I am often asked about email newsletters or mailing lists, how to manage them, or what software is needed. You can find several articles on newsletters in general in the ‘Conversion” category of my Article archives. I have also intended to write more in depth reviews of the mail list service options, but haven’t yet had time. Since the question came up again this week at a networking group, I am going to post some of the options now and worry about the in depth information later.
Here are some links to newsletter or mail list services:
Constant Contact - You can run the trial unlimited with under 50 subscribers, but it starts to get pricey after that. I’ve gotta say, its probably the most user-friendly service though.
Express Email Marketing- this is one you can buy through the YNot Shop(under Marketing tools). There’s now a $9.95 per YEAR (not per month like Constant Contact) option (under 250 emails) which you can upgrade to the $29.95 per year for 5000 html newsletters (has templates etc). For a strict newsletter, its a really good deal.

I’d actually recommend AUTORESPONDER services instead because they do OH sooo much more. These are my top three of those:
AWeber Unlimited Autoresponders . I use this one for my “YNot Succeed Online” Newsletter and other things. Unlimited autoresponders and mail lists, has html templates, lets you bounce subscribers from list to list, have up to 10,000 subscribers. They have a trial offer and the yearly price is really good.

My second choice was: GetResponse. Aweber eeked by them with one minor feature I wanted for my list, but probably would not concern most people. GetResponse is actually somewhat cheaper than Aweber for some really cool features. They also have a trial offer.

Here’s a new One I haven’t been able to check out as much yet, but has good reviews and was recommended to me:
Email Aces. Its $8.95 per month for up to 2500 subscribers/1 list which is better pricing than a lot of them. Believe it or not, most these types of services charge $20 per month and UP (waaaay up).

Then here’s the list of other companies I send for comparisons, as they each have features or pricing that may work for someone in certain circumstances:
Internet Mail Manager-pay per email sent
MailOut- okay prices for bigger than small list but not big lists
MailChimp- cool name, pay per email sent- They have email templates to download no charge!
MailerMailer - pricey except you get 200 emails per month No Charge in their trial (where Constant Contact limits to 50 subscribers but doesn’t count how many times you mail them)
Trident- has a kind of funky ‘points’ system, but may work for some needs.

** See our 2007 update on Mail List Services and rates.

Everyone, and I mean everyone should have anti-virus software installed if they use a computer that is networked in any way, shape, or form. (If you’re reading this you are on the largest network alone- the Internet!) If you don’t, you are not only putting yourself and your data at risk, but pretty much are putting the rest of us at risk as well (especially those you have the most contact with via email or other online communication).

Even if its been a long time since you installed it or updated it -perhaps you bought a computer in 2001 with Windows 2000 (or worse, you may still have Windows 98) on it and you had a ‘trial’ version of some anti-virus software that you’ve never upgraded or updated- you should probably consider one of the new generation anti-virus programs.

My current favorites are from Trend Micro and Computer Associates.

Trend Micro has a place on my recommended list because when some of the other big companies seemed to be just sitting on their laurels, Trend Micro was making great advancements and incorporating new technologies into their products. Plus I have a soft-spot for a company that gives you free tools and good prices. Trend Micro was the first anti-virus to offer a free online scan- with Housecall. Although scanning online will not protect you from viruses, it will let you find and destroy them if you’re already infected. Plus its nice to have a ’second opinion’ for peace of mind if you do have some sort of outbreak with another anti-virus product.
Anyway, your best bet is to install their PC-cillin Internet Security which gives you all-in-one antivirus, antispam, firewall for your PC and PDA. They are also offering $25 Competitive Upgrade Rebates until the end of 2006, if you need that nudge to upgrade that five year old version of McAfee you are fooling yourself into thinking is protecting you.

The second company I prefer is Computer Associates. They also have Internet Security Software that is effective, easy to use, and affordably priced. They also acquired Pest Patrol and have started incorporating anti-spyware into their products as well as offering FREE Scans. I currently run EZ Armor myself with PestPatrol on the side.

Since PayPal announced earlier this week that it has surpassed 100 million users worldwide, I thought this would be a good time to discuss the merits of Paypal from a business perspective.

Many online buyers feel Paypal is a safe, easy and convenient way to pay online because they do not need to share their financial information with every online merchant. But I’ve come across several merchants who seem leary of setting up Paypal as their credit card processor, perhaps because the Paypal name has been used by spammers and phishers to try to con people out of account information. This would be like uninstalling Microsoft Windows because so many hackers target viruses to Windows users (why? because so many people USE it).

Paypal is one of the most economical way for merchants to gain the ability to take credit cards over the internet. Paypal accounts have no start up costs and you are only charged when you make a credit card sale. Most merchant accounts charge ongoing statement fees and annual or monthly fees whether you make a sale or not.

Of course, there are times when another merchant service or full merchant account may better suit your business. I will try to cover more options and various scenarios as I can.

More information about Paypal can be found at https://www.paypal.com.