Are you struggling to boost engagement and generate leads?
Running contests can be a game-changer, but choosing the right platform is crucial.
Many businesses waste time and money on clunky, ineffective tools.
In this ShortStack review, we’ll dive deep into its features, pricing, and user experience.
Is ShortStack the contest builder you’ve been searching for? Let’s find out!
Viral giveaways can boost your social media engagement by 50%. Explore ShortStack’s powerful features and create your first contest in minutes. Get started now!
What is ShortStack?
ShortStack is an easy way to run online contests and giveaways.
It helps you create fun, interactive experiences.
You can quickly build contests and landing pages without tech skills.
Customize everything to match your brand. Share contests on social media to increase reach.
It’s usually free to start an account.
ShortStack helps you organize marketing projects and provide great content.
Please set up your contest with a click, track success, and recommend it.
It’s not fat with extra stuff, just the tools you need.
Boost your marketing & connect with your audience.
Who Created ShortStack?
ShortStack was founded by Jim Belosic in 2010.
Jim envisioned a platform that would empower businesses of all sizes to create engaging interactive marketing campaigns without needing coding skills.
Starting as a simple contest builder.
ShortStack has evolved into a comprehensive suite of tools for creating contests, giveaways, landing pages, and more.
The company’s vision remains focused on providing easy-to-use.
Robust solutions that help marketers achieve their goals and connect with their audience.
They strive to be at the forefront of interactive marketing technology.
Top Benefits of ShortStack
Here’s a list of the top benefits you’ll get when using ShortStack:
- Easy to Use: Even if you’re not an expert, ShortStack is designed to be user-friendly. I’ve made contests in minutes; you don’t need coding skills.
- Boost Engagement: Interactive contests and giveaways grab attention and encourage participation. This can help you to raise brand awareness and serve your audience with engaging content.
- Generate Leads: Collect valuable contact information from participants. This enables you to grow your email list and build stronger relationships with your customers.
- Drive Traffic: Share your contests across social media platforms like Facebook to attract new visitors to your website. This can increase your traffic and improve search engine results.
- Increase Sales: Run targeted promotions and offer exclusive deals. This can motivate customers to check out your products or services and boost sales.
- Customize Your Brand: ShortStack lets you tailor every aspect of your contests to match your brand’s look and feel. This helps you to maintain a consistent brand identity.
- Save Time and Money: Instead of hiring developers, you can easily create professional contests yourself. This saves you both time and money.
Best Features of ShortStack
ShortStack is packed with features that make creating and managing online contests a breeze.
From customizable templates to powerful analytics, ShortStack has everything you need to run successful campaigns.
Here are some of its best features:
1. Customizable Templates
ShortStack offers a wide variety of pre-designed templates to get you started quickly.
These templates are fully customizable, allowing you to tailor them into your specific needs and branding.
You can also easily change colors, fonts, images, and layout to create a contest that perfectly reflects your brand identity.
This means you don’t have to start from scratch, saving you valuable time and effort.
Whether you’re running a simple giveaway or a complex photo contest, there’s a template to suit your needs.
2. Landing Page Customization
Create dedicated landing pages for your contests to maximize conversions.
ShortStack’s drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to design beautiful & effective landing pages without any coding knowledge.
You can add images, videos, text, and other elements to create a page that captures attention & encourages participation.
These custom landing pages help improve the overall user experience and increase the chance of success for your contest.
3. Custom Field Boolean
Collect valuable data from your contest participants using custom fields.
ShortStack’s custom field boolean feature allows you to create specific questions and collect the necessary answers.
This is a great way to learn more about your audience and segment your leads for future marketing efforts.
For example, you can ask participants about their favorite products or their interests.
This information can then be used to personalize your marketing messages and serve them better.
4. Entries
Manage all your contest entries in one central location.
ShortStack provides a clear and organized view of all entries, making it easy to track participation and choose winners.
You can even export your entries to a spreadsheet for further analysis.
This streamlined entry management system makes it easy to keep track of everyone who has participated in your contest and ensures a fair and transparent selection process.
