Mailing Lists

[rss]

I'd like to set up a mailing list for my site, and am looking for a free solution that will give me as much control I need to easily send text or html emails to my subscribers.

A double opt in option would be good, and opt out functionality is a must.

Hopefully someone here will know of a good one I can use

Thanks!

 

[dan_moore]

As far as I'm aware Constant Contact still offers a free list until it grows to something like 100 subscribers, www.constantcontact.com

 

[rossmc]

Why don't you try aweber? It isn't free but very cheap.

 

[Phil_]

What about non-free options? I'm interested in something simple, that's easy to implement.

Phil

 

[sysops]

What about non-free options? I'm interested in something simple, that's easy to implement.

Phil

How big is your mailing list? Our SymWorks Mailer solution is a feature-rich, robust solution. You can read more about it here:

http://www.symworks.com/index.php?i=mailing_list_solution

 

[pws]

Have a look at http://www.phplist.com

Regards

PWS

 

[directmarketingadvice]

If you're planning to build a list that's going to have real value, then use a top quality system from the getgo.

Aweber is one of the biggest names in the business, works with email providers to achieve high deliverability rates, tracks click througs, allows split-testing so you can get the most out of your messages ... all for around £10 a month.

I use it myself and I recommend it very highly.

Steve

 

[rossmc]

Steve's right, I looked into this long and hard, impossible to beat Aweber.

 

[rss]

Thanks for all of the replies! I've got a lot of sites to look through now.

I'm also thinking about using PHPlist....I'll let you know what I decide on

 

Aweber and Constant Contact are both very good, personally I prefer Constant Contact of the two.

 

[YMW]

Aweber and Constant Contact are both very good, personally I prefer Constant Contact of the two.

Can I ask why you prefer Constant Contact over aweber? I have been looking at both of them tonight and am interested in personal opinions. (sorry to the OP if it seem like I am hi-jacking the thread. It would be useful info for all of us )

 

I find constant contact really user friendly, the newsletter/flyer/brochure designs are easy to customise and have some good template design layouts and I like the discount coupon options. Constant Contact has a particularly good wizard for when you are starting out and I managed to create some stunning newsletters and flyers initially without any major effort. Aweber is a lot more formal...at least thats my view (ducks to avoid flaming by Aweber users)

Constant contact is used a lot in my industry and customers seem to be very receptive to it, most of my suppliers also use it, so I guess it's also part of the appeal, the familiarity has seemingly bred some trust and the newsletters aren't treated as spam.

It's free initially until you exceed their limit of 100 customers, so I would recommmend trying it out and creating a targeted newsletter or flyer at a select number of customers and monitoring the results and also trying aweber in the same way.

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Aweber and Constant Contact are both very good, personally I prefer Constant Contact of the two

.

Between them, they dominate the market and, if I didn't use aweber, I'm pretty sure I'd use Constant Contact.

BTW, I'm not sayng aweber is better than CC - I asked a marketing forum which they preferred and aweber was more popular (about 60-40) - but I've never regretted my choice.

Steve

 

Definitely horses for courses I think with them both and they both deserve their position as market leaders, I'd suggest just trying out both and seeing what feels right, what system you find easiest to use. Constant Contact suits anyone with more of a DTP type background, or who has a natural graphical/design skill base, and has an attractive interface and loads of functionality with it. Aweber has a more formal interface and might suit you better if you like that sort of structure better.

I'm an arty type, I like the look and feel of Constant Contact and it just suits me better, lots of jewellery and fashion bods use it, so it's also what I'm visually used to seeing and like anything competitive, is never does an harm to emulate your competitors, but like Steve, if I didn't use Constant Contact then I would use Aweber, so whichever you choose I'm sure you'll be happy with it

 

[YMW]

Thanks for the explanations, i really appreciate it. I think I'll give both a trial and see how I go.

 

[itgc]

PHP List is still the best i have come across. Highly recommend it.

 

[Steve2507]

If you want to own the software, then you wont go wrong with SendStudio (http://www.interspire.com/sendstudio/).

 

[gibby]

just to open up the debate - we have been using get response for a couple of years and couldn't live without it. http://www.getresponse.com

as far as I know they are the biggest in the US and really give some great value for money. The support is excellent via email or tel & I think Im paying about £10 a month for unlimited lists & mailings.

they do have a free option but if your serious about your biz looking professional then the paid option is the one you need.


Once you learn how to use a mailing list they can be a great tool for your business

hope that helps

G