Top 4 reasons NOT to use Outlook for your email marketing
Why its sensible for retailers to use an proper email marketing program
An increasing number of retailers are sending out emails to promots products and develop the relationships with their customers. Many start by using their own email accounts. Whilst this is a free and simple approach, there are reasons for not doing it.
Reason 1. Using the right protocols.
One of the most common mistakes is exposing the entire list in the "To" line. Using the BCC (blind copy) option will stop this. However, even if you always remember to use the blind copy option there are other reasons for using proper email software. It is a big mistake to leave out a facility for the recipient to unsubscribe, including this protocol is an important part of sending emails professionally. Your email client is not designed to perform critical list management functions including new subscribes, un-subscribes and bouncebacks, so you would have to do all of this manually while an email marketing system does it all for you.
Reason 2. Getting over the limitations.
The basic email program like Outlook is not designed for email marketing and therefore has significant limitations. Many email systems (e.g. Outlook, Eudora, Hotmail, AOL, etc.) set limitations on the number of emails you can send at one time.
Reason 3. Getting it delivered
Internet providers (ISPs) like AOL want to stop their customers getting spammed with emails. So they pay close attention to the number of recipients on emails coming through their systems. An email with too many recipients may be classified as a 'bulk' email and go into a recipient's bulk mail folder, or it can be classified as spam and end up not delivered. An email marketing service delivers your emails with proper protocols, and a good one develops relationships with ISPs to be sure their customers' permission-based email gets through. Should a problem arise, a solid email marketing service will get more attention than you could ever get on your own.
Reason 4. Reporting
As with any marketing its important to learn from your email campaign and find out what worked and what didnt to constantly improve what you do and make your email more relevant for yoru customers. A proper email program will provide reports on how many customers opened the emails and how many clicked and where they clicked.
Reason 1. Using the right protocols.
One of the most common mistakes is exposing the entire list in the "To" line. Using the BCC (blind copy) option will stop this. However, even if you always remember to use the blind copy option there are other reasons for using proper email software. It is a big mistake to leave out a facility for the recipient to unsubscribe, including this protocol is an important part of sending emails professionally. Your email client is not designed to perform critical list management functions including new subscribes, un-subscribes and bouncebacks, so you would have to do all of this manually while an email marketing system does it all for you.
Reason 2. Getting over the limitations.
The basic email program like Outlook is not designed for email marketing and therefore has significant limitations. Many email systems (e.g. Outlook, Eudora, Hotmail, AOL, etc.) set limitations on the number of emails you can send at one time.
Reason 3. Getting it delivered
Internet providers (ISPs) like AOL want to stop their customers getting spammed with emails. So they pay close attention to the number of recipients on emails coming through their systems. An email with too many recipients may be classified as a 'bulk' email and go into a recipient's bulk mail folder, or it can be classified as spam and end up not delivered. An email marketing service delivers your emails with proper protocols, and a good one develops relationships with ISPs to be sure their customers' permission-based email gets through. Should a problem arise, a solid email marketing service will get more attention than you could ever get on your own.
Reason 4. Reporting
As with any marketing its important to learn from your email campaign and find out what worked and what didnt to constantly improve what you do and make your email more relevant for yoru customers. A proper email program will provide reports on how many customers opened the emails and how many clicked and where they clicked.
