aweber alternatives?

[The Lady]

are there any other options beyond aweber that are good for building a new list?

[trafficwave]

Apparently lgibbon felt I deserved an infraction for replying to your request in the forum.

I'll be PM'ing.

[srini28]

I am logging in after a while and the first post here is exactly what I wanted to ask!! I have the same question - aweber alternatives.

I know there is contactpro, getresponse, mailchimp, etc. etc. and I've even used a few of those for my clients. They all end up costing between $15 and $25 a month for a small list of 1000-2000 people and go up from there.

I am really looking for something where I don't have to pay monthly. A good php script that I can install on my site and manage my email list that way, may be? The problem is that there does not seem to be a good one. The ones that are there seem buggy and not the kind that will last 10 years (my site, I hope, will so I want to go with products that will as well. I would pay up to $150 for it easily if it's good.

Those of you that are looking for a new product to build - this is it! Build THE php email management script and you are on your way to becoming millionaires .

[Golelen]

If you are running a blog on WordPress you might look into G-Lock Software's G-Lock Double Opt-In Manager. The base level is free but they have upgrades that you buy once. After that it is all yours. I can say from experience that their service, though e-mail based, is da bomb!

[srini28]

Aha, amember does sound like what I was looking for. But is it as good as aweber? In other words, can anyone, from experience talk about the following:

1. Do they allow serial autoresponders?
2. Do they allow lists to be easily exported and imported?
3. How easy is it to build forms and place them on the site to integrate with the backend mailing site?
4. Do they allow easy integration with Joomla and wordpress?
5. Are they developed actively? Are they likely to last 5-10 years?
6. How good is their support?
7. How easy-to-use is the backend user interface?
8. Most importantly, I know PHP mailing scripts sometimes run into problems with the hosting provider for sending out too many emails from the site. How to they get around that problem?

I know that's a lot of questions. But I plan on using this on all my sites and many client sites today and in the future. So I really need to be sure they meet my requirement.

Srini

[srini28]

Actually, now that I took a closer look, amember sounds like a membership subscription management software, not EMAIL management software. For instance, it does not have features that allow creating a newsletter and managing email campaigns. Am I missing something here?

[trafficwave]

PM'ing you, Srini

[jacktackett]

Check out Neil's autoresponse plus - I've used it in the past and its a great AR application. At one time it was a bit tricky to install if you were not comfortable with servers - but it never failed to get installed. And the biggest sticking points were the pipe filters for handling bounces etc. If your server has a pretty standard MTA (mail servers like sendmail or qmail ) you'll have no problems.

Mail loop is another server/PC based application but I've never used it.

For just sending out newsletters and email blasts things like phplist, world merge, MajorDomo etc will work - but they are not full fledge AR programs.

good luck,
--Jack

[tomw]

I'm not usually one to preach, but Lady, there is a thread by Brian McElroy with over 120 responses on exactly this subject right here on page one of the forum;

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...r-options.html

Thomas

[Steve MacLellan]

One of the things you might want to check before buying any newsletter managements scripts to host on your own site, is the ability to send emails to large lists.

Unless you're on a dedicated/virtual server, most hosting companies limit the amount of emails you can send per hour. Many I've seen, limit you to 500 per hour -- if you have a large list, it won't be a suitable solution.

Regards,
Steve MacLellan

[Chris Lockwood]

Originally Posted by Raymond Edeh

You are indeed missing something because the last time I checked, amember managed email campains just like aweber, getresponse and so on.

No, it doesn't. Amember will let you send email messages to your members, but it has nothing like the features you get with a service like Aweber or GetResponse.

Ask yourself why most Amember users have their members get on a list at one of those services.

Plus if you are not running a membership site, using a membership script to run your email list is just plain dumb.

[trafficwave]

Originally Posted by Chris Lockwood

No, it doesn't. Amember will let you send email messages to your members, but it has nothing like the features you get with a service like Aweber or GetResponse.

Or TrafficWave!

