Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 1322 Location: Gainesville Florida USA
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:33 pm Post subject: ProAutoResponder.com?
Hi folks,
Is anyone here using ProAutoresponder.com? I'm evaluating their sequential autoresponder service and would like to hear from others who have experience with this company.
Or, would anyone like to reccomend their favorite sequential autoresponder service?
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:19 pm Post subject: Re: ProAutoResponder.com?
Hello Phil.
Phil Tanny wrote:
Is anyone here using ProAutoresponder.com? I'm evaluating their sequential autoresponder service and would like to hear from others who have experience with this company.
I tested their services with a few small mailings quite a while ago.
I was very impressed with the multiple user-defined fields (which most autoresponder services don't offer), but heard some mixed reports from others using them for larger lists, so I decided not to use them.
Ralph Wilson did quite a big review of them when they were new, and I keep meaning to ask him whether he's still using them. I'm quite interested in giving them a proper try myself, so I'm interested to hear anything as much as you are!
Cheers,
Charlie. _________________ "Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx
Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 1322 Location: Gainesville Florida USA
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:40 pm Post subject:
Hey Charlie,
I honestly can't offer a fair review of ProAutoResponder. I've only been using my account a couple days. They have a nice interface, but I'm getting discouraged with the slowness of the service. It took an entire day for me to get a test message that should have been sent immediately, and pages on the site are taking a _long_ time to load. Last night I just gave up and went on to something else.
Support does respond, but so far their theory is the slowness must be my problem somehow...
The something else I went on to was opening a new Aweber account. I'm going to play around with both accounts for a bit and then make a decision.
I'm not positive of this, but I think ProAutoresponder uses single optin, and Aweber uses double optin. This might affect your decision one way or another.
It took an entire day for me to get a test message that should have been sent immediately...
Yes, this was a problem for me two. In many cases, you need the first message of the sequence to be sent immediately. With their system, it seemed as though you'd have to use a script of your own to send the new subscriber a welcome message and then subscribe them to the main course from the script. Hassle for most people.
Phil Tanny wrote:
I'm not positive of this, but I think ProAutoresponder uses single optin, and Aweber uses double optin. This might affect your decision one way or another.
I'm pretty sure they offer the option to do both.
Anyway, has anyone else got any real experience? We're ending up answering our own questions here!
All the best,
Charlie. _________________ "Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx
Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 1322 Location: Gainesville Florida USA
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 2:47 pm Post subject:
Charlie,
You're right, Aweber offers both single and double optin. My understanding is that ProAuto offers only single optin, though you could always route someone to a 2nd autoresponder as a poor mans confirm mechanism.
Yes, the first message in the series is slow to arrive at ProAuto. Way too slow. Took 8 hours yesterday. I know how to set up my own scripts, but refuse to do somebody else's job for them.
Support at ProAuto does reply to most of my mails, but they don't always address the questions I've asked. As example, in the last mail I enquired about a refund, and about slow first messages. No reply to any of that, instead they told me my ISP must be the problem (though I am able to access all other sites without problem and have explained that now a couple of times). Not encouraging.
I'm going to set ProAutoresponder aside for now while I test Aweber, and perhaps other solutions. I'll most likely come back and close the ProAuto account and demand the refund they offer from their sales page. But we'll see, if the problems should correct themselves over the next week, I'll keep an open mind.
BTW, I use a sequential autoresponder script from www.willmaster.com that I really like, but it doesn't have broadcast ability. Also, Will Bontrager, the owner, blows ProAutoresponder away, and most other companies as well, in terms of helpful support.
Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 1322 Location: Gainesville Florida USA
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 3:07 pm Post subject:
Another thought for anyone following this thread.
It looks like Aweber requires all imported lists to get a new confirm from the subscriber. Which isn't an issue if you're not trying to move a list to Aweber, but is if you are. You'd probably lose half your list in that transition. Aweber is wise to do require confirms on imported lists from a spam protection standpoint (i'd probably do it that way too), but it must cost them a lot of business.
ProAuto does not require imported lists to be reconfirmed. On the other hand their terms say they will charge you $1000 an hour if you spam, but then they don't define how they will define spam, and haven't replied to my questions on the subject.
Aweber will let you import 2,000 a day, ProAuto 5,000 a month. You can get past these limits by opening new accounts in both cases I think.
The ProAuto interface is far superior, except for speed. The Aweber interface is sort of a jumble, but responds fast in my experience.
Aweber could easily improve their position by hiring someone with basic html skills and a knack for interface design. All they'd have to do is go to ProAuto and learn by example.
BTW, I use a sequential autoresponder script from www.willmaster.com that I really like, but it doesn't have broadcast ability. Also, Will Bontrager, the owner, blows ProAutoresponder away, and most other companies as well, in terms of helpful support.
