The size of your typical ad campaign is a determining factor in choosing a software program. Consider the number of emails you plan to send at one time. Check the specifications for the mailing list size able to support the campaign. If the campaigns are large an unlimited mailing list size is suggested. With a larger campaign look for a multi-threaded multi-processor engine to speed up your emails so the SMTP server will not get become overloaded.

Selecting the proper SMTP server set-up features is also important for ease of use. Programs with an email set-up wizard will walk you through setting up the SMTP/DNS server. A software program with a direct send mode will allow your domain name server to send your emails instead of your SMTP. For ease of set-up, look at software programs with an auto-detect setting able to automatically detect a built in SMTP server, automatically adjusting the settings for you.

How professional the final product is depends on the email creation features. If the marketing message is international the program must support Unicode characters. For attractive visuals, make sure the software supports images. Other common features are, file attachment, and viewing an overall preview so you can view the email exactly as your audience will receive it. Some extra bells and whistles such a
s changing the background color or adding a background image are possibilities to amp up the style of your email. For a plug and play approach, chose a program with email templates to quickly format your message.

Tools for sending the emails are important for a bulk campaign. Sorting the list in manageable chunks is accomplished with the group email contacts feature. With E-mail job scheduling the groups can be sent at specified sending times. Bounce handling will automatically resend emails that do not make it through the first time.

All marketing programs must have accurate tracking. The right email marketing software will have the features ncessary built-in. In addition to an error log of emails sent, some programs offer east to read charts that summarize the email effort. To keep track of subscribers, make certain the program gives a list of subscribers and unsubscribes. By opting for a program with an open email report, you can even find out how many people actually open your email message to further tweak your campaign.

The amount of help and support a software company offers can be a deciding factor depending on your comfort level. While some only provide email support via contact forms when you are in a jam, others are much more interactive. Some offer tutorials, and live chat supports or even telephone support. This help can be invaluable to seamlessly put together a professional email campaign.