Before 2007, many people successfully used autoresponder software that resided on their server because it was cost effective.
Some hosting services provide autoresponder in your Cpanel at no extra charge. Others have a one-time licensing fee only.
But since 2007, autoresponder software like this isn’t effective at getting your email delivered. Instead, what will usually happen is that your domain name will get blacklisted by one or more Internet service providers.
Getting blacklisted means that none of your email gets through the email filters – both personal individual messages and mass mailing.
I helped one client move her email database to an ESP when we discovered that 70-80% of her email messages weren’t reaching their destination. She had been using a licensed autoresponder on her shared server.
Autoresponders on your own server just aren’t a good choice any more for most online businesses, even if you are using a dedicated server. You need an Email Service Provider (ESP) if you want your email messages to get through.
In the next part of this series, I’ll share with you my favorite autoresponder and tell you why I like it so much.