Why Email Marketing Still Matters and How to Leverage Zoho to Do It Right

By - Jenny
24.04.25 10:51 AM

If you want a direct, personal, and profitable way to connect with your audience — email marketing has been delivering results long before the algorithm wars began.

Despite the rise of social media, short-form video, and influencer campaigns, email remains the highest ROI marketing channel for most businesses — delivering an average return of $36 for every $1 spent (according to Litmus). Why? Because email marketing is personal, direct, cost-effective, and measurable.

Here at Relativity, a Zoho Partner based in East Sussex UK,  we’ve seen first-hand how businesses can harness the power of email marketing using Zoho CRM, Zoho Mail, and Zoho Campaigns. These tools — already included in many Zoho setups — offer a rock-solid foundation to build relationships, increase conversions, and drive long-term growth.

The Power of Email Marketing

Let’s remind ourselves why email is still king:

  • Direct line to your audience – no algorithms, no rented audiences.
  • Segmentation = relevance – send the right message to the right person at the right time.
  • Great for nurturing – email builds trust and keeps you top of mind.
  • Measurable results – open rates, clicks, and conversions give real-time feedback.

But to make email marketing work, you need the right tools for the job.

Zoho Mail vs Zoho Campaigns: What’s the Difference?

If you're new to email marketing in Zoho, it's important to understand the difference between Zoho Mail and Zoho Campaigns, and when to use each.

Zoho Mail – For day-to-day, 1-to-1 communication

Zoho Mail is your regular business email system — like Gmail or Outlook — but built with Zoho’s secure infrastructure and deep CRM integration. It’s perfect for:

  • Sending personal, one-to-one emails
  • Following up with leads or clients individually
  • Using mail merge to send personalised messages in bulk that look like they were sent one at a time. Think of it as your digital desk — it’s where your ongoing conversations happen.

Zoho Campaigns – For newsletters, broadcasts, and automations

Zoho Campaigns is your email marketing engine. It's designed for sending professionally designed, bulk emails to your contact list, with tracking, segmentation, and automation built in. Ideal for:

  • Monthly newsletters
  • Announcing sales, events, or new products
  • Setting up email sequences and nurture journeys
  • Managing email list opt-ins and unsubscribes

It syncs seamlessly with Zoho CRM so you can target contacts based on behaviour, tags, or deal stages.

🔧 Zoho tip: Use Zoho Campaigns when emailing a large group of people with a common message, and Zoho Mail (or mail merge in CRM) for more personalised or one-to-one outreach.

Bringing It Together: Email Marketing with Zoho CRM

Now that you know which tool to use when, here’s how to build a powerful email marketing workflow with Zoho:

1. Use Zoho CRM to Build & Segment Your List

  • Capture leads through forms, live chat, or integrations
  • Tag and segment based on interests, purchase history, or lead status
  • Sync your segmented list directly with Zoho Campaigns for targeted emails

2. Create Targeted Emails with the Right Tool

  • Use Zoho Campaigns for promotional emails, drip sequences, or regular newsletters
  • Use Zoho Mail (or mail merge) for more personal, one-off messages — like proposals, follow-ups, or thank-yous

3. Track Engagement and Automate Follow-ups

  • Campaign stats (opens, clicks, bounces) sync back into Zoho CRM
  • Use workflow rules or SalesSignals to trigger follow-ups or tasks
  • Set up automated journeys in Zoho Campaigns to nurture leads without lifting a finger

Top Tips for Smarter Email Marketing

Even with great tools, strategy matters. Here are a few pro tips:

Deliver value first – Think: helpful tips, insights, or inspiration. Don’t just sell.

Segment your audience – The more relevant the message, the better the response.

Test and learn – Try different subject lines, layouts, and send times.

Stay compliant – Use GDPR-compliant forms and give people clear opt-out options.

Keep your list healthy – Remove unengaged contacts regularly to improve deliverability.

Let Zoho Do the Heavy Lifting

You don’t need expensive marketing software or endless manual tasks. If you're already using Zoho CRM, you’ve got everything you need — from capturing leads, to segmenting contacts, to delivering beautiful emails and tracking results.

How can Relativity help you with Zoho?

Need help setting up your campaigns or deciding the best approach for your business? Let’s chat. We help businesses like yours make the most of their Zoho tools every day — and email marketing is one of the smartest places to start. 

Relativity Ltd. is a Zoho Authorised Partner, and Zoho Consultant. To find out more, contact Relativity, the business technology experts on +44 1825 280123 or email info@relativity.co.uk