[sparklin]

I use Response Magic.

Cathy

[Jared Alberghini]

Originally Posted by srini28

I am really looking for something where I don't have to pay monthly. A good php script that I can install on my site and manage my email list that way, may be? The problem is that there does not seem to be a good one. The ones that are there seem buggy and not the kind that will last 10 years (my site, I hope, will so I want to go with products that will as well. I would pay up to $150 for it easily if it's good.

Those of you that are looking for a new product to build - this is it! Build THE php email management script and you are on your way to becoming millionaires .

There are plenty of good open source mailer scripts out there, just do a little digging in the right places, hotscripts.com, php.resourceindex.com, etc.

Here's what I'm using and it works great for me: phplist.com : Homepage : home

- Jared

[srini28]

Originally Posted by Steve MacLellan

One of the things you might want to check before buying any newsletter managements scripts to host on your own site, is the ability to send emails to large lists.

Unless you're on a dedicated/virtual server, most hosting companies limit the amount of emails you can send per hour. Many I've seen, limit you to 500 per hour -- if you have a large list, it won't be a suitable solution.

Regards,
Steve MacLellan

Jack, Steve and others: Thanks for your responses.

You mentioned that I might have issues sending out large number of emails with phplist and other server-based email management software. Is there a workaround for that? Is that the main reason why people go for aweber/getresponse or any other similarly hosted email management program?

Srini

[Chris Lockwood]

Originally Posted by srini28

You mentioned that I might have issues sending out large number of emails with phplist and other server-based email management software. Is there a workaround for that? Is that the main reason why people go for aweber/getresponse or any other similarly hosted email management program?

It also has to do with deliverability and protection from complaints.

[trafficwave]

Originally Posted by srini28

Jack, Steve and others: Thanks for your responses.

You mentioned that I might have issues sending out large number of emails with phplist and other server-based email management software. Is there a workaround for that? Is that the main reason why people go for aweber/getresponse or any other similarly hosted email management program?

Srini

I was having lunch with a new client last Sunday. His basic thought process was, "I do what I do for a living. The last thing I want to do is try to figure out what YOU do for a living. I just want a system where I can set up my messages and have them sent out so that I can build MY business."

Makes perfect sense to me.

Companies that do Email Marketing and AutoResponders as their sole focus are going to be more tuned in to the requirements from a legal, technical, and cultural perspective.

When a contractor is building a house. He doesn't figure out how to build the tools he'll be using. The smart contractor buys the best tools he can afford to help him create a quality product.

That way, he doesn't have to worry about whether his tools will fail him somewhere along the line. He can focus on what he does for a living.

[jacktackett]

Originally Posted by srini28

Jack, Steve and others: Thanks for your responses.

You mentioned that I might have issues sending out large number of emails with phplist and other server-based email management software. Is there a workaround for that? Is that the main reason why people go for aweber/getresponse or any other similarly hosted email management program?

Srini

Srini,

most people go with a hosted solution for deliverability reasons. So few people realize what a massive, resource intensive effort is put forth daily by system admins around the world to block SPAM. To fight it many folks simply shoot first and ask questions later - which is basically their right, given its their systems and networks. There are no laws saying I have to pass through or deliver your emails( or web, IM, or video traffic).

And many of the large ISPs and NAPs in the world do just that - and in order to get your email delivered - you need to be talking to these folks constantly. My wife works from on service provider- iContact- and they have a whole staff whos duty is deliverability. These folks are on speed dial with the admins at places like HotMail, AOL, ComCast and RBLs like Spamhouse (ok - not them since nobody has their phone number, but these providers do have special email address they use to beg to be taken off blacklists etc).

These providers also use hundreds of servers to deliver email - a single email might not take a lot of time to deliver - but thousands? Even with a decent sized server, things take TIME (that thing the creator made so everything doesn't happen at once). And hundreds of IPs on different CIDR blocks so if one range gets blacklisted (and they all do - aweber, getresponse, iContact - its a never ending battle) their entire business isn't shut down.

