An autoresponder is a tool or software that automatically sends pre-written emails in response to a predetermined trigger event. The emails are sent to subscribers when they take specific actions that the user will determine. These triggers can be new signups for a newsletter, alerts for membership renewals, reminders to continue or finish an activity, abandoned shopping carts, changing a setting on an account, creating a support ticket, etc.
Autoresponders are the simplest form of email marketing automation; digital marketers use them to passively communicate with subscribers, send tailored messages to a segment of their email list, move leads along the marketing funnel, and generate conversions by constant engagement and upsell.
What is the Benefit of Autoresponders?
Autoresponders can benefit digital marketers; they save time, improve customer relationships, and increase engagement. By automating sending emails, you can focus on other aspects of your marketing strategies and business operations while still communicating with your subscribers.
Autoresponders can help you maintain consistency, providing timely and relevant content to your audience; this can lead to strong, personalised, and healthy relationships with your customers and increased open and click-through rates.
When not to Use Autoresponders
Autoresponders may be very good for email marketing, but they are recommended for time-sensitive or urgent messages, as they may not deliver the emails immediately. Also, they are appropriate for sending unsolicited emails; it can lead to spam complaints from your subscribers, adversely affecting email deliverability, and your brand’s reputation will be on the line.
It is essential to note that autoresponders cannot replace personal communication; no matter how many emails you plan to automate, customers may still need to interact with a human representative on specific inquiries.
How to Choose a Good Autoresponder
Choosing a good autoresponder depends on various factors. But you must first consider business size, marketing goals, email list size, budget, customers, and technical requirements. Some key factors to look out for in an autoresponder include
Ease of Use
A good autoresponder should be easy to use, even for a beginner, and have a user-friendly interface. This will save you a lot of time when setting up yoru campaigns.
Features
you need an autoresponder that can provide the features/ functionalities that align with your marketing goals.
Cost
Your budget should also be considered when choosing an autoresponder; compare different pricing plans and find the one that suits your budget but still offers the solutions you need.
Deliverability
A strong track record of delivering emails is a necessity for a reliable autoresponder; check out for an autoresponder that delivers emails to subscribers withed being blacklisted or ending up in the spam folder.
Integration With Other Tools
In your email marketing campaigns, you will need to use different tools, so choose an autoresponder that can integrate with your existing tools, such as social media platforms, CRM software, and e-commerce platforms.
Customer Support
Responsive customer support will also go a long way to improve your experience with an autoresponder because even if you are an expert, issues may still arise when using the platform.