Back in 2009 when I moved into online marketing I started marketing using a low cost email sending platform and PayPal to take orders and collect payment. It was quick, cheap, cheerful and did the job. But I quickly learnt that I needed a robust system if I was going to progress with online marketing.
I needed a system that could not just send emails (like Constant Contact, EmailVision, Icontact, Awebber, MailChimp and others do!). I needed a system that could send the emails, take orders, collect payments, handle fulfilment, customer service. I also had a special requirement to set up affiliate and subscription programs. Then to complete the cycle I needed to be able to capture data, manipulate the data, and send physical orders to an external mail order fulfilment system. Then use customer data to drive and co-ordinate further automated marketing – not just online with email marketing, but also offline with direct mail and telesales.
Now, if you work for a large company such as HP, Microsoft, Barclays etc then no doubt they have their own bespoke marketing system. But smaller companies do not have millions of pounds to not just develop a system, but then maintain and enhance it.
This was a real problem for me and was holding me back. My solution was to investigate what the internet marketing gurus such as Perry Marshall, Ryan Deiss were doing -after all they have a system that make their business’s work.
So after subscribing to their email courses etc one name began to stand out in email send signatures and “From” addresses – Keap / Infusionsoft. This I then investigated further.
Keap / Infusionsoft was the solution to my problem and addressed all my requirements listed above and enabled me to make a huge leap forward in internet marketing. I am a huge fan of Keap / Infusionsoft for over 4 years now and what it can do for the small to medium size business.
However before you rush in and sign up to Keap / Infusionsoft there are a few considerations. 1 It is not a cheap solution, starting at $299 per month + a set up charge of it is a serious investment. 2 To reap the full benefits takes a commitment to learning and time to manage the system, it is not a plug and play solution -it requires someone to manage and develop the application.
However, from my experience the monthly cost quickly becomes insignificant as online sales and revenue increase. And remember if you cobble together your own system with various separate elements eg email platform, shopping cart, affiliate program, customer service etc then you will soon be spending over $299 per month to various suppliers anyway. As to the time involved, I invested significant time to learn and set up the system, but had Keap / Infusionsoft up and running within 2 weeks and generating sales.
If you have any questions regarding Keap / Infusionsoft then I am happy to speak on 0161 487 1506 (UK). Note I am not employed by or earn any commission from Keap / Infusionsoft.
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