Autoresponders and free autoresponders are automated email systems that allow you to send a single message, or a series of messages, automatically to people that visit your web site, or request information via a specific link that you provide. Once an autoresponder is set up, it can pretty much operate hands-free which is why they are so popular with marketers.

Paid Autoresponders

Autoresponders generally come in two separate categories--paid and free. A paid autoresponder will normally cost somewhere in the range of $20-$30 per month depending on how many names you want your system to handle. The more names in your database, the more expensive the monthly cost.

Aweber.com and Getresponse.com are two of the more well known paid services. Both of them have been in business for many years, offer unlimited outgoing emails and high deliverability of messages.

Free Autoresponders

Free autoresponders work the same way as a paid autoresponder except that they may have a few limitations such as number of names that your system will hold, amount of messages you can send monthly, etc. Another major difference between some of the free autoresponders and a paid autoresponder is that they will often place a third party advertisement in your message.

In other words, they will allow you to use their system for free but you agree to permit other businesses to be seen at the top of your messages. This can be a major issue, especially if the ads are from competing products or services. If you prefer to use a free service, FreeAutoBot.com and Getresponse.com both offer options.

Autoresponder Software

A third option to a paid or free autoresponder is automated software. This software allows you to set up the service on your own computer. The benefit of handling your autoresponder this way is that you avoid the regular monthly fees.

However, the drawback is that your internet service provider could eventually block you from sending out massive amounts of email on a daily or weekly basis. It is probably easier to utilize one of the many autoresponder companies to handle this process for you versus setting it up on your personal computer.

How They Work

An autoresponder is a very simple and powerful concept. Once you sign up for the service, through any number of companies, you spend some time uploading it with various "pre-written" emails. These emails are then programmed to be sent out at regular intervals which you determine. You can send them out daily, weekly, monthly or at any other rate that you desire.

Basically, an effective autoresponder will present your product or service over and over with little to no effort on your behalf. Once you have it filled with emails, it can literally send messages for years without you touching it.

Most sales experts will agree that it takes multiple exposures before a customer will normally decide to make a purchase and an autoresponder can certainly help you to stay on the minds of your visitors. If you have written interesting emails and provided good content, these systems can quickly lead to increased sales as well as repeat buyers.