How to Choose the Best List Provider – Autoresponder Service
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How to Choose the Best List Provider – Autoresponder Service
In the world of online marketing, building a list is absolutely necessary. Most marketers don’t have the expertise or the time to set up a list management system on their own server and I really would not recommend it. Instead, most use an paid autoresponder service. An autoresponder service such as the one I use, Aweber, will allow you to collect e-mail addresses from buyers and visitors to your websites.
List management is an essential part of any Internet marketing business. Capturing a person’s name and e-mail address when they visit your site allows you to send them helpful information, build your relationship with them and offer new products. It’s an absolute requirement that your list provider be easy to use and have the capabilities to deliver professional messages.
Look for the following features to find the best autoresponder service.
EASY opt in form creation.
Your list can’t exist unless you have an opt in form on your website. The opt in forms should be easy to create within the list provider’s system. You should be able to feel secure in putting the opt-in form on your website and trusting that it will work.
In a previuos post I created a video to show you how easy it is to add an opt-in box using Aweber. You can check it out here:
How To Add An Opt-in Box To Your Blog Using Aweber
SUBSCRIBE/unsubscribe system.
Subscriptions and unsubscriptions from your list shouldn’t need any input on your part. Your email subscribers should be added automatically and removed just as easily.
TRACKING capabilities.
E-mail marketing isn’t effective unless you can tell how your messages are being received. A good list provider program will allow you test and track your messages. You can see how many are being opened by your list members and how many are clicking through on your links. This can be a great way to learn how to market more effectively so you can reach your target audience.
LIST management.
Your autoresponder service should give you the ability to manage numerous lists at once. You should be able to send a message to a few lists at once, filtering out people who are on a third list. You should also have the ability to send messages to people who subscribed after a certain date. All of these capabilities will help you market to your list more effectively.
INTERNET connection.
You shouldn’t have to wait for your messages to go out due to a server outage on your list provider’s side. Your list provider should be professional enough to keep an active Internet connection to your list management tools at all times. The better the connection, the faster you can work with your list.
SECURITY features.
Your list provider should make it clear in their terms of service that your personal information and the information of your clients will be secure and protected from hackers. Since people are giving you their personal information, you deserve to know that the list provider will keep their information secure.
TECHNICAL support.
If your list provider isn’t there to help you work through the technical issues to use their system don’t consider them as an option. You’re using an autoresponder service in order to make your life easier. You shouldn’t have to be hassled with technical details. Look for a provider that offers phone as well as IM support.
My autoresponder of choice is Aweber. I know from experience that they meet all of the above requirements and also have excellent customer service.
By looking for these features in your list provider, you can be sure that you’re finding a true partner in your business that you can count on to help you grow your business.
Recommended List Building Resources
Aweber – my Autoresponder of choice
Accelerated List Building – great step by step guide for only $10.00
Get More Buyers – What to do after your list starts to grow
Power List Pro – excellent software that will help build your list even fasterRecommended WordPress Resources
Expert WordPress Create A blog in 3 simple steps and FREE
WordPress Wizard 2.0 – Excellent step by step video tutorials
Membership Tactics - How to set up a Membership Site In under 6 minutes – Using COMPLETELY FREE Software…
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16 Comments
September 21st, 2009 at 4:58 pm
You left out one very important thing to check and that is deliverability. Too many free and low cost have such poor delivery that half of your email can’t be delivered.
Mike Paetzold´s last blog ..Are you linking with these Web 2.0 properties?
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Luca Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Thanks for pointing that out Mike. Deliverabilty is very important as important as the point I made in the post. If the emails do not get out all your hard work is for not.
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September 21st, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Mike is right about that, deliverability is very important. I want to make sure that my emails get out when I want them to without worrying about it. I also want to mention being able to set an email up to go out ahead of time so I do not have to be there to do it.
Andre Arnett´s last blog ..Actionable Ways To Make Money Online
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Luca Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Schediling is another feature that is necessary with an autoresponder service. Aweber does have that feature and I use it when I’m aknow I’m going to be away.
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September 21st, 2009 at 6:06 pm
One more caveat I have to add, Luca, is that people check their stats regularly at their autoresponder service. Too many services make uptime claims and deliverability claims that aren’t substantiated by the results people are getting in real life.
Even something as simple as subscribing to each of your own links helps, because then you know for sure whether your e-mail was sent out on time on not.
Doug Champigny´s last blog ..Learning From Your Mistakes May Be Your Biggest Mistake
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Luca Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Yes that’s a good idea. I always set test my emails before sending out and also subscribe to each list I create that way I know if there are any delays. Thanks Doug
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September 21st, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Thanks Luca.
Great info in the post and the follow-ups. As an internet marketer, your list is undisputably your most important asset, and therefore your autoreponder is your most foundational tool. Choosing the right one is critical, and in doing so you have to plan not just for your needs over the next 5 days, but over the next 5 years.
An inadequate AR will impede your progress and reduce your results. A free / cheapo AR can be a false economy; in the long run it can cost you a lot more than you actually tried to save.
Phil
Phil Morgan´s last blog ..Using Graphics on Your Mini Site
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Luca Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Hey Phil, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Another great point – you want to look for an autoresponder that has services that can take care of you now and as your business grows.
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September 21st, 2009 at 10:41 pm
This is a great article which many beginners need to read. I remember when I first started out online, I saw all kinds of other people trying to do things the free way. That’s ok sometimes, but when it comes to build a list, you need to make sure it’s as top a quality system as you can get.
Joel Osborne´s last blog ..Abundance Stimulus Pack
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Luca Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:06 pm
This is one investment that is truly necessary in the online business. Don’t look at the cheapest way out either. Actually for what Aweber provides the price is very reasonable
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September 22nd, 2009 at 8:08 am
Definitely some great points Luca,
You have done a good job of showing people what to look out for when deciding on an autoresponder.
I was very lucky when I first started out online, because I chose Aweber. It has made things much easier as I have not had to try and transition my list from one autoresponder to another.
Would definitely recommend Aweber!
Brett McEllhiney´s last blog ..Three Steps to Help You Identify Your Niche!
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September 22nd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Luca, you have made a post that I think falls into the category of what is call a pillar post. Everyone must have an autoresponder and you have provided good information to assists in the selection of an autoresponder.
Lonnie Minton´s last blog ..Stop Promoting Uninteresting Products
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September 24th, 2009 at 7:19 am
You are absolutely right. I always check my links before leaving the site. It is amazing how easy it is to do it wrong. Thanks for the post.
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September 27th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
More good advice from you, Luca.
Thanks for sharing. I think I commented to this post once before, and every time I see it I am reminded of what I should be doing.
Rocque´s last blog ..Swine Flu Update
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September 28th, 2009 at 7:10 am
I have to say I’m partial to aweber due to their options provided for bloggers. I know there are other solutions but for me – they simply provide all I need
Alex Sysoef´s last blog ..URL Is Not Valid and Cannot Be Loaded Solution
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September 29th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
yeah i agree will alex , aeweber seems like they definately have what i need aswell , was with parabots , but had some issues , great post .
Mark´s last blog ..The Chiropractor Back Pain Therapy
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