Useful Tools
Most email marketing tools are embedded within paid third-party software or provided by Email Service Providers. However, here are a few self-service tools to improve your email response rate:
Do-It-Yourself Email Testing Lab
Set-up an email testing lab so that you can experience receiving your emails under the same conditions as most of your subscribers. Ideally, your lab will consist of at least 4 computers:
- an older desktop PC running Windows 2000 and Internet Explorer 6.0 with a video card set for 800x600 screen resolution and 16-bit color, with Flash 7.0, running Norton Internet Security, connected to the internet via a 56K dial-up modem, with text size set to "medium"
- a current desktop PC running Windows XP and Internet Explorer 7.0 with a video card set for 1024x768 screen resolution and 32-bit color, with Flash 8.0, and Windows security set to Medium, connected to the internet via DSL or cable, with text size set to "small"
- a widescreen laptop PC running Windows XP and Firefox with a video card set for 1280x800 screen resolution and 32-bit color, with Flash 9.0, and Windows security set to High, with text size set to "large"
- a current wireless Blackberry, set to all of the defaults
Spam Database Look-Up
Free look-up tools enable you to check if an IP address appears on many of the major spam lists.
http://dnsstuff.com
http://www.moensted.dk/spam/
Blacklist Monitor
Blacklist MonitorT is a real-time service to monitor your IP addresses. Know when you are listed, where you are listed, and what to do to start the removal process.
http://www.blacklistmonitor.com
"From" & "Subject" Line Preview Tool
Preview what your "from" and "subject" lines will look like in popular email browsers.
http://www.emaillabs.com/resources/from_subject_line_tool_popup.html
