporting.

With your contacts exported, you’re ready to import them into Xendy. In the next section, we’ll guide you through the process of importing contacts into Xendy to complete the migration.

Importing contacts into Xendy

Now that you’ve exported your contacts from Mailchimp, it’s time to import them into Xendy. This process is quick and straightforward, ensuring your audience is ready for your next campaign.

1. Log in to your Xendy account

• Go to Xendy.me and log in with your credentials.
• Navigate to the dashboard to access your account.

2. Access the contacts section

1. In the left-hand menu, select “All contacts”
2. Click “Add contacts” in the top-right corner.

3. Upload your Mailchimp file

1. Select the option to “Upload contacts”
2. Select the file you exported from Mailchimp from your computer.

4. Map your fields

• Xendy will prompt you to match the columns in your CSV file (e.g., email address, name) to the appropriate fields in Xendy’s database.
• Ensure each field is correctly mapped to avoid errors.
• Click “Confirm mapping” when done.

5. Import your contacts

• Once the mapping is confirmed, click “Import contacts” to begin the upload.
• Xendy will process your data and notify you when the import is complete.

6. Verify your imported contacts

• After the import is complete, review the contact list in Xendy to ensure:
  • All data has been imported correctly.
  • Fields like names, emails, and segments are accurate.

7. Organize your contacts

Use Xendy’s segmentation features to organize your audience:

• Manual segments: a manual segment contains contacts that you explicitly add, either by uploading a file, using a webhook, or entering them manually.
• Dynamic segments: automatically update segments based on predefined rules.

Tips for a successful import

• Remove duplicates: check for any duplicate entries that might have been included in your Mailchimp export.
• Add missing fields: if you notice missing data (e.g., customer names), you can manually update these contacts in Xendy.
• Check contact status: ensure only active subscribers are added to avoid emailing inactive or unsubscribed users.

With your contacts successfully imported, you’re ready to recreate your campaigns and workflows in Xendy. In the next section, we’ll guide you through rebuilding your email campaigns and automations in Xendy for a seamless transition.

Recreating campaigns and automations in Xendy

After importing your contacts, the next step is to set up your email campaigns and automations in Xendy. This ensures you can continue your marketing efforts seamlessly.

1. Rebuilding email campaigns

Start with templates or build from scratch

• Navigate to “Concept” in the left-hand menu and then click “New concept” in the top-right corner.
• Choose one of the following options:
  • New email: use Xendy’s drag-and-drop editor to create an email from a blank canvas.
  • Template: select a pre-designed template and customize it to match your branding.

Tips for recreating campaigns

• Reference your Mailchimp emails for consistency in design and messaging.
• Use Xendy’s editor to:
  • Add images, text blocks, and buttons.
  • Personalize with dynamic fields (e.g., first name, purchase history).

2. Recreating email automations

Identify key workflows

• Review the automations you used in Mailchimp, such as:
  • Welcome email automations
  • Abandoned cart email automations
  • Customer reactivation email automations

How to set up automations in Xendy

1. Go to “Email automations” in the left-hand menu.
2. Click “New automation” to start creating a workflow.
3. Define the target audience using dynamic segments (e.g., new subscribers, customers with abandoned carts) or a manual segment (e.g. form subscriptions or contacts you manually add to the segment).
4. Add steps to your workflow:
   • Email 1: set up the initial email.
   • Delays: add timing between emails (e.g., send the next email after 2 days).
   • Additional emails: add follow-ups to keep the workflow engaging.

3. Testing your campaigns and automations

• Preview emails: use Xendy’s preview feature to ensure emails look great on desktop and mobile.
• Test automations: add a test contact to your workflow to verify triggers, timing, and email content.

4. Activating campaigns and automations

• Once you’re satisfied with the setup, click “Activate” to launch your workflows and campaigns.
• Monitor performance using Xendy’s real-time analytics.

5. Enhancing your campaigns with Xendy’s features

• Customizable themes: set global styles for headings, body text, and buttons to save time and maintain brand consistency.
• Survey blocks: add feedback surveys to emails for insights into customer satisfaction.
• Abandoned cart blocks: include dynamic product recommendations in abandoned cart emails.

Tips for a seamless transition

• Recreate high-performing campaigns first to ensure continuity.
• Use Xendy’s dynamic segmentation to fine-tune targeting for automations.
• Take advantage of Xendy’s advanced analytics to optimize future campaigns.

With your campaigns and automations rebuilt, you’re fully set up in Xendy. In the next section, we’ll discuss verifying your domain to ensure successful email delivery.

