A Desktop-Hosted Autoresponder

A desktop-hosted autoresponder is just a program that is run directly on your own workstation or computer.

Desktop autoresponders may or may not be cheaper or easier to use than other types of autoresponders.

The biggest disadvantage is that you need to have the program running on a dedicated computer with around-the-clock access to the internet via a high speed broadband connection. The use of a dial-up connection simply would not be adequate.

To use this type of autoresponder, you must purchase the program and install it on your computer.

Desktop-hosted autoresponders are more suitable for non-professional marketers who have a small subscriber list.

For professional marketers who have a large subscriber list, these are not recommended.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Desktop-Hosted Autoresponders

If you are a professional internet marketer or has a large subscriber list, you should consider using a locally-hosted autoresponder and not a desktop autoresponder for the following reasons:

1. Technical superiority and reliability of a web server hosted autoresponder.

2. Ease of expansion to meet growing demand as multiple autoresponders can be added later.

3. Ability to handle large subscribe list.

4. Lower overall cost- no need for a dedicated computer with around-the-clock internet access.

However, desktop autoresponder have its advantages too.

For example, if you are a professional internet marketer, you can use it for automating a lot of the tasks involved in answering emails.

In fact, you may consider using a locally-hosted autoresponder to handle tasks like subscription and follow-up, and a desktop autoresponder to handle tasks like sending a certain email-on-demand or for responding to specific enquiries.

Leading Desktop-Hosted Autoresponders in the Market

There are many desktop-hosted autoresponders in the market.

Following are two leading desktop brandnames in the market:

1. Promasoft
2. Mailloop

Almost all desktop autoresponders in the market provide unlimited use of the autoresponders with unlimited follow-up messages and unlimited number of subscribers.

However, not all of them provide useful features like automatic subscribe and unsubscribe, link tracking features and sending emails in text or HTML formats.

So it is important that you study the features of an autoresponder carefully before deciding to purchase.