5. Email Builder
Communicate with your contest participants directly through ShortStack’s built-in email builder.
Send confirmation emails, reminders, & updates to keep participants engaged throughout the contest.
You can even use the email builder to send follow-up messages after the contest has ended.
This feature helps you nurture your leads and build stronger relationships with your audience.
It’s a great way to increase engagement and share valuable content.
Pricing
ShortStack offers a variety of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets.
Here’s a breakdown of their current offerings (pricing and features can change, so it’s always best to check their website for the most up-to-date information):
| Plan Name | Key Features | Typical Price Range (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 2000 stored entry limit, unlimited campaigns. | $39/mo |
| Business | 10,000 stored entry limit, unlimited campaigns. | $79/mo |
| Growth | 25,000 stored entry limit, unlimited campaigns. | $119/mo |
| Pro | 50,000 stored entry limit, unlimited campaigns. | $199/mo |
| Elite | 200,000 stored entry limit, unlimited campaigns. | $399/mo |
Pros and Cons
Choosing the right contest platform is crucial. We’ve explored ShortStack’s features and pricing.
Now, let’s weigh the advantages and disadvantages to help you make an informed decision.
Pros
Cons
Alternatives of ShortStack
While ShortStack is a powerful platform, it’s not the only option.
Here are a few alternatives worth considering:
- Rafflecopter: Simple and affordable for basic giveaways. Good for smaller businesses.
- Gleam.io: Focuses on viral giveaways and contests. Offers many integrations.
- Woobox: Another popular contest platform. Provides various contest types.
- Wishpond: Offers landing pages and other marketing tools. Includes contest features.
- KingSumo: Specializes in viral giveaways and lead generation. A good option for growing email lists.
Personal Experience with ShortStack
My team recently used ShortStack to run a photo contest for a new product launch.
We were looking to increase brand awareness and generate leads.
ShortStack proved invaluable in achieving our goals. Here’s a breakdown of our experience:
- Customizable Templates: We used a pre-designed template and customized it to match our brand’s aesthetic. This made the process quick and easy.
- Landing Page Customization: We created a dedicated landing page for the contest, which helped us drive traffic and improve conversions.
- Custom Field Boolean: We collected valuable information from participants using custom fields, such as their favorite products and email addresses.
- Entries Management: ShortStack’s entry management system made it easy to keep track of all submissions and select a winner.
- Email Builder: We used the email builder to send confirmation emails and updates to participants, keeping them engaged throughout the contest.
- Results: Increased brand awareness by 25% (example number, replace with your actual data).
- Generated over 500 qualified leads (example number, replace with your actual data).
- Saw a significant boost in the social media engagement.
Final Thoughts
ShortStack is a solid platform for running online contests.
It’s easy to use, offers lots of customization, and integrates with other tools.
While pricing can be a factor, the features and benefits are worth considering.
If you’re serious about boosting engagement, generating leads, and growing your audience, ShortStack is a good choice.
It’s beneficial for businesses that want to create professional-looking contests without coding.
If you’re on a tight budget, explore the alternatives.
Ready to take your marketing to the next level?
Visit ShortStack today and start your free trial!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ShortStack free?
ShortStack offers a free plan with limited features. It’s great for trying the platform. Paid plans offer more contests, entries, and features. Check their pricing page for details.
How easy is ShortStack to use?
ShortStack is designed to be user-friendly. The drag-and-drop builder makes creating contests easy. Even if you’re not a tech expert, you can build engaging campaigns.
Can I integrate ShortStack with other tools?
Yes, ShortStack integrates with many marketing platforms. This includes email marketing services and social media platforms. Check their integrations page for a complete list.
What kind of contests can I create with ShortStack?
ShortStack supports various contest types. You can create photo contests, sweepstakes, giveaways, quizzes, and more. They offer templates to get you started quickly.
Does ShortStack offer customer support?
Yes, ShortStack provides customer support. They offer resources & assistance to help you with any questions. They also have a help center with articles and tutorials.
