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Auto Responders For Small Business Email MarketingThe main use being for auto acknowledgment of a sale or request for information/support. They are still used for this purpose today. But they have evolved to become more like mailing list managers and today they are the main tool used in permission based email marketing . Their uses include:
Important Autoresponder FeaturesTo be useful for permission based email marketing the autorsponder software/service must offer the following:
Getting an Autoresponder and Other OptionsMost hosting providers provide access to free mailing list software (another name for autoresponder). Although the quality of the free software varies most is too difficult to use/set up for most non technical website owners. Although autoresponders/mailing list managers make it easier to do email marketing they are by no means mandatory. It is possible to do it manually using a simple email client. However by far the most common and the easiest option is to use commercial software or a autoresponder service. Autoresponder Services and SoftwareThere are two main types of commercial Autoresponder:
SoftwareYou can purchase software which you install on your server, which has all the functionality of a commercial service but this solution requires that your host supports the necessary features and requires more work/knowledge on your part and is not recommended for the small business owner. Client mailing list software (e.g.sendblaster )is much easier to setup and use than server based software and is an ideal choice for a small business, especially an offline based business e.g restaurant, bed and breakfast. The client software is as easy to use as an email client but it doesn't offer all of the features of server based software or a autoresponder service. However you have a simple 1 off cost. Autoresponder ServiceThere are many companies offering autoresponder services. A autoresponder service is rally the number 1 choice for those looking for a fully featured solution. The only problem is the cost.There are two pricing models being operated:
Monthly Subscription ModelThis is a per month charge that varies according to the size of the email list. Most charge around $18 for up to 500 subscribers and the cost increases the more subscribers you have. However you can send unlimited emails. This subscription model is good if you send lots of emails i.e. have weekly/daily newsletter etc. If you only send infrequent emails then the pay per go model is probably more appropriate. Pay as You GoWith this model you purchase email credits in advance. The more you purchase the cheaper it is per email. Although it would appear ideal for small businesses you have to be aware as if you start sending frequent mailings then the costs soon add up. Unfortunately not many companies offer this model . To help you decide here is a quick price chart. The monthly payment plan is $18 which is about the industry norm.
You can see from the above chart that at 800-1200 messages per month then then subscription model is cheaper and far easier than the pay as you go model. If you are sending 10,000 emails per month then the cost is $150 with the pay as you go model. A few to consider: Autoresponders and Mailing ListsOver the years autoresponder systems have evolved to include the ability not only to respond to messages but to initiate them i.e. they have developed many of the functions of mailing lists and vice versa. Therefore the distinction between the two is very blurred such that autoresponder software/services have the ability to manage mailing lists and vice versa. Related Articles:
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