How to Perform a Gmail Mail Merge

Topics:   Explainers Email – 12 Jan, 2025

The Challenge of Sending Personalised Bulk Emails in Gmail

If you've tried a Gmail mail merge for personalised bulk emails—either with personal Gmail or Google Workspace–you may have hit roadblocks. Daily sending limits, limited design options, and manual setups can weigh you down. While basic mail merge tools for Gmail exist, they're not ideal for growing organisations that need stunning templates, detailed reporting, and no daily cap.

In this guide, we'll cover:

• How to set up a Gmail mail merge using Google Sheets step-by-step.
• The key limitations of relying solely on Gmail for bulk messaging.
• Why switching to a platform like TNZ is a smart move for scalability, design flexibility, deliverability, and reporting.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Perform a Gmail Mail Merge

Use the following steps to send personalised bulk emails directly from your Gmail or Google Workspace account:

1. Prepare Your Contact List in Google Sheets
   • Create a new Google Sheet with columns for each personalisation field (e.g., First Name, Email Address).
   • Ensure all data is accurate and well-structured.
2. Draft Your Email Content in Gmail
   • In Gmail, compose the email you'd like to send, using placeholders like {{First Name}}.
   • Save this as a draft to serve as your mail merge template.
3. Install a Mail Merge Add-On in Google Sheets
   • In Google Sheets, go to "Extensions" > "Add-ons" > "Get add-ons."
   • Search for a reputable Gmail mail merge tool (e.g., Yet Another Mail Merge).
   • Install and grant the required permissions.
4. Connect Your Spreadsheet to the Add-On
   • Launch the chosen add-on from the Sheets menu.
   • Select the draft email you prepared in Gmail as your template.
   • Map the placeholders in your email to the corresponding columns in your spreadsheet.
5. Preview and Send Your Mail Merge Emails
   • Use the add-on's preview feature to ensure personalisation fields appear correctly.
   • Once everything looks good, click "Send"

Gmail Mail Merge Limit

Gmail typically limits sends to around 2,000 emails per day, per account. Exceeding this means setting up multiple accounts or breaking your sends into multiple days—creating extra cost and time burdens as you scale.

Limitations of Using Gmail Mail Merge

While Gmail mail merge solutions work for small campaigns, consider these drawbacks:

1. Daily Send Limits:
   Quickly hit Gmail's cap if you have large lists, forcing multiple sends or multiple accounts.
2. Limited Design Options:
   Most merges rely on basic formatting, making it challenging to create visually engaging, on-brand emails.
3. Manual Setup and Maintenance:
   Installing add-ons, preparing spreadsheets, and mapping fields every time adds complexity and room for error.
4. No Advanced Tracking:
   Gmail provides no built-in analytics for opens, clicks, or bounces, limiting insights and performance improvements.
5. Deliverability Concerns:
   Without strong authentication measures (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), bulk messages risk hitting spam, reducing your ROI.

FAQ

• Is there a free Gmail mail merge tool?
  Some add-ons offer free trials or limited sends in the Google marketplace.
• Can I include attachments?
  Some tools (e.g., Yet Another Mail Merge) let you attach files, but be mindful of your daily send limits and file size restrictions.

Why TNZ Is the Better Solution for Gmail Mail Merge Users

If you're tired of Gmail's constraints, TNZ provides a more powerful, user-friendly platform designed for growth and efficiency:

1. No Sending Limits:
   Send thousands of emails at once—no multiple accounts or multi-day scheduling needed.
2. Professional Templates:
   Create beautifully designed, branded templates that stand out and boost engagement.
3. Low-Cost Plans for Small Lists:
   Starting at just $30/month, TNZ is affordable. For under 2000 recipients, you stay well within budget while sending at scale.
4. Advanced Tracking and Reporting:
   Get full visibility into open rates, click-throughs, bounces, and conversions—data you can use to refine and improve.
5. Better Deliverability:
   TNZ includes robust authentication and deliverability measures, ensuring fewer emails land in spam and more reach the inbox.
6. Streamlined Processes:
   With TNZ's intuitive interface and automation tools, you skip the messy spreadsheets and add-ons. For a team sending 3000 emails daily, this can save hours of prep time and eliminate costs associated with extra Gmail accounts.

From Frustration to Efficiency: Make the Switch to TNZ

Gmail mail merge might suffice for very basic campaigns, but as your needs grow—requiring professional design, reliable deliverability, and advanced reporting–you'll quickly feel the limitations. TNZ resolves these issues with a scalable, affordable solution that puts you in control of your email marketing efforts.

Ready to Upgrade Your Email Strategy?

Try TNZ today starting at just $30/month. See how easy it can be to send large-scale, visually appealing, and data-driven email campaigns—without the Gmail mail merge hassle.