It's a bit hard to tell what a service is like until you've used it, so hopefully some of the verterans here will have something to say. I run All Possible Worlds, a science fiction and fantasy literary magazine. The first issue is shipping tomorrow. Right now I have two mailing lists - a 300+ list for author updates and a much smaller (but rapidly growing) list of magazine subscribers for upcoming issue updates. Since my current ISP limits outgoing emails to something like 50 emails per hour, I'm going to need a service sooner or later. Here are the things I want: * Web-based and email-based subscription and unsubscription (user sends an email to xyz@abc with "subscribe" OR enters their email address into a web form) * Ability to run multiple different campaigns - the two I mentioned, but I also plan to have an update list for the software I've released and a subscription reminder list. Some users will be a part of multiple campaigns, some won't. * Ability to import an Excel or CSV file containing my existing contacts without anyone pestering these people (i.e. a message "You were just added to list XYZ!" when their response would be "WTF!? I'm already on that list"). * Ability to make email look like it came from instead of . Aweber is the one I hear mentioned here the most, with Constant Contact showing up fairly often. Will any of these suit my needs? Or is there another option I should know about?
As far as I'm aware www.GetResponse.com do all (bar excel importing); because of the whole spam issue you'll need your subscribers to opt-in again. Check them out anyway, they've great customer service so you can ask them. Colm
Yeah, unfortunately any bulk uploads require re-confirmation (as far as I know.) You can add one at a time without it, but that could take a while.
That whole 'needing subscribers to opt-in again' is such a hassle and is why I'm not using Aweber for my existing lists, it would just confuse people. I use CampaignMonitor which is really nice (but their pricing model doesn't seem too good for large lists).
I like aweber. I think they have pretty good service on beating spam filters. also you get unlimited campaigns. running your own list could be a hassle. maybe also depend on your CC processor...if you have a service like 1shoppingcart.com their built in email may be ok
Aweber seems to meet the needs you listed. I used to use Aweber as well, but found my list far too small to be worth the hassle, so I returned to using my own script's emailing function. ~ Sirius Lin
There are a number of autoresponder services out there I would say its always a good idea to have your autoresponder needs taken care of by a 3rd party service. That way if anything should go wrong, and you get SPAM complaints, you wont lose your domain Therefore I would say its always best practice to have an off-site service However I suggest you shop around a bit first, as aweber is not the cheapest, but it is one of the best ones. If I were Id hunt around and find out about other companies as well and then compare what they have to offer As an aside, always remember to backup your databases/ contacts lists etc, as if it be a real nightmare if you lose your lists
The cheapest around is probably getresponse with their one year option. GetResponse or email aces (if you don't need unlimited responders). The price shouldn't be the deciding factor, look for reputation, delivery rate, features and support. Aweber and GetResponse both ask for confirmation of imported leads. I was weary about that as well, but ya know what? If people don't confirm, it just shows me they are inactive and wouldn't buy anyway. It can be a good list clean up. Although remember to be creative while asking them to re confirm their address.. Best, Ana
Hi Xangis, I believe we have what you're looking for. Check out our site at xoopa.com Prices starting as low as $15 per month for standard list hosting of up to 1000 subscribers. We offer fixed packages as well as bandwidth based. For your list of 300 members, it should cost you no more then $15 per month for basic standard package, or $30 per month for professional package and $45 for enterprise package. There are differences in the 3 packages. - Standard package for emailing newsletters, alerts and announcements. - Professional package for targeted email marketing and personized campaigns. - Enterprise package for advanced email marketing, lead tracking, ROI analysis, and event-triggered mailings. We provide email list hosting using Lyris ListManager 9.2. It looks like we can provide all the features you need plus more. Shoot me a PM or contact us thru our site. We will be offering disocunts to all DigitalPoint members. dp5p Calvin Xoopa.com Professional email list hosting at an affordable price!
I use aweber and think they are fantastic. The customer support is second to none and almost all of my queries were answered quickly using the live chat function. I wholeheartedly recommend them.
Aweber is great, but I prefer Getresponse, because it's easier to navigate its site and more lenient in terms of your method of adding subscribers.
Great talk on this, as I am looking for an autoresponder myself, for my future ecommerce website. A lot of the sites am using are using either aweber or getresponse. What abt the free one, freeautobot ?
I've used Xoopa's service before, I must say the service, support and price is right on point. Good value for the money!
For ecommerce, you may want to NOT use getresponse or Aweber, the 2 of them are tailored more towards Information Sellers. If you sell physical product, your autoresponder should depend on which shopping cart you use. For example, I use the Yahoo store built in one because its more convenient for my ecommerce site.
I personally use Aweber and manage about 170,000 leads through their system. I've never had a problem with using them and they've always gotten excellent deliverability.
Thank you for all of the info. It's going to be a tough choice with so many options available. So far it looks like Xoopa is the only one that lets you import a CSV without re-confirmination. What services let you enter in addresses one by one without confirmation? If I read correctly, GetResponse will let you do that. What else does?
Hi Xangis, Yes, we will allow you to re-import your subscribers without recomfirming them. As long as you agree that those are NOT bulk emails or harvested email addresses or single opt-in leads...etc, you should be ok. We prefer you import more then the email address. If you have the IP address of signups and date/time stamp, you may import those as well. Its easier to track if and when you get some spam complaints. Try our 15 days free trial. Import up to 250 members/subscribers. Free 15 Day Trial: http://xoopa.com/order.php?step=2&pid=127 Take care, Calvin Xoopa.com Professional Email List Hositng at an Affordable Price Order Toll Free: 1-888-Go-Xoopa
Sorry, wrong link. Here is the link for the free 15 day trial: Just change the pid at the end of the link to 1 only. not 127. I was going to modify my post to reflect the correct link, but i dont see the edit post link/button. Calvin Xoopa.com Professional Email List Hosting at an Affordable Price Order Toll Free: 1-888-Go-Xoopa