What is a Autoresponder
Like the name suggests, an autoresponder is a computer program that automatically answers any emails sent to it. In our client-conscious marketing world, it's both a basic courtesy to your users and a powerful marketing tool.
Common Autoresponder uses
The most basic autoresponder task is to acknowledge the receipt of an email and promise a quick reply, or notify the sender of vacations, opening hours, etc., so that he may know when to expect a reply.
A more marketing-oriented use is to invite users to query about a service or product by email, and use an autoresponder to automatically send back a sales pitch. In terms of a personal touch, this is one step higher than simply posting the sales pitch on your site. But more importantly, through this technique you gain the user's email and a chance for repeated contact.
Most hosting providers who offer email accounts also offer setting up a simple autoresponder. Look for this important tool when choosing your provider.
Advanced Autoresponder uses
Some autoresponder services allow you to set up "follow-up" emails: a series of emails that will be sent out at regular intervals once they're triggered by the arrival of the user's first email. This is a strong marketing tool that can be used in many ways, such as providing the user with valuable information over the course of several emails, then following up with a related sales pitch.
A word of caution
Autoresponders easily lend themselves to spamming. Be careful never to cross that line: not only is it illegal, but it also repels potential clients faster than no communication at all.