Email marketing can be very profitable. You can build long lasting business relationships and increase your sales the fun way, with customer relationship marketing. Many entrepreneurs have done exceptionally well with this form of marketing. You not only increase sales with email marketing campaigns, you can also put much of your selling on auto pilot. However none of this can be done without using the right email marketing tools.

Your first tool you will need is a program, or software that will enable you to send emails to a large number of people at a time. This type of program is called an autoresponder. When you choose one of these programs you will have quite a few options.

Different types:

1. Software on your own server or website: This will be an autoresponder that will run off your own server. There will be a little more technical know how required but you will only have to pay for it once. Be sure you have good support and technical help when you need it.

2. 3rd party service: this is one of the easiest ways to handle an autoresponder. This program will run off a 3rd party server and you will pay a monthly fee.

Different features:

1. Unlimited autoresponder sequence messages

2. Unlimited lists and campaigns

3. The ability to support both text and HTML messages

4. Tracking abilities:

5. The ability to upload messages from HTML editor or word processor

6. Spam check

7. Broadcast abilities

8. Scheduling abilities

9. Opt in forms and list management

It is important to have these features if you are serious about email marketing. You want to be able to expand your business with multiple lists and campaigns. You will also need to set up multiple mailers and will need unlimited amounts of these. Always choose an autoresponder with no restrictions on the number of lists and subscribers you can have.

Sending messages in HTML is more professional and will encourage your subscribers to stay with you. Tracking features are very important to know how many subscribers are actually opening your emails and what links are being clicked on. This will allow you to tweak campaigns and get maximum efficiency out of them.

It is also very important to have an autoresponder that will provide you with scripting for an online web form for visitors to subscribe. It should also manage unsubscribe addresses, bounced addresses and bad email addresses.

When designing an online marketing plan for your website you should include an autoresponder system. This will help build traffic to your site and sales. The research shows that most customers don't make a purchase the first time that they visit a website. These programs help you keep in touch with potential customers and help remind them of your product or service. Their interest will most likely get them to return to your website after seeing emails from you. They may also make repeat purchases through your website.

When you choose the right tool for your email marketing campaign you will be setting yourself up for success. email marketing is a long term form of marketing and when you start with the right tools you will be able to profit for many years to come.