VerticalResponse, a provider of online marketing tools for small businesses and a business unit of Deluxe Corp. has launched a solution that automatically sends a welcome email to every new subscriber who joins an email marketing list. Welcome emails are a type of "autoresponder" software that sends messages automatically when a contact engages.
The new feature is available free of charge, to all VerticalResponse customers and for a limited time is included for those on the free and pay-as-you-go plans.
"It's essential to connect with new subscribers as soon as possible, when their attention is at its highest," said David Shiba, VerticalResponse general manager, in a statement. "Using our new autoresponder feature, busy small businesses can roll out that virtual welcome mat and immediately engage with their new contacts without any extra time or effort."
The new software allows small businesses to make a great first impression by delivering that all-important initial message or promotion to new subscribers as soon as they sign up. A welcome email might serve as a thank-you note, as an opportunity to offer a discount or promotion, to highlight the benefits of joining a list, or to set expectations on what subscribers will receive in future emails.
To create a welcome email, users select a contact list to associate with the welcome message, choose a template, and customize the content using VerticalResponse's drag-and-drop email editor or HTML editor. Businesses with multiple contact lists can create a different message for each of their lists and personalize the experience even further. Once activated, the message is sent when a subscriber joins a list through a Web sign-up form, file upload or integration with other business apps. A summary report shows how many welcome emails have been sent, opened and clicked on, and welcome emails can be paused, edited and resumed at any time.