MarketingSherpa – Buyer’s Guide Email Service Providers

Table of Contents:

85 services from 64 vendors are profiled and compared-and-contrasted in this 242-page Buyer’s Guide published November 2005.

Section I: How Vendors Were Selected & Profiled for this Guide
Step One: Qualification Round
Step Two: Detailed Profile
Wondering Why a Vendor isn’t in this Buyer’s Guide?
How to Get into Next Year’s Guide

Section II: Email Outsourcing Basics
In-House Versus Outsourcing
Chart: Email Services Outsourcing: Marketers’ Plans to Switch for 2006
The Cost of In-House Email Serving
Why Costs Go Far Beyond Sending “Free” Email
Pricing has Stabilized
Beyond the Basic Broadcast: Six Extra Services
Industry Backgrounder: Behind the Scenes at ESPs
The Three Basic Types of ESPs
Quick Industry Background: 2001-2005
ESPs’ Versus Clients’ Email Desires: A Disconcerting Disconnect
Chart: Why Customers Leave
ESPs’ Biggest Challenge for 2006: Reputation Management (still)

Section III: The ESP Selection Process — Step-by-Step
Seven ESP Shopping Process Don’ts
Step One: Outline your needs prior to reviewing vendor materials
Quick Email Broadcast Quiz
Step Two: Create a Shortlist
Step Three: Due Diligence
Step Four: Contract Negotiation and Careful Transition
Step Five: The Transition to Your New Vendor
Top 10 Checklist: What You Need to Do the Minute After You Switch Broadcast Vendors

Section IV: Comparison Charts, Indices, & Pull-out Questionnaire
Service Basics: Compare & Contrast Chart
Client Types: Compare & Contrast Chart
Deliverability: Compare & Contrast Chart
Advanced Services: Compare & Contrast Chart
Client Index: ESP Index by Client Name
North American Location Index
Pull-Out Email Service Providers Questionnaire

Section V: Profiles of 64 Vendors Offering 85 Services