15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Goods & Bads of Self-Hosted Auto Responder

by Ed Micah
12 replies
Let's first not talk about which brand/type of self-hosted autoresponder is better.

But let's talk about what are the advantages & disadvantages of an autoresponder that is being hosted on ourselves servers (assuming to install on a dedicated server).

Advantages:
  • The scripts are one time fees
  • Less restriction of sending mails out
  • Probably easier access?
  • Your turn...

Disadvantages:
  • Mailing deliverability?
  • What else?


As to mail deliverability, if the subscribers weren't double opt-in, there could have spamming issues with the ISP's... whereas our dedicated server IP could get blacklisted..

Are there any solutions to this?
#auto #bads #goods #responder #selfhosted
  • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
    There's a lot of mis-information when it comes to the
    subject of self-hosted autoresponders - particularly on
    this forum.

    Here's the advantages and disadvantages of self-hosted
    autoresponders from experience of actually using this
    method:

    Advantages

    1. Control - with a self-hosted AR you are fully in control
    of the most important assets in your business - your lists.

    You decide when you will and will not use confirmed opt-in
    rather than being dictated to by a third-party AR company.

    2. Flexibility - with a self-hosted AR you have a lot more
    flexibility on which servers are used to send your e-mails.

    With the right self-hosted AR software, you control which
    e-mail servers are used to send out your e-mails.

    This gives you a lot more flexibility on which servers to send
    your e-mails from, e.g. your own server or a wide variety of
    external e-mail servers like smtp.com, sendgrid.com, Amazon
    SES, etc.

    In contrast with a third-party AR service they control which
    servers are used to send your e-mails. If their servers run
    into deliverability issues, you have zero control over it and
    your list database and e-mail server are tied together.

    3. Deliverability - you mentioned deliverability as being a
    disadvantage but actually I'd say it's an advantage. Why?

    If you follow best practice you can maintain a server with a
    good reputation and high deliverability.

    In contrast, with a third-party AR, your deliverability is
    affected by the policies of the third-party AR provider and
    the behavior (and mis-behavor) of other list owners sending
    from the same shared e-mail server.

    Disadvantages

    1. Tech Know-How - to be able to effectively run your own
    self-hosted autoresponder, you need to have access to a
    certain level of technical knowledge and ability - either your
    own, other staff or an outsourcer.

    2. Maintenance - with a self-hosted autoresponder, you will
    need to do a certain level of maintenance to keep your
    database and software functional.

    Plus, if you're sending e-mails from your own server, you'll be
    responsible for maintaining the deliverability of the server and
    handling any issues that arise.

    However, if you use a self-hosted AR with an external SMTP
    server such as smtp.com, they look after the reputation
    management issues for their servers on your behalf.

    By the way, there are running costs associated with having
    your own self-hosted autoresponder.

    For example, you'll need to have a VPS or dedicated server
    to run the software and you'll likely also need to pay an
    annual fee to get support and updates for the self-hosted
    software to ensure that it continues to have the best
    functionality.

    Dedicated to mutual success,

    Shaun
    Signature

    .

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5363238].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ed Micah
      Shaun, this is the most detailed report talking about the goods & bads about a self-hosted A/R on the forum that I see.

      Thanks for analyze them so detailed so I could make the decision.

      I just don't like that fact that there are so many restrictions & policies with any of the 3rd party A/Rs.

      My team and I are currently working on a project that we're trying to find out a best solution for sending 10k leads to multiple squeeze pages on a server at the same time.

      With any of the 3rd party A/R, I think that'd be considered as spam.

      So, do you think a self-hosted A/R would work out better than a 3rd party A/R?

      Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

      There's a lot of mis-information when it comes to the
      subject of self-hosted autoresponders - particularly on
      this forum.

      Here's the advantages and disadvantages of self-hosted
      autoresponders from experience of actually using this
      method:

      Advantages

      1. Control - with a self-hosted AR you are fully in control
      of the most important assets in your business - your lists.

      You decide when you will and will not use confirmed opt-in
      rather than being dictated to by a third-party AR company.

      2. Flexibility - with a self-hosted AR you have a lot more
      flexibility on which servers are used to send your e-mails.

      With the right self-hosted AR software, you control which
      e-mail servers are used to send out your e-mails.

      This gives you a lot more flexibility on which servers to send
      your e-mails from, e.g. your own server or a wide variety of
      external e-mail servers like smtp.com, sendgrid.com, Amazon
      SES, etc.

      In contrast with a third-party AR service they control which
      servers are used to send your e-mails. If their servers run
      into deliverability issues, you have zero control over it and
      your list database and e-mail server are tied together.

      3. Deliverability - you mentioned deliverability as being a
      disadvantage but actually I'd say it's an advantage. Why?

      If you follow best practice you can maintain a server with a
      good reputation and high deliverability.

