If you are hoping to get started with online marketing you've possibly heard of an autoresponder, but may not understand their is a difference between a service and a program. If you're not conscious of the difference between the two, you can often get caught out paying for something when you thought it was something else.
An autoresponder program is like any other computer program in that you download it and install it on your own computer.
These autoresponder programs often come as a free download with a hosting account, and have the advantage of supplying you with full control over the storage and use of your data.
If you don't like the program that you can receive from your hosting company you can also find autoresponder programs and scripts avaialable for download somewhere else on the Internet.
However the bulk of people are likely to make use of an autoresponder service. An autoresponder service typically works on a subscription basis where you pay a provider for the usage of their service on a month-to-month, quarterly or yearly basis.
In terms of functionality there is no real differnce between an autoresponder service and program. The real difference lies in where the data is stored - either on your own computer/web host or on someone elses server.
If you are just getting started online an autoresponder service is a better option. The fantastic thing about these services is that you can have your email marketing system launched and established without having any techie skills whatsoever. If cost is an issue, then you can perhaps look at no cost services first.
These free services are free because they typically have ads embedded in messages sent from your autoresponder. The other reason they could be free is because they are really offering you free use until you reach a certain number of subscrbers, at which point you will need to commence paying - similar to a free trial.
More sophisticated users often decide to use autoresponder programs, simply because they have more control over the autoresponder, and they don't have to follow some of the stiffer rules enforced by autoresponder services, such as sending confirmation to every person who is entered into the autoresponders list.
The autoresponder that you decide on is totally up to you, but normally, an autoresponder service should match your needs. If you're still not sure, begin with a reliable service offering a free trial period and go from there.
Author Resource:
Joe is a marketing advisor who specializes in photo marketing , and teaching photographers how to use Wordpress with photography wordpress theme .