Do you want help building a list? Who doesn’t? After all, a regular email to a subscriber list can be a very effective business tool that will get you far in marketing your business online. It’s a very cost effective, quick and easy way to reach lots of people. It can drive people to your website/ blog, help you reach new and highly targeted audiences, and assist you in promoting your products/ services.
If you do want help building a list, you’ve come to the right place. Because I’m going to introduce to a tool that will help you do just that and one that I use every day. Even if you already have a list, I can hopefully introduce you to a superior service that is very popular in the online world. What is it? Aweber.
Advantages
- Easy to set up and has step-by-step instructions to guide you all the way – from setting up emails to scheduling them. Aweber allows you set up unlimited lists and there is no added charge for this. They also let you send unlimited follow-up emails.
- Aweber provides spam checks for your emails to help you bypass the spam filters. This increases the chance of your emails being opened, read, and acted upon.
- The software is very reliable and ensures fast email delivery (in these aspects, they are unbeatable – their competitors cannot compete). In fact they have a 99%+ email deliverability rates.
- Reports and tracking tools. Aweber shows you who is really opening your emails and who has clicked on your links. It also has unique ability to reach subscribers who have not yet opened your emails by resending it them.
- Email templates (150 to be precise). This makes creating a brilliant email much quicker and easier. There are many different layouts and designs.
- Integrate emails with your social media networks – a personal favourite feature for me.
- Live chat
Disadvantages
- Unable to send actual videos through your emails (though you can provide the link).
- If you are moving over from another list, you can’t upload your list. You have to ask permission from each email address you have
Cost
You can join their trial for $1, once the trial period is over prices start from $19 per month and go up according to how many subscribers you have on your list.
Overall
Whilst Aweber isn’t free it is one of the best email marketing platforms in the marketplace. I couldn’t run my business without it and if you’re looking to build a list Aweber is an essential tool.
To take your $1 trial click here to get started (they do have a 30 day money back guarantee and you can cancel at any time, but remember if you do cancel that you should export your list!)
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About Lilach
I absolutely love Aweber too! I used to use a free one (I won’t say the name…lol) but I switched because of Aweber’s awesome customer service, training and functionality. It’s so worth the monthly fee. Thanks for your great post Lilach.
Thanks Laura. I really do think that list building isn’t something you should scrimp on. It’s crucial to any business and the free email marketing providers just don’t perform as well. It’s not just about being able to send emails but the reporting functions, split testing, social media sharing etc. are all part of it. Please to see another fan:)
I started off using Aweber because someone recommended it to me. Even though it seemed expensive at first I’m so glad I went with Aweber not a free alternative. I’ve never actually used any other paid autoresponder but it would have to go a long way to covert me from Aweber. Thank you for a great article, good to know it’s so highly recommended! I’ve learnt that I need the best tools I can get because I’m building a business not indulging a hobby.
Thanks Jenny. Yes Aweber really does provide the top performing email autoresponders platform. I wouldn’t have a free business card (vista print springs to mind) and the same applies for my emails. Building my list is my livelihood and when you consider what Aweber does I think it’s worth every penny.
Thanks for the review Lialach. I’m considering moving to Aweber so it’s nice to see a “to the point” synopsis of it.
My pleasure Monyelle. I think you’re find Aweber ticks all the boxes. It’s a great way to list build and be able to measure which emails are performing best for you:)
I started with Aweber in September and am quite new, but so far I really like it. Easy to use, and like you said, they have awesome support! Good post!
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Thanks Val, pleased to see another happy customer:)
I’ve used aweber for over 10 years and love it! It’s powerful and yet easy to use.
Terry Petrovick recently posted..Entrepreneurs Get Paid For Results, Not Time Spent
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Thanks Terry, yes I love it too – although haven’t been using it for as long as you. You must have a pretty big list:)
Having a popular autoresponder like Aweber will save you so many headaches. That is cause Aweber works with just about any autoresponder dependent service or plugin. BTW Great review.
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Thanks Preston. That is definitely one of the plus points of using Aweber, it’s just so compatible with everything:)
I’ve used AWeber from the start. I like what it does for me although there are a few downsides as well, but the upside outweighs them. Good review.