      In contrast, with a third-party AR, your deliverability is
      affected by the policies of the third-party AR provider and
      the behavior (and mis-behavor) of other list owners sending
      from the same shared e-mail server.

      Disadvantages

      1. Tech Know-How - to be able to effectively run your own
      self-hosted autoresponder, you need to have access to a
      certain level of technical knowledge and ability - either your
      own, other staff or an outsourcer.

      2. Maintenance - with a self-hosted autoresponder, you will
      need to do a certain level of maintenance to keep your
      database and software functional.

      Plus, if you're sending e-mails from your own server, you'll be
      responsible for maintaining the deliverability of the server and
      handling any issues that arise.

      However, if you use a self-hosted AR with an external SMTP
      server such as smtp.com, they look after the reputation
      management issues for their servers on your behalf.

      By the way, there are running costs associated with having
      your own self-hosted autoresponder.

      For example, you'll need to have a VPS or dedicated server
      to run the software and you'll likely also need to pay an
      annual fee to get support and updates for the self-hosted
      software to ensure that it continues to have the best
      functionality.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
      Signature
      .


      .
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5363359].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Gerard Mohamed
    Shaun,

    Many thanks for the detailed response, as I bought a self hsoted AR some time back and wanted to install, but do not have the requisite technical skills.
    Signature

    Gerard.

    USABizLeads - The Most Affordable USA B2B Business Leads Database
    https://usabizleads.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5363379].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author brseminars
      So, what are the best options out there for a self hosted solution?
      Signature

      Make it a great day!

      Brian Rodgers

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5689226].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
        Originally Posted by brseminars View Post

        So, what are the best options out there for a self hosted solution?
        I recommend ActiveCampaign because their support is
        fantastic and the functionality of the software is great:

        ActiveCampaign - Email Marketing Services - Free Sign Up (no affil.)

        Another option is Interspire Email Marketer though their
        support is slower and their software isn't updated as
        regularly as ActiveCampaign.

        Email Marketing | Email Marketing Software | Interspire Email Marketer (no affil.)

        Both of these offer the ability to use an external SMTP
        service such as smtp.com.

        Dedicated to mutual success,

        Shaun
        Signature

        .

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5689263].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author brseminars
          Do any of these services give you access to their code so you can make changes, etc.
          Signature

          Make it a great day!

          Brian Rodgers

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5689435].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author brseminars
            Activecampaign appears to be a hosted solution?
            Signature

            Make it a great day!

            Brian Rodgers

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5689446].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Bruce NewMedia
              Brian, I believe ActiveCampaign offers both. The server-based option is listed on the very bottom of their main page.
              _____
              Brue


              Originally Posted by brseminars View Post

              Activecampaign appears to be a hosted solution?
              Signature
              Get Offline Clients With NO Resistance!-CLICK HERE
              POWER LETTERS Get Offline Appointments
              These Email Templates Land You Great Clients!
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5689474].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
                Originally Posted by brseminars View Post

                Do any of these services give you access to their code so you can make changes, etc.
                ActiveCampaign gives you access to the php files involved
                in the autoresponder script so you can edit themy iou want
                to. They also have an API so you can integrate it with other
                software and further edit your data.

                Originally Posted by brseminars View Post

                Activecampaign appears to be a hosted solution?
                ActiveCampaign has both hosted and self-hosted options
                (they call the self-hosted option the 'Downloaded Version').

                Dedicated to mutual success,

                Shaun
                Signature

                .

                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5689584].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author CB Elite
                  Shaun, I've sent over 10,000,000 emails from 3rd party ARs but inevitably I've found high subscriber numbers and subsequent high sending numbers results in account termination.. will a service like smtp.com also terminate account holders for complaint levels of around 0.3%?
                  Signature
                  1. GURU-MAKER Coaching 2. Clickbank/Info Marketing Coaching
                  3. NEWBIE-PERFECT Real Business Course
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7194889].message }}
                  • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
                    Originally Posted by CB Elite View Post

                    Shaun, I've sent over 10,000,000 emails from 3rd party ARs but inevitably I've found high subscriber numbers and subsequent high sending numbers results in account termination.. will a service like smtp.com also terminate account holders for complaint levels of around 0.3%?
                    The generally acceptable maximum level of spam complaints
                    is 1 in a 1,000, i.e. 0.1%.

                    That applies for external SMTP providers like smtp.com as
                    well as most third-party autoresponder service providers.

                    If you're getting complaint levels of 0.3% then you need
                    to practise better list management to get your complaint
                    levels down to an acceptable level.

                    Solve your list problem first.

                    Dedicated to mutual success,

                    Shaun
                    Signature

                    .

                    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7195222].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author m4dcoder
    The biggest disadvantage of self hosted auto responders are email deliverability.
    Signature
    Learn WordPress Web Design easy way!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7194997].message }}

Trending Topics