Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Email Marketing Software.

Ratings

Feature Set

We ranked the software according to the number of practical features that will help you create and send professional and effective bulk emails.

Installation/Setup

Email marketing software, like any software, should be easy to install and setup, should come with clear installation directions and not cause errors on your computer.

Ease of Use

We considered how easy the software is to navigate and use to perform the basic functions. A computer novice should feel confident in using the program to send marketing emails.

Email Creation

This criterion ranks the software according to how easy it is to create an email.

Reporting

We considered the number of valuable reports like email delivery and unsubscribe lists, that the software produces.

Mailing List Sizes

Standard/Regular

The number of emails the standard software will allow you to send at one time.

Professional/Enterprise

The number of emails you can send at one time if you buy the professional/enterprise version of the software (if available).

SMTP Server Setup

Direct Send Mode

You can use your Domain Name Server instead of your SMTP server to send your emails.

Multi-Threaded Multi-Processor Engine

A system used to speed up your emails so your SMTP server won't get bogged down because of the large number of emails you're trying to send.

Auto. Detect Settings

The email marketing program will automatically detect a built-in SMTP server and adjust the settings accordingly, so you can get the software setup with as little hassle as possible.

Email Setup Wizard/Tutorial

The product includes a wizard that will help you setup the program with the SMTP/DNS server.

Email Creation Features

Email Creation Wizard/Tutorial

A wizard that will help you create the entire email campaign.

Supports Unicode Characters

You can use Unicode and international characters in the marketing email.

Message Encoding

You can use message encodings in the marketing email.

Supports Sound Files

You can add sound to your email with WAV, MP3 or other sound files.

Supports Images

You can add images to your email campaigns to create attractive visuals in your message.

Supports Background Images

You can import an image into your email and add text over it to create a stylish and impressive email.

Change Background Colors

You can change the background color of your email.

Import HTML Pages

You can import a pre-made webpage or HTML email into the program and send it as an email blast.

File Attachments

You can attach a file to your marketing emails.

Email Templates

The program provides email templates you can incorporate and modify to create your email campaign.

View Email in Browser (Before Send)

After you create your HTML email, you can view it in an Internet browser so you can see exactly what the email will look like.

Add Unsubscribe Link

You are able to add an unsubscribe link to your email by adding a quick button or by hard coding the link into your email.

View Email in HTML

You would use this view to create and modify an email with more than one image or an HTML coded email.

View Email in Plain Text

You can use this view if you are creating a text email without images.

View HTML Source Code in Program

This feature will let you easily modify the HTML code in the program so you don't have to export it to your desktop, modify it, then import it to your email marketing software again.

View Overall Preview (WYSIWYG)

WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). After you create your email, you can view it as your audience will see it.

Email Sending Features

Group Email Contacts

The program will allow you to organize and group your email contacts so you don't have thousands of emails in the same list.

Email Job Scheduling

You can set the program to send bulk emails in groups and specify when they will be sent and even stagger the sending times.

Bounce Handling (Resend)

If emails are bounced back, the program will either automatically resend them or you can manually resend the emails.

Test the Email (Send it to Yourself)

After you create an email campaign, the program will send the email to you, so you can see what the final draft looks like and correct any errors before you send it to thousands of people.

You can create and send an email campaign to only a certain group of people.

Contact List Management

Import Mailing List

Instead of entering thousands of email addresses manually, the program will import your lists for you, provided they are in the right format.

Delete Duplicate Emails

The program will find and delete duplicate email addresses.

Remove Unsubscribed Contacts

When your customers choose to opt-out or unsubscribe to your emails, the program will automatically remove them from your contacts list or mark them as unsubscribed.

Email Tracking Features

Unsubscribe Report

This report will let you know how many people on your contact list have unsubscribed to your emails.

Successfully Sent

This report has the number of emails that were successfully sent.

Opened Email Report

This report will inform you as to how many of the recipients opened the email.

Summary Charts/Error Log

Most bulk email software have an error log that will list every error that occurs in the program. Some products will even provide pie charts and other summaries of the email blast.

Email Tracking Add-on Available

Most bulk email software have an error log that will list every error that occurs in the program. Some products will even provide pie charts and other summaries of the email blast.

Technical Support

Email/Forms

The product manufacturer provides either an email address or forum, so you can contact customer service with any questions or concerns that you have.

Phone

You can contact technical support by phone with any queries.

FAQ

There is a section on the manufacturer's website or in the help menu that has FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) so you can find the answers to common problems.

Help Documentation

The program includes help pages, searchable knowledge base or index that explains how to use the product or troubleshoot common problems.

Free Trial/Demo/Tutorials

The program offers a free trial, live demonstration or in-depth tutorials so you can try the software before you buy it.

Live Chat

The manufacturer's website has live chat, a form of instant messaging, so you can instantly contact customer service with any questions.

 ©2003 – 2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.