Verifying your domain in Xendy

Before sending emails from Xendy, you need to verify your domain. This step ensures that your emails are delivered reliably and appear professional, using your own domain (e.g., info@yourcompany.com).

1. Steps to verify your domain

Follow these simple steps to complete domain verification in Xendy:

Step 1: link your domain

1. In the left-hand menu, select “Settings” and the click “Domain”
2. Enter the domain name you want to verify (e.g., yourcompany.com).
3. Click “Verify.”

Step 2: add DNS records

After clicking “Verify,” Xendy will display the DNS records you need to add. These typically include:

• 3 CNAME records
• 1 MX record
• 1 SPF record
• 1 DMARC record

Access your domain provider’s settings (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare) and add these records to the DNS settings.

Step 3: re-verify in Xendy

1. Return to Xendy after adding the DNS records.
2. Click “Verify” again.
3. If everything is configured correctly, a green success message will appear, confirming that your domain is verified.

2. Troubleshooting domain verification

If your domain fails to verify:

• Double-check the DNS records to ensure they match the ones provided by Xendy.
• Ensure DNS changes have propagated (this can take up to 24 hours).
• Contact your domain provider for assistance with adding DNS records.

Link to the guide: How to add DNS records for domain verification.

3. What’s next?

With your domain verified, you’re ready to send emails from your custom domain confidently. In the next section, we’ll guide you through sending your first email with Xendy to complete the migration process.

Sending your first email with Xendy

With your domain verified and contacts imported, you’re ready to send your first email. Xendy makes this process simple and intuitive, whether you’re starting from scratch or using a template.

1. Navigate to “Create your first email”

• In the left-hand menu, select “Concepts”
• Click “New concept” to begin.

2. Choose how to build your email

Now that your domain is verified, you’re ready to create and send your first email with Xendy. Whether you’re starting from scratch or using a pre-designed template, Xendy’s drag-and-drop editor makes it easy.

1. Navigate to “Concepts”

• In the left-hand menu, select “Concepts”
• Click “New concept” to begin.

2. Choose how to build your email

Xendy offers two options for creating your first email:

2.1 New email

• Start with a blank canvas.
• Use Xendy’s drag-and-drop editor to add and customize:
  • Text blocks.
  • Images or logos.
  • Buttons and CTAs.
  • Special content blocks like surveys or abandoned cart reminders.

2.2 Template

• Select a pre-designed template from Xendy’s library.
• Customize the template to match your branding, including:
  • Colors, fonts, and styles.
  • Content specific to your campaign.

3. Add your content

• Subject line: write an engaging subject line to capture attention.
• Body text: focus on clear and concise messaging.
• Images and branding: add your logo or product images to personalize the email.
• Call-to-action (CTA): use actionable buttons or links to drive customer engagement.

4. Preview and test your email

Before sending your email, ensure it looks great on all devices:

• Click on the “Desktop icon” or “Mobile icon” to see how your email appears on desktop and mobile.
• Use the “Send test email” feature to send a test email to yourself or your team for review.

5. Send your email

When your email is ready:

1. Click the dropdown arrow in the top-right corner.
2. Choose one of the following options:
   • Send immediately: deliver the email to your recipients right away.
   • Schedule for later: choose a specific date and time to send the email.
3. Click “Schedule email” to finalize your choice.

6. Track performance

Once your email is sent, monitor its performance under “Sent” in the left-hand menu.

• View key metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversions.
• Use these insights to refine future campaigns.

Tips for success

• Use personalization fields (e.g., name, location) to make emails more engaging.
• Always review your email for typos or formatting issues before sending.

With your first email sent, you’ve successfully completed the migration to Xendy! In the final section, we’ll recap key points and provide additional resources to help you explore more of Xendy’s features.

Knowledge Base: your migration companion

Switching platforms doesn’t have to be complicated, and Xendy’s Knowledge Base is here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you need help exporting contacts, setting up automations, or verifying your domain, the Knowledge Base provides comprehensive resources to ensure a smooth transition.

What you’ll find in the Knowledge Base:

• Step-by-step guides: detailed instructions for tasks like importing contacts, creating campaigns, and integrating webshops.
• Best practices: tips on optimizing email campaigns and improving deliverability.
• Troubleshooting help: solutions to common challenges during setup or migration.
• Video tutorials: visual guides to help you quickly master Xendy’s features.

How to access the Knowledge Base:

• Visit the Help center from your Xendy dashboard.
• Use the search bar to find specific topics or browse categories for inspiration and guidance.

For further assistance, Xendy’s support team is available via email or live chat to answer your questions. With these resources, transitioning to Xendy has never been easier.

Frequently asked questions