Newsletters

From Wikiexpert

So you want a newsletter? Here are a few tips:

Considerations

All of the following tools have good analytics. The other feature to look for is digest, where you can publish/embed your newsletter on your website for SEO and for new subscribers to see archives.

Be careful when you pick a newsletter option. You will NOT want to move your list from one provider to another. It is a NIGHTMARE for you, and for your subscribers who will have to opt in again. Most won't even re-join.

Options

Phplist is the best one for "free". you have problems though of throttleing and blacklisting, and you really need a person to be your 'web master' as it is a complicated tool with all the bells and whistles...embargo, subscribe/unsubscribe management, import/export, etc. plus, somebody has to install it. It could end up being the most expensive route.

Better to use a 3rd party and pay for it, such as Vertical Response or Constant Contact. These suffer from issues related to inability to deliver to yahoo/hotmail/gmail addresses.

The BEST one is Aweber. it is 100% delivery but requires double-optin.

Measuring Results

In short, you get what you pay for. If I were you, i would do aweber. Cost is reasonable. Delivery rates are key when you only get a 30-40% open rate and 2% response. And that is GOOD.