Are you new to internet marketing? Even if you are not, you might not be aware that there is a vast difference between an autoresponder program and an autoresponder service. Not knowing the difference, you can often purchase the wrong type of autoresponder, and find out too late that you have wasted money on a program that is useless to you.
An autoresponder program is a program that is set up on your web server. This is usually a free autoresponder that comes with your web hosting account. If you don’t like to use this particular autoresponder program, there are many other options. You can find, and purchase autoresponder programs or scripts that must be installed on your web server. The advantage to this is that you will have more control over rules and regulations, compared to that an autoresponder service provides.
Other people are quite happy with using an autoresponder service. This is a service that is usually paid for on a monthly or yearly basis. The fees are ongoing, and everything is browser based. In other words, you can set up your autoresponder messages and manage your opt-in list through your web browser – just as you can with an autoresponder program that is installed through your web hosting account. The difference is that the service runs on the autoresponder service’s web server – not yours or your web hosts.
Beginners are usually better off using an autoresponder service. These services are very easy to understand and to use, and no technical knowledge is needed to set things up. As a newcomer to the field, however, you might be concerned about the costs of an autoresponder service. The cost is probably tax deductible as a business expense.
But, if money is tight, you have the option of signing up with a free autoresponder service. Free services make their money by placing advertisements in each autoresponder message that you send out. Sometimes these ads appear at the top of your messages, and sometimes they appear at the bottom. ( * These type of ads make you look unprofessional, and image is important if you want prospects to follow or buy from you )
Some of the free services are simply an enticement to purchase the professional version, and have many of the more advanced features, such as tracking, disabled. Frankly, I have tried both, and was totally frustrated with a couple of free versions. Free autoresponders limit your ability to have an effective marketing campaign.
The autoresponder that you choose is strictly up to you, but in most cases, an autoresponder service should suit your needs. Don't waste your valuable time experimenting with free varieties, pick a professional, full service autoresponder like AWEBER and do your marketing like a pro.
Gary Canie > Helping Others Succeed!
