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I want to change my ESP
I want to change my ESP

Want to change mailing list providers? Here’s what to consider

Manuel Frigerio avatar
Written by Manuel Frigerio
Updated over a month ago

Changing your ESP can seem like a big, daunting step for your newsletter.

Which is why, at SparkLoop, we endeavor to make this a mostly hands-off and completely pain-free process for you. However, there are a couple of points to consider before applying for an ESP migration.

First of all, you need to make sure that you can apply.

Can I apply for an ESP migration?

If you have already changed your connected ESP before

If you move your newsletter to a different ESP, we can migrate your SparkLoop account to the new one for you.
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This is a manual process, so we can only migrate your ESP for you once.
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If you're considering an ESP change but aren't fully committed yet, it's best to wait on requesting your SparkLoop migration until you're sure of the move. As we won't be able to reverse the change later for you.

If you have already been approved to make paid recommendations on the Partner Network

If your publication is already approved to make paid recommendations, then an ESP migration is only possible if:

  • You already have recommendations, and

  • You are not changing your publication, meaning that the newsletter that you're sending is exactly the same and you're just changing the tool

If you want to make paid recommendations with a different newsletter, you need to create a new account for that one and apply to join the Partner Network again.

If you were invited or signed up to recommend specific partner programs

If you were approved to make paid recommendations for specific partner programs, then the same rules apply. An ESP migration is only possible if:

  • You already have recommendations, and

  • You are not changing your publication, meaning that the newsletter that you're sending is exactly the same and you're just changing the tool

If you want to make paid recommendations with a different newsletter, you need to get invited again or apply from the partner program page with a different account.

If you are just making free recommendations

In this case, you can't apply for a migration.

If you are running a partner program

If you are running a partner program, we can migrate your ESP only when:

  • You don't have any pending referrals

Before applying, please follow these steps:

  1. Pause your partner program.

  2. Wait for the screening period to pass. If you have a screening period of 15 days, then your partner program needs to be paused for 15 days.

  3. Apply for an ESP migration one week before the pause period is over.

  4. Make sure to move all the subscribers from your old ESP list to your new ESP list.

  5. Don't reactivate your partner program until we migrate your account.

If you are running a referral campaign

If you are running a referral program, we can migrate your account to a different ESP.

If you're not also running a partner program, the fastest way to migrate your account is to reset your referral program. Consequently, your subscribers will get new referral links and everyone will be set to 0 referral points. We don't delete rewards so you won't have to recreate them. This is especially useful if you plan to clean up your list before moving it to a new tool.

Before applying, please move all the subscribers from your old ESP list to your new ESP list.

If you haven’t yet set up anything on SparkLoop

If you've…

  • just signed up for SparkLoop

  • don't have any paid or free recommendations

  • don't have any active referral programs or partner programs

…then the change is quite easy. We'll disconnect your current ESP, ask you to connect the new one, and adapt your publications to your new ESP lists.

What else should I consider?

Migrating your SparkLoop account to a different ESP requires some irreversible data changes in your account. Don't apply for a migration unless you are certain about the change and understand the consequences.

Not all ESPs handle subscribers the same way nor support the same features. We have integrations for 20+ of the most popular ESPs in the market.

ESP differences

Subscribers

One of the most important differences between ESPs is the relationship between subscribers and lists (also called audiences or publications in some ESPs). Your ESP may have only one list, multiple lists with unique subscribers or multiple lists with overlapping subscribers.

If your current ESP and the one to which you wish to migrate handle things differently then the migration is a bit more complex and can take some extra time.

Here you can check the category for each ESP:

Single list

  • ConvertKit

  • Mailerlite

  • Drip

  • Beehiiv

Multiple lists with unique subscribers

  • Mailchimp

  • Campaign Monitor

  • Aweber

  • Email Octopus

  • GetResponse

Multiple lists with overlapping subscribers:

  • Active Campaign

  • Hubspot

  • Klaviyo

  • PostUp

  • Sailthru

  • SendGrid

  • Customer.io

  • Marketo

  • Brevo (formerly SendInBlue)

If both your current and new ESP belong to the same category, then the migration is easier. If not, before and after the migration your subscribers count will change if you have more than one partner or referral programs.

Features

You might want to check SparkLoop features supported by each ESP.

⚠️ If you're migrating to Beehiiv or Brevo, you will lose access to your referral programs as these ESPs are missing basic functionality required to support them.

Please make sure that your new ESP form can be tracked by SparkLoop or you'll need to use other supported form tool. The tracking script should be installed in a form that sends your subscribers to your new ESP.

Already chosen your new ESP? Let's talk about what happens when we migrate your account.

What happens when you switch ESPs?

All migrations follow some basic steps:

  1. Read this document and apply for an ESP migration

  2. We'll review your application and get in touch by email if we require more information or to schedule further steps

  3. If your application is approved, we'll disconnect your current ESP on the scheduled date.

  4. If your ESP supports webhooks, we need to remove them—we may ask you to remove them if you created them manually. We'll also remove your credentials from SparkLoop. Don't worry, we won't remove any subscribers from your ESP.

  5. We'll ask you to connect the new ESP and check if the connection was successful

  6. Finally, we'll adapt your data to your new ESP. This step can be tricky and will depend on ESP differences and the products you've set up.

Please make sure to read this document and follow all the required steps before applying.

How long will it take?

This will depend on the current state of your account and your ESP choices.

You'll need to request your migration at least a week in advance. Your migration will qualify as a complex migration if:

  • You are migrating from one category of ESPs to another (please check this)

  • You have more than one ESP list connected to your account

In that case, we'll need to review your account and give you an estimate date.

If you're running a partner program, you must pause it and wait for the pending referral period, otherwise, your application will be rejected.

Apply to a migration

If you read this guide and can apply for a migration, please click here to contact us.

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