Flodesk: The Email Platform that Changed Everything for my Business

Ever feel creatively inspired, but stuck when it comes to execution? I’ve been there. When I launched my design business, Simple Blyss, I knew exactly how I wanted my emails to feel: clean, intentional, beautifully on-brand, and aligned with the visual experience I create for my clients. But actually achieving that? Well, that part used to frustrate me.

I started with Squarespace Campaigns for a while because it was affordable and already connected to my website — super seamless! But as my business and creative vision grew, I started feeling boxed in. The design limitations, formatting quirks, and lack of certain integrations pushed me to look for something that better aligned with the elevated visual experience I wanted to give my audience.

Enter: Flodesk. And truly? It changed everything for me.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links because I’m a proud Flodesk Partner. I only partner with brands I genuinely love and use daily.

What exactly is Flodesk?

Flodesk is an email marketing platform created by two women, Martha Bitar and Rebecca Shostek, who had one mission: make email marketing beautiful and radically simple for small businesses and creators.

And they did exactly that.

From the moment you log in, everything feels intentionally designed — the clean UI, the simple navigation, and the intuitive drag-and-drop builder. No tech overwhelm. No confusing dashboards. No “I need a developer for this'' energy.

It’s the only email marketing platform I’ve tried that truly feels like it was built for creatives — not coders. I mean, their manifesto starts with:

“At Flodesk, we believe that good design isn’t frivolous—it’s foundational. The way you show up shapes how people trust, remember, and buy from your brand.”

You know how much I preach this. I’m constantly reminding my clients that design isn’t decoration — it’s a business tool. It's reputation. It’s trust-building. It’s the first impression and the lasting memory.

Flodesk just gets that.

Flodesk’s Evolution: What’s New + Why It Matters

If you tried Flodesk years ago, let me tell you — the platform has evolved so much.

They’ve expanded features, upgraded performance, and added integrations that make running a business (and staying on-brand) easier than ever. What I love the most is that they’re focused on building the world’s best email marketing platform, not trying to become a bloated all-in-one. Everything they create is intentionally crafted for small businesses of every kind — not just a specific industry.

Some of my favorite updates include:

1. A growing list of powerful integrations

Flodesk has been leveling up when it comes to connecting your tools. Some of the integrations I (and my clients) use most are:

  • Shopify

  • Canva

  • HoneyBook

  • ManyChat

  • ThriveCart

Plus even more options like Bookfunnel, Marvelous, Interact, Session, Involve.me, and Mediavine.

This flexibility has been a game-changer. Instead of juggling different platforms and duct-taping workflows together, everything syncs seamlessly — making email marketing feel effortless.

2. Built-in Unsplash (major win for designers and DIYers!)

This one makes my designer heart happy. Although it is not a new feature, I just had to highlight it because I have so many clients who utilize beautiful stock imagery for their website and newsletters, so this makes it all that much easier!

You no longer have to download images from Unsplash, organize them, and upload them into your email platform. Flodesk has Unsplash built directly into the editor. So when you’re building a newsletter, you can search high-quality, free stock photography without leaving the platform.

Time saved. Visuals elevated. 10/10 feature.

3. More robust automations — minus the overwhelm

Flodesk has always been simple, but now it’s powerful and simple.

You can build sophisticated workflows — nurture sequences, onboarding flows, segmented funnels — all with a drag-and-drop builder that actually makes sense. I’ve used other platforms where automations feel like you’re staring at an engineering schematic. Flodesk’s automations feel clean, customizable, and human-friendly.

And here’s the part I love: all plans include every advanced feature. No more paying extra just to automate something basic.

4. Their patented layout technology (designer-level emails, zero coding)

This is huge.

Flodesk’s patented technology allows for beautifully designed emails that still maintain industry-leading deliverability — something most platforms struggle with. Their emails aren’t just visually stunning; they’re built to perform.

The “pretty but not practical” myth? They’ve shattered it.

