Broadcasting - Choosing Your Tool
Most people today that do business over the web offer a regular newsletter or ezine to their website subscribers. Quite often they have a subscription form availabe on their website and they use an online program to broadcast their messages (newsletter/ezine etc.) .
There are hundreds of broadcasting programs available today. Many offer great features and are easy to use …. so what do you need to consider before choosing the best program for you or your client?
Below we have included some items to consider when selecting a broadcasting program. Remember that it can be challenging to start with one program and then switch to another so it’s important to know the program you choose will accomodate your present AND future needs.
If you would like to download this checklist in pdf format, click here.
Cost of Service
What is the cost of the service? Many programs offer a variety of options depending on how many subscribers you have and how many emails are sent each month.
Do they offer a free trial?
Formatting of Broadcasts
Will be broadcasting in html or text only formats? If using HTML, are there customizable templates available in this program?
Is html coding knowledge required in order to customize the template/broadcast?
Does the system allow you to send in both html and text format? Important for those that do not accept html emails – you want to be sure that they will receive a txt format message.
Custom Form for Your Website
Is there an option to design a custom form to post to your website? This automates the process – by adding the form to your or your client’s website, people can subscribe and automatically be added to the distribution within the broadcasting tool you choose.
Importing Options
Can you easily import names and email addresses into the program once you open your account?
If you already have subscribers that have opted in to your list on another system – are they required to opt-in again or can you simply import the names?
Graphics and Images
Can you upload graphics to the program OR must you provide a link to your client’s service for the image?
Reporting
Bounce handling – is there a reporting function that shows you how many and which emails bounced per campaign?
What kind of reports can you view or export? Most systems have reporting functions that include the number of subscribers that opened the email, how many clicked through to the links provided in the email, how many people unsubscribed etc.
Specifics of Program – Internet or Server Based?
Is the program an internet based program or does it need to be installed to your web server? For example, Constant Contact is an internet based program and ListMail Pro must be posted to your server.
If the program is server based, do they provide installation assistance? If so, what is the cost?
Additional Options/Support
Send to a Friend – is there an option to easily add this option to each of your campaigns? Are these tracked in the reporting options?
Are you tied into a contract? Many programs do not require a contract which means you can close your account at any time. Confirm this information if it is important to you.
What kind of support is provided to users? Phone support? Email Support? Is there a fee?
What kind of “spam” rules are there? For example, if someone reports you as a spammer (even though they have opted-in to your system), what are the consequences?
