7 Things You Should Consider When Picking an Autoresponder
Whether you’re running an online or offline business, email marketing is one of the most powerful marketing tools you can use, there is no denying it. Email marketing is not only one of the most cost-effective marketing methods there is, but it is one of the easiest to monitor, customize, and adjust as well. This is what makes it ideal for most businesses. However, without the right autoresponder service, getting an email marketing strategy off the ground can be difficult and could have a direct effect on your conversion rates. This is why it is essential you get is right and it well planned. In this article, we are going to give you a few things every business owner should be looking for when picking an autoresponder service.
Credibility
The credibility of the autoresponder service you decide to go to for should be one of the first things you should be taking into consideration. This is with most things in a business, but it is also essential when considering autoresponder services. An autoresponder service that is credible and has been in business for a long period of time will usually have built a better rapport with ESPs like Hotmail, Google and Yahoo. This ultimately means that your content will be less likely to be flagged as spam and you will be able to reach more customers, which will ultimately lead to more sales. Realistically, we all want more sales, right? Try to go with an autoresponder service that has been active for at least five years and has a good reputation within the community.
A WYSIWYG Editor
If you are unfamiliar with HTML and you are intending to use html newsletter templates, then you should make sure that it has a good WYSIWYG editor. WYSIWYG stands for “what you see is what you get” and means exactly what the name implies. Who doesn’t enjoy a huge acronym. WYSIWYG allows you to change elements on an html document based on the way they look and not on how they are coded. So, if you have limited knowledge of code, which applies to many people, you can still modify your template as you would with any regular document. It really helps give you the expert edge. A good WYSIWYG editor will not only allow you to make changes easily, but it will make sure that they look absolutely perfect once they get into your subscribers’ mailboxes.
User Interface
No matter what your level of experience is, try to go for an autoresponder service with an easy to use and intuitive user interface if you can. If the website itself is already clunky and hard to navigate, then you can expect the same experience to transfer to their user interface. You want a service that will allow you to build your emails easily, import outside templates with no issues, and have smooth, easy to use drag and drop options. The easier the interface is to navigate the easier it is for you to communicate with your consumers or audience.
The best thing you could do is sign up for a trial if the service offers one and take it for a test drive. This will be essential for your decision making process. You will be able to familiarise yourself with their user interface and see if it works for you.
Price
When we talk about price, we do not mean you should pick the absolute cheapest autoresponder service there is out there. Like anything in life, you ultimately get what you pay for with autoresponders. Some services will try to lure you in by making their service free up to a certain number of subscribers and will hike up the price once you get passed that limit. Others will make it virtually impossible for you to migrate your list to another service, so you might end up getting stuck with them. Make sure that you pick an autoresponder service that fits your budget, but make sure that it is scalable as well. Balance is key here. Ensure that the autoresponder works for your price point and what you intend to do with it.
Analytics and Tracking
This is another very important aspect that you should be looking for. A good autoresponder suite will extend far beyond simply sending emails to your list. They should have a wide variety of analytics tools you can use as well.
How many people actually get to see your emails? And what is the best time of the day or day of the week to send them? Do factual emails work best or personal ones? These are all questions you will be able to answer through statistics and tracking. So, before you pick any service, make sure that you check how extensive their analytics are. The last thing you want to be doing is using a system that does not have a great set of analytics. We all know that data is essential to making key decisions regarding marketing. With analytics on your side you can advance your method to help you gain more conversions.
Number of Lists and Emails
When picking an autoresponder service, it is essential that you check the number of emails you can send and mailing lists you are allowed to have. If possible, try to pick a service that allows for unlimited emails at their standard rate. You should also check if they offer unlimited lists as well. Unlimited lists are not necessarily a must but try not to pick one that will ask you to pay extra for every list. This will simply cause an in convivence for you later on. The cost climbing up for emails may not be worth it for you if another service offers a similar package with unlimited emails.
Choosing the right autoresponder service is the first thing that should be on your list if you want to build a successful email marketing strategy. Make sure that you follow our advice and go for a reputable and user-friendly service that has their customers’ best interest in mind.
