Email Marketing - Is It Worth Considering?

Email marketing has drawn a lot of criticism. I suppose this is to be expected considering the way it has been abused. Unfortunately there are those who only see it as an inexpensive way to get to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. The websites spammers sometimes promote are often less than legal, frequently not in existence for more than a short period of time. Regardless of why you use your computer, everyone receives this spam, sometimes on a daily basis. Those who send you "junk mail" depend upon sheer numbers to be able to promote their websites and products. These actions, unfortunately, have given legitimate marketing through emails a very bad name. In reality, email marketing can be a very inexpensive and effective tool if used correctly.

There are a couple of different methods which your business can use to promote it's website through email. Yes, you do have the capability to purchase a "blaster", along with a list of names for the purpose of sending tens of thousands of emails on a daily basis. Although this is one method, it really can create issues for your website. Many companies such as Yahoo, monitor this manner of email marketing very closely. More than one email account has been deleted from Yahoo because of what they interpret as spamming. Remember, it shouldn't always be about numbers. If you have your site designed so as to offer a visitor's log, or another method of capturing visitor data, it will be possible to send email follow-ups to thank them for visiting your site and viewing your product. Should you select this method, or any other, be sure you offer the recipient an "opt out" option. This will prevent any further unwanted emails from being sent.

You should, of course, follow-up all sales with a "Thank You" email. Although this may not sound as though it is email marketing, you would be surprised at the good will a simple Thank You can create. From this point forward, the customer who purchased any type of item from your site should receive updates on new products you might add to your site. Again, be sure every email sent gives the recipient the option of discontinuing any further contact. You have the option of designing the emails yourself, or having them professionally written. Either way, it is important to use this method of marketing in the most productive manner possible. While on this subject, I have a friend who has a site where he sells various video games. One of the bits of information he gathers when someone makes a purchase is their date of birth. He then goes to the trouble to send his customer a Happy Birthday email regardless of whether they have made any additional purchases. It is the use of emails, email marketing, in creative ways which will provide you with very inexpensive and effective marketing. Be creative, use the tool in ways you would appreciate if you were your own customer.


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Casey Trillbar is the editor of makeawebsiteguide.com, which is a website aimed at supplying a step by step guide on how to make a website. http://www.makeawebsiteguide.com