If you're on a dedicated IP and someone accuses (rightly or wrongly - you'd be surprised how many AOL'er use the 'report spam' button as the un-subscribe button) you of sending spam - your hosting provider is going to kick you to the curb rather than risk having their IPs black listed as a spammer.

And if you're unlucky enough to use Godaddy - you might find your domain confiscated as well and completely out of business until you can prove beyond a doubt (and sometimes pay a nice big fee) that you're not a spammer.

If you're going to be sending out a few hundred emails a month to a warm list who knows and trusts you- then running your own server might make sense. I do this for several small lists using world merge (its a newsletter program rather than an AR).

I no longer use Autoresponse plus - not because its a bad program- its a great program - but because for my 4,000 user list iContact just makes better sense.

HTH,
--Jack

[srini28]

jacktackett, I think you answered my question completely. I am so glad I posted my question here today.

I think I am going to opt for a hosted solution for my larger lists and a solution on my own server for smaller lists that I don't think will see a lot of unsubscribes. Or may be I might end up using a hosted solution for everything. (at least until I change my mind, that is

It's amazing what a difficult decision this. Also amazing that several people thought that a self-hosted solution is better. http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...options-2.html

THANKS AGAIN everyone.

[babarapho]

On the net there are various autorsponders-good, better,best. Aweber and Getresponse stands out among their foes. They rank best currenly.

[srini28]

Siteground and Site5, the 2 hosting providers I use, both have limits on the number of emails sent out per hour at 400/500 emails. If I grow my email list to a few thousand, that can be a problem.

I think, overall, anyone that already has a dedicated server or is considering one, can consider self-hosted email management. If not, the aweber alternative sounds the best.

btw, did anyone compare trafficwave to getresponse/aweber? They have a flat fee of $17.5/month which should be pretty lucrative for big lists, right? Brian, you are welcome to reply, but I really also want an objective opinion on this matter from others. Thanks.

Srini

[srini28]

Between aweber and getresponse, it sounds like they are comparable services. But aweber is 5 times more expensive for a list of 10,000 subscribers.

Aweber:
0 - 500 $19
501 - 2,500 $29
2,501 - 5,000 $49
5,001 - 10,000 $69
10,001 - 25,000 $149

GetResponse:
Monthly $17.95 -
Quarterly $47.85 $6
Semi-Annually $87.70 $20
Annually $145.40 $70
The above plans include unlimited mailings to up to 10,000 subscribers. For every additional 5,000 subscribers, an extra $4.50 per month will be charged, in arrears, after 30 days.

So, considering a 10k mailing list, paid annually, Aweber is $69/month whereas getresponse will cost $12.15/month. For a 20K list, Aweber will cost $149/month whereas getresponse will cost $21.15/month.

In short, aweber usually costs up to 5-6 times more than getresponse. I've used aweber and its features are great. What about getresponse? Is aweber justified for the price difference?

[GopalG]

Aweber is the industry standard and double optin is a must in these days. There are individual scripts that can do well. I use this php autoresponder for small lists and it comes at a affordable one time payment of 47.95$. Its a good option but you have to manually manage your list.

[srini28]

Aweber has resellers -
ProFollow Autoresponder & Newsletters: Unlimited Follow Up Autoresponders Increase Email Deliverability.
AWeber Autoresponder & Newsletters: Unlimited Follow Up Autoresponders Increase Email Deliverability.
AWeber Autoresponder & Newsletters: Unlimited Follow Up Autoresponders Increase Email Deliverability.
Turbo Autoresponders Autoresponder & Newsletters: Unlimited Follow Up Autoresponders Increase Email Deliverability.
Pro-Response Autoresponder & Newsletters: Unlimited Follow Up Autoresponders Increase Email Deliverability.
XMailPro - Home

Is going with them the same as going with Aweber? I am not sure what the difference is.