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Thanks Joe, me too:)
I have to say that one of the advantages of using Aweber is the fact that it will integrate with just about everything. Great tool and easy to use, some I have tried have been horrid.
Twitter: davidgsharp
Thanks David, I love Aweber. In my old business I had Infusionsoft which is also very good particularly as a CRM system but the beauty of Aweber is as you’ve said, it’s so easy to integrate with everything which makes it a very big selling point for me.
Even though I’ve been using Aweber for a number of years, there are many great email list services available — each with a unique set of features and benefits. So, IMO, the best one is the one that works best for you based on your individual needs and goals.
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Thanks Kristof. There are other email marketing providers out there, however I do feel that Aweber is one of the top performing once and I would urge anyone who wants to build a list to not go for a email marketing tool just because it’s free or cheap. Get Response is another good one.
Always enjoy finding more fans of Aweber.
Something not usually mentioned is the fantastic Customer Service provided at Aweber.
Qualified persons speaking English answer the phone during hours convenient to most of us.
training videos always in production and the blog is phenomenal.
My clients have also been extremely pleased with the services provided
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I want to emphasize the importance of engaged Customer Service. My decision of using a product or service are not always Cost dependent, but rather service provided
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I agree Chuck and it’s an important lesson companies should learn from, particularly with social media now – companies can’t hide as much as if the customer service is bad it can be so damaging for a company. Price isn’t everything, I rarely buy on price these days, it’s more about the service, company and like you’ve said how good the customer service is.
Thanks Chuck, yes their customer service is great, I particularly love their online chat which is very useful. Customer service is so important and it can really break a business’s reputation if it’s not covered well.
I love awebber it is easy to use!
Twitter: johnmoussan
Thanks John, yes it’s very easy which is great for newbies:)
Hi Lilach, it’s my first time here and I’m so happy to see that you are using CommentLuv.
Thanks for your Aweber review. I have heard a several people who enjoy using it, but I understand that there is a bit of a learning curve. It sounds like a great solution though an the Thesis blogskin I use has Aweber integration so I need to get on the ball! Thanks again and I’m sure I’ll chat more with you soon.
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Thanks Ileane:) Aweber is actually really easy to use, plus they have a really good customer service and online support which is very useful.
Thanks Lilach for the review. I do not use Aweber but will consider it now.
My pleasure Suha, if you’re looking to build a list, it’s a fabulous tool:)
Just some thoughts on the phrase “cost you money”
Years ago I was encouraged to develop a business mindset and that mindset focus on the question, Not what something costs , but rather what are the potentials for profit.
My mind defines cost</b as the exchange of money for something that does little or nothing to improve my Income or Wealth.
Exchanging money for product, tool or service which offers the opportunity for Return + is an investment towards my end game.
May sound like semantic blather, but it is amazing what training your subconscious can produce.
The above encouragement was from, at that time 1952, the CEO of a major manufacturing company he started in 1895. I had a summer long contract to keep his lawn is pristine condition and he would sit on the bench and talk tome
Twitter: ChuckBartok
Thanks Chuck, appreciate your comments. I completely agree. The saying you have to spend money to make money is often very true:)
Sorry about not closing HTML tag.
Another quick thought on the “cost” angle of quality tools and services….
Aweber and other quality tools and service generally have affiliate programs..
If they work share the wealth. Aweber has sent me checks every month in amount far exceeding my “cost” after the second month I started with them.
Again a Mindset
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Yep, my Aweber is paid for too by affiliates but I wouldn’t use a tool for that reason, it’s just an added bonus. For me Aweber is a major part of my business and regardless of the cost or whether there was an affiliate incentive I would use it.
Hey Lillach, I don’t suppose anyone is prepared to do an A Weber vs Mailchimp comparison? I’m willing to be persuaded
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Thanks Jo. I have seen a few Aweber vs Mailchimp comparsions, I’ll see if I can find a few more. Aweber won hands down though lol
Thanks for letting me know about Comment Luv, I’ll check it out and get it fixed ASAP:)
Thanks for the review Lilach. I use Aweber for my newsletter. As well as the templates provided it’s also easy enough to create your own (or to get a web designer to do it for you).
Another good feature of Aweber if you’re on Gmail is the link with Rapportive. This displays contact information of anyone on your lists who emails you – very handy.
