Email Subscription Management Software

Email subscription management software helps businesses collect, organize and send emails
By Chris Perrin, Principal Common Dialogue Enterprises, Inc. If your business uses email to market itself or build relationships with customers, you need email subscription management software. There are far too many regulations involved in sending email messages for you to attempt email communications without the help of email list management software. Also, as the number of email addresses you acquire grows, it will become difficult trying to keep track of them without the use of some sort of email management software.
 

In general, any email list management software tool will assist you by doing the following:

1. Provide an email subscription application, which subscribes customers to an email list using a simple form or advanced software to read incoming email.
2. Perform email subscription list management, including storing email addresses and removing them when customers opt out of email communication.
3. Offer optional email marketing subscription software features, such as tracking who sent an email, if the email was opened or forwarded, and whether any links in the message were clicked or accessed.
4. Track opt-ins and opt-outs (whether the user has given permission to receive email or if they have requested to no longer be contacted). This is perhaps the most critical function of email subscription software as the laws against sending spam are very strict.

Email subscription manager software is available in a number of different formats. The first is software you manage yourself either with your current email program or on your website, the second utilizes autoresponders, and a third kind is a full featured email marketing company. The best courses of action will depend on which type of email subscription management program you are considering.

Consider self-installed email distribution list management software if you want more control

This was the first type of email list management software tool offered although it is primarily for the technologically savvy. This solution involves installing software that reads incoming emails and adds them to an internal database. Available scripts can be implemented to create forms on web pages which allow users to sign up and have their contact information automatically stored in a database.
Try: If you are interested in running an email subscription management system yourself, dmxREADY offers a solution which integrates into a website using ASP and Microsoft Access. Atomic Subscription Manager is a solution which allows you to read emails from a designated email account or HTML form and selectively add them to an email database.

Investigate autoresponders as your email subscription management system

Autoresponders have had a rocky history because they are often associated with spamming. However, they do have a number of legitimate uses which many internet and email marketers are now beginning to use to their advantage. Their most basic function involves collecting emails and then responding with a Thank You message or a short information packet. Additionally, autoresponders can be used for sending simple follow up email messages.
Try: Choose a trusted name in autoresponder software such as AWeber Communications or GetResponse. There are a lot of services available, some that are hosted and some you will have to install yourself, but these two companies have been around and offer the most features for the right price.

Sign up for a free trial of email list manager software

Some companies specialize strictly in email subscription management software and marketing. These businesses go beyond merely providing the basic functions of email management software to give savvy marketers the tools they need to successfully execute email marketing campaigns, as well as the reporting and analytical features to measure their success. Many autoresponder companies are moving towards this model, but there are a few companies which stand out as shining examples of email marketing service providers, and will offer free trials of their services.
Try: Strongly consider a fully-fledged email marketing company for your email subscription management software needs, such as Constant Contact, which is a leader in email marketing services. iContact also offers an extensive range of email marketing features. Sign up for a free trial at either company's website and test their ability to support your email marketing efforts and achieve your goals.

• It bears repeating that no matter who you choose for your email subscription management software, know your country's spam laws. Sending spam, even unintentionally, can cost your company thousands of dollars.
• Know the difference between opt-in (customer gives permission to receive email) and opt-out (customer receives email until they say otherwise) mail lists. Some email subscription software services only support opt-in or even double opt-in email lists.
• Most email subscription management software relies on a web form for people to sign up, so be sure you have a website available that can be used for this purpose.