Why I Personally Love Using Flodesk as a Designer + Small Business Owner

Here’s the thing: email marketing is one of the highest-converting marketing channels any business can use. But for years, it was the “ugly baby” of marketing. Most people feel:

  • Overwhelmed by the strategy

  • Unsure what to write

  • Embarrassed that their emails look off-brand

  • Confused by the tech

  • Frustrated with the clunkiness of legacy platforms

And honestly? I get it.

Before Flodesk, I used to spend so much time trying to make templates look clean and intentional — something that should’ve taken me 15 minutes would take an hour.

Now? It finally feels fun.

As a designer, aesthetics matter to me. As a business owner, ease and efficiency matter even more. Flodesk gives me both.

Here’s what I personally appreciate the most:

Ease of use

It’s so intuitive. Everything is drag, drop, click, done. No learning curve. No tech headache.

Beautiful, flexible design

Every email I send feels like an extension of my brand. Clean lines, beautiful typography, and layouts that actually convert.

Analytics that make sense

This is a big one! I recently helped one of my retainer clients switch from Mailchimp to Flodesk and it has been a huge help almost automatically. We weren’t able to get detailed analytics on anything unless they upgraded their plan yet again. Now, with Flodesk, she’s paying less annually AND has access to the full analytics dashboard.

Here is a little bit more about her experience:

“We used Mailchimp for years and it worked fine, but switching to Flodesk has opened up an entirely new world for our mighty nonprofit. We’re especially excited to use workflows to deepen communication with donors, promote our resources more effectively, and finally access the kind of analytics that help us understand what’s actually resonating.”

Their analytics dashboard is clean, visual, and actionable. I can easily see:

  • What’s performing

  • Where to improve

  • What the audience resonates with

And I’m able to use that insight in real time.

It was built by and for small businesses

Flodesk is female-founded, bootstrapped, and deeply connected to the small business community. Their decisions are shaped by actual creators — not enterprise demands. You feel that love in every update and feature. It truly doesn’t get any better than this, in my opinion!

How Flodesk Supports My Clients

Because so many of my clients use tools like Shopify, Canva, HoneyBook, and ManyChat already, Flodesk fits naturally into their workflows without adding tech chaos. I can see in real time it helping them feel confident in email marketing again.

They can create:

  • Welcome sequences

  • Abandoned cart flows

  • Nurture funnels

  • Event reminders

  • Product drops

  • Launch campaigns

… all while feeling fully on-brand and supported by beautiful, conversion-ready templates.

I see the difference in their engagement rates. I see the difference in how confidently they show up. And I see the difference in how quickly they begin to understand the power of email as a brand tool.

Why I Believe Flodesk Is the Best Email Marketing Platform for My Audience

My audience is made up of:

  • Small business owners

  • Creatives

  • Women building brands with intention

  • Nonprofits who care about the details

  • Entrepreneurs who want their touchpoints to look as good as they feel

For people like us, design isn’t optional. It’s identity. It’s connection. It’s the way we build trust with our audience — before they ever hit reply or make a purchase.

Flodesk allows you to show up in a way that looks polished, elevated, and aligned with your brand values without needing to be a designer.

And if you are a designer like me? It gives you even more room to create, innovate, and have fun with your email strategy.

Flodesk is — in their own words — best-in-class email marketing. Period. Not a confusing all-in-one. Not a Frankenstein tool trying to do everything. Just the best email platform for beautiful, high-converting emails.

You’ve made it to the end, friend!

If you’re a small business owner, a content creator, a designer, or someone who wants a simple, stunning, and powerful way to connect with your audience — Flodesk is truly the platform I recommend with my whole heart.

It’s easy.
It’s beautiful.
It’s flexible.
It’s powerful.
And it was built by people who genuinely understand the creative entrepreneur journey.

If you want to try Flodesk for your business, I’d love to share my partner link — it gives you a discount, and it supports me while I continue sharing resources like this. Psst: If you create your account using this link, you’ll receive 25% off your first year!

I truly hope this post helps you finally feel excited about showing up in your inbox again. Because your audience is waiting — and your brand deserves to shine everywhere you show up.

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