Email Service Providers - Who's the best?
We are looking for an email service provider. Would need someone who can help us execute tests, and build an overall email marketing program - basically from scratch. Nothing fancy initially but we will need robust data. Does anyone have a favorite provider?
Answers (12)
Pieter D
Head of Telecommunications Services & Solutions at T-Systems
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Pieter D suggests this expert on this topic:
Hi Whitney and Happy Thanksgiving!
While I was at Blockbuster, we used Quris and was very happy with the results.
Sandip G
Silicon valley executive with 20 years experience in leading and managing global hi-tech product and services companies
constact contact is the best
For DIY email marketing, good practical tips and well structutred campaign manager and great value I use www.aweber.com
But maybe you are looking for consultancy as well. If that is the case I have no direct experience of using consultancy help in this area.
aweber only promote opt in email campaigns and will not allow the use of bought in lists, whihc I think is great practice. They also encourage the use of autoresponders to build your campagn of communications with propsects. This is not something that may providers seem to offer and I think is very important
You can see how the sign and autoresponder works if you sign up on our website
Links:
Michael W
Chief Internet Officer, Lipenwald, Inc.
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I've worked with Constant Contact, Options Media and several other ESP's and would recommend Blue Sky Factory as the ESP of choice, hands down.
I run campaigns for several websites and send anywhere from 10,000 emails to over 1M emails per campaign and without question, using Blue Sky Factory has provided us with the greatest deliverability, reporting and customer service!
Feel free to contact me if you would would like to further discuss success stories, war stories and/or suggestions related to building your marketing program.
Michael (michael@lipenwald.com)
Christopher B
CEO Sensorpro.net
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Whitney
The best in class are Epsilon, Cheetahmail and Spinnakerpro. However for a true unbiased approach try Capterra (email and survey RFP site) or the econsultancy email buyers guide 2007. Also make sure to check the email vendors delivery reputation on Senderscore.org
Chris
Links:
You might also want to check out the EEC www.emailexperience.org. Looks like their website is down which is really crazy. but the group is great and backed by some influential and highly experienced industry veterans.
You can also join the IAMA - Internet Affiliate Marketers group on linkedin with this invitation: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/42342/48B83A23CB31 which will give you access to professional and quality emailers whom you can network with.
Best,
Pete
petemaughan@gmail.com
(801) 938-6555
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Lois K. G
Direct Marketing Expert, Agency Owner, Author and Speaker
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Hello Whitney,
We're used several different email service providers. Our best successes have been with Bronto, because it is easy to track our lists, open rate and conversions there. From a direct marketing prospective, it has been great.
We've used it for several clients, and especially with a specialty food website company...and I could tell immeidately which list was pulling the best response rates. Go up to their website, and maybe try their demo. Let me know how it works for you.
Lois Geller
Links:
Hello Whitney
I suggest you have a look first at the Email Marketer's Club. They have an Email Service Providers group where you will find an active global community of ESP execs willing to share experiences and best practices.
In case you need an ESP with a more international profile (multilingual & multicultural capabilities) I suggest we get in touch ;-)
Regards and success
Luc
Luc Robijns
EmailGarage
Links:
Hi There -
There are several companies that would be good for your needs. If you are looking for strategic help (in addition to a deployment tool) I'd recommend talking the the folks at WhatCounts.
Links:
Adele G
Innovative Technology and Marketing Operations Specialist
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Hello Whitney,
Picking an email service provider can be a very daunting task. There are several players out there (some of which are mentionned here) and they each have their advantages and issues. The ESP space has evolved a lot and is now at a more stable stage. Depending on one's experience, the same provider can be "amazing" or "the worst ever".
What you need to do is first identify what your needs are and what you would require from a provider (data management capabilities, content management, reporting, security, etc...). You can then send out an RFP.. Other sources you can also use to narrow down your list is the Forrester Wave Email Marketing Service Providers report. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the top players. Feel free to contact me if you have further questions.
Bill G
Interactive Strategist with 25+ years of experience
Best Answers in: Direct Marketing (1), Internet Marketing (1)
In order to make an informed decision, you'll need to define things like:
1) what are your initial and projected volumes ?
2) what is the source of your list ?
3) what are the objectives of your campaigns (acquisition vs. CRM) ?
4) how elaborate does your reporting need to be ?
5) how many users will be logging in to build campaigns...or...do you need the platform provider to provide production services (known as "full service"
That's a good start and any company that you contact that doesn't ask those questions is probably not going to be a good long-term fit for you...
Good luck...there are lots of great providers if you know how to tell them what you're needs are...
