How do you implement an autoresponder?

Hi all,

Just wondering what autoresponder to use and how to install it. Would I want to set up a new mysql database just for capturing the names? Maybe it's something I should pay someone else to do for me.

Basically, I'm looking to create an email list on my wordpress blog and I'm not sure how to set it up: webmarketingutah.com is the site. I've been working with html and css for years but am just now getting into wordpress and database driven sites.

Anyway, I'd love some feedback with this!

 

Are you looking for an autoresponder or email list?

 

I'd basically like to have people enter their name and email on the site so I can start building an email list. Once they submitted their info, an autoresponder would send a "thank you for subscribing" response.

 

Oh ok then your looking to create and email list. You could use Google Groups, Cool List or yourmailinglistprovider. I haven't used them before. Or do a Google search for: Email List

 

Cool Thanks!

 

You can do this with php.

Create an html form with your two inputs (name and email) and use php to insert into a database.

I customized a script for you:

<?php

DEFINE ('DB_USER', 'put username here');
DEFINE ('DB_PASSWORD', 'put password here');
DEFINE ('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
DEFINE ('DB_NAME', 'put name of database here');

if($dbc = mysql_connect (DB_HOST, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD)){
if(!mysql_select_db(DB_NAME)){
trigger_error("Could not select the database!\n<br />MySQL error: " . mysql_error());
exit();
}
}else{trigger_error("Could not connect to MySQL!\n<br />MySQL Error: " . mysql_error());exit();}

$email=$_POST['emailaddress'];
$name=$_POST['name'];

$validEmail = "^[_a-z0-9-]+(\.[_a-z0-9-]+)*@[a-z0-9-]+(\.[a-z0-9-]+)*(\.[a-z]{2,4})$";
$emailtest = eregi($validEmail, $email); // tests to see if it is a valid email

$mailtoaddress = $email;
$redirectURL = "http://www.webmarketingutah.com.com/emailsuccess.html"; // the URL of the thank you page.
$mail_name = "Web Marketing Utah";
$mail_email = "noreply@webmarketingutah.com"; // email address of autoresponder
$mailtobcc = "admin@webmarketingutah.com"; // bcc's you everytime someone signs up

if(isset($email) && $emailtest != 0){ // checks if email is set and valid

$mailheader .= "From: " . $mail_name . " <" . $mail_email . ">" . "\r\n" . "Bcc: " . $mailtobcc;
$mailsubject = "Thank you for signing up at Web Marketing Utah"; // the subject of the email

mysql_query("INSERT INTO emailaddresses VALUES ('$name','$email')"); // emailaddresses is the name of your table. this inserts name and email into database

$mailmessage = "Thank you for subscribing to Web Marketing Utah!"."\r\n\r\n".
"We look forward to providing you with useful marketing information.";

mail($mailtoaddress,$mailsubject,$mailmessage,$mailheader); // sends the email
header("Location: ".$redirectURL); // redirects to your thank you page which you specify above
}

?>

 

Thanks Josh! That was helpful

 

No problem. If you need any help getting this working let me know!

 

It's so great.
Thanks.

 

Awesome, thanks! I almost forgot about this post.