From time to time, we find ourselves mildly amazed by the fact that some aspiring Internet business people are attempting to conduct daily business without the aid of a simple autoreponse system. Now, many types of online business contact and communication should still be done by personal email. In those cases where specific issues need to be addressed, a hand drafted message is the only answer. It also serves as a demonstration of respect and appreciation toward the recipient.
Yet we wonder just how anyone can successfully operate an Internet based business without the aid of an autoresponse system to handle at least some of the daily email load. We can easily equate it to something like a carpenter trying to work without a hammer.
Let’s clarify what an autoresponder really is, and then describe some of the types that are available. This may be mundane fodder for some who already know the answers. Still, we receive numerous questions each week on this very topic from folks who don’t.
AUTORESPONDER: Any software system that automatically delivers a pre-written message or sequence of messages after being triggered by an incoming email inquiry.
There are three basic types of autoresponder systems. Each one has its own pros and cons. It’s up to you to do the homework and decide which type best suits your own needs.
1. WEBHOST BASED AUTORESPONDER
Most of the better webhosting services offer an unlimited amount of autoresponders that can be easily configured from the domain control panel. These are an essentially cost-free feature of your hosting service, and can be put to good use in some areas of business.
Advantages involve your ability to configure an unlimited number (typical with most webhosts) of autoresponse addresses that come direct from your domain. Set up usually takes five minutes or less, and can be a life-saver when you’ve came across a ripe product or program that you want to get quickly into the promotion loop.
Disadvantages surround the (again typical) inability to deliver more than a single message. For the most part, webhost based autoresponders are one-shooters, without the capability to deliver a pre-written promotional sequence. In addition, none that we have seen allow for personalization tags (!fname – !firstname! etc.) within the headline and message body.
2. ONLINE BASED AUTORESPONDER SERVICES
These are typically presented as a subscription service, where you are required to pay a monthly fee for ongoing use of the system. Costs can vary, and have of late begun to vary greatly. By all means, do your comparison shopping before you sign anything.
Advantages include ease of accesibility and absence of maintenance requirements on your part. Typically, you will have full customizing capability of outgoing messages, and will be able to pre-program a sequence of up to 52 follow-up messages. In addition, you’ll have the advantage of automatic unsubscribe/removal functions, meaning less work for you.
The big disadvantage is, of course, that you pay through the nose each month for the service. That makes it all the more critical that you get the fullest possible advantage from this type of service.
Based on the extensive array of features offered, we’re particularly interested in the online service offered behind this link: http://Earn-Revenew.com/wmail even though we haven’t yet subscribed. We do know and trust the operators as being totally ethical and above board in everything they have ever done on the Internet.
3. DOMAIN BASED AUTOREPONDER SOFTWARES
These are free standing autoresponse software systems that actually “live” on your own domain. In other words, you own and operate the autoresponder from your website.
The big advantage here is obvious . . . you have no monthly subscription payments. You’ll also have the capability for unlimited numbers of addresses/message sequences and typically an unlimited number of follow-up messages. In actuality, you’d be able to pre-program, in advance, any number of message sequences to run for literally several years.
Disadvantages surround the fact that you are responsible for maintenance and breakdowns. With a well written program, this shouldn’t happen. Stars shouldn’t fall from the sky either, but they do. Additionally, some domain based autoresponder systems are configured only for form-box sign ups, meaning you would not have an actual mailto: address to plug into your advertising. Check before you buy. We make daily use of, and recommend the domain based system behind this link: http://www.Earn-Revenew.com/lmail
No matter how you choose to approach the issue of autoresponder usage, one thing is a sure bet. If you’re not using at least some sort of autoresponse system in your daily business online, you’re not only working too hard, you’re missing out on a majority of the potential for growth and development of your business.
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Dan B. Cauthron runs several websites and publishes his 100%
original and highly opinionated *Revenew QuikTips* online
whenever he has something significant to say. To subscribe
please visit: http://DanBCauthron.com Dan also operates:
http://Earn-Revenew.com and http://SlideInADSGenerator.com
