Which one is best? PC based or web based autoresponder or mailing list software?

Radhika Venkata (c)


I get many emails from my web site visitors and see posts in forums :
web based or PC based?


What is web based?

The software is installed on the web site. It may be on your web site or
somebody's web site. To install the software the web site server has
enabled php or cgi or asp etc based on the type of language the software
is written.


What is PC based?

Software can be installed on your personal computer. You can install it
by keeping a CD in your install drive and open it on your computer screen.


What are adventages and disadvantages of each?

Advantages of web based autoresponder:
* Easy to send email to big lists
* You can access your software any where and from any computer
* You can get subscriber details easily like ip, date and time etc. This you
can use proof of their subscriptions
* You can integrate your mailing list with your web site easily
* You can use it to send follow ups, scheduled emails easily
* If you have a big list, you can host it on your own VPS
* One time fee structure. No monthly billings like autoresponder services

Disadvantages of web based autoresponder:
* Little bit technical knowledge will be required like prior installation
experience on your web site.
* You are responsible for upgrades of the software


Advantages of PC based autoresponder:
* Easy to install
* Easy to upgrade
* One time fee


Disadvantages of PC based autoresponder:
* Sending email to big lists is diificult as your software uses ISP as mail
server. (I heard that some PC based software are configured to use your web site mail server. So email seems like going your
own web site)
* You can't do real time things like follow up messages, scheduled messages etc.
* Backup is your responsibility
* Difficult to integrate with other web based utilities like your membership
site, other databases etc.


Though each has its own dis/advantages, its people preference to go with
which type of software they need.