| Email Marketing Services can be very convenient, but | | | | prospects. |
| they're only convenient if they meet the needs of your | | | | - In-built Autoresponder System: Most of the email |
| business. If they don't, then you're paying them to do | | | | service providers include autoresponder or drip email |
| things that are not going to benefit you. This is a waste | | | | messaging feature without any additional cost. |
| of money and time, which defeats the purpose as to | | | | - List Segmentation: You want to make sure that the |
| why you're even utilizing an email marketing service. | | | | email marketing software or service that you are |
| You're probably looking into using an email marketing | | | | evaluating has good list segmentation filters in order to |
| service because you don't have the manpower to | | | | do target marketing. |
| spend on email marketing campaigns or you simply | | | | - Customer Service and Technical Support: You want |
| don't have the time to do it. However, you don't have | | | | to know what kind of customer service is available |
| the time to spend on comparing the hundreds of email | | | | with your email marketing service. You need to know |
| marketing services that are out there today. That is | | | | if they have 24/7 support or if they operate on an |
| why you should look at a few quick tips to help you | | | | email ticket system. |
| find the right Email Marketing Service that is going to | | | | - Test with Free Trial: You need to see if they will |
| benefit your business. | | | | offer you a free trial of their service. A company that |
| Things you need to know | | | | offers a free trial is a company that stands by what |
| You have to determine if you want a full service email | | | | they do. This also ties into how long they have been in |
| marketing provider or if you want something that is | | | | business. A company that has been in business for a |
| simple and basic. If you want something that is full | | | | while is a company that can usually do this. You don't |
| service, you're looking at autoresponders, product | | | | want them to leave you high and dry at any point |
| delivery tools, shopping carts, and a lot more. A simpler | | | | during the service period. |
| service won't consist of all of these things and it won't | | | | - Contracts, Commitments: You need to find out if |
| cost as much either. | | | | they'll let you pay on a month-to-month basis or if they |
| You also have to take into consideration whether you | | | | do it on a contractual basis. |
| want your emails to be sent in HTML or in plain text. | | | | - Cost of the Service: High cost does not necessarily |
| The truth behind this is that HTML appeals to more | | | | mean quality; alternately, cheap price does not mean |
| people than text. This is because HTML consists of | | | | that the product will be bad. You need to weigh the |
| pictures and other interactive items that make the | | | | features available in the service and evaluate if you |
| email fun to read. | | | | need the same for your business. Do not take a short |
| Here are some other things that you need to know so | | | | term view; do some research and make sure that you |
| that you know what to look for: | | | | will be able to use it in the medium term, at least. |
| - List Size and Email Volume: You need to know | | | | Which do you choose? |
| approximately how many emails you want sent per | | | | Many of these programs have tiered programs so |
| month and then you have to ask the email marketing | | | | that you can choose from one of many packages. |
| service how many they can send for you each month. | | | | Some of these packages may limit your subscribers |
| You also need to find out how many contacts you are | | | | or the number of messages that can be sent on a |
| allowed on your list. Will they allow you room for your | | | | monthly basis. These are things you need to look at. |
| list to grow? Companies expand, so you want to be | | | | Otherwise, you may want to look into running an email |
| able to add to that list. | | | | marketing campaign in-house if you can make |
| - Email Personalization: You want to see if it is possible | | | | arrangements for the time and the manpower. |
| for personalized messages to be sent to your | | | | |