Self Hosted Autoresponder?

[Danlucy]

Do you have any suggestions how could I build a self hosted autoresponder?

If you have any scripts or software. Please share and guide me.

 

[Developer]

When I first saw the title of this post, I was going
to come in and make a joke about not having any
idea what a "shelf" hosted autoresponder was, but,
to my surprise, you spelt it that way in your actual
post as well, so, with no disrespect meant, did you
mean to type "shelf" or "self"?

 

[Danlucy]

Danlucy

Sorry I typed wrong that word. My question must be "what is self-hosted autoresponder email marketing? and how to build it?"

Edited the title of the thread.

 

[Developer]

Developer

OK, I just didn't want to waste your time, or mine (especially since I can get
extremely long winded on this forum, lol).

Anyway, a self-hosted autoresponder is just that. It is an autoresponder system
that is hosted on your own website. If you use any of the major hosting companies
out there, chances are, you have access to the system from within your control panel.

If not, or if you prefer not to use those (as most are not what you typically think
of in terms of an "autoresponder" like aweber or getresponse), then, there are
hundreds, if not thousands, of web script (php, cgi and asp) which will enable
you to host your own autoresponder system...

HOWEVER...

I do not suggest doing this as systems like Aweber and GetResponse (and the many
other companies out there) have developed systems which ensure your email messages
will get through to the targeted recipients, something you can not guarantee (easily)
when using your own self-hosted autoresponder system.

As for building your own, it all depends on the system you are hosting files on and the
programming language you wish to use. The more popular, of course, are CGI, PHP or ASP.
(cgi and php are for *nix based servers while php and asp are for use on windows servers).

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Are you intending to actually create your own
script and sell it (or simply use it privately) or are you just curiously posing the question?

 

[RDO Servers]

I just wanted to clarify one point that could be confusing for some users since you mentioned that php is for linux, then that php is for windows.

(cgi and php are for *nix based servers while php and asp are for use on windows servers).

Asp & asp.net run on windows servers only. CGI & php can run on windows or linux, but most people prefer to keep it on linux hosting.

 

[ElixantTechnology]

ElixantTechnology

Actually by using Apache's Mod_Mono you *can* run applications developed using ASP .NET 2.X on a Linux based system, however for optimal performance and functionality ASP should be run off of a Windows machine... Just as PHP was developed with the intended operating system being Linux.

 

[Sandra]

I used long ago a mailer that had autoresponder for Joomla. I don't know if they are still in the market. What I learned was that it's good for the first 20 emails, then it can get really cranky. Also, there are some problems with the hosting if the people in the mailing list decides to toss you in the spam folder instead of unregistering. I'm not sure if this is really true because to avoid problems my premise for that list was that every time I mailed I sent a freebie. Didn't make a cent, but, boy, people loved me.

Bottom line, I know it is not what you are asking, but a self hosted autoresponder is not that much of a great deal. There are some free services like mailchimp if you are not going to send out offers and just bring people to your site. And other semi free options like mad mimi, that lets you have one domain for free, and need to upgrade if you want more features. I think get response has also a free version (?), but it shares registrations or something like it. I don't remember, haven't played with it in years.

To the mods: I read something in the TOS about not to advertise products or services. It is not the intent, but if what I wrote is conflicting with the spirit of the TOS, I'll delete it.

 

[Developer]

Developer

I am not part of "management", however, I am certain what
I say will not be out of line in any way.

The terms, as with almost any forum out there, are set up to
ensure people do not simply blast the forums with useless posts
doing nothing BUT blatant advertising. What you've done, I am
certain, is in no way violating the TOS. The purpose of forums
like this one (WS) is to share your knowledge and know how
and I, for one, would have loved for you to have posted the
link to Mad Mimi and because you were simply truly trying to
provide some useful knowledge, I am certain no one would
have "scolded" you in any way for that.

For the benefit of the OP and any other interested parties,
here are some links to all sorts of autoresponder services,
self hosted and off-site/managed alike:

Off Site / Managed AR Companies

• [URLnofo]http://activecampaign.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://autoresponseplus.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://aweber.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://campaigner.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://constantcontact.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://convertkit.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://getresponse.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://icontact.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://infusionsoft.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://listwire.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://madmimi.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://mailchimp.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://officeautopilot.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://sendfree.com[/URLnofo]

Self-Hosted Autoresponders

• [URLnofo]http://activecampaign.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://alstrasoft.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://glockeasymail.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://infinite.ibasics.biz[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://interspire.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://maianresponder.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://phplist.com[/URLnofo]

There are obviously a slew of others, however, this should get
some people started if they're in need of an autoresponder.