Autoresponders are an online business owner’s best friend. These programs that send out instant replies when e-mails come in are invaluable for Internet marketing, and save you time in sending out e-mail after e-mail. Autoresponders can automate just about all of your business tasks and free you so you can concentrate on what really matters: your business. What can you use autoresponders for in your Internet marketing? The possibilities are endless:

1. Newsletters. Newsletters and e-zines are among the best (and cheapest) Internet marketing strategies available. Using an autoresponder to manage your newsletter subscription list saves you time and hassle: just load your newsletter into the autoresponder program, set it to be delivered when you need it, and fahgeddaboutit!
2. FAQs. Do your customers have a lot of questions? If you’re constantly receiving e-mails asking the same questions about your product or service, you can set an autoresponder to deliver an FAQ (frequently asked question) message whenever you receive an e-mail at a certain address (such as help@mycompany.com).
3. More Information. Providing an address for visitors to request more information serves a dual purpose in Internet marketing: they generate interest, and collect addresses for your subscription list. Create an “about my company” document and set an autoresponder to send it out when you receive a request for more information.
4. Marketing Messages. Repetition is the key to any marketing strategy—especially Internet marketing, where you can find hundreds of thousands of possibilities that are no more than a click away. The beauty of autoresponders is the ability to program them to send a sequence of messages, spaced at any interval you choose. Once a visitor requests information, you can send out an initial message and several “reminder” messages, so your product or service stays in the forefront.
5. Coupons and Specials. Another great Internet marketing strategy is to offer regular visitors special deals for their patronage. Autoresponders make it easy to send out great deals on a weekly or monthly basis—and once you’ve programmed the autoresponder to set this up, you don’t have to give it another thought!
6. Order Confirmation. People who buy on the Internet want instant confirmation that their payment information was received and process. Using an autoresponder to deliver an electronic receipt after every purchase helps your company build consumer trust and a solid reputation.
7. Follow-up Messages. Thanking customers after they’ve made a purchase is a smooth Internet marketing move most businesses don’t take advantage of… usually because they’ve forgotten to. You can use autoresponders to first send a receipt, and then pass on your message of thanks a few days or a week after. You’ll never forget to thank another customer!
8. E-Courses. Do you have an informational product or an e-book? Autoresponders make it easy to break up longer information and send a piece of it at a time, without having to remember when you’re supposed to send the next installment. Offering e-courses is a good boost for your Internet marketing plan, and people love to learn new things!