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AutoResponse Plus (ARP)
By Jeanette
One of the options often recommended for autoresponders is purchasing a license to a package such as Autoresponse Plus. This is a software package that you load onto your own hosting account, then operate yourself.
I do NOT recommend this solution for new online business owners. And here’s why.
The argument for using it is that you will save money by not paying a monthly fee. Yes, you will. But you also lose the services of a professionally run autoresponder service.
For example, companies such as aweber have full-time people on staff who make sure their mail servers are “white-listed.” Should you choose to host your own autoresponder software, YOU are in charge of white-listing your server. This is yet another drag on your time - and often beyond your expertise as a new website owner.
Second, professional services have full-time people who negotiate with the ISPs. (ISP = Internet Service Provider - the people who give you access to the Internet, such as AOL, Roadrunner, Earthlink, etc). If even ONE person at an ISP reports you for “spamming them” your emails are likely to be blocked to everyone on that service. That means YOU have to find out who to call, explain what happened, ensure that you did not spam - and well, you can see the advantage of having a full time person who takes care of that for you.
Another argument for having your own mail server software is that you can control who you subscribe to what autoresponder. Yes, that is true. But that also opens you to the temptation to “automatically” subscribe people to an autoresponder they didn’t ask for.
Again, this is dangerous ground. Most likely, they’ll be fine with it. But if even ONE person complains…there we are again.
And I didn’t mention the back-ups you have to maintain, the ability to troubleshoot the software if your email doesn’t go out - need I go on?
Is there ever a time when ARP would be a good addition to your business? Sure! When you have your own dedicated server, you are profitable, and you have someone else to worry about the technical issues for you.
Meanwhile, I strongly recommend you use a reputable autoresponder service.
Topics: Autoresponders |
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