Thanks Jonathan, appreciate your comment and great tip. I’ll have to checkout how the Gmail works with Aweber:)
Thank you for a great article and review about the benefits and problems with using Aweber. We find GetResponse to be a very versatile tool. The ease by which you can copy an email form’s URL to send or embed is superb.
We add our email forms to a SQUARE:CODE so users only have to scan with their mobile phones to quickly fill in their details.
Again, thanks for an outstanding blog.
Johannes
Thanks Johannes, Get Response is great too although I’m a loyal Aweber fan:)
I also wrote a review of your product Square Code and for those who want to read it, it can be found here http://www.socialable.co.uk/qr-codes-you-control/
Thanks for the post
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my pleasure:)
An interesting article and you are right you really do need an auto responder to help build up your list. I use Aweber although initially it was a love hate relationship. Took me ages to work out how it works despite the very helpful videos which I didn’t have all the time in the world to watch. Now I’m used to it it’s fine. I thought of transferring to mailchimp because it’s free up to a certain usage and I don’t have a very large list yet. If Aweber was hard to get to grips with I found mailchimp impossible. It just wouldn’t act the way it was supposed to and in order to design forms to your own style you have to change the html codes. Way too much grief to I’m sticking with Aweber – I’ve grow accustomed to her face as the song goes.
Twitter: tycoonwoman
Thanks:) So sorry to hear of your nightmare with Aweber – did you try their live chat? I’ve always found that useful if I ever got stuck.
Mailchimp is free and I think is better if you have a really small list but ultimately if you’re looking to grow your list you really can’t beat Aweber and although it’s more expensive I’m a great believer in you pay for what you get:)
Lilach, I’m looking forward to Aweber. So far using MailChimp. Not crazy about it, because I don’t understand how to work it. I’m going to read the directions as soon as someone complains. That will require a subscriber who actually opens an e-mail.
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Thanks Astro. Both Aweber and Mailchimp need to take some time in learning. Aweber does provide videos but for me their live chat is a good option.
I prefer Aweber over Mailchimp though:)
Your headline says, “Is Aweber the best autoresponder?” but Aweber is not an autoresponder, it’s a bulk email client. An autoresponder is a program that automatically sends an email response back to the sender.
You also cite not being able to send videos as attachments as a disadvantage. Sending any large file through a bulk email client is a sure-fire way to get such a service blacklisted—meaning, your emails won’t get past the router at all the major ISPs.
Thanks Tim. Aweber does have two main functions, the ability to send emails i.e. newsletters/broadcasts etc. as well as an autoresponder follower up.
Aweber states:
“Send unlimited autoresponder messages.
New subscribers require special attention. They’re eager to hear from you, but they don’t know your company as well as established subscribers do. Build profitable relationships with them using a sequence of automatically delivered follow up emails.
Welcome new subscribers, then drive them back to your website with sequential autoresponders
Answer questions, deliver downloads and provide product information
Build subscriber trust and confidence
No manual sending needed – our unlimited autoresponder software delivers your emails automatically
Personalize emails with subscribers’ names and other information”
An autoresponder is but one simple feature of very expansive and capable email marketing software.
It’s also a feature made largely unnecessary by such innovations as Gmail’s “Canned Responses”: http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-in-labs-canned-responses.html
Thanks Tim, appreciate your comment. Yes the autoresponder is just feature, albeit a very popular one:)
Lilach, I’m still using my free list builder and it’s going very slowly. Aweber is in my future, just have to bite the bullet. I just noticed I commented previously. Oh well, you can tell I’m still very interested in the topic.
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Hi Lilach,
What do you see will be the consequences of Facebook Fanpages welcome pages and opt in for mailing lists going? Your strategy with Aweber looks a better choice of a business plan from my view.
Regards
John Cosstick
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Hi,
I have not set up an email autoresponder yet, and am getting to the point where having to manually send out newsletters etc to my subscribers is becoming a bit of a pain. Aweber looks very good and certainly ticks all the boxes for me, i really like the idea of using the statistics side of it and also the templates look great! The only thing i can see as a bit of a downside is that i cant port all my existing subscribers over? How is this best overcome? Send an email out informing them that you are moving to an autoresponder?……..
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