Autoresponder Reviews: Aweber or Getresponse or...?
Aweber is the original (and best?) email autoresponder. Read my unbiased review of Aweber (and Getresponse and AutoResponse Plus) to see whether Aweber's email autoresponder system can help you...
Firstly, what is an email autoresponder?
Well - VERY briefly - it's a way of following-up with your prospects, leads, subscribers -- whatever you want to call them! -- automatically. You can use autoresponders for email marketing, for sending out email courses or product information, or you can use them to answer your customer questions. (I send out the Build Promote Profit Tips email course using Aweber's autoresponder, for example!)
Autoresponders are an invaluable tool, basically, that allow you to provide value to your 'customer' whilst saving you time. It's called follow-up marketing, or even just email marketing.
Okay. Introduction over.
Autoresponder Recommendations...
Since 2000, I've used the following autoresponder solutions (see below). All of which are recognised as some of the best and most robust solutions currently available on the web. (I know this because
- These products have been around for a long time and survived
(i.e. improved!) and
- I have firsthand experience of them.
(Yes, there are other autoresponders, but I'll stick to describing 3 of the very best autoresponders you'll find on the web.)
So, solutions include:
- Aweber.com
About $20 per month (unlimited autoresponders, up to 10,000 leads)
- http://responders.aweber.com/
(Cheaper payment options exist.)
- Getresponse
About $18 per month (unlimited autoresponders)
- http://www.getresponse.com
(Cheaper payment options exist.)
Note: both Aweber and Getresponse have cheaper payment options
- AutoResponse Plus
$195.00, one-off payment (unlimited autoresponders - includes installation)
- http://www.autoresponseplus.com/
(Installation requirements )
I recommend Aweber...
As I said, I've used Getresponse, AutoResponse Plus and now Aweber.
All the autoresponders discussed on this page are excellent, but in the long-term -- and this is a long-term game, remember -- I believe that putting my trust in Aweber is the sensible thing to do, in terms of email deliverability and keeping up with the latest innovations in technology. So:
- No to AutoResponse Plus
Reason: AutoResponse Plus requires installation.
This is fine, but if you change web hosts, or if your web hosts don't know what they're doing... I experienced problems, let's just put it like that! If you don't mind hosting your autoresponder service then Autoresponse Plus is the tool for you!
- Getresponse is a close 2nd
Reason: I've used GetResponse a few years ago, and I have to admit to not being that impressed with it (admittedly, this was their free service).
So it was a close call between going with Aweber and GetResponse but I just wanted to see how Aweber performed this time. (That's why I recommend Aweber, I use it! Note: many GetResponse users say great things about GetResponse, though, so you could always check out Getresponse for yourself.)
- Yes to Aweber
Reason: I believe this autoresponder solution will keep up with technology (e.g. RSS feeds).
So far I have few complaints about Aweber. Note: some parts of AutoResponse Plus (i.e. email templates) are better in AutoResponse Plus than Aweber, in my opinion (as of Sept. 2006), but I can live with that.
That's why I'd be inclined to go with Aweber
I'd choose the 6 months option for $101, but you can always try out their free 30-day trial, too. (I actually went for the 1-year option myself, and really committed to the cause! ;-) )
RECOMMENDATION
So, my autoresponder recommendation is Aweber, 6 months (free 30 day trial)
costing $101.70
- http://responders.aweber.com/
But I suggest you try out the free trial version for a week (or the demo below) on a small mailing list then you can decide for yourself.