Can anyone comment on whether aweber is justified for their 5-times higher cost than getresponse?

[absolutelee]

I might be missing something. But what's wrong with aweber?

[srini28]

I just got done talking to profollow. They said they use the same backend system as aweber - just change the labeling to their own name. The only difference is the analytics features - they don't have it.

They also confirmed that it is straightforward to move from profollow to aweber in the future. That's a big deal, because say you started with getresopnse to start with and wanted to move to aweber in the future for the analytics features, aweber requires that your subscription base opt in again when you make the move. Since profollow is aweber in fact, I believe they don't have that requirement.

I think going with an aweber reseller is a good choice for starters. Unless I am missing something. Somebody, please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks.

[srini28]

Originally Posted by absolutelee

I might be missing something. But what's wrong with aweber?

Cost. $149 for a 10K list is too expensive for me to start with.

[mfleisch]

I know a couple of people who are using Vertical Response but they said it gets pricey. The other one that I've personally used that's pretty good is iContact. It should cost you about $10/mo.

[The Lady]

Originally Posted by tomw

I'm not usually one to preach, but Lady, there is a thread by Brian McElroy with over 120 responses on exactly this subject right here on page one of the forum;

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...r-options.html

Thomas

I did a quick search for this, b/c i thought i had read some of a similar thread a while back, but honestly couldn't find it, thank you so much for putting it in here. thank you!

[srini28]

Originally Posted by mfleisch

I know a couple of people who are using Vertical Response but they said it gets pricey. The other one that I've personally used that's pretty good is iContact. It should cost you about $10/mo.

icontact costs a lot more than $10/mo. for larger lists.
Contacts Monthly Annual
500 $9.95 $107.46
1,000 $14.00 $151.20
2,500 $29.00 $313.20
5,000 $47.00 $507.60
10,000 $74.00 $799.20
15,000 $109.00 $1,177.20
25,000 $149.00 $1,609.20
35,000 $239.00 $2,581.20
50,000 $379.00 $4,093.20
75,000 $529.00 $5,713.20
100,000 $699.00 $7,549.20

[Steve Steinitz]

Hi,

MailChimp is unique in that you can pay for just the emails you send - i.e no monthly fee. It apparently also has a nice API.

Cheers,

Steve

[Floyd Fisher]

Originally Posted by srini28

Aweber has resellers -
ProFollow Autoresponder & Newsletters: Unlimited Follow Up Autoresponders Increase Email Deliverability.
AWeber Autoresponder & Newsletters: Unlimited Follow Up Autoresponders Increase Email Deliverability.
AWeber Autoresponder & Newsletters: Unlimited Follow Up Autoresponders Increase Email Deliverability.
Turbo Autoresponders Autoresponder & Newsletters: Unlimited Follow Up Autoresponders Increase Email Deliverability.
Pro-Response Autoresponder & Newsletters: Unlimited Follow Up Autoresponders Increase Email Deliverability.
XMailPro - Home

Is going with them the same as going with Aweber? I am not sure what the difference is.

Can anyone comment on whether aweber is justified for their 5-times higher cost than getresponse?

Actually, they are the same, with a different wrapper on them.

Is Aweber justified in their prices? That is up to the individual to decide.

I don't recommend any autoresponders, because different people have different needs. All I can recommend is you do your homework thoroughly and make quadruple sure the autoresponder you buy is right for your business.

Getting an autoresponder is like a marriage. It's 'till death due us part' and the divorce can be very messy indeed.

[GopalG]

TurboAutoresponders.com is an option. They use the PLR of Aweber and so you get aweber standards at the old prices.

[cypherslock]

Check this thread out. http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...-new-post.html

[Marian Berghes]

Originally Posted by srini28

Cost. $149 for a 10K list is too expensive for me to start with.

call me rude or whatever, but if with a 10k list you cant make $149/month then you might wanna go into another business.

[xbokcom]

I agree with you => Marian Berghes

with 10 000 list => You will pay $149 per month with a smile