So I was only thinking yesterday about the sort of script-based solutions that are marketed to people when, lo and behold, a perfect example of what I had in mind drops straight into my Inbox…

Now I am not going to name names, I am not even going to identify the script concerned – that’s not important to me, but the underlying problem IS. You see, this Autoresponder script is presented as a way of cutting costs; instead of paying GetResponse or AWeber a monthly fee, just pay 20 bucks once and manage your email campaigns for no cost, forever.

At first I thought I was going to find a “one off lifetime” subscription to an email marketing service – there was an impressive list of features, and it really did tick all the boxes. So when I got to the “call to action” I was a) surprised to find the prices was $19.95 and b) slightly bemused to discover that this is a PHP script.

Now let me ask you this – how many of you can do one or more of the following?

• Install a PHP script on a web hosting account
• Create scheduled CRON jobs on a web hosting account
• Debug and tweak PHP code when issues arise
• Negotiate white-listing agreements with service providers to ensure deliverability
• Above all else – who has got the ability to run this on a server with no hosting fees?

 You see, you may not pay the autoresponder people every month, but you DO need high quality, reliable servers, you need the ability to jump in and fix code if something goes wrong (and it will), and you need to ensure that your emails will not get blocked en route.

Fair enough, these guys were offering script installations for $7 – but what of ongoing support and maintenance? Either they are going to make money from you this way, or else they don’t care, and just want to make the one-off sale, get your contact details, and then spam you.

Nice huh?

This is why I use a monthly subscription service – I know that the people I use are experienced, they SPECIALISE in email marketing and the delivery of the emails. I pay them for peace of mind, so I don’t have to worry about code maintenance, and I certainly don’t have to worry about whether my emails get through or not!

In fact, when I first put Express Marketer online, I was sending emails from my own server, using very simple server-side code. Within a few hours I had people complaining that they weren’t getting their introduction/welcome mails, and it didn’t take long before I switched over to using a paid AR service.

Since that day there has been not one failure to my knowledge.

So what is my point here? Yet again, there are what I consider to be “shoddy” tactics being employed. People want to save money, and this is touted as a way of doing that, but it’s really a bit of exploitation, and frankly distasteful.

It all comes back to that ultimate gauge by which you can measure yourself and your business – how much value are you offering? At $19.95 (plus $7 installation), this script has the appearance of being very good value indeed, but the mess it will leave most people in, and the real costs (when you consider hosting fees etc.) make this a very VERY poor deal indeed.

So will you ever see me selling scripts? To be honest, I don’t think so. But let’s imagine for a moment that I did, that script would be backed up with a full explanation of what it can and cannot do, what it does and does not include, and the offer of ongoing assistance if you felt the need for such a script.

Look, overall, scripts are not inherently bad, but you really need to be aware of what is involved, and whether you want to get your hands quite that dirty; ultimately do you desire to be a techie, or a marketer?

Most people I deal with would burst into tears if you suggested that they need to become part time geeks! I suspect you may have similar misgivings.

Until next time…
Gaz