Cron is a server side function that executes commands at specified time and dates, according to instructions in the crontab file.
You need Cron for sending follow up emails to your subscribers at your specified intervals.
Example: If you want to send 1st email immediately after the person subscribes and second email 3 days after. Then cron tab on your web site checks it and send the second email to that subscriber on 3rd day.
Image tag (pixel image tag) don't work properly as it not a reliable way of activating the script. to send follow ups.