Anyone who owns a website that sells a product or service needs to know everything possible about autoresponders.  In fact, if you have an email account you'll probably already be all too familiar with autoresponders.  These are stand-alone programs or pieces of script in an existing email application that will send an automatic email in certain circumstances.
 
You probably receive several pieces of automated email a day.  Newsletters, product information updates, and special sale reminders are all great examples of email sent by an autoresponder system.  If you've ever set an "out of office" response on your office email, you've used an autoresponder yourself.
 
Autoresponders can be used in an email marketing program to send product information to people who sign up for more information on your website.  They can be used to automatically send a followup email to people making an inquiry on your site.  They can even be used to send a simple message to tell your customers that you received their email or inquiry and will respond to them when time permits.
 
If you have an ebook or other instantly-deliverable product, an autoresponder can save you time and money by completely automating the process of getting your product to your buyers.  All you have to do is set up the initial site and system, and then let the website and autoresponder do their work.
 
While autoresponders are extremely common and popular among internet marketers, they must be used with caution.  Spam filters are very advanced these days, and will often block any email sent from an automated system.  They will also block emails sent to many recipients at once.  If you plan to use an autoresponder, you need to be aware of the legal and acceptable ways to use the software to avoid spamming.
 
Although many consumers are weary of spam and claim that they get too much email, email marketing continues to be a lucrative method to get your company's name out to potential customers.  Email campaigns can not only solicit new customers, but keep you I touch with your existing customers and keep your website fresh in their minds so that they are more likely to return and make repeat orders.