Im currently setting up a new blogging website but the software doesnt have a function to send a mass e-mail to members. Every couple of months I will need to email members about new features, potential downtime etc so this function is vital. How much do you guys reckon it would cost me to get someone to build a script that takes users e-mail addresses and usernames automatically when they sign-up and allows me to send a mass e-mail when I need it - it would only need to be really simple script like the 'mass e-mail' function on phpBB forums. I would need it to be on the side of the main script (not built into it) so it doesnt get in the way of any future upgrades to the script. I no nothing about this sort of thing so any feedback much appreciated! Cheers. Chris.
Install a mailing-list package (Mailman for example). You can also buy a mailing list service, or even use a free one. Then you just need a script to update the subscription list from the user database, and then you can send a message to the list address. That will definitely not have to change with your signup script.