A followup autoresponder is essential for any web based business. The question is should you sign up for an autoresponder email service or buy a software or script with a one time investment?

To answer this simply: It really depends on your needs.

If you’re just starting out, with no special or unusual requirements, then I would highly recommend that you go with an autoresponder email service.

I myself started out with a service and later converted to a script. If I knew then, what I know now, I would have stayed with a service and saved myself much unneeded headaches.

Here’s just several reasons why I believe you should go with an autoresponder service:

* Access to the latest

With a service, you don’t have to keep up with everything that’s going on in the autoresponder and bulk mailing world. It’s the autoresponder service’s job to keep track of what’s happening and to make sure that they offer you the latest features and that they keep in line with the latest rules and regulations. All you have to do, is log in and read about it in the nice yellow announcement box on your main account page.

* Deliverability

Let’s face it. This is probably the biggest problem that anyone doing bulk mailing faces. Most say that it is easier to just install a script on your own servers and increase your chances of getting through ISP filters and having your email delivered. The reason being because you are on your own servers and therefore, have your own unique IP. As opposed to sharing IPs with every other autoresponder user who could be spamming addicts.

It is not uncommon, however, for you to get blacklisted by ISPs even if the script is on your own servers. And when that does happen, an autoresponder service with qualified staffs would probably be in a better position to "negotiate" with the ISPs to get unblacklisted.

But the reality is, there’s more to increasing mail deliverability then just your IP address. There's the server sending the email, the content of the message, the URLs in the message, the DNS and other technical settings of the machine, and a host of other factors … Having to keep up with all these, in itself, is a full time job.

* Affordable monthly fee

Surprised? This is probably one of the main reasons why most would switch to a software or script - to run away from the monthly fee. But believe me when I say, in the long run, it’s cheaper to pay the monthly fee. You’ve got to consider firstly, the initial investment, and then there’s the hiring of someone to repair it when it "acts up". And don’t forget the fee you have to pay to upgrade to the "latest" version that includes the latest cool features. Remember, we are working on the internet where the law and technology is changing ever so quickly. Oh, and there is, of course, the additional cost of herbal medicine to get rid of your persistent headache as you try to keep up with your script’s "attitude".

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