Email List / Autoresponder

Yes, if you want to move an existing list from one to another without them opting in again, your options are very limited.

For myself this post and especially this little thread highlight a couple of specific problems about iContact which, between them, exclude it from my own list of possibilities.

I use and recommend Aweber, but am also kind of looking for another autoresponder company for my next new lists, just on the "eggs and baskets" principle. I'm close to deciding to try GetResponse, though.

The consensus, when this is discussed here (i.e. often!) is usually in favour of confirmed opt-in.

I don't agree with it, though.

It seems to me that what underlies many people's views about this is some sort of feeling that one's somehow "safer" if people have confirmed their opt-in, and that that somehow makes them less likely to "cry spam" and get you into trouble. Call me a skepchick, but I don't believe this at all. I believe that if someone's really going to forget that they opted in and imagine that you've spammed them, the fact that they confirmed their opt-in at the time they subscribed is going to make absolutely no difference at all. So I suspect that some of the "pro-confirmation" opinions actually rest on slightly less-than-optimal reasoning, myself.

Anyway, I have 5 single opt-in lists, and 3 confirmed opt-in ones. With hindsight, I wish they were 7 single opt-in and only 1 confirmed opt-in. I decide it according to the niche, in each case. And I'm not in "MMO" or "IM-Advice", for either of which I would require confirmation of the opt-in, because some of those subscribers tend to be on very large numbers of lists and can easily forget what they've subscribed to.

Don't use Mailchimp.

Don't use a "free autoresponder".

Good luck!

iContact has changed it's policies and no longer support the IM industry...

Constant Contact has superb deliverability and some cools options...

Stick with them you'll be glad you did...

The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the hill...

@ Coby - I just looked at CC site.
They must have upped the # of active autoresponders you can have because you can create 20, but have 10 active. I think you only used to be able to have 4 active. SO thats a big increase.

I may stick with them after all.

I would go with Aweber. It has great functionality and has worked wonders for me. I have been with them for a couple of years now, no problems..

Coby, I read in another thread that you use several autoresponders in order to stay up to date for your students.

I'm curious to know - if the choice was between Aweber and Constant Contact - which one would you go with?

Personaly, after using aweber for many years I decided I don't like having such an important part of my business dependent on someone else so I decided to invest the time into getting my own solution up and running.

Once I looked into whitelisting, certification, etc, with the various ISPs I decided I can just do it myself

Getresponse allows you to import. You just have to call them up and let them import 2500 so they can send a test email to them to check bounce/spam complaint ratios and then they will import the rest.

I use IContact, Aweber, Getresponse, and several others

Have you thought about using AutoresponsePlus? You'd have to host it on your hosting, but you'd be able to import your list pretty easily.

You'd then have to take the steps to make sure your emails are not being automatically sent to spam. It's a little more complicated, but it definitely an option. I use ARP on most of my sites.

I personally have had terrible experiences with GR (GetResponse), slow response time, phone number provided isn't even functional, and overall bad customer service. Aweber is a good solution, cheaper then most, with good functionality and reliability.

I really like icontact. I have used both awebber and icontact and find the usability of icontact much easier for getting contacts in and out of the system.

I also find their price planning more affordable.

I use two autoresponders one is with GVO. I like this one primarily because it allows me to create email campaigns for a product then create a code that can be sent to others using there autoresponder. All they have to do is put in the code and they automatically have all the emails populated in there autorepsonder.

The other is autoresponder plus. Though cumbersome with poor instructions I like it because I made one time payment and I have usage for life. Also it has tons of features that work like a charm. I like this better than GVO's autoresponder even though GVO is easier to use.

In October they are releasing a new version of Autoresponder Plus which they claim will have features not found in any other autoresponder.

They have a sale going on till the end of September (cost is currently a one time fee of $177. I believe they will be going up to $197 after October 1, 2011.

Here are some of its current features (there are tons more)

Unlimited Follow-Up Autoresponders
Create any number of follow-up autoresponders for multiple websites. No increasing charges as your lists grow, unlike other providers.


Unlimited Broadcasts Mailings
At any time, send immediate or date/time scheduled mailings to targeted groups of subscribers. Set it and log off - AutoResponse Plus takes care of the rest.


Track, Measure, Target
Easily track your open-rate and link click-throughs, with one-click targeting of responsive subscribers.


Import Leads
Built-in import wizard allows for easy importing of existing subscriber lists. No re-confirmation required.


Data Security
All data is stored in your own website's MySQL database giving you full control over this hugely valuable asset. Backups are automatic.


Works Round The Clock
Accepting subscribers, responding and sending pre-scheduled broadcasts, whether you're online or not.


Customer Training And Support
Whenever you need help, we're here with top-notch support including help, ticket tracker, self-help knowledge base, downloads, video tutorial and more. To view our support map in PDF format, click here.

I have listed more features on my SecretHostingTactics blog. Note I am an affiliate for this product and for GVO. If you do go to my blog the links are obviously to my affiliate account.

Once they release it I will be doing a review of there new product

I'm playing around with Constant Contact atm.

It's seems a little weird how you can't have a simple name and email form as their standard forms don't support this. The visitor would have to input their email and then be taken to another screen to enter further details such as their name.

I may be mistaken but this is the info I had from support. Maybe Coby can shed some light on this?

Aweber and Getresponse are my favorites but icontact
i've good things about.

But if you have i would go with aweber without a doubt.

Also 1shoppingcart and infusionsoft offer a autoresponder fuction but there deliverly rate isn't as good as Aweber.

What about Send Pepper?

Iv'e been reading and I'd like to throw this service in the ring to see what others might give it.

regZ

Always use double opt-in for new subscribers.

It keeps your list short but more responsive. I have a list with around 300 subscribers. But I always make a sale with that list.

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