An autoresponder is an automatic email reply. Once you set it up, the reply gets sent when someone sends an email to a specific address or fills out a form on your website.

For example, I could set up an autoresponder called subscribe@mywebsite.com. In the body of the email reply I might have some information about my business and perhaps a discount
coupon encouraging the recipient to sign up for a program.

If someone sent an email to subscribe@mywebsite.com they would instantly receive the autoresponder email reply with the information and discount coupon.

What's the benefit of using autoresponders?

Using autoresponders saves you time. You don't have to manually send an email to every person who enquires about your services.

Also, autoresponders are a powerful marketing tool. For one thing, you can collect prospects' email addresses (the autoresponder asks their permission) for your database. In addition, you can set up multiple or sequential messages to go out to your prospects or clients. In other words, the recipient will receive a continuous flow of email replies spaced out over time at intervals you specify.

What autoresponder service do you recommend?

There are dozens of autoresponder services on the Internet. Most cost in the neighbourhood of $20 a month. I've used Aweber for about two years now, and I really like it. It seems to be the one that is most often recommended by people who know about these things.

I have step-by-step instructions on how to set up an autoresponder in Aweber here (coming soon, check back in a couple of days).