Definitely. I have nothing but praise for Will B, too. The only thing to watch with own server scripts is the possibility of (even false) spam allegations causing you trouble with your host. That's not a reference to Will B or his software, just own-server scripts in general.
Phil Tanny wrote:
It looks like Aweber requires all imported lists to get a new confirm from the subscriber. Which isn't an issue if you're not trying to move a list to Aweber, but is if you are. You'd probably lose half your list in that transition.
I suppose you could always leave people who didn't resubscribe with the old list server, if it was a big problem. I would certainly be offering some sort of real incentive to make as many people take the trouble to resubscribe as possible.
Phil Tanny wrote:
ProAuto does not require imported lists to be reconfirmed. On the other hand their terms say they will charge you $1000 an hour if you spam, but then they don't define how they will define spam, and haven't replied to my questions on the subject.
I have a feeling this is more of a deterrent policy rather than something they expect to realistically enforce.
All in all, if you can live with the imported list restriction and the reduced flexibility with user-defined fields, I very much doubt you'll be disappointed with Aweber. Many of the big boys use them... and people like that do not take chances with their lists.
All the best,
Charlie. _________________ "Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx
Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 205 Location: Assisi, Italy
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 11:22 am Post subject:
Hi Phil - Hi Charlie,
My partners use AutoResponderPlus.com, and they use a very slick (and inexpensive) email program called Pocomail.com - if you don't know about these two, they are worth checking out. We use them with our list of nearly 80,000.
Don't ask me any questions about them though, my partner is the real Pro that uses them - I just do the writing - he deals with the technical side.
I hope this helps (I made the links non-clickable on purpose - I make no money from these recommendations).
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 4:35 pm Post subject: Follow Up Autoresponders
Hi Phil & Charlie,
It's Tom here from AWeber. Sean Cohen and I just got back
to PA from a weekend in San Francisco, CA at the System Seminar.
Red-eye's are rough, but ya do what you have to do. In my
regular reading of boards I came across your thread from this
weekend.
Charlie wrote:
All in all, if you can live with the imported list restriction and the reduced flexibility with user-defined fields, I very much doubt you'll be disappointed with Aweber. Many of the big boys use them... and people like that do not take chances with their lists.
AWeber includes 25 used-defined fields as well as all of our
other personalization fields so there's definintely no limitations
there. I have yet to see someone come up with a use for all
25 fields on a web form. Most customers that use that feature
typically use 3-5 fields.
Our import list restrictions are in place to prevent abuse of
our systems. If you feel they are affecting the usage of your
account please call us and talk to us about your mailing list.
We can turn those on/off based on having a closer working
relationship you. They are there as a default for all of our
customers well being. It prevents the nasty guys out there
from using our service to spam others.
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: Follow Up Autoresponders
Hello Tom.
tkulzer wrote:
Our import list restrictions are in place to prevent abuse of
our systems. If you feel they are affecting the usage of your
account please call us and talk to us about your mailing list.
We can turn those on/off based on having a closer working
relationship you.
Excellent! That's the kind of flexibility I like to see.
All the best,
Charlie. _________________ "Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx
Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 1322 Location: Gainesville Florida USA
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 12:29 pm Post subject:
Yes, Tom thank you for your helpful response. I understand your policy on list imports completely, and am glad to hear your company is interested in getting to know your customers.
Judging from the threads here and elsewhere it appears you guys are the leaders of your field.
As I mentioned above, the only area where ProAutoresponder seems to have the edge on you is in the design of the web interface to the accounts. This is a matter of personal preference of course, but I found their interface to be more orderly and comprehendable. Of course if you changed your interface to please me, then the next morning you'd have 5,000 of your users writing in to complain because you messed around with the interface they have become familiar with.
I look forward to exploring my new Aweber account and getting to know you guys better. Thanks again for joining the thread and clearing things up for us.
Oh, yes, 25 user defined fields seems like plenty to me as well.
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2003 9:21 pm Post subject: Re: Aweber
Hi Dieter,
dk wrote:
I like your style! That's how someone should run a company!
Thanks, we give it our all.
dk wrote:
How was the "System Seminar"?
The System Seminar was excellent! I've been doing AWeber now for
over 5 years and we only just started going to seminars. Lets just say
I'm kicking myself for not having gone previously. The people you meet
at the seminars are incredible and being in a room of 200-300 people who
"get" internet marketing is a real treat. Networking and JV deals
abound, not to mention all of the great content put out to the group
by the speakers.
If you've never attended a seminar, I would highly recommend doing so.
I hope to see you at one in the near future. We're not going to be at the
Bob Sibler seminar in FL, but will be at Yanik's in Jan and Armand's in
March.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Your host: Allan Gardyne. Earning a good living from affiliate
programs since 1998.
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Private Messages
Log in
In my